N4 Language Course
1. Vocabulary and Idiomatic Expressions:
– Vocabulary Expansion (単語の拡張 – Tango no Kakuchou): N4-level learners embark on their language journey by immersing themselves in essential Japanese vocabulary. They delve into everyday words related to 日常生活 (Nichijou Seikatsu) – daily life, such as 家族 (Kazoku) – “family”, 食べ物 (Tabemono) – “food”, 旅行 (Ryokou) – “travel”, and 基本的な活動 (Kihonteki na Katsudou) – “basic activities”.
– Introduction to Idioms (慣用句の紹介 – Kan’youku no Shoukai): Learners explore straightforward idiomatic expressions like 大丈夫 (Daijoubu) – expressing “alright” or 知っています (Shitteimasu) – denoting “know”, enabling them to articulate simple thoughts and emotions in everyday 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese conversations.
2. Grammar and Sentence Structures:
– Basic Grammar Structures (基本的な文法構造 – Kihonteki na Bumpou Kouzou): Commencing their grammar journey, learners focus on indispensable grammar patterns such as ます-form (ます形 – Masu Kei), て-form (て形 – Te Kei), plain form (普通形 – Futsuu Kei), and essential particle usage (は, が, を – Wa, Ga, Wo). This fundamental knowledge empowers them to formulate simple sentences, engage in rudimentary conversations, and express preferences and opinions.
– Sentence Building (文章構築 – Bunshou Kouchiku): Their ability to construct uncomplicated sentences progresses, enabling them to express likes, dislikes, preferences, and provide basic descriptions of 人々 (Hitobito) – people, 物 (Mono) – objects, and 行動 (Koudou) – actions in Japanese.
3. Reading and Comprehension:
– Reading Short Passages (短い文章の読解 – Mijikai Bunshou no Dokkai): Learners acquaint themselves with reading short and simplified Japanese texts, reminiscent of notices, emails, or advertisements encountered in daily life. They learn to extract basic 情報 (Jouhou) – information, identify キーワード (Kiwaado) – keywords, and comprehend essential details within these texts.
4. Listening Comprehension and Audio Analysis:
– Basic Listening Practice (基本的なリスニング練習 – Kihonteki na Risuningu Renshuu):
Exposure to concise audio clips, conversations, or announcements aids learners in understanding and following simple spoken phrases, identifying basic information, and comprehending straightforward dialogues in familiar contexts in 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese.
5. Writing Skills and Expression:
– Basic Writing Practice (基本的なライティング練習 – Kihonteki na Raitingu Renshuu):
Learners engage in practicing writing short and straightforward messages, postcards, or filling out basic forms in 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese. They focus on applying correct sentence structures, appropriate grammar usage, and simple vocabulary to communicate effectively.
6. Kanji Introduction:
– Basic Kanji Recognition (基本的な漢字認識 – Kihonteki na Kanji Ninshiki): Learners begin to familiarize themselves with essential Kanji characters in 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese. They are introduced to fundamental characters such as numbers (一, 二, 三 – Ichi, Ni, San), days of the week (月, 火, 水 – Getsu, Ka, Sui), and commonly used nouns (人, 日, 本 – Hito, Hi, Hon).
7. Cultural and Societal Insights:
– Basic Cultural Understanding (基本的な文化理解 – Kihonteki na Bunka Rikai):
Learners gain introductory knowledge about 日本の文化 (Nihon no Bunka) – Japanese culture, greetings, and everyday social interactions. They begin to comprehend basic cultural nuances and societal norms in the Japanese context.
8. Practice Tests and Exercises:
– Skill-building Exercises (スキル向上の練習 – Sukiru Koujou no Renshuu): Regular exercises and drills focusing on basic grammar points, vocabulary, and simple sentence constructions are incorporated into the curriculum to reinforce 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese learning.
– Sample Test Questions (サンプルテスト問題 – Sanpuru Tesuto Mondai): Exposure to sample questions modeled after the JLPT N4 format assists learners in familiarizing themselves with the test structure and expectations in 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese proficiency examinations.
At the N4 level, learners lay the foundation for their 日本語 (Nihongo) – Japanese language journey by immersing themselves in foundational vocabulary, rudimentary grammar, and initial cultural insights, setting the stage for their continued progress.