Program Address
Program of African & Asian Languages
Kresge Hall 4-400
1880 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208-2209
Phone: (847) 491-5288
Fax: (847) 467-1097

 

News General Info Faculty Placement Test
Course Information Course Resources Study Abroad Opportunities Language Table
Minor in Japanese Language & Culture Job/Internship Opportunities Useful Info

Last updated: 10/12/09

NEWS

Japanese Language Proficiency Test 2009 (JLPT 2009) will take place at various test sites on December 6, 2009 (De Paul University Lincoln Park Campus will be a host for Chicago test site.) Registration will start on August 3, 2009 at 10:00a.m. Pacific Time and will end on September 25, 2009 at 5:00p.m. Pacific Time. For more information please check "Japanese Language Proficiency Test in U.S." at the web site of the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.


General Information

The Japanese language program was established in 1975. Japanese courses are offered through the Program of African & Asian Languages (PAAL) of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS). The Japanese language program currently provides four levels of practical language training for students in all fields of study. All four skills are taught: speaking, reading, listening and writing. Students may begin with no prior knowledge of Japanese; subsequent levels of study extend to upper-intermediate proficiency. By the fourth level, students will be using authentic (non-textbook) printed and visual materials and doing various forms of expository writing. Study abroad in year-long, semester and summer programs in Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto is available. Students may also use their language study to add the minor in Japanese Language and Culture.

Faculty

  • Phyllis Lyons
    Director of the Japanese Program
    Associate Professor of Japanese Language and Literature

    Kresge Hall 4-372
    1880 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208-2209
    Phone: (847) 491-2766
    E-mail: p-lyons@northwestern.edu

  • Mika Obana
    Adjunct Lecturer

    Kresge Hall 4-356
    1880 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208-2209
    Phone: (847) 467-0432
    E-mail:m-changet@northwestern.edu

  • Junko Sato
    Senior Lecturer
    Co-Coordinator of the Japanese Language Program
    Placement Test Coordinator

    Kresge Hall 4-352
    1880 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208-2209
    Phone: (847) 491-2762
    E-mail: jsato@northwestern.edu

  • Yumi Shiojima
    Senior Lecturer
    Co-Coordinator of the Japanese Language Program
    Study Abroad Coordinator

    Kresge Hall 4-358
    1880 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208-2209
    Phone: (847) 491-2764
    E-mail: shiojima@northwestern.edu

  • Noriko Taira Yasohama
    Distinguished Senior Lecturer
    The First-Year Japanese Coordinator

    Kresge Hall 4-354
    1880 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208-2209
    Phone: (847) 467-1986
    E-mail: ntaira@northwestern.edu

Placement Test

Students who know some Japanese and who are planning to take Japanese at Northwestern must take the placement test. This rule applies to ALL students in ALL schools and programs, including Graduate School and Professional Schools. Please read the following information and take the placement test on the scheduled date and time. Contact Ms. Junko Sato , the placement test coordinator, if you have any questions.

  • How to take a Japanese placement test

    You can take the online portion of the placement test any time the MMLC labs are open (Kresge Hall 1-315 and 1-335). After logging on to the Japanese placement test site (http://placement-test.mmlc.northwestern.edu), choose Level I test if you have not taken AAL 116-3 at Northwestern University, and choose Level II test if you have already taken and passed AAL 116-3. After completing the online test, go to Kresge 4-350 during the following times to take the paper and pencil portion of the placement test. If necessary, an oral test will also be given at the same time.

    Monday, November 16 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    Tuesday, November 17 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    Thursday, November 19 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
    Note: Since you will not know if you will get into a Japanese class of your choice until you complete the whole test, please be sure to have a backup course plan for the Japanese class.

  • Descripton of Japanese Language Placement Test


Course Information for Fall 2009-Spring 2010

AAL-115-1, 2, 3: Japanese I

Course Description

This is a year-long elementary Japanese course. In this course, students will develop four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) through communicative activities. Various functions of grammar patterns will be introduced in order to develop practical communication skills. The students are expected to solidify their knowledge of basic Japanese grammar and to fully master Hiragana, Katakana and basic Kanji. The students will also learn various aspects of Japanese culture and society. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, the students will be able to greet, introduce themselves, discuss their daily routines and experiences, and write letters to teachers and friends.

Textbook

ICU (1996). Japanese for College Students vol. 1 & 2. Tokyo: Kodansha.
(Vol.1 of the textbook is available at the Course Reserve Room in the main library.)

Prerequisite

None for AAL115-1. For AAL115-2 and -3, successful completion of a preceding course (AAL115-1 and -2 respectively) or permission from the program (a placement test will be given) is required.

For more information

Contact Noriko Taira Yasohama, the first-year Japanese coordinator

AAL-116-1, 2, 3: Japanese II

Course Description

This year-long course is sequent to Japanese I (AAL-115) and covers the second half of basic Japanese grammar. In this course, the students continue developing the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) through various communicative activities and tasks. The emphasis will be on developing accuracy (appropriate to the given contexts) and developing skills to use complex sentences to express subtle nuances. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, the students will be able to handle various types of more complex conversational situations and passages.

Textbook

ICU (1996). Japanese for College Students vol. 2 & 3. Tokyo: Kodansha.

Prerequisite

Successful completion of AAL-115-3 or permission from the program (Placement test will be given)

For more information

Contact Junko Sato, the second-year Japanese coordinator

AAL-217-1, 2, 3: Japanese III

Course Description

This is a year-long intermediate Japanese course. The students will develop their oral and written communication skills with appropriate styles for different settings. They will learn and discuss various aspects of Japanese culture and society. Japanese word processing will be introduced and the students will master typing short written assignments by the end of the course. The students will be eventually exposed to authentic written materials toward the end of the course. Upon the satisfactory completion of this course, the students will be able to summarize passages, exchange opinions and get involved with discussions.

Textbook

Miura & McGloin (2008). An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese.
Tokyo: The Japan Times.

Prerequisite

Successful completion of AAL-116-3 or permission from the program (Placement test will be given)

For more information

Contact Yumi Shiojima, the third-year Japanese coordinator

AAL-318-1, 2, 3, 4: Japanese IV

Course Description

Japanese IV is a series of four advanced Japanese language courses. Each course (AAL-318-1, 2, 3 and 4) is designed to provide the students with opportunities to further develop their overall Japanese language proficiency, to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and socio linguistic elements and to be familiarized with various styles of the language use. Each course prepares the students to be more autonomous learners. AAL-318-1 focuses on reading contemporary Japanese literary works (poems, essays, short novels), AAL-318-2 on writing for various purposes (e.g. narrative, descriptive, and argumentative) and the appropriate use of oral expressions, AAL-318-3 on newspaper reading and news listening, AAL318-4 on reading Japanese literature in depth. Students who have successfully completed AAL-217-3 are qualified to take any of the above Japanese IV courses.

In the 2008-2009 academic year, AAL318-4 will be offered in the fall, AAL318-1 in the winter and AAL318-2 in the spring (The time of the course offerings might change during the academic year. Please check CAESAR for the up-to-date information.) AAL318-3 will not be offered in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Prerequisite Successful completion of AAL-217-3 or permission from the program (Placement test will be given)

For more information

Contact the course coordinators:
AAL-318-1: Junko Sato
AAL-318-2: Yumi Shiojima
AAL-318-3: Noriko Taira Yasohama
AAL-318-4: Phyllis Lyons

AAL-399-1, 2, 3: Independent Study
(Offered upon the availability of the instructors and the approval of the Program.)

Course Description

(Independent Study is designed by students.)

Prerequisite

Those who have successfully completed all three courses of AAL-318 (Japanese IV) that is offered in the preceding years or equivalent are qualified to design an independent study. Students must submit a proposal and obtain approval from the Japanese program before registration.

To obtain approval for Independent Study

Submit a proposal to the Japanese program. A proposal must include specific goals, resources/references to be used in the study and weekly schedule. (Deadline: one week before the first day of the advance registration)

For more information

Contact the Japanese Program

Course Resources

Click the course number that you are enrolled and download course resources. Some of the download sites are password-protected. If you have any questions regarding the passwords and the course resources, contact your instructor.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Study Abroad in Japan Information Session 2009-2010

    * This information session is for students intersted in studying in Japan in the fall, winter/spring quarter(s), for one academic year or for summer.

    Date: TBA
    Time: TBA
    Place: TBA



There are a variety of programs that NU students can participate -- one-year, two quarters, one quarter, summer abroad programs. Programs are listed in alphabetical order.

 

For more information on NU's affiliated and non-affiliated study abroad programs and application procedures, contact the Study Abroad Office.

 

Scholarship Information

Bridging Project, the Association of Teachers of Japanese

List of scholarships posted at NU Study Abroad Office's website

List of scholarships available to study abroad students in Japan


Japanese Language Coffee Hours

If you want to practice Japanese in an informal setting or if you want to discuss various cultural and social issues in Japanese, come to our language coffee hours! Anyone with Japanese proficiency (beginning through native speaker levels) is welcome! The schedule for the Coffee Hours for the fall of 2009 will be announced later.

Day and Time: TBA

Location: KRG4-350

 

Job/Internship Opportunities

Teaching English in Japan


Job/Internship Opportunities For Japanese-English Bilinguals:

Useful Information

Japan Related Organizations at NU

  • NU Japan Club
    NU Japan Club offers a variety of activities -- weekly annime showing, annual ski trip, dinner trips, noodle fest and sushi social, to name a few. Please visit their website to get more information. Please search for NU Japan Club's webpage at http://www.northwestern.edu Their webpage is being updated.

 

Japan Related Organizations in Chicago

  • Consulate General of Japan
    737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100
    Chicago, IL 60611
    312-280-0400
    http://www.chicago.us.emb-Japan.go.jp

    Issues visas for Japan; Issues Japanese passports, certificates, registration, etc.

  • Japan America Society of Chicago
    225 W. Wacker Dr., Suite 2250
    Chicago, IL 60606
    312-263-3049
    http://www.us-japan.org/jasc

    Provides various lectures, cultural programs and Japanese language courses

  • Japan Exchange Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA), Chicago
    JETAA Chicago, Inc.
    P.O. Box 11676
    Chicago, IL 60611-0676
    http://www.jetalumni.org/

    Facilitates communications between JET Alumni in Chicago area.

  • Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
    One East Wacker Drive, Suite 600
    Chicago, IL 60601
    312-832-6000
    http://www.jetro.go.jp/jetro/overseas/us_chicago/

    Provides trade & business information

  • Japan Foundation Los Angeles Office and Language Center (JFLALC)
    333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2250
    Los Angeles, CA 90071
    Phone: 213-621-2267
    Fax: 213-621-2590
    http://www.jflalc.org/

    Administers the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken); Provides information on Japanese language teaching and education

  • Japan Information Center
    737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000
    Chicago, IL 60611
    312-280-0430
    http://www.jchicago.org

    Cultural & educational information resource center;
    Provides information on the Japan Exchange Teachers (JET) Program

  • Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO)
    One Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250
    New York, NY 10020
    Phone: 212-757-5640
    Fax: 212-307-6754
    http://www.jnto.go.jp
    http://www.japantravelinfo.com

    Provides travel information & tourist pamphlets

  • Japanese American Citizen's Leavue
    5415 N. Clark Street
    Chicago, IL 60640
    773-728-7171
    http://www.jacl.org

    Organization for protection and advancement of the civil rights of Japanese Americans

  • Japanese American Service Committee
    4427 N. Clark Street
    Chicago, IL 60640
    773-275-0097
    http://www.jasc-chicago.org/

    Social service agency for Japanese Americans

  • Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Chicago (JCCC)
    541 N. Fairbanks Court, Suite 2050
    Chicago , IL 60611
    TEL: 312-245-8344
    http://www.jccc-chi.org

  • Mid America Japanese Club & Japanese American Association of Chicago
    2424 S. Shag Bark Trail
    Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4328
    847-956-1508

    Organization for support of Japanese Americans; provides various cultural and ethnic programs

  • New Chicago Japanese American Association (NCJAA)
    645 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 428
    Chicago, IL 60611
    Phone/Fax: 312-642-4366

    Organization seekign to promote appreciation of art and culture and to help further the careers of artists. Provides various cultural and artistic programs; sponsors a conversation club for members

 

Japan Related Web Sites