Search Google Appliance

Japanese Language

The overall goal of the Japanese program is to help students become proficient in Japanese language and culture. Business etiquette and cultural understanding are important underlying themes to the program’s coursework. At the beginning of the program, students will be given an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) conducted by the instructor and receive an unofficial rating according to the ACTFL scale. At the end of the program, students will be given another OPI to measure improvement.

Nobuko Murakami-Chalfen is the Japanese Language Instructor for the Master of International Management program. She has been teaching Japanese language and culture in the MIM program since its founding in 1995. In the Japanese language community, Ms. Murakami served as a board member for the Association of Teachers of Japanese in Oregon (ATJO); and served as a trainer for oral proficiency assessment workshops. She is a certified Oral Proficiency Tester for American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). In addition, she has presented workshops on teaching techniques and assessment at different conferences in the Northwest. Ms. Murakami has both a B.A. in Speech Communication and a Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from Portland State University and a Certificate in teaching English language from Doshisha Women’s College, Kyoto, Japan.

Beginning Japanese Language Class

Because socio-linguistic knowledge is as important as knowing the language for successful communication with native speakers, this beginning class focuses on listening and speaking skills followed then by reading and writing.

Students work towards language proficiency in classes that are divided into fact sessions (in English) and act sessions (strictly in Japanese). For fact sessions, students are asked to come having read the appropriate material. In addition, students will receive cultural background and information with an emphasis on business techniques. For almost every act session students are asked to come having listened to or memorized core conversations (CC’s) or having practiced drills from JSL as specified on the schedule. In addition to the functions and skills mentioned above, students will practice simple conversations in business situations including introductions and exchanging 'meeshi' name cards.

Evaluations are based on:

  • Classroom performance and preparation

  • Quizzes-Homework

  • Final Oral Interview

At the end of the beginning Japanese class, students will be able to communicate using simple Japanese sentences when speaking about the following topics:

  • Shopping

  • Location, directions

  • Daily routine

  • Family

  • Simple business situations

Fall Quarter

Students will learn basic Japanese sentence structure (Verbal, Adjectival, and Nominal) and also learn how to describe things and how to count Numbers including currency.

Winter Quarter

Students will learn how to count different kinds of objects and how to use Japanese phrase particles and also learn how to ask and answer location of and direction to various places.

Spring Quarter

Students will learn how to ask and tell time (on a clock and with a calendar) in order to describe their daily routine. In addition, students will learn polite expressions that will help them conduct informal conversations among close friends.

Summer Quarter

Students will learn how to introduce their family and ask about other families.

Intermediate & Advanced Japanese Language Class

Since all the students in the advanced Japanese class already have a high level of proficiency, they will need to focus more on maintaining smooth and comfortable interactions with native Japanese and find solutions for new and complicated tasks in order to extend their proficiency even further. For example, students will read and translate into English many short articles about current affairs from Japanese newspapers and then will need to discuss them naturally in Japanese. Students will also give the same presentation for their core course in Japanese.

Evaluations are based on:

  • Classroom performance and preparation

  • Quizzes

  • Homework

  • Final Oral Interview

Fall Quarter

Students will learn practical and strategic greetings in many different situations at work. Introducing yourself and other persons; making small talk; complementing/congratulating; cheering someone up; expressing gratitude and apologies; expressing condolences, etc.

Winter Quarter

Students will learn how to conduct telephone conversations in a variety of business settings: Calling/answering the phone, transferring the call; what to do when a person is unable to answer the phone; answering the phone for someone who is not there; how to deal with a wrong number, etc.

Spring Quarter

Students will learn to make/accept a request; how to turn down a request as well as place orders in different situations; how to make a reservation for a party/travel, etc. Students will learn various ways to invite and to accept/turn down invitations in different situations. Students will also learn how to ask for/deny permission.

Summer Quarter

Students will learn how to give/ask for advice in a number of situations and how to report different kinds of information. One will also learn how to express/exchange opinions and disagree; how to make comments when evaluating something and making decisions/suppositions in numerous situations. At the end of the intermediate/advanced coursework, students will understand Japanese business customs and be able to demonstrate and maintain smooth communication in Japanese in extensive different situations at the workplace.