Non-native speaker who wants to take Japanese next semester

MsHappy · 11-05-2012, 10:00 PM

Hi! I'm a non-native speaker who wants to learn Japanese; specifically, I want to start taking classes on the language ASAP. However, I saw that only Japanese 1B was offered during Spring of 2013 (as with all languages in the East Asian languages department).

Is it possible to self-study the material for Japanese 1A, and try to get into 1B that way? Should I email the instructor for 1A to see if he/she would let me study some of the course materials? How likely is it that they will let me in 1B?

My last resort is to take Japanese 1 in the summer or 1A next fall.

MsHappy · 11-06-2012, 03:47 PM

Okay, the professor for Japan 1A said it would be okay to transfer into 1B if I study well enough. However, she wasn't able to provide me the course materials. Is anyone here willing to send me to course materials on bspace (you get $$$)?

tyrion · 11-06-2012, 04:04 PM

Get the book for 1a and learn the whole thing. That's really all you need to do since 1a just goes through the entire book. I'll be doing the same thing over winter break, since I took japanese 1a my freshman year and I want to finish up my senior year with japanese 1b.

MsHappy · 11-06-2012, 05:41 PM

Yes, I was planning on doing that; however, I also need to practice listening/speaking. I assume Japanese 1A students are given audio clips/listening exercises on bspace for that (which is what I want).

tyrion · 11-06-2012, 06:58 PM

The audio stuff comes with the book. The only thing you'd be missing are the worksheets they give out, but tbh, you could do without them. Just practice the kanji and sentences using words from each chapter. The book's exercises should suffice. As far as speaking goes, I'm sure you could do well w/o too much direct speaking practice, since you'll be going into 1b which is still a beginner class. If you start studying now though, I'm sure you could drop by the instructors office hours... You'd have to ask them though.

Also, use other sources to supplement what the book is teaching you. You could use Youtube, for example, to help you with pronunciation.

MsHappy · 11-06-2012, 07:50 PM

Wow, I didn't know that a CD was included with a book. Thanks!