JAPN 404 - Advanced Japanese for Presentational Communication |
Spring 2019
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Course Description This course aims to develop an advanced level of academic communication to finalize research projects using appropriate research methods. Students analyze and synthesize their research findings to orally present and to write academic papers using APA style. This course is a companion course for WLC 400 (Major Capstone). Taught in Japanese. (Prereq: JAPN 300 or equivalent) Units: 2 Course Files |
Reflective Narrative In JAPN 404, students studied various forms of grammar, vocab, and colloquial phrases to improve presentational skills and academic writing. Students also were required to learn proper formatting and layouts to present our research in APA style formatting. The course fitted well within MLO 4, Research and Technology, and was even more beneficial due to our course professor. While we studied near-native grammar, this course aimed to help our capstone project. We worked with our professor in translating superior english writing into well formed sentences in Japanese language and in culture. Weekly quizzes also allowed me to continue healthy study habits, that I would have been unable to complete on my own due to the immensity of my coursework in my final semester, as well as creating a space for me and other students to work together. While working together students learned how eachother approached second language learning and provided insight on personal strengths and weak points that, we as students, could better work on. This course set a great stage for learning advanced language in a challenging way. Students were faced with grammar we have never used or seen, however it pushed students to understand the specific uses of each concept and how to compare them to others. For instance, when presenting in Japanese it is imperative that the presenter use a wide array of words to keep the audience’s attention and avoid repetitive phrases. After this course, I have learned effective ways to speak with a more native mindset and re sparked my interest in complex ways of writing. This course built upon knowledge from JAPN 401, Structure of Japanese Language, and prior language courses at CSUMB and during my study abroad by continuing to use frequent and infrequent vocabulary, speaking, and writing. JAPN 404 also heavily supported my academic semester in finishing my WLC 400, Major Capstone course. During this class it was common to have faculty from the department come in and critique our presentational abilities, and provide helpful feedback to improve pronunciation, summarizing, and presentation making skills. The next step is to continue my research goals, and one day be able to present on a project in Japanese for academic conferences abroad. |