Type of course

The course can be taught in-person or online. At 'timetable & registration' you find an overview of our courses.

In a classroom course, the teacher and all students are present in the classroom. To be able to participate online, you are advised to use a headset with microphone.To check that everything is working properly, please use: Quick Tech Check.

It is not possible to switch between courses once the course has started.

Course description

The Japanese 2 course is intended for those who have completed the Japanese 1 course or have a comparable level (A1.1) of Japanese.

In this course, the topics covered include: asking questions about how to get to your destination, reading signs in stores, and understanding the business hours, asking staff in a shopping center where to go for a certain item, asking a shop assistant the price of something, talking about what you did on your day off and your impressions, talking about what you want to do, talking about your hobbies and favorite things to do, talking about the seasonal characteristics of your own country, talking about the weather and talking about your impressions of your town.

The necessary grammar is explained and ample attention is paid to vocabulary. All skills are covered: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Besides the language, this course also focuses on culture and society.

After completing this course, you will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You can introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

The course makes use of the digital learning environment BrightSpace. Within this learning environment you will find the homework and additional learning materials. Course participants are expected to prepare the lessons at home (approximately three hours per lesson).

The course is concluded with a test. Participants who have attended 80% of the lessons and who have successfully completed the final test are awarded a certificate.

Course material

• Irodori Starter lesson 9-17 (this book can be downloaded for free via irodori.jpf.go.jp/en/starter/pdf.html)

Target group and admission requirements

The course is intended for adults with a higher education diploma, including both students and staff members of Leiden University, as well as interested parties who have no connection to Leiden University.

The course is open to any person aged 17 or older with a completed secondary school education. 

Participants who have successfully completed the Japanese 1 course of the Academic Language Centre, or who can prove in some other way that they possess the required entry level can sign up. A basic knowledge of English is required.

Other information

• The maximum number of participants for an online course is 16 and for a classroom course is 18.
• The course load is 56 hours. On request a Course load declaration form can be issued. The student should enquire with their department whether course participation can be converted into credits.
• The holiday periods can be found in the Academic Language Centre's academic calendar.
• If classes are cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be added on to the end of the course. Please take into account courses may end later than scheduled.
• The course level is indicated with the help of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.