What is Monthly Wase? It is a monthly update, specifically reviewing the courses I attended. This would be focused on the curriculum for others to consider in the future.
This is a regular series I am doing within the TOKYO BOUND blog.
I knew I had time to study and prepare before heading over but it is really harder than I thought, without the constant practice. If I had to describe my first four weeks, I would say it’s formative and scary. It’s akin to being thrown into the deep end.
Background: Everyone had to take an internal placement test to determine which classes to take. I chose a mix of Level 1-2 classes and Level 2-3 classes.
My starting point: I realised my start is weaker than others. Others come to know and study about two years in university or language schools in their home country and they love anime. I’m here with three months experience before heading over. Hence, I struggled a lot more in the first month.
First Four Weeks
WEEK 1-2: Panic at the disco
I was using a lot of ChatGPT to just get by the first two weeks. I was in a state where I understood classes but application was different since I could not form sentences. I did not have sufficient grammar and vocabulary knowledge. Thankfully, I had friends to help me proof-read. I’m not proud of it but that was my reality.
WEEK 3-4: Building the foundation
In all honesty, with all the different lessons and flow, it is very hard to keep up and none apart from Comprehensive Japanese courses (more on courses below) actually build the foundations in grammar. I had to purchase my own N4 and N3 guidebooks and used my weekends to ramp up just to be able to understand classes. It’s not a sustainable solution as I was cooped indoors. It took me a while to learn that it’s better to be out and about! However, I’m thankful for building this foundation.
At least for the first four weeks, there are overlaps in topics for some classes that do make it easier to get by. Topics like self-introduction, your favourite food and famous things in your country.
Breakdown of courses
CORE COURSES
Comprehensive Japanese 2 総合日本語２ (Level 2)
Conversation 2 会話２ (Level 2)
Kanji (For Nonnative Kanji Learners) 2 漢字（非漢字系）２ (Level 2)
These are the most useful and important courses for those looking to really study and understand the language. The pace is alright with weekly assignments and quizzes. I elaborate about it in November’s Edition.
ELECTIVES
Nihongo1(3)
にほんご１（３）(Level 3)
◯ great content, on-demand classes that makes you practise shadowing
x however, in person classes are mainly focused on students’ discussion in breakout rooms with little to no explanation. Personally felt that the blind are leading the blind.
Honorific Expressions for Communication 2-3
コミュニケーションのための敬語表現２－３
◯ great content, teacher is patient and can pace the class very well.
× started the first three weeks with 尊敬語 but I have never heard of it so I was very lost. I did not have foundations then so it makes it even harder. If you match the content on external guidebooks, these are mainly N3 content.
Learning Japanese pronunciation through 'phrasing' 1-2
フレージングで学ぶ日本語発音１－２ (Level 1-2)
◯ This is a fun class to practise intonations. We did not have homework at all the first four weeks but we are now having it weekly since week 5. The teacher is also very interactive and fun.
x This class in my opinion is not needed as one class for the whole semester. The knowledge is good to have but it stresses and puts too much emphasis on how to say each word.
Think and Speak: Japanese Conversation 1-2
「考えて」学ぶ日本語会話１－２ (Level 1-2)
◯ great teacher and content. Our homework is to go through scenarios and create scripts and record videos of ourselves. We started with introductions, talking about our favourite food. This is especially great for students who only take one module of Japanese with their other modules.
x the workload is pretty heavy with a script and recording every week and you have to see your luck with the random assigned partners.
△ Teacher calls on everyone every week to come up and do a scenario. We do practise from the scenario in the book but usually when she calls you up, it seems like a step higher because the teacher focuses on logic. I feel it’s like group therapy but you do learn from it and it’s fun to see all your classmates being the same level as you.
Express your experience and opinion 2 (Level 2)
経験や意見を伝えよう２
◯ Teacher gives time within the class itself to finish the homework so we rarely bring homework back.
△ Personally, I struggle a lot with in-class discussions. But other than that, it’s a good class.
Side comment: Took this as a recommendation from a friend. At first I wanted to do mostly speaking but I realised writing is important to learn how to form sentences. It’s been a good class.
Let's Enjoy Talking 2-3
楽しくシャベリング２－３ (Level 2-3)
◯ Hardly any homework. Teacher shares grammar issues on the spot but it’s not a structured lesson. More of “by the way” kind of sharing.
× Personally struggled with this class in the early stages the most. Immediately and constantly thrown into discussions week on week.
△ I believe this class works best for those who can speak sentences because this class focuses on finding points and what to talk about.
Overall, these classes have a mixed range of abilities of students. Usually students on exchange or other majors will take these to clear their requirements so you do have Level 4 and 5 students in these classes.
TEACHERS
One highlight is that the teachers all do speak slowly and clearly for you to catch. Another observation especially for Level 1-2 classes is that the teachers will really stop you and correct your pronunciation and accent. I heard it’s different from the teachers teaching Level 3 and above.
Key highlight is that every teacher is a very kind and helpful teacher.
The only downside is that if you ask them questions in English in class, (because let’s say you are confused by the grammar or you are not sure how to ask in Japanese), chances are, their explanation will not be as helpful. Teachers are all native speakers so grammar to them might be very innate and they don’t understand the logic for when we think of it in our language. However, asking again in homework submissions online or email, usually helps better. All the teachers have been very patient with me and my questions. On the other hand, it’s a good practice to force you to ask in Japanese.