Akiko Ohashi Brennan, Japanese Program Coordinator for CLS and first-year instructor. The Center for Language Studies Japanese immersion program is acknowledged as one of the most challenging and rewarding in the country.
Our Japanese team is composed of exceptional native teachers who provide individualized instruction and continuous feedback in small classes. Our college-level courses are well suited for high school students or for adults looking to learn Japanese.
CLS Japanese students at the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford. Excursions enrich the classroom learning. Combining innovative pedagogical methods with excellent instructional materials, our Japanese intensive courses ensure rapid learning, cultural literacy, and long lasting retention of the language. The CLS Japanese program is excellent preparation for individuals interested in work or study abroad.
Available Courses
This course is designed for students with no prior background in spoken or written Japanese. The purpose of this course is to promote elementary level of proficiency in Japanese through a communicative approach. Students are expected to be able to understand basic spoken and written forms of modern Japanese, and to do some basic communication in Japanese upon completion of the course. In addition to being able to read/write sentences in hiragana, katakana, and kanji (58 Kanji characters are introduced), students can function at a survival level in interactive situations common to daily life in Japan. (1S)
The purpose of this course is to further develop the elementary level of proficiency attained in JAPN 100A through a communicative approach. Students are expected to be able to understand basic spoken and written forms of modern Japanese, and to communicate in basic Japanese upon completion of the course. Students are expected to be able to comfortably read/write sentences in combination of hiragana, katakana, and kanji (87 Kanji characters are introduced). (1S) Japanese 100 or equivalent.
This course is designed for students with a solid background in basic grammar and who have completed two semesters of college-level Japanese courses or equivalent. The goal for this course is to develop the four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and the communication skills in three modes (interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational) in Japanese. This course reinforces basic skills and abilities to communicate solely in Japanese and handle simple communicative tasks and social situations. (1S) Prerequisite: Japanese 105 or equivalent.
This course is designed to prepare learners to transition to third-year Japanese with its greater focus on higher language skills (cf., JLPT level 3, ACTFL intermediate level, and CEFR B1 level); to expand basic grammar and expressions in modern Japanese; to master 172 kanji in addition to the 145 kanji introduced in the first session; to think critically about languages and cultures by learning the Japanese language and culture. (1S) Prerequisite: Japanese 110 or equivalent.
This course is designed to help intermediate level learners of Japanese develop the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a balanced manner. Using the textbook, students learn sentence patterns and expressions, kanji, vocabulary, and reading strategies, focusing on the JLPT N3 level. Students have a language exchange with Japanese people in Japan. By talking with a Japanese person about what they have learned, they not only gain more knowledge, but they feel the joy of being able to communicate in Japanese and realize their own accomplishments. (1S) Prerequisite: Japanese 115 or equivalent.
This course is designed to help intermediate level learners of Japanese develop the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a balanced manner. Students choose a topic of their own interest, research it on their own, write a report, and present their findings to the class. Through this project, students experience the joy of learning and teaching their interests in Japanese, while also developing the skills to become independent learners. This experience is also useful for their Japanese language study after CLS. Students have a language exchange with Japanese people in Japan. By talking with a Japanese person about what they have learned, students not only gain more knowledge, but they feel the joy of being able to communicate in Japanese and realize their own accomplishments. (1S) Prerequisite: Japanese 200 or equivalent.
This course covers advanced practice in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Japanese. For the oral component, students practice both formal and informal registers through conversation, performances of one-act plays, oral presentations, and interview tests. In addition, by writing essays and translating passages from newspapers and novels, students develop reading skills and strategies. To improve listening comprehension, students listen to audiotapes, as well as watch movies and TV programs. (1S)
This course covers advanced practice in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Japanese. For the oral component, students practice both formal and informal registers through conversation, performances of one-act plays, oral presentations, and interview tests. In addition, by writing essays and translating passages from newspapers and novels, students develop reading skills and strategies. To improve listening comprehension, students listen to audiotapes, as well as watch movies and TV programs. (1S)
This course is built around preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with the goal of reaching level N3/N2. Depending on the needs and background of the student, customized coaching and mentoring are complemented by reading and writing assignments, in a supportive immersion environment. Prerequisite: Japanese 205 or equivalent.
This course is built around preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with the goal of reaching N2/N1 level, meaning high-advanced to near-native-speaker proficiency. Depending on the needs and background of the student, customized coaching and mentoring is complemented by reading and writing assignments, in a supportive immersion environment. Prerequisites: JAPN 227A or equivalent.
Textbooks
GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Textbook [978-4789017305]
GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Workbook [978-4-7890-1731-2]
GENKI II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Textbook [978-4-7890-1732-9]
GENKI II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Workbook [978-4-7890-1733-6]
Session 1:
Quartet Vol 1: Intermediate Japanese Across Four Language Skills (Chapters 1 - 3 including “brush-up” sections) ISBN: 978-4789016957
Quartet Vol 1: Workbook including “brush-up” sections, ISBN: 78-4789016964
Session 2:
Quartet Vol 1: Intermediate Japanese Across Four Language Skills (Chapters 4 - 6 including “brush-up” sections) ISBN: 978-4789016957
Quartet Vol 1: Workbook including “brush-up” sections, ISBN: 78-4789016964
QUARTET Vol 2: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills IIISBN 978-4-7890-1745-9
QUARTET: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills II [Workbook] ISBN 978-4-7890-1746-6
Testimonial
Akiko Ohashi Brennan
Senior Instructor of First-year Japanese, since Summer 2010
“The 7 weeks of teaching CLS are my favorite time of the year. The instructors and students bond over the summer even though the program is online. We become so close that I cannot help but cry at the closing ceremony every summer. We become almost a family.
This is not an easy program. In 7 weeks, students earn the equivalent of 2 semesters (one year) worth of credits. Instructors expect students to do their best. We give a lot of homework, followed by many quizzes and tests in order to check understanding of the materials. But, we believe that learning should be fun. We always try to teach and practice the materials in an enjoyable and interesting way. Even when I teach boring verb conjugations, I lead the students in singing the “TE-form song” so that they can memorize this grammar point in an easy and fun way.
Besides teaching, the other passion I have is performing Tea Ceremony. Learning about Japanese culture is one of the most important aspects of CLS.
The CLS program is the best immersion program in the world because the students can experience “Little Japan” online, learning not only the language but also its culture.”
