Learning outcomes are the expectations for each level of study. They can give students an understanding of what they will learn throughout their studies in Japanese. They are based on the ACTFL-devised categories of abilities. Below are the corresponding levels and their outcomes.
First Year Japanese
Exit: Novice high
Listening: Can master basic grammar; can internalize principles and produce correct patterns.
Speaking: Can be comfortable with using conjunctions, fillers, and aizuchi (signals indicating listening stance) to engage in active communication. Can build on old grammar, students should be able to construct increasingly long clauses.
Reading: Can get used to reading longer texts. Can develop skimming and scanning technique.
Writing: Can write Kana and approximately 125 kanji.
Second Year Japanese
Entry: Novice high
Exit: Intermediate low/mid
Listening: Can build on familiar grammar patterns from First Year, students can construct increasingly longer and more complex sentences.
Speaking: Can carry on increasingly challenging dialogues in response to contextual stimulus, not just instructor’s commands. Can be aware of differences in speech level (casual vs. polite forms); can recognize casual form and produce honorifics.
Reading: Can reinforce reading skills listed in First-year.
Writing: Can write approximately 300 new kanji for a total of approximately 425 kanji.
Third Year Japanese
Entry: Intermediate low/mid
Exit: Intermediate mid/high
Grammar: Can reinforce and solidify First and Second-Year Grammar.
Speaking: Can differentiate between casual, formal and honorific forms. Can converse in paragraphs, not just sentences; can practice narration and description.
Reading: Can develop thorough reading skill. Can comprehend not only the content but also analyze sentence structure.
Writing: Can write approximately 250 new kanji for a total of approximately 675 kanji.
Fourth Year Japanese
Entry: Intermediate high
Speaking: Can reinforce mastery of speech levels (casual, formal, and honorific forms). Can practice speaking in paragraphs and can express opinions confidently, even on unfamiliar topics.
Reading: Can comprehend and analyze more complex texts.
Writing: Can write approximately 250 new kanji for a total of approximately 925 kanji.
Other: Can shift from immediate topics to social issues and other various topics. Can supplement textbook with related, and more current speed-reading materials and video clips.
Exit: Advanced high
Speaking: Can participate in discussion on linguistically unfamiliar situations. Can make a public speech in culturally appropriate manner.
Reading: Can read and discuss the following types of Japanese texts: stories, essays, poetry, and newspaper articles.
Writing: Can write approximately 300 new kanji.
"Growing up in a Western society, you have Western ways of thinking, but by studying Japanese, you experience a different way of living. This gives you insight into how to tackle problems in a different way. Take Japanese!" — Matthew Donely