Japanese SECTION 2:  
PROGRAM SUMMARY  (Printable version)

Summary for the Japanese (FL) Program

Section A - Describe the philosophy, rationale, and objectives of the program and explain how the program is consistent with the conceptual framework of the unit.

The Japanese section of the Department of Foreign Languages and Bilingual Studies teaches Japanese both for the students’ inherent humanistic value and for their practical application in today’s international world of work and careers.  Among the specific goals of the Japanese section are:

1.                  To comply with the National Standards (See Course Syllabi, Instructional Faculty, Faculty Vitae provided)

Dr. Motoko Tabuse organized and gave workshops on the Japanese National Standards for Michigan K-16 teachers and Dr. Hitomi Oketani and Ms. Yukari Fujiwara actively participated in those workshops.

2.                  To provide students with experiences (e.g., observing Michigan Japanese teachers, attending MFLA and JTAM workshops, participating in campus-wide and community-wide activities with EMU Japanese Students Association and practice teaching) that will enhance their awareness and understanding of Japanese culture and multicultural reality in the U.S. (See Instructional Faculty and Collaboration/Partners)

3.                  Promote critical thinking on a variety of topics (See Course Syllabi)

4.                  Equip students to communicate and pass on their acquired knowledge to others. (See Collaboration/Partners).

5.                  Enable students to work in today’s global working environment (See Candidate Preparation, Collaboration/Partners, Course Syllabi)

The Japanese section set proficiency requirements for Japanese minor and major students of the following: intermediate (mid) for Japanese minor students and Intermediate (high) for Japanese major students including the certification students using the ACTFL’s oral proficiency interview scales or Level 4 for Japanese minor students and Level 3 for Japanese major students for major student using the Japanese Proficiency Test developed by the Japan Foundation.


Overseas studies in Japan such as the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) and Kansai Gaidai University programs are strongly recommended so that students can experience first hand a culture which is superficially very different from those to which they may be accustomed but is also similar in many ways at the level of human interaction. Familiarity with computer technology in Japanese is emphasized to prepare students for their futures, whatever careers they may pursue. The dedicated faculty are determined to provide students the best language training possible and to help them become truly global citizens.

Section B - Describe the sequence of courses and/or experiences to develop an understanding of the structures, skills, core concepts, ideas, values, facts, methods of inquiry, and uses of technology.

In JPN212, JPN344, JPN345, JPN361, JPNE 444 and JPN494, native-speaker instructors employ an eclectic approach utilizing authentic materials whenever possible.  All the teaching staff at EMU received training in the Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI) conducted by the Center for Applied Linguistics and attended and/or conducted workshops on the Japanese National Standards. All EMU students receive an email account and the students are introduced to corresponding in Japanese via email in the first semester of the first year level Japanese (i.e., JPNE 121).  Upper level students submit their homework assignments in Japanese via Email.  A variety of media (e.g., videos, Internet, CD/ROMs) are vigorously used in all levels of instruction.  JPNE 345 Japanese Composition, which is not a required course for Japanese majors, includes a section for students to communicate with students in Japan.  JPNE 494 Seminar in Japanese Studies include instruction on language-specific methodology.  FLAN 411 Theory and Methods of Modern Language Teaching, is a general foreign language course, and JPNE 494 Seminar in Japanese Studies focuses on theories and methods appropriate to Japanese.  Students who took FLAN 411 in the fall are encouraged to take JPNE 494 in the following semester. (See syllabi for more detail.)

Section C - Describe how candidates are prepared to utilize a variety of instructional approaches to address the various learning styles of students.

Japanese instructors demonstrate in the various language courses consider the diverse needs of their students, create an atmosphere conducive to learning, and model various teaching methods and techniques. JPNE 494 (Seminar in Japanese Studies) is offered every two years by Dr. Motoko Tabuse and Dr. Hitomi Oketani.  In JPNE 494 with Dr. Motoko Tabuse, students are exposed to a variety of methods of teaching, how to incorporate multiple intelligence into classroom, theories of second and Japanese language acquisition, and practical application of teaching strategies. (For Dr. Oketani’s course, please see the attached Course Syllabus).

Section D - Describe any differences that may exist between elementary or secondary preparation to teach in each major or minor area.

At present, no differences exist between the preparation of those seeking secondary and those seeking elementary in the Japanese certification. 

Section E - Describe how the program incorporates gender equity, multi-cultural, and global perspectives into the teaching of the subject area.

Throughout EMU’s Japanese curriculum, students are presented with materials and issues depicting and deriving from cultures that possess similarities to and differences from those with which they are most familiar. The Japanese faculty members demonstrate sensitivity to issues of diversity and equity, and are dedicated to assist to foster global perspectives in their students.

Section F - Describe how the program covers multiple methods of student assessment appropriate to content area.

The Japanese section employs diverse methods of assessment to measure and record the student’s achievement of course objectives. These include performance assessments such as oral interviews, written tests and daily quizzes, essays, and presentations. In addition, the Japanese section set minimum language proficiency for Japanese minor and major students.  Their language proficiency levels are assessed using Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (45 minute taped oral interview) or Japanese Proficiency Test (written with listening) developed by the Japan Foundation or equivalent.

Section G - Describe how candidates are prepared to teach in the specific content area.

In addition to FLAN 411 and student teaching, Japanese teacher certification students are required to take JPNE 494 (Seminar in Japanese Studies). As stated above, in JPNE 494, students are introduced a variety of teaching methods as well as teaching demonstrations in Japanese using EMU lower-level students.  In addition, Japanese students are encouraged to become members of the national and local Japanese teachers’ organizations such as the National Council of Japanese Language Teachers (NCJLT) and Japanese Teachers Association of Michigan (JTAM), and attend workshops and conferences offered for future and current teachers of Japanese in Michigan.  Examples of such workshops are National Standards and World Languages in Michigan conducted by Mrs. Jackie Moase-Burke and DEAI workshop I & II conducted by Dr. Motoko Tabuse at EMU. Students are also encouraged to visit JTAM member teachers’ classes to observe various ways to conduct classroom instruction K-12 levels.

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