The Japanese courses at El Dorado High School are formatted as follows:

 

1. Japanese 1 - emphasis on developing writing/reading Katakana and Hiragana, usage of basic vocabulary, being able to give a general self-introduction and talking about one's self.
2. Japanese 2 - emphasis on developing writing/reading Kanji, grammar at second level (using the Adventures in Japanese textbook), reading/writing/speaking Japanese at the second level.
3. Japanese 3 + 3H - emphasis on expanding Kanji knowledge including ON yomi and KUN yomi, grammar at third level (using the Adventures in Japanese textbook), reading/writing/speaking Japanese at the third level, getting prepared for the AP exam the following year, and typing in Japanese.
4. Japanese 4 + AP - emphasis on reviewing Kanji learned in the last three years, expanding on technical vocabulary, emphasis on cultural differences/comparisons, grammar review of the last three years, reading/writing/speaking Japanese fluidly and comprehensibly to prepare for the AP exam in May.
5. Japanese 5 - This course is meant specifically for native speakers who would like to take the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) offered annually by Japan. There is an emphasis on vocabulary, Kanji, and grammar according to the JLPT level they plan to take. 

 

All in all, the goal of the students in the Japanese class is to be able to utilize the language OUTSIDE of the classroom in a REAL WORLD setting.

 

My goal as the teacher is to give the tools that students need in order to become successful in becoming life-long learners/speakers of Japanese.