Teaching Japanese is an advanced Japanese course that develops students’ knowledge and skills for teaching Japanese to English-speaking learners in Australia and beyond. Students critically engage with selected information to determine what to teach, how to teach, or both, as required. The course also enhances Japanese proficiency, enabling students to communicate effectively, understand relevant technical terminology, engage with academic literature, and produce written reports in Japanese—or in English if Japanese is the student’s first language. The course is offered in two complementary strands, Teaching Japanese A (Content) and Teaching Japanese B (Method), which are offered in different academic years.

Teaching Japanese A focuses on what to teach, drawing on insights from linguistic studies. It surveys key content areas in Japanese classes—sound, writing, vocabulary, grammar, sentence, discourse, and culture—while critically analysing selected linguistic topics and common learner errors. Students are required to demonstrate their expertise in Japanese, both orally and in writing. Teaching Japanese B focuses on how to teach, drawing on insights from applied linguistics. It develops students’ skills in course design, lesson delivery, and reflective practice, and includes a teaching practicum in which students act as teachers, teaching Japanese to learners. Students are expected to use Japanese actively—explaining, modelling, and communicating—both orally and in writing, further strengthening their proficiency.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of linguistic features and cultural topics in the context of Japanese language education.
2. Identify and analyse challenges faced by English-speaking learners of Japanese and consider strategies to address them.
3. Analyse, evaluate and/or design content, materials and/or activities for teaching Japanese.
4. Critically evaluate texts and academic publications related to Japanese language education, in Japanese (or in English if Japanese is the student’s first language).
5. Communicate effectively in spoken and written Japanese (or English if Japanese is the student’s first language), individually or collaboratively.

Research-Led Teaching

A portion of the course is adopted from research outcomes as well as the teaching experience of the course convenor, whose research interests are in Japanese language teaching methodology and Japanese language studies, including grammar, spoken conversation and sociocultural linguistics in Japanese.

Recommended Resources

Primary Texts

• Backhouse, A. E. (1993). The Japanese Language: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Moriyama, S., & Mukoyama, Y. (Eds.). (2016). Daini gengo to shite no Nihongo shutoku kenkyu no tenbo: Daini gengo kara tagengo e [Prospects for Japanese as a second language acquisition research: From second language to multilingualism]. Koko Shuppan.

Supplementary Texts

• Gottlieb, N. (2005). Language and Society in Japan. Cambridge University Press.
• Ichikawa, Y. (2001). Japanese: A Comprehensive Grammar. Routledge.
• Kiyose, G. N. (1995). Japanese Grammar: A New Approach. Kyoto University Press.
• Kuno, S. (1988). The Structure of Japanese Language. MIT Press.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Seminar A: Course Introduction, Seminar B: Sound 1
2	Seminar A: Sound 2, Seminar B: Sound 3
3	Seminar A: NO CLASS, Seminar B: Writing 1	Module Quiz 1 (Sound): Due Wed (11 March) 23:55
4	Seminar A: Writing 2, Seminar B: Writing 3
5	Seminar A: Vocabulary 1, Seminar B: Vocabulary 2	Module Quiz 2 (Writing): Due Wed (25 March) 23:55
6	Seminar A: Vocabulary 3, Seminar B: Grammar 1	Module Quiz 3 (Vocabulary): Due Tue 1st Week of Teaching Break (7 April) 23:55
7	Seminar A: Grammar 2, Seminar B: Grammar 3
8	Seminar A: NO CLASS, Seminar B: Grammar 4
9	Seminar A: In-Class Oral Test, Seminar B: In-Class Oral Test	In-Class Interview Q&A on Mon and Wed
10	Seminar A: Grammar 6, Seminar B: Grammar 7
11	Seminar A: In-Class Presentation, Seminar B: In-Class Presentation	Module Quiz 4 (Grammar): Due Wed W11 (20 May) 23:55 In-Class Presentation on Mon and Wed
12	Seminar A: Sentence , Seminar B: Discourse
13		Module Quiz 5 (Sentence & Discourse): Due Wed (3 June) 23:55
14		Essay: Due Wed 10 June 23:55

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation (5%)	5 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Module Quizzes (5% x 5 = 25%)	25 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Interview Q & A (20%)	20 %	1, 2, 4, 5
Presentation (25%)	25 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Final Essay (25%)	25 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Participation (5%)

• Active and consistent use of Japanese across listening, reading, speaking, writing, analysis, and critical thinking in seminars, out-of-class activities, and online activities
• Teachers will assess and record student participation in every class based on active listening, response to questions, engagement in teacher-led activities, critical analysis of given information, and contribution to pair/group works etc.
• This assessment is worth 5%
• Feedback will be made available on an ongoing basis upon request

Rubric

HD+	HD	D	C	P	N
Consistently demonstrates active engagement in activities	Almost always demonstrates active engagement in activities	Frequently demonstrates active engagement in activities	Generally demonstrates active enagement in activities	Occasionally demonstrates active enagement in activities	Rarely demonstrates active engagement in activities

Assessment Task 2

Module Quizzes (5% x 5 = 25%)

• Five online review quizzes, each focusing on a specific module topic covered in the course (sound, writing, vocabulary, grammar, or sentence & discourse)
• Students complete each quiz outside the class time
• Each quiz comprises 5 to 10 questions
• Question types range from a true-or-false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, listening and to short essay etc.
• Each quiz will be made available after the relevant module topics have been covered in class and one week before the due date.
• Each quiz must be completed within one week of becoming available.
• The time limit for each quiz ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number and complexity of the questions.
• Each quiz is worth 5% of the total grade, making this assessment worth 25% overall.
• Due Wednesday W3 (11 March) for Module 1, Wednesday W5 (25 March) for Module 2, Tuesday 1st Week of Teaching Break (7 April) for Module 3, Wednesday W11 (20 May) for Module 4, and Wednesday W13 (3 June) for Module 5 --- 23:55.
• Feedback will be provided after all students complete the quize or within two weeks, unless unforeseen circumstances arise

Assessment Task 3

Interview Q & A (20%)

• A short individual oral test in Japanese to demonstrate student understanding of the course content.
• Students are expected to respond to 3-5 questions posed by the teaching staff
• The majority of questions will be made available in advance; students may prepare responses beforehand, although at least one question must be answered on the spot.
• The total duration for each student will be approximately 10 minutes (adjusted based on the number of students) though the length may vary depending on the responses.
• This assessment is worth 20%.
• Students will sign up once the timeslot selection form is made available
• Conducted on either in W9 seminars (4 May and 6 May)
• Students whose strongest language is Japanese complete this assessment task in English
• Feedback will be provided within two weeks, unless unforeseen circumstances arise

Assessment Task 4

Presentation (25%)

• A short individual in-class presentation in Japanese to demonstrate the student’s understanding and critical analysis of Japanese linguistic information they have produced.
• The total duration for each student will be 5-10 minutes (adjusted based on the number of students)
• This assessment is worth 25%.
• Students will sign up once the timeslot selection form is made available
• Conducted in W11 seminars (18 May and 20 May)
• Students whose strongest language is Japanese complete this assessment task in English
• Feedback will be provided within two weeks, unless unforeseen circumstances arise

Assessment Task 5

Final Essay (25%)

• A 3,000-character essay analysing Japanese linguistic information, with a particular focus on learner errors.
• This assessment task involves two steps:
• Step 1: In-Class Learner Observation --- Observing and recording any relevant and notable Japanese language use in Japanese classes at ANU or elsewhere
• Step 2: Essay Writing --- Critically reading relevant literature (two or more sources) and writing an essay using both in-class learner observations and literature
• This assessment is worth 25%
• Due on Wednesday 10 June 23:55
• Students whose strongest language is Japanese complete this assessment task in English (1500 words)
• Results will not be communicated in accordance with university regulations, but feedback will be provided within two weekss

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission is in principle not allowed for any assessment items in this course, unless otherwise permitted by the course convenor.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students