BASIC

JAPANESE
(FLES 102)

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________
COURSE/YR/SEC: ___________________________________________________________________
CONTACT NUMBER: ________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR: _______________________________________________________________________

CHECKED BY: CHECKED BY:

MR. CORNELIO G. GOSIAOCO_ _ROSEMARIE L. LAGUNDAY,Ed.D_

PROGRAM HEAD – AB HISTORY ARTS DEPARTMENT HEAD

ENDORSED BY: APPROVED BY:

_DR. SANDRA E. LOCSIN_ _GLENDA M. MAÑOSO, Ed.D_

QUALITY ASSURANCE HEAD ACADEMIC AFFAIRS HEAD
 Republic of the Philippines
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher Education Regional Office VI (HERO VI)
City Government of Bago
BAGO CITY COLLEGE
Rafael Salas Drive, Brgy. Balingasag, Bago City, Negros Occidental 6101
Tel: [034] 4611-363 | Fax: [034] 4610-546 | E-mail: bagocitycollege@yahoo.com.ph

Course Guide for FLES 102

I. COURSE TITLE: Basic Japanese Language

II. COURSE OVERVIEW

A. INTRODUCTION
FLES 102 is a basic course designed for beginning learners of the Japanese Language. The course focuses on both
oral and written communicative skills particularly through listening and speaking Nihongo. It also provides opportunity
to develop skills in reading and writing Japanese characters, Hiragana, Katakana, and simple everyday Kanji characters.
Special attention will be placed on the basic grammatical patterns and simple conversations.

B. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME

Basic Japanese Language is a core course for the AB English degree program. Graduates of this degree are
offered opportunities in teaching, tour-guiding and writing. By the end of the course, learners must have the capability
to:
1. Facilitate English Language learning in diverse social, cultural, academic and professional settings;
2. Participate effectively in oral communication situations where language systems vary;
3. Articulate a comprehensive and contextualized view of the English language system and
development.

C. MODULES AND UNIT TOPICS

To ensure that you will demonstrate the above cited course learning outcomes at the end of the semester, this
module is divided into the following:

MODULE 1: JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM. The Japanese writing system is a complex system of interconnected
parts. There are two phonetic syllabaries called kana which are used to represent syllable sounds, and there are Chinese
characters used to represent meaning which in Japanese are called kanji. In this module, you will learn how to write and
read the characters of these alphabets.
MODULE 2: BASIC JAPANESE GRAMMAR . In this module, you will learn so much about Korean grammar to include
particles, nouns, pronouns, and sentence structure. These will be your guide in forming simple yet comprehensible
sentences or questions.
MODULE 3: SENTENCE PATTERNS. In this module, you will learn to create sentences depending on the context on
where or to whom will you address it in some point in time. This is one of the basic things you have to learn in order to
understand the Japanese language as well as be understood by others without causing confusion to others.

III. COURSE STUDY GUIDE

The key to successfully finish this module lies in your hands. This module was prepared for you to learn
diligently, intelligently and independently as would-be teacher, doing these will greatly help and prepare you to become
a great teacher. Aside from meeting the content and performance standards of this course in accomplishing the given
activities, you will be able to learn other invaluable learning skills which you will be very proud of as a responsible
learner. The following guide and house rules will help you further to on track and to say at the end of the module, “I did
well!”

1. Schedule and manage your time to read and understand every part of the module. Read it over and over until
you understand the point.
2. Study how you can manage to do the activities of this module in consideration of your other
modules from other courses. Be very conscious with the study schedule. Post it on a conspicuous place so that
you can always see. Do not ask about questions that are already answered in the guide.
3. If you did not understand the readings and other tasks, re-read. Focus. If this will not work,
engage all possible resources. You may ask other family members to help you. If this will not work again, text me
first so that I can call you or text you back for assistance.
 4. Do not procrastinate. Remember, it is not others who will be short-changed if you will not do your work on
time. It will be you.
5. Before you start doing your task read and understand the assessment tools provided. Do not settle with the
low standards, target the highest standards in doing your assigned tasks. I know you can.
6. If needed, do not hesitate to keep in touch with to any available means. Remember, if there is a will there is a
way.
7. In answering all the assessment, an evaluation activity, write legibly. It will help if you will not write your
answer in the module if you are not yet sure of your answers. You must remember that all activities in the
module are academic activities which means that the relevant academic conventions apply. Think before
you write.
A. Your answers should be composed of complete and grammatically correct sentences. Do not use
abbreviation and ACRONYMs unless these are introduced in the readings, and do not write in text-speak.
Avoid writing in all caps.
B. In the self-process discussions, write appropriate and well-though arguments and
judgement. Avoid merely approving or disapproving with what is express in the material.
You need to support your inputs in the discussion from reliable information or from
empirical observation. Do not write an informed opinion.
C. Do not write lengthy answers. Stick to the point. Be clear with your main point and express it as
concisely and possible. Do not let your discussion go astray. Make use of the spaces in the module as your
guide.
8. Lastly, you are the learner; hence, you do the module on your own. Your family members and friends at home
will support you but the activities must be done by you.

IV. STUDY SCHEDULE

WEEK TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES ACTIVITIES

MODULE 1 Introduction to Japanese Language
UNIT 1 The Japanese Alphabet
1. Familiarized the different
Japanese alphabets through
watching a video presentation.
2. Differentiated Hiragana, Katakana
and Kanji characters using a table.
3. Created a simple poster of a
Japanese quotation using
different Japanese alphabets.
Activity: The Japanese alphabet video presentation.
Write down all the characters you see in the table.
Analysis: Differentiate the three Japanese alphabets
from each other using a table and referring to the
guide questions.
Abstraction: All about Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.
Application: Download Japanese Writing app to
practice writing in Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji
Assessment: Create a poster using various Japanese
alphabets with given rubrics.

V. EVALUATION
To pass this course, you must:
1. Read all reading assignments in the modules and answer the pre-assessment and self-assessment
activities.
2. Answer the print-based discussion activities.
3. Submit all required outputs in each module.
4. Submit the final project
5. Accomplish the final examination.

A. Formative Assessment
You must answer all pre-assessment and self-assessment activities. Your score here will not be part of
your mid-term or final grade: but they will be part of the completion requirement of the course. Thus, you are
expected to complete the pre-assessment and self-assessment activities. These activities will help you
determine if you need to study more or to advance to the next module.
* You can answer the pre-assessment and self-assessment within the scheduled time for each
unit. Scheduling your work time is important.
* In accomplishing the pre-assessment and self-assessment activities you can ask the help of
your parents, siblings, and friends.
* You can always utilize the online English-Japanese Dictionary and Korean Learning apps
prescribed but not Google Translate as it is often erroneous.

B. Summative Assessment
 A. Examination. There will be one (1) written examination to be given for the whole course that will
cover topics from modules 1-3.
B. Evaluation Activities. Answer all activities in the assessment part of each unit. These will be part
of your final grade. These will help you prepare for the examination after the term.
C. Final Projects. The final project you will have to submit is:
1. 2-paragraph essay – Write a 2-paragraph essay about the importance of learning Japanese
Language as an AB English student. Cite examples on how your knowledge of the
language can incur positive effects on your studies, outputs and even leisure. Write it in a
short-size bond paper, handwritten and use at least 5% Japanese words, written in
Japanese scripts in your essay.

VI. TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS

For you to be able to accomplish the activities, you will need the following applications or software: MS
Word, Video Player and Editor of your choice. These applications are found in your desktop or laptop and you
do not need internet connection to use them (there are also Android versions of these apps available).
You may also install a Japanese-English Offline Dictionary and Spanish Verb Conjugator on your smart
phones to help on your vocabulary, conjugation and translation.

VII. CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE FACILITATOR

You can contact your instructors through:

Clarisse Esmores email: clarisseesmores@gmail.com

Messenger: Clarisse Esmores

Lovely Joy Travilla email: lovelytravilla00@gmail.com

Messenger: Lovely Joy Travilla

Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Higher Education Regional Office VI (HERO VI)
City Government of Bago
 BAGO CITY COLLEGE
Rafael Salas Drive, Brgy. Balingasag, Bago City, Negros Occidental 6101
Tel: [034] 4611-363 | Fax: [034] 4610-546 | E-mail: bagocitycollege@yahoo.com.ph

Module 1 in Basic Japanese Language (FLES 102)

AB ENGLISH 2
UNIT 1
Hiragana, Katakana, & Kanji

Intended Learning Outcome: At the end of this module, the student must have:

1. Familiarized the different Japanese alphabets through a video presentation.

2. Differentiated Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji characters using a table.
3. Created a simple poster of a Japanese quotation using different Japanese alphabets.

Introduction: The Japanese writing system consists of two types of characters: the syllabic kana – hiragana (平仮名) and
katakana (片仮名) – and kanji (漢字), the adopted Chinese characters. Each have different usages, purposes and
characteristics and all are necessary in Japanese writing. It is highly recommended for students to master Kana first
before beginning their Japanese language studies.

Activity
Watch the video presentation below from this link: https://tinyurl.com/8ne76xy8 and write down all the
letters/characters you see in the tables below as well as their pronunciation/meaning, as indicated.

A. Hiragana

a i u e o ra ri ru re ro

ka ki ku ke ko wa wo

sa shi su se so n

ta chi tsu te to ga gi gu ge go

na ni nu ne no za zi zu ze zo

ha hi fu he ho da di du de do

ma mi mu me mo ba bi bu be bo

ya yu yo pa pi pu pe po

B. Katakana
 a i u e o ra ri ru re ro

ka ki ku ke ko wa wo

sa shi su se so n

ta chi tsu te to ga gi gu ge go

na ni nu ne no za zi zu ze zo

ha hi fu he ho da di du de do

ma mi mu me mo ba bi bu be bo

ya yu yo pa pi pu pe po

C. Kanji

meanin meanin
kanji romaji kanji romaji kanji romaji meaning kanji romaji meaning
g g

Analysis
Refer to the following questions below to differentiate the Japanese alphabets you have learned from the previous
activity. Organize your answers using the table provided.

Guide questions:

1. What are the uses of each alphabet: Hiragana, Katakana, & Kanji?
2. What is the manner of writing the characters with regards to stroke – pointy, curvy or both?
3. What does each character represent – a letter, a syllable or a word?

Hiragana Katakana Kanji

Abstraction

Hiragana, which literally means “ordinary” or “simple” kana, is used primarily for native Japanese words and
grammatical elements. There are 46 basic characters which all symbolise syllabaries. Each sound in the Japanese
language corresponds to one character in the syllabary. Hiragana is also used for furigana (ふりがな) or yomigana (読み
仮名), a reading aid for kanji you will find either next to or above the kanji, it will help you read kanji you may not know
yet.

These basic Japanese characters can also be modified by adding a dakuten (濁点) marker — ( ﾞ) or a handakuten
(半濁点) marker ( ﾟ).

Katakana, meaning “fragmentary kana,” are used primarily for foreign words and names, loanwords and
onomatopoeia. Some of the most useful Japanese words are untranslatable onomatopoeia, such as ギリギリ (girigiri)
which means “to be at the limit”, such as just passing, just making it on the train before the doors close, or being just in
time for an appointment.

Like hiragana, there are 5 singular vowels, 40 consonant-vowels and 1 singular consonant in katakana. Gairaigo
(外来語), or loan words, are all written in katakana, such as バナナ, or banana. Foreign names are similarly also written
in katakana. If you have a non-Japanese name, you will probably learn how to write your name in katakana first.

There are several thousand kanji characters in regular use. All have different meanings and most have more
than one pronunciation, depending on context. For example, 今日 could be read kyō, meaning “today,” or it could also
be read konnichi, meaning “recent days.”

The different readings are categorised as either onyomi ( 音 読 み ), which is “sound reading,” derived from
Chinese, or kunyomi (訓読み), which is “meaning reading,” and are native Japanese readings. Most characters have at
least one of each, but some have more and some only have one.

In addition to the three Japanese character systems, in Japan you will see the Roman alphabet used to spell out
sounds. Rōmaji (ローマ字 ), or the romanised letters, may be used where Japanese text is targeted at non-Japanese
speakers, such as on street signs, dictionaries, textbooks and passports.

Rōmaji is also used when typing on the computer. Although Japanese keyboards have the capacity to type with
kana, many people use the latin script to type out the sounds and characters in rōmaji. When you’re first learning the
characters, rōmaji will help you read the Japanese words.
Application

Download the app: “Write It! Japanese” and practice writing Hiragana & Katakana using correct strokes. After
completing all the levels, send a screenshot of your result chart to your section’s designated Facebook Group.

Assessment

Create a poster using various Japanese alphabets. Search for simple Japanese quotes in the internet that use at least two
(2) of the alphabets you’ve learned from this unit. Write it in any paper of your choice as long as it is 8x13” in size (long),
you may enhance it by putting designs. See example below.

Rubric for scoring:

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Handwriting & All of the Most of the Some of the The characters The characters are
Stroke characters are characters are characters are are fairly written, poorly written,
written using written using written using scattered, & unaligned and
correct strokes, correct strokes, correct strokes, unaligned but incomprehensible.
lines & curves lines & curves lines & curves can still be
are well-defined, are well-defined, are somehow distinguished and
and uniform in and uniform in well-defined, understandable.
size & alignment. size & alignment. and uniform in
size & alignment.
Creativity & The poster is The poster is The poster is The poster is The poster is
Attractiveness exceptionally attractive, in acceptable attractive though distractingly
attractive, in terms of design, attractive, in it may be a bit messy and is not
terms of design, layout and terms of design, messy. attractive.
layout and neatness. layout and
neatness. neatness.