Module No.

1
GEE 104 – Foreign Language

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a three (3) unit course that includes learning Japanese alphabets (Hiragana and
Katakana) and vocabularies. It also deals with understanding basic sentence patterns, grammar,
and translation. A small dialogue in the style of a question and answer is given to show how
the sentence patterns are used in practical conversation. This is also an output- based course
with the application of concepts thru simple conversations. The conversations include everyday
expressions and greetings.

Total Learning Time: 3 hours per week (1 week)

OVERVIEW

Japan is an island country in East Asia, located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is
bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north
toward the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
The Japanese language Nihongo is spoken by the approximately 126 million inhabitants
of Japan, and by the Japanese living in Hawaii and on the North and South American mainlands.
It is also spoken as a second language by the Chinese and the Korean people who lived under
Japanese occupation earlier this century.

5 interesting facts about Japan

 The world's oldest company is in Japan. ...
 It has the 11th largest population in the world. ...
 The Japanese live (almost) the longest. ...
 There is 1 vending machine for every 24 people. ...
 Nearly half the zippers worldwide are made in Japan.

More information awaits you in the succeeding pages in this module.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:

1. describe Japan as a country

2. cite interesting facts about the Japan culture, climate, foods, fashion, places,
education, government, people, etc.
3. compare Japan and Philippines

INDICATED CONTENT

1. A Glimpse of Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun

DISCUSSION

All About Japan

• No. of Islands – 6852 islands

• Hokkaido - the northernmost and second largest main island. Honshu - the largest and
most populous island with the capital Tokyo.
• Kyushu - the third largest main island and nearest to the Asian continent.
• Capital – Tokyo
• Population – 126,036,694 (Phil. 111,233,175)
• Land Area – 377,975 km² (Phil. 300,000 km²)
• Language – Nihongo
• Type of Government: Unitary state, Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary system
(internal & external) & Emperor (social & moral functions)
• Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
• Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito (succeeded his father Tsugu Akihito in 2019)
• National Anthem: Kimigayo
• Religion – Shinto & Buddhism

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 Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

EDUCATION

 Kindergarten (yochien); provided in day care centers

 Elementary (shougakkou) (6 yrs.)
 Junior High School (chuugakkou) (3 yrs.)
 Senior High School (koukougakkou) (3 yrs.)
 University (daigakkou)

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 Costume – Kimono

Fruit – Persimmon(kaki)

Flower – Chrysanthemum

Sports – Sumo

Fish – Koi

Bird – pheasant

Dance – Mae odori

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EXPERIENCES AS AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR IN JAPAN

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Top Destinations

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TASK / DRILL / EXERCISE

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the capital of Japan?
2. Who is Japan’s Prime Minister?
3. What are the 3 largest islands of Japan?
4. Give at least 5 things Japan is famous of.

EVALUATION

Answer the following:

1. In what way/s are Japan and Philippines similar? Different?
2. Do you want to visit Japan? Why or why not?
3. Are you interested to study/work in Japan? Explain

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FURTHER READING / ASSIGNMENT

Visit this site/link for enrichment purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1m_yhi9oqA

REFERENCES

Books
1. Minna no Nihongo I.2007. ISBN978-4-88319-107-9 C0081.3A Corporation. Tokyo,
Japan.
2. Sigeo, Masaroni. 2012. Prime Nihongo. Park Publishing Service. Greenhills, San Juan
City, Metro Manila
3. Learn to Speak Nippongo the easy way. 2014.ISBN 971-08-1278-5.National Book
Store. Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
4. Japanese KANA Workbook published by University of Fukui International Student
Center
Websites

1. https://www.google.com/search?q=all+about+japan&oq=all+about+japan&aqs=chro
me..69i57j0i512l9.4062j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
2. https://www.google.com/travel/guide/compare?q=all+about+japan&oq=all+about+j&
aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i512l9&pf=cs&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-
8&dest_mid=/m/03_3d&dest_src=dvr&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiFpdih_NzyAh
XfqpUCHQ8TC6AQn84BKAEwLnoECEMQAg
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1m_yhi9oqA

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