Course Outline:

This course is ideal for those who finished the Beginner stage 1 with Mami previously. A basic understanding of Japanese grammar and knowledge needed to participate this class. 

Students will delve deeper in Japanese from a grammatical point of view. In this class, Mami will help students transition beyond rote memoization by focusing on the application of important grammatical concepts.

“What’s the difference?” Section that focuses on the practical differences between expressions whose close similarity can pose problems for foreign learners of the language. These are expressions that students often ask about in lessons and tend to make mistakes with, so Mami believe that examine them in more detail will be helpful. 

Since this textbook, Practical Japanese (used in Stage 1) and Practical Japanese 2 collectively cover about 70% of the grammar that appears on the N4 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, they can also be used as JLPT preparation materials. Mami strongly hope that this class helps everyone learn some more Japanese in a fun and enjoyable manner. 

Additional materials may be used in the classroom (printed documents, Youtube videos etc.) to help you understanding better and quicker.   

We will cover topics below, these divided into 8 lessons in one term.  

Topics include: 

• Do you -? / Will you -? /Would you like -? /Shall I -?  Verbs Masu form - Masu, Masen, Masen ka?, Mashou, Mashou ka?
• Where do you want to go? - showing your desires with using verbs
• Show me a menu, please. - using te-form, ~te mo ii desu ka? Asking permission
• Have you ever seen sumo? - ta-form, past tense of verbs 
• Can you speak Japanese? - potential form
• My head hurts - body parts, symptoms, necessary medical words
• Common question patterns, verbs conjugation, adjective conjugation 
• Useful Expressions, Basic sentence structure, Particle usage
• Adjectives - She is pretty and kind, so everyone likes her - connecting multiple reasons
• This train is faster than that train - Making comparisons,comparing multiple things, or choosing best of all
• I feel better now - “become” better or worse? 
• It looks delicious - expressions for “looks” and “sounds”
• More adjectives - commonly used na-adjectives 
• I’m going to the convenience store to buy… - Masu-form stem and verb, Sentence structure when you want to express your purpose for going or coming
• Let’s talk over a cup of coffee - Masu-form stem and verb, to describe doing two activities at the same time 
• Please show me how to use this machine - Masu-form stem and verb, method or the way to do something  
• It is hard (easy) to understand - Masu-form stem and verb, difficult or easy to do something
• I started attending a language school in April - Masu-form stem and verb, started, continued and finished 
• I ate too much yesterday - Masu-form stem and verb, negative expressions for overdoing
• Want some coffee? - Dictionary or nai-form verbs in casual conversations 
• I like listening to music - Dictionary form verb + no (nominalisation of the verb) 
• Can I buy this item on display? - Dictionary form verb + koto ga dekiru (can V)
• Please don’t park your car here - Nai-form verb + de kudasai (request to not  V)
• I have to go now - Nai-form verb + to ikemasen or ikenai (have to V)
• You don’t need to apologise - Nai-form verb turn into Nakutemo ii (don’t have to V, no need to V
• You shouldn’t buy that - Nai-form verb + hoh ga ii (shoudn’t V, had better not V)

Please acknowledge that the textbook has quite a large volume of information, unfortunately we are unable to cover whole contents of the book in 8 classes.

Please Bring

Practical Japanese - Basic Expressions for Living and Travel - Kiyomi Ozawa (It is also used in Beginner Stage 1)

 Practical Japanese 2 - JLTP N4 Grammar and useful expressions - Kiyomi Ogawa

 Both textbooks are available at Kinokuniya Bookstore (online or actual store purchase - approx $45 each) please check the stock of items with them.

 Notepad, pens, pencils and markers. 

Please note: make sure you check with the college if the course has definitely got the numbers to run before purchasing a text book, note pad etc. The college will not accept responsibility if you have purchased the text book and the course is subsequently cancelled. You can contact us on phone (9970 1000) or email (enquiries@nbmc.nsw.edu.au) to see if the course is running or not.

About the Tutor:

Mami Himura Cheng

Mami Himura Cheng is a Japanese national, born, grew up, and was fully educated in Hokkaido, Japan. Mami immigrated to Australia in 2007 and has been living in Sydney as a permanent resident
ever since. Mami worked as a librarian at a public library in Japan for 5 years and had 11 years’ experience in a career as a ZUMBA Fitness instructor all around the Northern Beaches area. Mami is
also teaching Japanese to children with a Japanese background at the local community language school. Mami’s finished Cert 3 in Business course at NBCA in June 2022 and currently working as a
medical receptionist at a local medical centre.
Mami loves to create a fun, friendly and engaging atmosphere in the class. She is excited to share her aspects and knowledge with you all, and keen for you to gain a deeper understanding of
Japanese language and its culture.