Japanese IV

Japanese IV is a full-year course that builds on the foundation established in Japanese III, with a focus on advancing communication skills in the Japanese language. The course is designed around the World-readiness Standards for Learning Languages from ACTFL, which include Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Students will develop their proficiency in the four modalities of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. By the end of the course, students should be able to use Japanese in various everyday situations, including interacting with a Japanese host family and sightseeing around Japan. They should also be able to write about their lives in diary/blog post style and write polite emails using an appropriate mix of hiragana, katakana, and 275 common kanji characters.

The course requires completion of Japanese III and a Japanese IV Placement Test. While grammar instruction is not a prerequisite, having a strong understanding of grammar rules is recommended for success in learning a new language. Students can use the placement tests found in the grammar course descriptions to find the appropriate grammar course for their level.