JAPAN 134: First-Year Intensive Japanese (15 Credits) Summer 2026

1. Placement

If you already have some knowledge of the language, consult with the instructor on the first day of the class for the appropriate placement.

2. Instructor

Name	Email	Office	Office Hours
Itsuko Nishikawa	inishi@uw.edu	Gowen M248	Th 1-2 and by appointment

3. Class Meeting Time and Location

M-F 9:10-12:30; DEM 126

4. Course Description and Objectives

This is an intensive course that covers the three-quarter materials (JAPAN 101, 102, and 103) in 9 weeks. Students should only register if they are able to attend M-F in person for the entire quarter.

This course aims to develop students’ four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) through interactive classes using contextualized and meaningful activities. It also introduces the cultural aspect of Japanese language and society. It will cover all Lessons (0-9) of Tobira, Beginning Japanese 1. You will be able to read and write two sets of Japanese syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) and 139 Chinese characters (kanji).

After covering the basic everyday expressions, the sounds of Japanese and the writing system (Hiragana) in Lesson 0, you will learn to do the following in each lesson.

Lesson 1:

Greet and give a simple self-introduction to people you are meeting for the first time.
Ask and answer questions about basic information such as people’s names, hometowns, etc.
Briefly talk about things you like.

Lesson 2:

Tell someone about your daily life and what you plan to do.
Expand conversations about familiar topics by adding follow-up questions.
Talk about the frequency of actions in daily life.

Lesson 3:

Ask and answer simple questions about family structure.
Ask and answer questions about things someone did in the past.
Invite your friends to an event and decide on the details.

Lesson 4:

Do your shopping and order food by referring to things around you.
Briefly describe the things around you.
Share impressions about things you have done.
Talk about how to do something.

Lesson 5:

Describe who or what is in a place that you are familiar with.
Describe in detail a place that the listener does not know well.
Ask and answer questions about the locations of things and people.
Ask and answer questions about possessions and events.

Lesson 6:

Talk about your daily life by connecting multiple actions.
Ask and answer questions about what you are/were doing.
Talk about a person’s physical characteristics, occupation, place of residence, etc.
Talk about what you have already done and what you have not done yet.
Ask and answer questions about what you do on a regular basis and with what frequency.

Lesson 7

Talk in detail about things around you and things you want.
Talk in detail about presents you have given and received.
Talk about what you want to do.

Lesson 8:

Ask and answer questions about preferences, skills, and abilities.
Talk about the reason for or purpose of an activity.
Ask and answer questions about plans in casual speech.
Request a favor or ask for permission with the appropriate level of formality.

Lesson 9:

Talk about past events in casual speech.
Talk about a situation in detail by providing more explanation.
Give impressions and opinions on a familiar topic.
Report on things you have heard people say.
Talk about experiences.

Lesson 10:

Ask and answer questions about changes in yourself and things around you.
Compare three or more things and talk about which you think is at the top of a certain categories.

Compare two things and talk about differences and similarities.
Contrast two things to express your opinion about something.

Students will also do three presentations on their experience and their opinions.

5. Required Course Materials

Tobira, Beginning Japanese 1 (Available at the Bookstore)
Tobira, Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 (Available at the Bookstore)
Tobira, Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 (Available at the Bookstore)
Tobira, Beginning Japanese Answer Keys (Purchase online)
- Workbook 1
- Workbook 2
Tobira Website

Digital textbooks are available from the publisher, but hard copies are strongly recommended for class activities.

6. Grading

Grading Allocation
1) Class participation			5%
2) Homework			15%
3) Character quizzes (14)			22%
4) Lesson tests (11)			46%
5) Presentation 1	Draft	1%	3%
	Presentation	2%
6) Presentation 2	Draft	1%	4%
	Presentation	3%
7) Presentation 3	Draft	1%	5%
	Presentation	4%

Grading Scale
Numerical	%
4.0	100
4.0	99	3.4	89	2.4	79	1.4	69
4.0	98	3.3	88	2.3	78	1.3	68
4.0	97	3.2	87	2.2	77	1.2	67
3.9	96	3.1	86	2.1	76	1.1	66
3.9	95	3.0	85	2.0	75	1.0	65
3.8	94	2.9	84	1.9	74	0.9	64
3.8	93	2.8	83	1.8	73	0.8	63
3.7	92	2.7	82	1.7	72	0.8	62
3.6	91	2.6	81	1.6	71	0.7	61
3.5	90	2.5	80	1.5	70	0.7	60

Please be aware of your requirements and the minimum grades as follows:

Graduate students in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature: All courses offered by Asian L&L must be taken on a numerical grade base (5.1.0 at http://asian.washington.edu/departmental-ma-and-phd-policies-and-procedures).
Graduate students: Grades below 1.7 will be converted to 0.0; thus no credit will be earned. The minimum grade for an S is a 2.7 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/sgp/sgp-110-grades-honors-and-scholarship/).
Undergraduate students: Grades below 0.7 will be converted to 0.0; thus no credit will be earned. The minimum grade for an S is a 2.0 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/sgp/sgp-110-grades-honors-and-scholarship/).

Note that no incomplete grade will be given except under extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hospitalization in the last week of instruction) due to the nature of language courses. Refer to http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/incomplete.html; https://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/front/Grading_Sys.html.

1) Class participation

Your participation and practice during the class are crucial to learn the language. Students who are tardy for more than 5 minutes and/or not present for 1/3 of the class time will receive half credit, and students who are absent will receive no credit. For chronic absences, communicate with the instructor. One class day (180 minutes) in this intensive course is equivalent to 3.5-4 class days (175-200 minutes) in the regular academic year.

If you are unable to attend a class for a legitimate reason, please email the instructor by 9am on the day.

2) Homework

Late homework is not accepted. You will receive 0 unless you make arrangements for a legitimate reason with the instructor before the deadline.

Video HW: 3-4 instructional videos will be assigned for you to watch before each lecture for flipped classroom. Each video is about 10 minute-long. Each lecture will be spent to work on grammar exercises and practice.
Workbook (WB) 1: You will submit physical copy at the beginning of the class.
Workbook (WB) 2: You will submit it on Canvas every Friday. However, you are expected to complete them daily to keep up with the class. Please make sure you do the following to receive full credits:
- Write your answers longhand.
- Check your answer against the answer key to make corrections.
- Scan the pages and upload in one PDF file on Canvas. Multiple PDF/pictures/images will not be accepted.
Other homework: Please follow the instruction on Canvas.

3) Character quizzes

There will be three each of hiragana and katakana quizzes and eight kanji quizzes. No make-up will be given regardless of the reason, and the two lowest score will be dropped.

4) Lesson tests and compositions

There will be eleven lesson tests, and they may include compositions. Be prepared to write a passage (title and the length will be given in advance) during the in-class tests. The composition is an opportunity for you to put the grammatical structures that you have learned into practice. You are not expected to produce a composition that is beyond your expected level of Japanese. Any unoriginal work, such as a passage produced by AI, will receive a zero and will be reported according to the University Student Conduct Code.

Make-up can be arranged only for a legitimate reason. Please communicate with the instructor to arrange make-up in advance. Make-up has to be taken on the following day unless there is a legitimate reason. Make-up cannot be taken after the tests are returned to other students.

5-7) Presentations

The detailed information will be available on Canvas. You must be give a presentation on the scheduled day. Presentations cannot be rescheduled.

7. Expectations, student responsibility, and university policies

1) Policy on AI-based tools

Please read and comply with the UW’s AI General Use Guidelines: https://it.uw.edu/guides/security-authentication/artificial-intelligence-guidelines/

In this course, the use of AI in ways that are not compliant with the guideline will be considered academic misconduct.

If you have any questions about citation or about what constitutes academic integrity in this course or at the University of Washington, please feel free to contact the instructor to discuss your concerns.

2) Academic Integrity

Academic misconduct, such as plagiarism, will be managed in accordance with the policy of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students are expected to follow the university’s Student Conduct Code. Violations of the Student Conduct Code result in a variety of disciplinary actions, including suspension or permanent dismissal from the University.

3) Cell phone policy

Please put your cell phone in your bag unless you need to use it for legitimate reasons or are instructed to use it for a class activity. If you have any questions or concerns on this policy, consult with the instructor.

4) Preparation and Review for Class

Changes to the schedule will be announced in class or via Canvas announcements. It is your responsibility to be aware of any schedule changes, to prepare properly, and to submit the correct homework assignments when they are due. To ensure active participation, please watch the assigned video before each class session.

For undergraduate courses, one credit is generally defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week for one quarter. Therefore, a student taking this 15-credit course, which meets for 15 hours a week, should expect to spend an additional 30 hours a week on coursework outside of the classroom.

5) Inclusion

The University of Washington supports an inclusive learning environment where diverse perspectives are recognized, respected, and seen as a source of strength. In this course, I will strive to create welcoming spaces where everyone feels included and engaged regardless of their social and cultural backgrounds. Please speak to or email me for assistance related to inclusion in the classroom learning community.

6) Title XI

The University of Washington prohibits sex discrimination and sex-based harassment and expects all UW community members to respect one another in our shared academic and work environments. Sex discrimination and sex-based harassment can include sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, unwanted sexual contact, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and discrimination based on sex.

Students who believe they have experienced sex discrimination or sex-based harassment are encouraged to contact a Title IX case manager by making a Title IX report. The case manager can provide guidance on available support resources and resolution options.

7) Disabled Student Services

UW strives to create an inclusive learning community on campus. If you have disability accommodations, along with the online process for communicating with the instructor, feel free to make individual appointments as needed. If you would like information on disability accommodations, information is available here and via consultation at the DRS office or via uwdss@uw.edu. Only after the necessary documents are submitted will the instructor make accommodations determined by the Disabled Student Services.

8) Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy here.

Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request Form.

9) Safety and Well-being

Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others: https://www.washington.edu/safecampus/. The Department of Asian Languages and Literature also has a list of resources, including mental health, safety, and legal resources by UW and non-UW organizations: https://asian.washington.edu/resources. Please know that emotional and physical safety of our students is of the highest concern.

10) Conduct

The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at: https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/student-code-of-conduct/.

8. UW Japanese resources

1) Japan-info Email List http://mailman.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/j-info/

The J-info list will distribute Japan-related announcements. To subscribe to J-info, fill out the subscription form at the web address above.　

2) Conversation Partner https://depts.washington.edu/llc/language_exchange/

If you would like to find a language exchange partner to practice your Japanese in exchange for teaching your native language, please sign-up.

3) Kaiwa Table https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaiwatableuw/

Students get together to practice Japanese and for Japan-related activities.

4) Japanese Student Association https://www.facebook.com/groups/jsa.at.uw/

Anyone who is interested in Japan can join.

5) Study Abroad http://www.washington.edu/studyabroad/; Schmitz 459

Study abroad opportunities in Japan are available for students with any level of Japanese proficiency, from beginning through advanced. Please consult with the office of International Programs and Exchange Office.

6) Tateuchi East Asia Library Gowen 322

Recourses for Japan Studies: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/japanstudies

7) Tadoku

Recourses for using the tadoku (extensive reading) method to learn Japanese: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/tadoku