AP Japanese Language and Culture Course Overview

Taught by: Noriko Vergel

[ASIJ Home] [High School Home] [Academic] [Modern Language Dept.]

Goals and Objectives

This advanced course is designed to help students integrate language and cultural knowledge to communicate their personal perspectives on various topics. The topics to be covered are similar at all levels and will include most of the following: School and Education, Career, Home and Community, Nature and Environment, Festivals and Annual Events, Communication and Media, Technology, Japan and World and etc.  A creative use of language with fluency and appropriateness will be encouraged. There is a substantial amount of preparation involved. Goals for this course include developing adequate proficiency in the Japanese language to prepare for the Advanced Placement examination and learning the skills necessary for a successful university experience. Students are required to take the very first AP Japanese Language and Culture examination in May, 2007.

 Assessments

            Oral/Aural skills                   45 %

        (Speaking and listening quizzes/tests, dialogues, skit, role-play,    speech, interview, presentation, radio/TV programs, etc.) 

            Writing/Reading skills       45%

            (Writing and reading quizzes/tests, worksheet, short essay, memo,

            magazines, internet Web pages, etc.)  

            Participation and effort     10%

            (Homework, project, classroom participation, visual aids,           Japanese word processing skill, collaborative work, etc) 

 Grade

1^st Semester grade (100%)

2^nd Semester grade (100%)

Expectations

·              Come to class on time and be seated.

·              Bring a positive attitude, as well as the necessary materials you need to study; completed assignments, text, notebook, writing utensils etc.

·              Respect others.

·              No chewing gum, food and drinks without teacher’s permission.

·              No cell phones and music players

·              Students should spend at least twenty to thirty minutes a day reviewing after each lesson and/or working on homework.

·              Practice your language at every opportunity.

·              All assignments are due on the beginning of the class. Late assignments will receive no more than a maximum grade of 70%.

Extra Help

Extra help is available any time in the Modern Language Resource Center (MLRC) and/or your teacher by appointment.

Make-up

It is the student’s responsibility to make an arrangement for make-up work after being absent. All make-up work must be completed within two days after returning to school, unless arranged otherwise.