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Japanese language studies

Welcome to Japanese language studies at Mount Allison!

Japanese is known to be one of the most unique and complex languages in the world — with a high degree of inflections, three sets of scripts in its writing system, etc. At Mount Allison University students are guided step by step to study this language with clear instruction and materials.

Cultural aspects are also explored through films/TV dramas, music, fine arts and so on. Studying Japanese certainly requires hard work, but no doubt it is rewarding.

Let’s work together and enjoy exploring Japan and its language!

Program

An interdisciplinary minor program in Japanese studies includes the language courses noted below and courses in geography, economics, history, and religious studies. 

For more details on program requirements, see the Academic Calendar.

Courses

The following Japanese courses will be offered during the 2023-24 academic year. For full course listings and course descriptions, visit the Academic Calendar.

Fall 2023

Introductory Japanese I
JAPA1001 MWF 11:30-12:20

Intermediate Japanese II
JAPA2001 MW 3:00-4:20

Winter 2024

Introductory Japanese II
JAPA1011 MWF 11:30-12:20

Intermediate Japanese II
JAPA2011 MW 3:00-4:20

Japanese speech contests

Japanese speech contests are an annual series of events sponsored by the Japan Foundation and organized by universities across Canada. Students studying Japanese at universities are eligible to participate. Contests usually take place in March each year.

There are currently seven regional contests including the Atlantic Canada Japanese Speech Contest (ACJSC) in which four universities participate — St. Mary’s, UNB, St. Thomas, and Mount Allison.

The 25th Atlantic Canada Japanese Speech Contest (ACJSC) was held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Saint Mary's University. Five students from Mount Allison participated, with three winning prizes.

Congratulations to our award winners!

Garrison Riley, one of the participants, said "Thanks to this contest, I had a great time going on a trip to Halifax with other passionate Japanese-language students and met some really cool people.  This opportunity also helped me speak Japanese more naturally and increased my interest in Japanese culture.  I suggest anyone who wants enrichment in Japanese to attend this contest."

Beginner Category

  • 2nd place: Garrison Riley, "A New Direction"

Intermediate Category

  • 1st place: Aiko Aguilar, "Break the Shell"
  • 3rd place: Christina Martin, "A Peaceful Time"

The first-place winner, Akiko Aguilar, participated in the 34th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest held at the Japan Foundation in Toronto on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Speeches are available to watch at the Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education (CAJLE) site.

Becoming a Japanese course lab tutor

Each academic year, approximately five to seven native Japanese speakers studying at MtA are appointed to be lab tutors for the Japanese courses.

Lab tutors are expected to instruct students in oral exercises by using course materials.

Orientation sessions will be given to tutors before they start to work.

Call for applications

Once the lab schedule is settled in mid-September, a call for applications is sent out by e-mail to all Japanese students (in some years excluding first year students).

If you are interested in working as a tutor, please apply by responding to the e-mail in mid-September.

For inquiries, contact:
Prof. Akiko Yoshizawa | ayoshizawa@mta.ca  

Useful links for Japanese Studies students

Check out these great sites!

JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test): JLPT  is a standardized test administered by the Ministry of Education and the Japan Foundation to evaluate and certify Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers.

JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program): JET Program is a Japanese government initiative that brings university graduates—mostly native speakers of English—to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers in Japanese kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools.

The Japan Foundation: The Japan Foundation promotes international cultural exchange and Japanese language education. Its website provides learning tools among other programs/information.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Embassy of Japan in Canada  

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