B2 Level 1 Course

The B2 Level 1 Course is currently suspended for Aki Term. The Course will be returning from Fuyu Term onward.

This course aims to prepare students to:  

• Scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details. 
• Express their ideas and opinions with precision, and present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly. 
• Write clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest while synthesising and evaluating information and arguments from a number of sources. 
• Summarise a wide range of factual and imaginative texts, commenting on and discussing contrasting points of view and the main themes
• Understand documentaries and the majority of films in standard dialect. 

＊日本語は下記にあります。 

In this course, we will explore topics relating to contemporary Japanese society and culture by using raw resources such as news clips and documentaries, newspaper articles, and online websites. Expanding our vocabulary across a range of fields and using grammar correctly, we’ll improve our Japanese in order to communicate our thoughts and ideas more effectively. We also aim to learn when to adapt our speaking styles and utilise keigo, depending on the person and the context. 

As class will be held every other week, in-class time will be focused on speaking practice. On weeks without class, there will be small tasks focused on input.  

Study Topics (planned):

• TBC

Topics studied in Natsu Term

• Resolving Shopping Issues (Shopping)
• Walking the World’s Natural Heritage Sites (Nature and the environment)

Topics studied in Haru Term

• Festivals and Cultural Inheritance (Eating habits x Language and culture)
• Worlds Born from Languages (Human relations x Society)

Topics studied in Fuyu Term

• The History of Japanese Food (Language and culture x Travel and transport)
• Japan’s Future (Free time and entertainment)

このコースでは、「今」の日本から社会や文化に関するトピックを選び、教材にはニュースやドキュメンタリー動画、新聞記事やウェブサイトなどの「生の素材」を使用します。広い分野での語彙を増やし、文法を正確に使えるようにしながら、自分の考えをしっかり伝えられるように日本語力を高めていきます。話す相手や場面に合ったスピーチスタイルや敬語をきちんと使えるようになるのも目標です。 

クラスは隔週で、教室の中では主に話す練習にフォーカスします。クラスがない週はインプットのための小さい課題があります。 

［学習トピック（予定）］ 

• TBC

［Natsu Termに学習したトピック］ 

• ショッピングのトラブル解決（買い物）
• 世界自然遺産を歩く（自然と環境）

［Haru Termに学習したトピック］ 

• 祭りと文化の継続（言語と文化 ⅹ 旅行と交通）
• ことばが生む世界（自由時間と極楽）

［Fuyu Termに学習したトピック］ 

• 和食の歴史（食生活×言語と文化）
• 日本のミライ（社会×人との関係） 

B2 Level 1 Natsu Term Course Details

Online classes will be held via Zoom video conferencing. You can join a test meeting at https://zoom.us/test.

B2 Level 1 Course Terms and Conditions

Table of Contents

1. Enrolment requirements
2. Course Structure
3. Course Materials
4. Fees
5. Payment
6. Cancellations and refunds
7. Other

Additional Terms and Conditions

1. Enrolment requirements
1.1 Students must be aged 18 and over.
1.2 J-Course is a service offered to paid members of The Japan Foundation, Sydney. Applicants must be current members at the time of enrolment.
1.3 The Japan Foundation, Sydney reserves the right to cancel the enrolment of students who do not hold current membership, including in cases where membership has expired.
1.4 Students must be able to participate in classes online.
1.5 Student participation is limited to one (1) course per term.
2. Course Structure
2.1 The B2 Courses are held over a period of ten weeks, with classes held once per fortnight for a period of two (2) hours.
2.1 Applications and payments are processed each term.
2.1 The B2 Courses are not held on designated New South Wales public holidays. In the event classes fall on such public holidays, these classes will be moved to the Friday of the same week.
3. Course Materials
3.1 The copyright of all course materials remains the exclusive property of The Japan Foundation, Sydney. Students may not reproduce or distribute any part of the course materials to any other persons or organisations without permission.
4. Fees
4.1 The tuition fee is $150 for the Aki (First) term but is subject to change during the year.
4.2 Students enrolling in their first term, or after a break of 1 term or more will be charged a $20 non-refundable administration fee in addition to the tuition fee when enrolling. Please note that the administration fee is distinct and separate from The Japan Foundation, Sydney membership fee of $25.
5. Payment
5.1 A student’s enrolment in the course is confirmed once full payment and online application have been received.
5.2 Incremental course payments will not be accepted.
5.3 Students enrolling after term has started will be charged tuition fees only for the remaining classes that term, calculated from the date they submit their application.
5.4 The previous does not apply in cases of delayed enrolment by the student, wherein J-Course reserves a mandatory three (3) business day administration period to process enrolments. Students will not be allowed to join classes until this administration period has passed, and no refund will be offered for classes missed as a result.
5.5 Course fees cannot be transferred to another term or another student. All prices are listed in Australian Dollars and include GST.
6. Cancellations and refunds
6.1 The course may be cancelled if enrolments do not reach the minimum number. In the event that the course is cancelled for this reason, students already enrolled in the course will be notified prior to the scheduled commencement date and any course fees that have been paid will be refunded.
6.2 Enrolments submitted after the class has reached maximum capacity may be cancelled. In this case, any course fees that have been paid will be refunded.
6.3 In cases where class is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, students will be offered a substitute class or a full refund for that week, to be determined by The Japan Foundation, Sydney.
6.4 Students may cancel their enrolment up to five (5) business days before the first class of the term for the enrolled course. Students are required to notify J-Course via email in order to cancel their enrolment. Course fees will be refunded minus a cancellation fee of $50.
6.5 Students who wish to cancel their enrolment after the above cancellation deadline due to circumstances beyond their control are eligible to receive a refund equal to 50% of any remaining course fees. Students are required to notify J-Course via email in order to cancel their enrolment. The amount refundable is calculated from the date that J-Course receives notification of the student’s cancellation request via email. Cancellations received by 5pm on regular business days will be lodged the same day. Any cancellations received after 5pm or on weekends or holidays will be lodged the next business day.
6.6 Individual class refunds are not available.
7. Other
7.1 The Japan Foundation, Sydney reserves the right to change teachers and classrooms during term. Students will be informed of any such changes in advance via email.
7.2 The Japan Foundation, Sydney, has a zero-tolerance policy regarding disruptive or aggressive behaviour from students, staff, and visitors. The enrolment of any student may be cancelled for these reasons at the discretion of J-Course administration at any time. Cancelled enrolments will be refunded in accordance with the refund policies outlined in section 6.
7.3 J-Course can be contacted via email at jcourse_sy@jpf.go.jp or by phone at 02 8239 0055.
Additional Terms and Conditions for Online Classes
As classes are held online, the below will apply in addition to the standard Terms and Conditions.
a. The technical prerequisites for online classes are as follows:

• A computer or laptop (operating systems: Windows 10 or 8.1 / Mac OS X 10.10 or later)
• The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari
• Headphones with a microphone
• A web camera
• A stable internet connection, with at least a 1.2Mbps download speed and 600kbps upload speed

b. The student is responsible for ensuring that the above requirements are met. Students who cause significant disruptions to class delivery due to insufficient technical prerequisites may be asked to rectify these deficiencies or change attendance to in person instruction if space is available. In the event that reasonable measures are not taken by the student to meet technical requirements, a student’s enrolment may be cancelled. Cancelled enrolments will be refunded in accordance with the policies outlined in section 4.
c. Classes cannot be recorded in any way, including audio only, without the express written permission of The Japan Foundation, Sydney.
d. The student is required to participate with their web camera on during online instruction.
d. The Japan Foundation, Sydney reserves the right to change the mode of class delivery at its discretion.

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Photo: Brett Boardman