Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Major/Minor Degree
- Q: Can I major or minor in Japanese Studies? A: You can enroll in the honours minor degree program in Japanese Studies.
Enrollment
- Q: Is there any placement test for those who have studied Japanese elsewhere? A: Yes, there is a placement test for each level except for AP/JP1000 6.0. For further information, please visit the following site: Placement Tests
- Q: The Voice Enrollment System tells me that all the seats are reserved. What can I do? A: You may hear the following recorded message.
- Q: Is there a waiting list? A: No, there is no waiting list. If the course you wish to take is full, please keep trying the Voice Enrollment System. Quite a few students drop the course at the begining of the term. If you cannot enroll in the course you are trying to get in before the course begins, please contact your course instructor to ask for permission to sit in until you enroll.
- Q: Are Japanese courses offered elsewhere considered as equivalent to any of the courses offered at York University? A: No, no credits are accepted as equivalent automatically, but you can write a placement test to enroll in a higher level course. Summer courses are never considered equivalent to full-year courses.
- Q: I have a schedule conflict. Can I attend different tutorials taught by the same instructor? A: Not in principle, but the instructor might allow you to do that in a very special circumstance at his/her own discretion. You must have a very good reason.
- Q: Can I attend only the lectures and skip tutorials? A: Absolutely not. Tutorials are the most important component of the course for actual communication in Japanese.
- Q: I am a fourth year student. I am worried about my GPA going down by taking Japanese. Can I audit the course? A: No, auditors are not allowed in language courses by the departmental policy. However, you can enroll in a course with a Pass/Fail option, the result of which will not affect GPA. You are given 10 days after the term begins to submit the form. Please consult the York University Handbook.
- Q: I am a York student, but I am taking most of my courses at U of T, because I am living downtown. Can I take the first year Japanese course at U of T in place of AP/JP1000 6.0 offered at York for credits? A: You can take the course at your will, but you won't be given the York credits.
- Q: I am a student on Keele campus, but I would like to take the distance education course, Section B of AP/JP1000 6.0, offered at Glendon College. Is it possible? A: Yes, but students at Glendon are given prioprity. Consult with the coordinator of the Japanese Section.
Please contact the DLLL main office [S561 Ross] for further information. If you wish to take one of the Japanese language courses, either you must sign the form at the DLLL main office [S561 Ross] stating that you do not have prior knowledge of the Japanese language or write a placement test.
Courses
- Q: My friend has told me that the Japanese program at York is very difficult. Is it true? A: Language courses are probably most demanding ones on campus compared to other so-called 'content courses'. You cannot clam everything overnight and get good results on the test. You have to learn how to organize your time so that you can constantly spend certain amount of time on learning Japanese. In that sense, it is very demanding. It is also very rewarding.
- Q: I have heard that the Japanese language is too difficult for an average Canadian student. Are most students Asian Students with some Asian language background? Can I keep up with the course? A: Japanese has been considered as one of the most difficult languages for North Americans. That is mainly because you have to learn so many Kanji (Sino-Japanese) characters for reading and writing. Speaking, however, is not very difficult to learn. Although there are many Asian students studying Japanese in our program, there have been quite a few non-Asian students who have done very well. Each course has been designed to enhance the ability of students with various background. They can take advantage of their strength in various activities in the course.
- Q: I have heard that there are many students who can already speak Japanese quite fluently even in the first year course. That is very discouraging and threatening. Why are they allowed to be in the course? A: You may meet quite a few students who already know Japanese very well in you class. They are usually there, probably because they have not studied much readng and writing. We have no option but put them in your class, because no other class is available. We do understand how frustrating and threatening it might be, but if you look at this from a bit more positive viewpoint, you would be pleased to have various good models you can learn from siting next to you. In the Japanese Program students are encouraged to work together and help each other as much as possible. What is most important, your grade is not evaluated based on their performance. We do not readjust grades according to the bell curve. You get what you earn. The course is designed for those who start studying Japanese at York from scratch.
- Q: Can I get high school teaching certification in Japanese? A: Yes, you can, as long as you are accepted to the Faculty of Education and fullfil the requirements. Please consult with the Faculty of Education.
- Q: Is there any chance that I will be able to study or work in Japan after I study Japanese at York? A: Yes, there are opportunities to apply for exchange programs and the JET Program. Many York graduates who studied Japanese are studying or working in japan.
- Q: I have heard about the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Where can I write it? A: York University has been hosting the test on behalf of the Japan Foundation since three years ago. Please check the following web site.
Japanese language proficiency Test
