Teaching Minor Learning Outcomes

Statement of Purpose

The objectives of the Japanese teaching minor include developing an understanding of and appreciation for Japanese culture, developing language knowledge and skills to facilitate interaction in Japanese society, fostering an understanding of issues in Japanese language pedagogy, and preparing students to be effective teachers of Japanese. The program seeks to foster self-managed learning skills for lifelong learning and provide a university experience consistent with the mission and aims of Brigham Young University. The knowledge and skills gained through the minor will enable students to interact with Japan regardless of their future plans.

The program accommodates native Japanese speakers, those with no previous experience with Japan, its culture, and its language, as well as other non-native Japanese speakers who have received previous instruction at other institutions or who have otherwise had prior exposure to the language and culture, including heritage learners. The minor is designed to help learners prepare to teach Japanese in secondary schools or as teaching assistants in a college or university setting, to develop sound thinking and effective communication skills, and to develop a sense of historical perspective and global awareness relative to Japan.

As part of the College of Humanities, the minor seeks to foster an understanding of and respect for the meaning and significance of life as a Japanese. The program also seeks to provide a spiritual foundation for Japanese studies in light of scriptural injunctions to gain “knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:79) and to “study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (Doctrine and Covenants 90:15).

Objectives

• A broad understanding of the culture and history of Japan
• A broad understanding of behavioral culture and Japanese thought
• Ability to read and engage expository and narrative texts in Japanese (e.g. newspapers, modern short stories)
• Ability to converse in Japanese in linguistically, socially, and culturally appropriate ways
• A basic understanding of issues in language acquisition and Japanese language learning
• Ability to evaluate pedagogical materials based on sound principles
• Ability to develop sound pedagogical materials
• Ability to evaluate effective teaching
• Ability to prepare an effective lesson plan
• Ability to teach Japanese effectively