Japanese Through Anime: Komi Can't Communicate - Season 1 (2 Weeks, Live Class)

This class is taught in English.

 - To increase proficiency in basic phrases and important culture concepts
 - To distinguish between fabrications originating in anime and real events or customs in Japan
 - To further motivate those students to whom it pertains to take their language studies to the next level

I studied Japanese language, culture, history, and economics both at home (Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota) and a year abroad (Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan). I returned to Japan after graduating to live for another three years in Kagawa prefecture, Shikoku, where I worked in language instruction and Japanese-English translation. I attained certification in the 2nd highest level of the internationally recognized Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and twice sat in for the 1st level. 

My teaching experience in language instruction (where I also often implement the Natural Approach and TPR) continues to this day in private lessons for both children and adults in ESL, Japanese language learning, and JLPT test prep. For Japanese, this includes literacy in kanji and the language's other character sets, as well as comprehension and production in both informal and business-level conversation. It also means a top-down approach to deconstructing, studying for, and tackling the JLPT for those students looking to take their Japanese to the next level and even get this important certification that can land them a job abroad. (Feel free to contact me for more information about the JLPT and suggestions on whether or not it may be right for your learner's language goals.)

My favorite anime series to date include Neon Genesis Evangelion, Haibane Renmei, Serial Experiments Lain, Death Note, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, and last (but far from least) Your Lie in April.

"Word & Phrase Capture" submissions will be requested between lessons to complete during the independent viewing of episodes, starting from the second meeting onward. Students will be expected to submit their work by the time of the following lesson. They will also have the option of sharing what they wrote in the class discussion forum. 

Students will be expected to use the "Word & Phrase Capture" submissions to find Japanese phrases or culture points from each episode that they will then be expected to share in contributions to our meetings. These are to be entered into a Google Form each week by the learner for review by the teacher one day prior to each meeting.

Also, students will be invited (or can volunteer) to re-enact scenes together using scripts as a fun way of practicing what they have learned. The selection of the scene(s) will be voted on in prior days to Day 8.

None of the above is strictly required to be completed for attending in this class. However, students who complete *all* assignments will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement for their efforts. Those who demonstrate significant effort in researching and explaining their findings are also eligible for a Certificate of Excellence.

Fulfilling the above expectations is also what will likely help the student gain the most benefit from the course and is therefore highly recommended.

"Mastery Checks" and other in-class checks for comprehension (CFUs) will be regularly taken throughout lessons to gauge student's understanding and retention. There will also be a final "Super Mastery Check" portion in the final days that will go over all the previously taught grammar and concepts in a game show format.

Finally, students will be invited to re-enact scenes together using scripts as a fun way of practicing what they have learned. The selection of the scene(s) will be voted on in prior days to Day 8.

1 hour 50 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 1 - 2 hours per week outside of class.

Before we get started, a couple of quick things to check off:

  1) Double-check to be sure you have access to Komi Can't Communicate on whichever platform you intend to use (preferably Netflix given the technology we'll be using, i.e. the Language Reactor extension)
  2) Make sure you have a special notebook (physical or online, either one) to bring with you to the class for the sole purpose of collecting words, phrases, and other notes
  3) Come ready to share the following details about yourself with us:
   + What your past experience is with Japanese (e.g. studies, relations, etc.)
   + What you believe you will be able to contribute to the group in terms of skills and/or knowledge (regardless of whether or not you have any past experience with Japanese)
   + What your *specific* goals are for this course (i.e. what you hope to be able to do, or do better, by the end of our eight weeks together)