The Ft. Hayes Japanese Program

 The Japanese program at Fort Hayes Arts & Academic High School offers 5 levels of Japanese language instruction, under the leadership of Tracy Imamura. The program gives students the opportunity to participate in an exchange program, to  become a member of JNHS (Japanese National Honor Society), as well as to compete in various local and national competitions.

---

JAPANESE HONOR SOCIETY

EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Nengajo Contest

Japan Bowl

JAPANESE I

According the ACTFL standards for language proficiency, students in the first year of Japanese language learning should attain Novice-Low level language acquisition by the end the academic year.  Language proficiency is determined by assessment of all language areas within authentic cultural contexts: listening, speaking, reading,  and writing.  Students will be required to practice all skills as well as complete proficiency assessments in all  language areas to accurately determine proficiency and learning throughout the year.

So what does proficiency mean for a student of Japanese I?

By the end of Japanese I, students can identify some words,  phrases, or characters, especially those that are similar to words in their own language. Additionally, students should be able to communicate using single words and memorized phrases, provide information about themselves and their immediate surroundings using single words or memorized phrases, understand  words that are similar to those in their own language, and copy some characters and words. ​ At the end of this course, students will be considered  Novice-Low language learners..
​

​JAPANESE III

​According the ACTFL standards for language proficiency, students in the third year of Japanese  begin at the proficiency level of Novice-Mid.  By the end of the academic year, students in the third year of Japanese language learning, should attain the ACTFL proficiency level of Novice-High.  Language proficiency is determined by assessment of all language areas within authentic cultural contexts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will be required to practice all skills as well as complete proficiency assessments in all  language areas to accurately determine proficiency and learning throughout the year.

So what does proficiency mean for a student of Japanese III?

By the end of Japanese III,  students can understand some ideas in simple texts that contain familiar vocabulary.  Additionally, students should be able to  exchange information about familiar tasks, topics, and activities, handle short interactions using phrases and simple sentences, but may need help or visuals to keep the conversation going.  Students can provide basic information on familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences.  Students can understand the main point in short conversations, messages and announcements. Students can write descriptions and short messages to request or provide information on familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences. At the end of this course students will be considered a Novice-High learner.

JAPANESE II

 ​   According the ACTFL standards for language proficiency, students in the second year of Japanese language learning should begin at the proficiency level of Novice-Low.  By the end of the academic year, students in the second year of Japanese language learning, should attain the ACTFL proficiency level of Novice-Mid.   Language proficiency is determined by assessment of all language areas within authentic cultural contexts:  listening, speaking, reading, writing,  Students will be required to practice all skills as well as complete proficiency assessments in all  language areas to accurately determine proficiency and learning throughout the year.
 
So what does proficiency mean for a student of Japanese II?

By the end of  Japanese II, students can understand familiar words, phrases and simple sentences. Students can interact with help using words, phrases and memorized expressions.  Students can answer simple questions on very familiar topics,  provide information about themselves and their immediate surroundings using words, phrases and memorized expressions. Students can understand some everyday words, phrases and questions about their personal experiences and  surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly or there is repetition. Students can provide basic information on familiar topics in lists, phrases and memorized expressions. At the end of this course students will be considered a Novice-Mid learner.
​

JAPANESE IV/V

 According the ACTFL standards for language proficiency, students in the fourth year (fifth year) of Japanese language learning should begin at the proficiency level of Novice-High(Intermediate-low).  By the end of the academic year, students in the fourth (fifth) year of Japanese language learning, should attain the ACTFL proficiency level of Intermediate-Low (Intermediate-Mid).   Language proficiency is determined by assessment of all language areas within authentic cultural contexts: listening, speaking, reading, writing,  Students will be required to practice all skills as well as complete proficiency assessments in all  language areas to accurately determine proficiency and learning throughout the year.

So what does proficiency mean for a student of Japanese IV/V?
​
By the end of Japanese IV, students can understand the main idea and some details in texts that contain familiar vocabulary. Students can begin and carry on a conversation on a limited number of familiar topics. Students can ask/answer simple questions and exchange information in familiar situations using phrases and a series of sentences,provide information on familiar topics using a series of sentences with some details. Students can understand the main idea and some details on familiar topics expressed in sentences, short conversations, presentations, and messages. students can write on familiar topics and experiences.  At the end of JP 4 (JP5) students  will be considered a Intermediate-Low learner (Intermediate-Mid learner).

​