I. Teaching Mission and Methodology

The main objectives of the Department are to guide students towards becoming working professionals that can effectively utilize their knowledge of cultures, languages and societies, as well as to encourage students to contribute positively towards the Taiwanese-Japanese exchange – both professionally, as well as within research and academics. The Department believes that Japanese proficiency is essential to achieving these objectives.

What teaching methodology would provide our student with the practical skills required for them succeed?

The department’s goal is that during their first two years of study, students will move beyond traditional teaching methods of cramming and basic memorization. Instead, students are encouraged to take their education into their own hands, learning how to study independently and to control the pace of their own education.

Therefore, during the teaching process, the way in which we guide and provide learning resources (production and implementation of learning materials)to our students is an important part of our work and function. In order to achieve these goals, in addition to strengthening collaborations and exchanges with professors and students at universities in Japan, focus is also placed on enriching the many Japanese language student groups we have on campus. Furthermore, we also utilize teaching assistants (many of our teaching assistants are often Japanese students from the Chinese Language Center) to encourage students to actively apply knowledge acquired in the classroom in their everyday life. In 1995, a Japanese language self-study area and website was also established to help encourage students to take initiative and responsibility of their own learning process.

II. Self-Study Area and Self-Study Website

The Japanese Language Department Library provides students with a quiet area for self-study. There are computers, desks, chairs, and couches, as well as a Teaching Assistant on rotation. A café, the Kigaru Café, also provides students with an active space for extra-curricular activities, such as discussions, international exchange, and study groups.

The Self-Study Website can be found at http://nihongo.thu.edu.tw . Besides, information on classes and course work, the website is a resource for students of varying language levels and needs. The learning materials within the Self-Study Website is original material created by Tunghai University’s Department of Japanese Language and Culture and the department is constantly improving the website and adding new content.