JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II continues UMGC's introduction to spoken and written Japanese. The course description emphasizes communicating in real-life situations with culturally appropriate language, reading and writing katakana, and recognizing kanji characters in context.
The step up from JAPN 111 is real: katakana adds a second set of characters, kanji adds a third, and both must be recognized in running text. Students who relied on romaji in the first course often find that JAPN 112 exposes the gap.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus |
| Code and title | JAPN 112 Elementary Japanese II |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | JAPN 111 or an appropriate score on a placement test |
| Who it is for | Not open to native speakers of Japanese |
| Online sections | Microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work required |
What JAPN 112 Covers
| Course focus (UMGC wording, summarized) | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Continued spoken and written Japanese | Building on JAPN 111 patterns and vocabulary |
| Communicating in real-life situations | Practical exchanges in polite, appropriate language |
| Reading and writing katakana | The full set, with long-vowel marks and small characters |
| Recognizing kanji in context | Identifying common characters inside sentences |
| Pronunciation and everyday skills | Oral and written practice for daily communication |
Key Concepts Explained
Katakana for Loanwords
Katakana is used mainly for words borrowed from other languages, foreign names and emphasis. The long-vowel mark ー extends the previous sound.
Example: コーヒー (koohii, coffee) uses ー twice. ジュース (juusu, juice) uses a small ュ to form a blended sound. Reading loanwords aloud often reveals the English source.
Kanji Recognition
UMGC emphasizes recognizing kanji in context, not writing hundreds from memory. Learn each character with its meaning, one common reading, and a word it appears in.
Example: 日 appears in 日本 (Nihon, Japan) and 日曜日 (nichiyoobi, Sunday). Seeing it in two words teaches both meaning and reading better than a list.
Polite Speech
The polite ます-form is the default for strangers and teachers. Practice recognizing it and producing it consistently in a whole answer.
Typical Work and How to Approach It
UMGC's published information does not list individual assessments, so check your syllabus. These are general kinds of work for this level.
| Work type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Katakana and kanji quizzes | Recognition and reading | Use flashcards in both directions, then read short texts |
| Written dialogues or paragraphs | Sentence patterns | Plan with known patterns; proofread particles and endings |
| Spoken recordings | Pronunciation and rhythm | Rehearse aloud, record and compare with a model |
| Listening tasks | Comprehension | Replay in short sections; note key words |
Fitting Katakana and Kanji into a Week
| Skill | Practice that works |
|---|---|
| Katakana | Read product names, menus and signs; copy words by hand once a week |
| Kanji recognition | Flashcards with the character on one side and meaning plus a word on the other |
| Hiragana upkeep | A five-minute blank-grid check so it stays automatic |
| Speaking | Record two short answers and compare with a model |
Because the course adds two new kinds of character, avoid cramming them in the same session; alternate days so each gets a fresh review.
Questions to Settle in Week One
- How much kanji writing, as opposed to recognition, will be assessed?
- Which live sessions are required and when?
- How is speaking assessed?
- Should I type Japanese on a keyboard, or handwrite?
The catalog stresses recognition in context, but your instructor decides how assessments are set.
Three Errors to Fix Early
At this stage three errors recur. Confusing similar katakana pairs such as シ and ツ is the first. Leaving out the long-vowel mark in loanwords is the second, which turns コーヒー into something unreadable. Finally, learning kanji as pictures without their readings means you cannot say the words you recognize.
Before and after: A learner writes コヒ for coffee. The long vowel needs the mark: コーヒー. Reading each loanword aloud before writing it catches this quickly.
End-of-Term Self-Check
Before assessments, test yourself without notes: write the full hiragana and katakana charts, read ten short sentences containing kanji you have met, and say five polite sentences about your day aloud. Mark what you hesitated on and review exactly those items twice more.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Katakana look-alikes. シ and ツ, ソ and ン are the classic pairs; stroke direction is the clue.
- Kanji overload. Learn in context, not in isolation.
- Mixed registers. Keep to polite forms unless told otherwise.
- Stalled speaking. Record short answers weekly.
Study Tips for JAPN 112
- Review hiragana weekly so it stays automatic.
- Read katakana signs, menus and product names you meet.
- Pair each new kanji with two example words.
- Check your placement or prerequisite before enrolling.
How We Help with JAPN 112
Send your practice writing, the prompt and instructor feedback. A tutor can explain grammar and kanji, correct and annotate your sentences, prepare model examples for study and suggest a practice plan. We do not attend live sessions or take graded oral assessments for you.
GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to learn, then complete your own assessed work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late.
Get Feedback on Your Japanese Writing
Share your sentences or short composition. A tutor corrects them, explains the changes and suggests practice.
Start My JAPN 112 HelpFree revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order
Frequently Asked Questions
JAPN 111 or an appropriate score on a placement test.
Three.
UMGC's description says recognizing kanji characters in context; follow your syllabus for writing expectations.
Katakana is read and written; kanji is introduced for recognition.
Yes, UMGC notes occasional synchronous work, a microphone and speakers.
We can give written feedback and explanation; we do not join live sessions or take assessments.