Japanese

TAFE

RMIT’s nationally accredited Japanese TAFE language programs can be studied in two ways: full time during the day and part time in the evenings.

Delivered in an intensive mode, the full time program will take complete beginners from Certificate I to Certificates IV in Language in one year. Students equipped with the Certificate IV in Language are recognized as being ideally suited for internships such as Assistant English Language Teachers in Japan or furthering study at a tertiary level. It can be taken as a “gap year” for school leavers.

The part-time program offers multiple levels of Japanese study. Part-time applicants, regardless of skill level, should submit an application for entry into the Certificate I in Japanese program. You will then be assessed at a placement test or interview and this will determine whether you should commence study at a higher certificate level.

The program guides provide full details including, program structures, entrance requirements and application information.

• C4283 Certificate IV in Japanese - Full Time (Intensive)
• C1063 Certificate I in Japanese
• C2202 Certificate II in Japanese
• C3276 Certificate III in Japanese
• C4283 Certificate IV in Japanese

Diploma of Languages

Study a language while you complete another degree! The new Diploma of Languages can be taken concurrently with any RMIT program to really add value to your degree and open up a range of new career opportunities.

Higher education courses

The following Higher Education 12 credit point Japanese courses are offered for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Studying a language as part of a degree can augment work-ready skills and is an enriching ‘add-on’ to a separate major field of study.

The program guides provide full details including, program structures, entrance requirements and application information.

• LANG1093 Japanese 1
• LANG1094 Japanese 2
• LANG1146 Japanese 3
• LANG1095 Japanese 4
• LANG1097 Japanese 5
• LANG1098 Japanese 6
• LANG1261 Language and Culture through Cinema

FAQ (PDF 186 KB) – frequently asked questions for the program.

Single and short courses

The Languages discipline also offers its Higher Education language electives and innovative short courses and workshops to the general public that are administered through RMIT's Single and Short Courses Centre. Find Japanese single and short courses by searching the keyword ‘Japanese’.

D’Arcy Butler

Certificate IV in Language – Japanese (full-time) student

‘Asian literacy is going to be an increasingly important tool for working in Australia over the next 50 years and this course is the best way to learn about Japanese language and culture. The course not only gives you a high level of Japanese language ability, but like every RMIT course, it is always focused on employability and giving you the skills to succeed after graduating.

With over twenty contact hours each week, exclusively of Japanese language classes, the intensive Japanese course immerses the students in the language. This meant that we were able to focus on Japanese so that we improved much more quickly than we would have in a regular Japanese subject with 5 or 6 weekly contact hours.’

Owen White

Certificate IV in Language – Japanese (full-time) student

‘The 2-3 weeks we spent in Japan pretty much changed me completely. Being thrown into a foreign culture like we were, you could not prepare for and I wouldn't have it any other way. Overall the tour was amazing…I had a lot of fun and new experiences I never want to forget. I saw old friends, made new ones, everything I saw was new over there. All in all it was simply amazing.’

Nhat Nguyen

Certificate IV in Language – Japanese (full-time) student

‘The year has sort of been a period of ‘enlightenment’ for me. I have come to appreciate learning and I have developed an appetite for knowledge.

I have gained so many things through the Certificate IV in Japanese: the understanding of a society, culture and lifestyle other than that of my own along with the delightful experience of having delivered a speech in a foreign language in front of an audience that included teachers, friends and classmates.’

Higher Education and TAFE students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of learning activities to further their language skills.

Students formed the RMIT Japan Club in 2010, which brings together RMIT students who are interested in all things Japanese to get together for social events and Japanese language practice.

The program provides language exchange sessions where all students have an opportunity to engage with native Japanese speaker students within the classroom, to apply, in a practical way, language learnt in their courses.

International exchange

Students have the opportunity to study abroad and gain course exemptions. RMIT has close to 200 partner universities in 31 countries to choose from. You can also take advantage of a number of international study tour opportunities.

Students studying Languages (Japanese) can experience one or two semesters on exchange to Japan at Ryuukoku University or Tama University.

Exchange to Ryukoku University (Kyoto, Japan) by William Golding

Study tours

Study tours encourage students to engage with the world academically, culturally and professionally. Students returning from study tours are able to reflect on the new perspectives they have gained and the experiences they have enjoyed.

A new study tour will be available for Higher Education students commencing Japanese language study in 2011. This tour will spend 3 weeks in Japan on a short-term study tour during Spring Semester. More information will be available in March 2011.

Students of the Certificate III and IV Languages (Japanese) program can embark on a study tour to Muroran Institute of Technology. This optional 16-day tour includes 10-days at MuroranIT in Hokkaido, a home-stay experience, and touring Tokyo/Kyoto.

Language Immersion Camp

Each year, full-time Japanese students can take part in off-campus language immersion camps. Students spend two nights and three days at Queenscliff with students from our sister university in Japan. Students engage in bi-lingual games, activities, cooking, and singing to put language into practice. All activities are student-led and student-centred.

LEAD student mentor program

Get involved in the student mentoring program through LEAD! Students are able to build leadership skills and capabilities and gain recognition by volunteering to mentor Japanese 1 and 2 language students. Volunteers are sought in the beginning weeks of each semester.

RMIT LEAD – Student engagement and leadership development

Internship programs and work placements

Assistant English Language Teacher internships are available through INTERAC Pty Ltd., Japan. These are for both Cert IV in Language graduates and Higher Education students. Applications are generally through lecturer’s recommendation, Students are placed in high schools in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers for up to 12 months. Internships include training and orientation in situ.

Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest

RMIT Japanese language students regularly compete in the Japanese Language Speech Contest. Held annually in September, this competition gives students of Japanese language a chance to actively use their language proficiency by presenting a three minute speech in Japanese.

News story: Student success in Japanese speech contest (2010)

Tertiary-secondary collaborations VET (language programs) in Schools project - 2011-2012

This auspiced delivery of RMIT’s Certificate in Language II programs to secondary schools aims to establish strategic partnerships and delivery coalitons between RMIT and secondary schools in the teaching and learning of Japanese in Victoria, focussing on regional schools. In 2011 up to 100 Yr 9 and 10 students from regional Victoria are enrolled in RMIT’s Certificate in Language Programs. This project opens new RMIT-secondary school collaborations, developing mentoring and ambassador skills to our RMIT City Campus students. This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program

Read more about the grant boost for Asian languages

For up-to-date information about Japan-related activities in Melbourne:

• Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne – News and Events

For up-to-date information about Japan-related seminars and scholarships

• Asialink
• SBS Radio - Japanese Radio Program
• The Japan Foundation

For an overview about studying in Japan (on a private basis)

• Study in Japan

Barbara White – Co-ordinator, Japanese Language Studies including Higher Education Courses

Hiroko Ohashi – Program Co-ordinator, Japanese Language Programs (TAFE) and Short Courses

Graham Miller – Administrative Manager, Language Discipline

Maya Fujioka – Sessional Lecturer

Chie Hama – Sessional Lecturer

Michael Matuszynski – Sessional Lecturer

Mizue Aiko – Sessional Lecturer

Kentaro Shimoda – Sessional Lecturer

Speak to our friendly staff about programs, applications, pathways and important dates at RMIT Info Corner.