Mastering Japanese: Your University Guide

Congratulations on successfully navigating your Baccalaureate exams! Regardless of your grades, you've conquered the most challenging phase of your academic career. Now, the focus shifts from general education to specialised fields aligned with your passions. If Japanese is your chosen path, understanding how to study the language and leverage it professionally is key. This guide will illuminate your options for higher education in Japanese, helping you to not only learn the language but also to integrate it into your future career.

Choosing Your Path: LEA vs. LLCE

After your Bac, you have two primary university routes to pursue Japanese: the LEA (Langues Étrangères Appliquées) and LLCE (Langues, Littératures, Civilisations Étrangères et Régionales) programmes. Each offers a distinct approach to mastering the Japanese language and its associated culture.

LEA Anglais/Japonais: The Professional Edge

The LEA Anglais/Japonais degree is an excellent choice for those seeking a practical, career-focused education. Typically spanning three years, this programme leads to a Bachelor's degree, with many students opting to pursue a Master's afterwards. A mandatory two-month internship in the third year provides invaluable real-world experience in a professional setting. LEA programmes are designed to equip you with language proficiency alongside business-oriented modules in areas like management and law. Crucially, LEA courses are open to students of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. If you're starting from scratch, it's advisable to build a foundational understanding of Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and the writing systems (Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji) before commencing your degree. Admission to LEA programmes is generally based on your application, irrespective of whether you hold a general or technological Bac, with motivation being a key factor.

LLCE Japonais: The Cultural Immersion

The LLCE Japanese degree, often used interchangeably with LLCER, delves deeper into the cultural and literary aspects of Japan. While LEA focuses on the professional application of the language, LLCE aims to cultivate specialists in Japanese culture. You'll certainly cover the fundamentals of the language, including its writing systems and vocabulary, but the emphasis is on becoming an expert on all things Japan. This programme welcomes students at all proficiency levels, though some universities may conduct courses entirely in foreign languages, so it's wise to check this beforehand to avoid being overwhelmed. If you have a literary inclination and aspire to careers in teaching or translation, the LLCE degree is an ideal fit. Success in LLCE requires significant personal effort beyond coursework, including reading Japanese literature and press, studying Japanese history, and ideally, undertaking a language immersion trip to Japan.

Universities Offering Japanese Studies in France

France boasts numerous universities where you can pursue your Japanese studies. Whether you didn't have the opportunity to study Japanese at secondary school or aim to become a specialist for a future life in Japan, these institutions offer comprehensive programmes:

Bachelor's Level Programmes:

• Université d’Aix-Marseille: Licence LEA Anglais-Japonais
• Université de Bordeaux III: Licence LEA
• Université Stendhal (Grenoble III): Licence LEA
• Université du Havre: DU Langues (Japonais)
• Université Charles de Gaulle (Lille III): Licence LLCE Japonais et DUFL
• Université Lumière (Lyon II): DU Monde Extrême (cours de japonais Lyon)
• Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III): Licence LLCE et LEA Japonais
• Université de Nantes: Licence LEA
• Université d’Orléans: Licence LEA et DU
• Université Paris VII: Licence LLCE, LEA et DU (cours de japonais Paris)
• Université de Toulouse-le Mirail (Toulouse II): Licence LEA, LLCE et DUEPL Japonais
• Université de Strasbourg II: Langue et Civilisation du Japon

Master's and Doctoral Level Programmes:

• École des Hautes Études en Sciences Humaines et Sociales (Paris): Master et Doctorat Asie mineure et intérieure
• École Pratique des Hautes Études (Paris): Master Études européennes, méditerranéennes et asiatiques et Doctorat
• Université d’Aix-Marseille: Master (Affaires internationales ou Métiers de la traduction)
• Université du Havre: Master Affaires Internationales spécialité commerce avec l’Asie
• Université Stendhal (Grenoble III): Master
• Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (Lille I): Master Commerce et Management des Affaires Internationales, option Asie orientale
• Université Charles de Gaulle (Lille III): Master Langues, Cultures et Interculturalité, spécialité études extrême-orientales
• Université Lumière (Lyon II): Master Science Politique Asie Orientale ou Affaires asiatiques
• Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III): Master et Doctorat (nombreux choix de diplômes)
• Université d’Orléans: Master Langues, affaires et commerce international
• Université de Paris III: Master Science du Langage ou Traductologie et Doctorat
• Université Paris VII: Master, Agrégation et Doctorat
• Université de Toulouse-le Mirail (Toulouse II): Master Domaine Lettres, Langues et Arts, spécialité japonais (études orientales ou métiers de l’international)

Please note that this list may be subject to change. It's always best to verify details directly with the institutions.

The INALCO Advantage

The Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) is a prestigious institution dedicated to the study of non-Western languages. INALCO offers a comprehensive range of Japanese programmes, from Bachelor's to PhD levels. Established in 1669, the institute has a long history of linguistic education. INALCO caters to all learners, whether beginners or advanced, and boasts highly qualified, often native-speaking faculty to guide your learning journey.

Personalised Learning: Private Japanese Tutors

For a truly tailored learning experience, consider private Japanese lessons. A bilingual tutor can focus on your specific needs, whether it's mastering the Hiragana and Katakana scripts, reinforcing grammar concepts, improving pronunciation for conversation, learning numbers, or understanding complex sentence structures. You can even incorporate your preferred learning materials, such as films, manga, or debates. Our platform hosts a wide array of qualified Japanese tutors across France, allowing you to find the perfect match. Many offer a free introductory session, giving you the chance to discuss your goals and assess compatibility. Learning at your own pace with a private tutor ensures efficient progress, as they can spend more time on challenging areas and move quickly through mastered concepts. Furthermore, payment through services like CESU (Chèque Emploi Service Universel) can offer tax benefits, making private tuition a financially attractive option.

The Japanese Writing System: A Closer Look

The Japanese writing system is a fascinating blend of three scripts:

Kanji: The Foundation of Meaning

Kanji are logographic characters borrowed from Chinese, where each symbol represents a concept or meaning. For example, 食 (shoku) means 'to eat,' and 国 (koku) means 'country.' Kanji often form the core of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. While there are thousands of Kanji, the Japanese Ministry of Education officially recognises 2,136 for daily use (常用漢字 - jōyō kanji). Learning Kanji can seem daunting, but understanding their structure, often through radicals and etymological stories, can greatly aid memorisation. Many Kanji have multiple readings: the 'kun' (meaning) reading, which is the native Japanese word, and the 'on' (sound) reading, derived from the original Chinese pronunciation, typically used in compound words. For instance, 山 (yama) means 'mountain' in Japanese, but when used in compound words like 火山 (kazan - volcano), it takes on the 'on' reading 'zan'.

Kana: The Syllabic Scripts

Complementing Kanji are two syllabic scripts, Hiragana and Katakana, each comprising 46 basic characters. Each character represents a specific sound, typically a consonant followed by a vowel (e.g., ka, ki, ku, ke, ko) or a standalone vowel (a, i, u, e, o). These scripts are essential for grammatical particles, verb and adjective inflections, native Japanese words not covered by Kanji, and loanwords.

• Hiragana (ひらがな): Characterised by their rounded, cursive forms, Hiragana are used for grammatical particles (e.g., は 'wa', が 'ga', を 'o'), verb and adjective endings, and native Japanese words without Kanji.
• Katakana (カタカナ): Recognisable by their angular lines, Katakana are primarily used for foreign loanwords (e.g., ハンバーガー 'hanbāgā' - hamburger), foreign names, scientific terms, and for emphasis (similar to italics).

Mastering all three scripts is crucial for proficiency in Japanese. While it may seem challenging, remember that millions have successfully navigated this journey. Your first step is to start learning, and resources like private tutors or comprehensive online courses can provide the structure and support you need.

Learning the Months of the Year

Learning the months of the year in Japanese is straightforward. Simply add the word がつ (gatsu), meaning 'month', to the Japanese numbers one through twelve:

Important Note: Be mindful of pronunciation variations. For April, use shigatsu, not 'yongatsu'. For July, use shichigatsu, not 'nanagatsu'. For September, use kugatsu, not 'kyuugatsu'.

Cultural Context: Japanese Monthly Events

Each month in Japan is marked by unique seasonal events and holidays:

• January (一月): New Year's Day (Oshogatsu) is the most significant holiday, involving temple visits, sending New Year's cards (nengajou), and traditional osechi ryouri meals.
• February (二月): Setsubun (Feb 3rd) marks the end of winter with bean-throwing rituals. Valentine's Day (Feb 14th) sees women gifting chocolates to men.
• March (三月): Hina Matsuri (Mar 3rd) is a festival for girls, featuring doll displays. Cherry blossoms (sakura) begin to bloom, heralding spring.
• April (四月): The start of the academic and fiscal year, with entrance ceremonies. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnics are popular.
• May (五月): Golden Week is a series of national holidays, including Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day.
• June (六月): The rainy season (tsuyu) begins, with hydrangeas blooming.
• July (七月): Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is a major summer festival. Tanabata (Star Festival) on July 7th involves writing wishes on paper strips.
• August (八月): Obon is a festival honouring ancestral spirits, with lantern ceremonies. The Awa Odori dance festival in Tokushima is a major event.
• September (九月): Tsukimi (moon viewing) festivals celebrate the autumn harvest.
• October (十月): Koyo (autumn foliage) viewing is popular. The Takayama Festival features decorated floats.
• November (十一月): Culture Day (Nov 3rd) celebrates arts and academics. Shichi-Go-San (Nov 15th) is a rite of passage for children aged 3, 5, and 7.
• December (十二月): Christmas is celebrated secularly. Oomisoka (New Year's Eve) involves eating toshikoshi soba noodles.

In conclusion, pursuing Japanese studies at university offers a structured and enriching path to language mastery and cultural understanding. Whether you choose the professionally oriented LEA or the culturally immersive LLCE, or opt for the personalised guidance of a private tutor, you are embarking on a rewarding academic journey. With dedication and the right resources, you can successfully navigate the complexities of the Japanese language and unlock a world of opportunities.