Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
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  1. Chapter 8: APS / Chapter 9: APM / Chapter 10: ST
  2. 5. Common Education Subjects (Language Education Subjects)

5-3. Asia Pacific Languages (AP Languages)

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APU offers “Asia Pacific Language” courses in six languages: Chinese, Korean, Malay-Indonesian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.
AP languages are heard on campus on a daily basis as APU has a large number of students who are native speakers of AP languages.

232023 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students from AY 2023 onwards.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students from AY 2024 onwards.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students from AY 2025 onwards.

AP Language

AP Language Courses

Please check the PDF below for the list of AP Language courses.

Special Lecture Courses

Credits from Special Lecture Courses are counted as Language Education Course credits. Please check the course syllabus for information on the content of the course.

Course Name (No. of Credits) Required / Elective Registration
Introduction to Asia Pacific Languages (2) Elective Registered by Student

Registration Requirements

  • Cannot be a native speaker of the language you wish to register.
  • Japanese-basis students must have completed “Elementary English A and B,” and English-basis students must have completed “Japanese Foundation I, II, and III,” or have been exempted.
  • If these requirements are met, Language Education Courses (AP Language) can be taken regardless of Grade Level.
  • Please check the syllabus for information on each course’s language of instruction.

Extracurricular Language Learning

AP Language Immersion Program

AP Language is not only taught in classrooms by experienced faculty members. In the AP Language Immersion Program you can learn outside the classroom by interacting with students from various countries and regions.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

In the SALC, in addition to various levels of learning materials written in English and Japanese we also provide self-study guidance so you can effectively develop the skills you want to focus on.
We also have AP Language advising sessions, so feel free to stop by!

AP Language Instagram

The AP Language Instagram account posts lots of interesting information on our languages.

AP Language Exemption Exams

If you already have language proficiency to be above the beginner level for a language, you can apply to take an exemption exam to receive permission to start your language study at a higher level.

AP Language Exemption (Approximate)

Level Standard for Exemption
Chinese I Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level pre-4, Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level pre-4, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 1
Chinese II Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 4, Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 4, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 2
Chinese III A Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 3, Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 3, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 3
Chinse III B Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 3, Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 3, Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 3
Korean I Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 1, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 5
Korean II Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 2, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 3
Korean III Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 3, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 3
Global Language Learning (Korean) A Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 3, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 3
Malay Indonesian I Equivalent to CEFR A1
Malay Indonesian II Equivalent to CEFR A2
Malay Indonesian III A Equivalent to CEFR B1
Malay Indonesian III B Equivalent to CEFR B1
Spanish I DELE Spanish Proficiency Exam A1
Spanish II DELE Spanish Proficiency Exam A2
Spanish III A DELE Spanish Proficiency Exam B1
Spanish III B DELE Spanish Proficiency Exam B1
Thai I Equivalent to CEFR A1
Thai II Equivalent to CEFR A2
Thai III Equivalent to CEFR B1
Global Language Learning (Thai) Equivalent to CEFR B1
Vietnamese I Equivalent to CEFR A1
Vietnamese II Equivalent to CEFR A1
Vietnamese III Equivalent to CEFR A2
Global Language Learning (Vietnamese) A Equivalent to CEFR A2
  • *Please check the syllabus for details of each level, and confirm the level of the exemption exam you will take.
    Even if you take the AP Language Exemption Exam, if you have not earned the credits shown below or do not pass the exemption exam, you will not be able to register for a higher level of AP Language.
    Basis Language Required Courses
    English Japanese Foundation I,
    Japanese Foundation II,
    and Japanese Foundation III
    Japanese Elementary English A,
    Elementary English B

Application Schedule

Detailed application schedules will be announced on Campus Terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview Date Results Announced
Spring Semester ~July Late July / Early August Date grades are
announced that semester
Fall Semester ~January Early February Date grades are
announced that semester

How to Apply

Information on how to apply will be announced on Campus Terminal. The screening will be based on your application and an interview.If you have a proficiency test score sheet, please include that as well. See the Campus Terminal announcement for details.

Score Sheet

"Score Sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which clearly shows your pass/fail exam results.

Interviews

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be rejected. Please make sure you are available for the interview.

Notes and Warnings

In principle, applications for exemption cannot be cancelled after taking the exemption exam.
Please note your exemption application will be canceled or rejected in the cases shown below.

  • Application is incomplete
  • Application submitted after the deadline
  • Details of submitted certificate data, such as proficiency exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original cannot be produced following request by the office
  • Lack of score from a designated exam

Attendance Rules for Language Education Courses

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages). In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. Even if you must be absent from class for an unavoidable reason, you must attend at least ¾ of all classes (including regular classes days and final exam days). If you do not fulfill this attendance requirement, you will receive an automatic failing grade (F) for the course.

Absences

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will be marked absent. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Absences due to Legally-Recognized Infectious Disease】

You must submit a certificate from a medical institution stating that you have contracted a legally-recognized infectious disease to the Academic Office. The Academic Office will contact your course instructor directly in the following days.

【University-Authorized Absences】

The office involved (Academic Office / Student Office / Career Office, etc.) will contact your course instructor directly with the required documents. The student is not required to submit any documents to the instructor.

172017 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students between AY 2017 and AY 2022.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students between AY 2018 and AY 2023.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students between AY 2019 and AY 2024.

AP Languages

AP Languages Offered

Language Level (credit)
Chinese I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (4)
Korean I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (4)
Malay / Indonesian I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Spanish I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Thai I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Vietnamese I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)

Specific Subject

Subject field of Specific Subject is Language Education Subject. Please refer to the syllabus for class content.

Subject Name (credits) Required / Elective Registration
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅰ (2) Elective Registered by student
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅱ (2) Elective Registered by student
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅲ (2) Elective Registered by student

Course Registration Conditions

  • The language in which the student wishes to register must not be his/her native language.
  • Japanese-basis students must have completed or exempted from taking “Elementary English A・B” and English-basis students must have completed or exempted from taking “Japanese Foundation Course I・II・III”.
  • Common Education Subjects (AP languages) can be taken regardless of grade number, provided that the requirements for enrollment have been fulfilled.
  • Please check the syllabus for the languages offered.

Language Learning

AP Language Immersion Program

AP languages are not only studied in the classroom by experienced teachers, but also outside the classroom by interacting with students from different countries and regions.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

SALC has a wide range of English and Japanese materials at different levels and also offers self-study guidance to help you develop the skills you want to improve efficiently. Please feel free to drop in.

AP Language Instagram

The AP Languages Instagram account posts a variety of language-related information.

Asia Pacific Language Subject Exemption

Students who acquire higher level than foundation level of the language may change their starting level by taking the exemption exam.

Exemption Criteria (Approximate standard)

Levels Exemption Criteria
ChineseⅠ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level pre-4, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level pre-4, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 2
ChineseⅡ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 4, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 4, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 2
ChineseⅢ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 3, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 3, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 3
KoreanⅠ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 1, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 5
KoreanⅡ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 2, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 4
KoreanⅢ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 3, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 3
Malay / Indonesian I Equivalent CEFR A1
Malay / Indonesian II Equivalent CEFR A2
Malay / Indonesian Ⅲ Equivalent CEFR B1
Spanish I Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 5
SpanishⅡ Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 4
SpanishⅢ Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 3
ThaiⅠ Equivalent CEFR A1
ThaiⅡ Equivalent CEFR A2
ThaiⅢ Equivalent CEFR B1
VietnameseⅠ Equivalent CEFR A1
VietnameseⅡ
Vietnamese Ⅲ Equivalent CEFR A2
  • *Please refer to the syllabus for details on each level and check the level of the exemption examination you are taking.
    Even though a student has been approved for AP language subject exemption, they may not register for the next class until the following required language subject credit has been completed or exempted.
    Student Language Basis Prerequisite Subject
    English Japanese Foundation CourseⅠ
    Japanese Foundation Course Ⅱ
    Japanese Foundation Course Ⅲ
    Japanese Elementary English A
    Elementary English B

Application Schedule

Details of the application schedule will be announced through Campus terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview Date Announcement of the Result
Spring Semester Around July Late July – Early August Grade Announcement Date
Fall Semester Around January Early February Grade Announcement Date

Application Method

The application method will be announced through Campus Terminal. The screening will be judged comprehensively based on the application and the interview.
The score sheet (within the expiration/validated date) is required to apply. Please keep the original document at hand.

Score Sheet

"Score Sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which clearly shows your pass/fail exam results.

Interview

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be considered invalid. Be sure to have your time available for the interview appointment.

Important Notes

In principle, students cannot cancel the application after taking the exemption test.
Also, please note that the exemption application will be invalid or will not be considered in the following cases.

  • The application is incomplete or incorrect.
  • Application documents are not submitted or do not arrive by the deadline.
  • If the online submitted certificate, such as a qualification exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original document cannot be submitted when requested by the office.
  • The test score is not one of the specified qualifications for exemption.
【Only for students who are applying for exemption while they are studying abroad or are taking a leave of absence】
  • The score was not attained during "study abroad" or while taking a "leave of absence"
  • The student does not attend the interview on the specified day (regardless of the reason).

Language Class Attendance Rules

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages).
In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. If circumstances require your absence, you will still be required to attend at least 3/4 of the classes (including regular class days and final exam). If you do not attend this number of classes, you will automatically receive a failing (F) grade for the course.

Absence

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will not be counted present. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Contraction of an infectious disease (as recognized by Japanese School Health Law)】

Students must apply to the APU Academic Office with the required documentation in order to have their absences from class excused for this reason.

【University-authorized leave of absence】

The relevant APU office (i.e. Academic Office, Student Office, Career Office) will send the documents directly to the class teacher. The student does not need to submit the documents to the teacher.

112011 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students between AY 2011 and AY 2016.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students between AY 2011 and AY 2017.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students between AY 2011 and AY 2018.
  • 4.Students who originally enrolled before AY 2011, but as a result of reinstatement or readmission will be in the same semester as students in Group 1.

AP Languages

AP Languages Offered

Language Level (credit)
Chinese I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (4)
Korean I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (4)
Malay / Indonesian I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Spanish I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Thai I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)
Vietnamese I (4) II (4) III (4) IV (2)

Specific Subject

Subject field of Specific Subject is Language Education Subject. Please refer to the syllabus for class content.

Subject Name (credits) Required / Elective Registration
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅰ (2) Elective Registered by student
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅱ (2) Elective Registered by student
Introduction to Official Languages of the United Nations Ⅲ (2) Elective Registered by student

Course Registration Conditions

  • The language in which the student wishes to register must not be his/her native language.
  • Japanese-basis students must have completed or exempted from taking “Elementary English A・B” and English-basis students must have completed or exempted from taking “Japanese Foundation Course I・II・III”.
  • Common Education Subjects (AP languages) can be taken regardless of grade number, provided that the requirements for enrollment have been fulfilled.
  • Please check the syllabus for the languages offered.

Language Learning Outside the Classroom

AP Language Immersion Program

AP languages are not only studied in the classroom by experienced teachers, but also outside the classroom by interacting with students from different countries and regions.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

SALC has a wide range of English and Japanese materials at different levels and also offers self-study guidance to help you develop the skills you want to improve efficiently. Please feel free to drop in.

AP Language Instagram

The AP Language Instagram account posts a variety of language-related information.

Asia Pacific Language Subject Exemption

Students who acquire higher level than foundation level of the language may change their starting level by taking the exemption exam.

Exemption Criteria (Approximate standard)

Levels Exemption Criteria
ChineseⅠ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level pre-4, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level pre-4, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 2
ChineseⅡ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 4, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 4, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 2
ChineseⅢ Nihon Chugokugo Kenteishiken level 3, Jitsuyo Chugokugo Gino Kenteishiken level 3, New Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) level 3
KoreanⅠ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 1, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 5
KoreanⅡ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 2, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 4
KoreanⅢ Kankokugo Noryokushiken level 3, "Hangul" Noryoku Kenteishiken level 3
Malay / Indonesian I Equivalent CEFR A1
Malay / Indonesian II Equivalent CEFR A2
Malay / Indonesian Ⅲ Equivalent CEFR B1
Spanish I Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 5
SpanishⅡ Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 4
SpanishⅢ Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Espanola level 3
ThaiⅠ Equivalent CEFR A1
ThaiⅡ Equivalent CEFR A2
ThaiⅢ Equivalent CEFR B1
VietnameseⅠ Equivalent CEFR A1
VietnameseⅡ
Vietnamese Ⅲ Equivalent CEFR A2
  • *Please refer to the syllabus for details of each level and check the level of the exemption examination you are taking.

Application Schedule

Details of the application schedule will be announced through Campus terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview Date Announcement of the Result
Spring Semester Around July Late July – Early August Grade Announcement Date
Fall Semester Around January Early February Grade Announcement Date

Application Method

The application method will be announced through Campus Terminal. The screening will be judged comprehensively based on the application and the interview.
The score sheet (within the expiration/validated date) is required to apply. Please keep the original document at hand.

Score Sheet

"Score Sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which clearly shows your pass/fail exam results.

Interview

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be considered invalid. Be sure to have your time available for the interview appointment.

Important Notes

In principle, students cannot cancel the application after taking the exemption test.
Also, please note that the exemption application will be invalid or will not be considered in the following cases.

  • The application is incomplete or incorrect.
  • Application documents are not submitted or do not arrive by the deadline.
  • If the online submitted certificate, such as a qualification exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original document cannot be submitted when requested by the office.
  • The test score is not one of the specified qualifications for exemption.
【Only for students who are applying for exemption while they are studying abroad or are taking a leave of absence】
  • The score was not attained during "study abroad" or while taking a "leave of absence"
  • The student does not attend the interview on the specified day (regardless of the reason).

Language Class Attendance Rules

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages).
In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. If circumstances require your absence, you will still be required to attend at least 3/4 of the classes (including regular class days and final exam). If you do not attend this number of classes, you will automatically receive a failing (F) grade for the course.

Absence

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will not be counted present. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Contraction of an infectious disease (as recognized by Japanese School Health Law)】

Students must apply to the APU Academic Office with the required documentation in order to have their absences from class excused for this reason.

【University-authorized leave of absence】

The relevant APU office (i.e. Academic Office, Student Office, Career Office) will send the documents directly to the class teacher. The student does not need to submit the documents to the teacher.

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