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Photo credit: Koichi-Hayakawa

Focus on the Far East: Japanese in Business Administration Studies

Learning Japanese in the Bachelor's Program Business Administration

Since the introduction of the Bachelor's program in Business Administration at the University of Mannheim, the Business School has offered the elective “Japanese” in the Foreign Language Skills module. Both advanced speakers as well as beginners are taught in small groups. In this way, they benefit from intensive and individual support. Japanese characters (Kana/Kanji), grammar, conversations, reading and listening comprehension as well as regional studies are on the agenda. Japanese I/II (respectively 6 hours per week during the semester) are offered in the second and third semester each. To prepare for a semester abroad in Japan, a voluntary preparation course (2 hours per week during the semester) is offered. 

Based on a personal interview with participants who have previous knowledge, the teaching staff will determine the content of the course. In this way, different language levels and experiences abroad in Japan can be taken into account individually. In the past, for example, the following courses have been offered:

  • Japanese academic writing
  • Newspaper articles and technical texts
  • Translation course German-Japanese

Afterwards, use the opportunity to spend your semester abroad in Japan. A study visit in the Japanese-speaking region allows you to improve your language skills and at the same time experience the culture first-hand. In order to support you, we offer a voluntary preparation course for a semester abroad in Japan in the fourth semester.

Thanks to the new elective “Asian Studies”, I cannot only improve my language skills, but I am also being prepared for the different cultures in Asia. This intercultural competence is a huge advantage nowadays and will help me both in my professional as well as my personal life to establish good relationships with Asians.

Maximilian Flörke, student of the Mannheim Master in Management / Photo credit: Fakultät BWL

The elective “Asian Studies” in my Master's program is the perfect continuation of the Foreign Language Skills courses and my semester abroad in Tokyo during my Bachelor studies. In this way, I can continue preparing for an international career.

Keren Deng, student of the Mannheim Master in Management / Photo credit: Felix Zeiffer

    Foreign Language Skills Japanese: Procedure

  • Required skills

    In the first semester of their 6-semester Bachelor's program, all students choose a foreign language which they deepen in the second, third and, if necessary, in the fourth semester (only Japanese and Chinese). A language test is carried out for the assessment and admission to the desired course. This test is to assess the existing language level.

    The number of participants in the language courses - except for English - is generally limited. The allocation is carried out based on test results. A test will be conducted during the first semester in order to determine whether applicants without any previous knowledge are ready for the study, and to assess the language level of those with previous knowledge. In the test for beginners, the motivation for the language study and the interest in Japanese culture and society will be assessed. The test determines who will be admitted to the beginner's Japanese course. No previous knowledge is required for the Japanese language option. If the students do not have any previous knowledge, an additional course offer in the fourth semester ensures that all students have acquired solid language skills after completing their studies.

  • How to apply

    During the first Bachelor's semester you will get information about all the options in the module “Foreign Language Skills”. The choice of a language takes places immediately afterwards (via Portal 2).

     

  • Study plan

“Asian Studies”: The Elective Japanese in the Master degree program

If you study the Mannheim Master in Management (MMM), you can specialize on the Japanese economic area in the elective “Asian Studies”. In addition to a first-class Master's degree program in Business Administration, you are able to improve your Japanese language skills and to get to know the culture, society and history of the country. Communication and negotiation strategies are also part of the study plan. Additionally, you can network with industry representatives and gain current insights into the Asian economy, e.g. through guest lectures from internationally renowned professors. 

You can complete the elective “Asian Studies” in two, three or four semesters because the modules are offered every year. This flexibility also allows you to integrate a semester abroad into your Master studies. 

Our partner universities in Japan

Brochure “Learning Japanese in Business Administration studies”

Ryoko Aoyagi

Ryoko Aoyagi

Lecturer for Japanese
University of Mannheim
Dean's Office of the Business Schoo
L 5, 5
68161 Mannheim
E-mail: japanese.business(at)uni-mannheim.de
Web: Facebook page of the foreign language skills Japanese
Consultation hour(s):
by appointment via email
Photo credit: Laura Margara
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