Study Japanese

Author: Japan Foundation Japanese Language Center for International Education
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: In recent years, overseas Japanese education has developed rapidly. According to a survey conducted by the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Center for International Education in 1998 on overseas Japanese educational institutions, the number of overseas Japanese learners has exceeded 2.1 million, and their levels and learning purposes have become diversified. Additionally, the survey revealed that one of the common issues faced by many Japanese educational institutions is "lack of suitable teaching materials." Therefore, it can be said that we have still not sufficiently developed materials to meet the broad needs of overseas learners. The independent development of teaching materials is one of the projects supported by the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Center for International Education in promoting overseas Japanese education. This textbook, Study Japanese – Nihongo Chūkyū (Volume 2), is a mid-level textbook planned and produced by the Center, following the previously published Study Japanese – Nihongo Shōkyū and Study Japanese – Nihongo Chūkyū (Volume 1). Its main purpose is to enable overseas students and adults learning Japanese to master general reading skills and, on this foundation, develop their ability to express themselves in Japanese. Study Japanese – Nihongo Chūkyū (Volume 2) is a textbook developed after Study Japanese – Nihongo Shōkyū and Business Japanese – Nihongo Chūkyū (Volume 1). The target audience is foreigners studying at the early intermediate level of Japanese (approximately 450 study hours). Although this book is intended for Japanese learners outside Japan, it also considers the needs of Japanese learners within Japan, who can also use it. The purpose of this book is to master the reading skills necessary to understand general Japanese texts and, on this foundation, develop expression skills. The book primarily focuses on enabling readers to progressively learn and master the understanding and application of "formal written style" and "informal spoken style." When using this book, students first learn the theme of each lesson through conversational reading. Subsequently, while engaging in reading and writing exercises, they receive comprehensive guidance in the four skills of "listening, speaking, reading, and writing." This book consists of 14 lessons. The book selects articles that are likely to attract readers' interest and attention, upon which the editors have made certain additions and modifications. To avoid limiting the content to a specific field, we have broadly selected materials from various aspects such as culture, society, and science. The content and themes covered include Japanese culture, history, geography, language, psychology, sports, traditional crafts, folk literature, fiction, economics, science and engineering, global environment, and medicine, among others.