Basic Japanese Course, Volume 4

Author: Zhu Chunyue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: This book consists of 15 lessons, each including text, dialogue, vocabulary, audio guidance, grammar exercises, and more, along with several sets of proficiency tests. The book's features are as follows:
1. Considering that adult learners of Japanese often lack a Japanese language environment, the teaching methodology adopted in this book is based on the highly successful grammar-focused approach that has been widely used in China. While emphasizing grammar, we also pay attention to sentence patterns and communicative functions. This ensures students build a solid language foundation and develop strong "endurance."
2. Emphasis is placed on pronunciation training, with thorough guidance provided. Japanese pronunciation covers aspects such as syllable endings, word tones, compound word tones, pitch changes in verb conjugations, sentence stress, and intonation, among others. The content is rich and highly practical. The book provides comprehensive pronunciation guidance throughout all 12 lessons of the 1-4 volumes.
3. In terms of grammar, the book primarily references the grammar theory of the Japan Educational Science Research Association · Japanese Language Department (Linguistic Society), represented by Mr. Okada Yasushi, while also incorporating reasonable elements from other grammatical theories. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of Japanese grammar and a more refined grammar system, making it easier for learners to grasp.
4. The grammar content is mainly based on the "Teaching Syllabus for the Basic Stage of Japanese Majors in Higher Education" issued by the State Education Commission in 1990. However, in the arrangement, we have made reasonable adjustments to the order of grammar content based on actual Japanese usage.
5. From the beginning, students are introduced to both narrative and conversational styles. In the dialogue sections, we avoid "textbook Japanese" and emphasize both plain and polite forms, enabling students to master different expressions based on interpersonal relationships, thereby bridging the gap between textbook language and real-life language.
6. The topics of the text passages in this book cover a wide range, with lively and engaging language. The passages are appropriately short and of varying difficulty, balancing diversity, knowledge, and practicality. The text and dialogue passages use standard notation, helping students develop an early understanding of the standard mixed writing system of Japanese ("Kanji + Kana").
7. The text and dialogue passages use standard notation, allowing students to correctly recognize the mixed writing system of Japanese ("Kanji + Kana") from the start.
8. Considering the practical need for using computers, learners are required to master "Romaji" proficiency.
9. In the first two volumes, each lesson includes "connecting words." This not only expands vocabulary but also serves as a categorized word list, making it convenient for users to look up similar words.
10. In line with practical needs, the text and exercises intentionally strengthen the learning of "loanwords."
11. In the third and fourth volumes, we mimic the question-setting style of the Japan Foundation's "Japanese Language Proficiency Test" and, based on students' actual proficiency, arrange a "proficiency test" every five lessons to further enhance their ability to apply learned language knowledge comprehensively.
12. To facilitate reader use, practical appendices are provided after the main text, including an index of pronunciation items, an index of grammar items, an index of connecting words, and a master vocabulary list.