New Century Japanese Language Course (Includes Three CDs with the Book)

Author: Shi Zhenxun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This textbook is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are learning Japanese as a second language, as well as for students in various Japanese language classes and self-learners. It aims to teach students methods for learning Japanese while providing a comprehensive understanding of basic Japanese grammar. Through approximately 60-80 hours of study, students can grasp the overall structure of basic Japanese grammar, lay a solid foundation for self-study, and achieve the Level 4 proficiency of the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test" established by the Japan Foundation and the Japan International Education Association. This book is compiled based on the requirements of the "Teaching Syllabus for College Japanese (Second Foreign Language)" published by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Press, with innovations in both content and form.
The "Text" section features a wide range of topics, diverse genres, and an appropriate amount of information, while also reflecting the vitality of modern life. The "Dialogues" are concise and natural, aligning with the expressive characteristics of spoken Japanese. The "New Words" section includes not only pitch accent, part of speech, and Chinese translations but also English translations. Learners can use the English translations to grasp the meaning of Japanese words more accurately and quickly. Memorizing through association and mastering the origins and patterns of Japanese loanwords through comparison can enhance readers' interest in learning. The "Fun Facts" section introduces various aspects of Japan in a humorous way, allowing students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Japan and its people while learning the language. The "Grammar Explanations" are concise and highlight key points, aligning with the requirements of the "Teaching Syllabus for College Japanese (Second Foreign Language)." The "Exercises" fully reflect the principles of "inquiry-based learning" and "student-centered teaching." The format is flexible, with a large number of subjective questions designed to cultivate active thinking skills and encourage active participation.
The book contains approximately 1,380 words, divided into three levels. The words in the "Text" and "Dialogues" sections make up the first level, totaling about 930 words. The "Challenge Memory" section supplements some common words by category and part of speech, which, along with new words in the "Exercises," form the second level, with about 250 words. The "Related Words" section lists vocabulary that shares the same character, meaning, or near-meaning and pronunciation as the word in question, totaling about 200 words. This section aims to help students expand their vocabulary and strengthen their understanding of the pronunciation patterns of Japanese characters through comparison and recognition. This is the third level, requiring learners to master and apply these words.
To facilitate self-study, all Japanese characters in the "Text," "Dialogues," "Grammar Explanations," and "Exercises" sections are annotated with their corresponding hiragana pronunciations. The book also includes 13 appendices at the end, such as reference translations for each lesson, exercise answers, a grammar index, and a comprehensive list of particles and auxiliary verb usage.
This textbook comes with an MP3 or CD. In addition to combining knowledge, interest, and practicality in its content, the book pursues a relaxed and lively style in its design. For example, the "Text" and "Dialogue" sections use larger font sizes, include engaging illustrations that complement the content, and maintain ample white space on the pages. These methods aim to reduce students' psychological burden, regulate classroom atmosphere, and create a joyful learning experience.
Furthermore, users of this textbook can contact the authors via the following email address for free guidance on learning-related issues and to engage in discussions: (ffeng@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn)