New Century Cultural Japanese Language Course with CD

Author: (Japanese) Shi Zhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This textbook is designed for undergraduate and graduate students learning Japanese as a second language, as well as students from various Japanese language classes and self-learners. It aims to teach students how to learn 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 4th-level proficiency required by the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test" established by the Japan Foundation and the Japan Society for International Educational Exchange. This book is compiled based on the requirements of the "Teaching Syllabus for College Japanese (Second Language)" published by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Press, with innovations in both content and form.
The "Text" sections cover a wide range of topics, diverse genres, and appropriate amounts 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, in addition to pitch accent, part of speech, and Chinese translations, also includes 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" introduce various aspects of Japan in a humorous way, allowing students to gain a more thorough 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 Language)." The "Exercises" fully reflect the teaching principles of "inquiry-based learning" and "student-centered instruction." 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 "Dialogue" sections account for about 930 words, making up the first level. The "Memory Challenge" supplements some common words by category and part of speech, which, along with new words in the "Exercises," constitute the second level, with about 250 words. The "Related Words" section lists related vocabulary that shares the same character, meaning, or near-meaning with a character in the target word, with consistent pronunciation, 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 of learning and mastering.
To facilitate self-study, all Japanese characters in the "Text," "Dialogue," "Grammar Explanations," and "Exercises" are annotated with their pronunciation hiragana. Additionally, the book 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 MP3 or CD audio. Beyond its content, which combines knowledge, fun, and practicality, the book also 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 leave ample white space on the pages. These methods aim to reduce students' psychological burden, adjust 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)