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Naoko Kinoshita

The exchange students Andy gets to know more people and has more opportunities to use small talk and talk about himself with these people. He also finds out that the language he uses with his friends and the polite language and expression he needs to talk with strangers and older people are different. Andy's seminar classmate, Saori falls in love with Andy's dorm mate Mr. Ono.

What you'll learn

・To make small talk
・To understand and know when to use casual speech
・To express your wishes
・To describe people

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Appropriate for any learner who needs to learn polite speech and expressions for communicating with strangers and older people
Appropriate for any learner who needs to learn casual speech for communicating with friends
Appropriate for any learner who needs to learn to make small talk
Appropriate for any learner who needs to learn to express wishes
Appropriate for any learner who needs to learn to describe people

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Reviews summary

Engaging japanese for beginners

According to learners, this course is an effective way to refresh Japanese language skills, particularly for those with a prior foundation. Students highlight its authenticity, noting it's provided by a Japanese university. The course's narrative structure, which follows characters using language in various situations, is considered a clever method for presenting new vocabulary and grammar. This approach makes learning both engaging and practical for students aiming to regain or build their linguistic abilities.
Benefits from a genuine Japanese university perspective.
"I also found it very helpful that the course was provided by a Japanese university with an authentic perspective on the language."
"The content felt very real and reliable because it came from a Japanese university."
"I appreciate the genuine cultural and linguistic insights offered, adding credibility to the learning experience."
Ideal for reactivating prior Japanese knowledge and abilities.
"I took this course as a step in refreshing my Japanese knowledge from the 90's."
"This course was a very helpful way to get me back on track for my goals to regain my abilities with the language."
"I found it effective for reactivating my long-standing interest and knowledge in Japanese, helping me meet my language goals."
Uses a clever, character-driven story for teaching.
"I really enjoyed the way the course followed characters and had them use the language in various situations."
"That was a really clever way to present new vocabulary and grammar usage."
"I found the storyline with characters made learning new concepts much more enjoyable and memorable."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1 with these activities:
Review textbook materials from prior courses
Refresh your memory on basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary to build a strong foundation for the course.
Show steps
  • Review the textbooks from your previous Japanese language courses.
  • Take notes on the key grammar points and vocabulary.
  • Complete any practice exercises or worksheets to test your understanding.
Explore online language learning platforms
Enhance your learning experience by exploring online language learning plataformas that provide interactive lessons, grammar exercises, and pronunciation guides.
Show steps
  • Research and identify online language learning platforms.
  • Try out free trials or demo versions.
  • Choose a platform that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Practice small talk and polite expressions
Engage in conversations with native speakers or practice with a language partner to improve your fluency in small talk and polite expressions.
Browse courses on Small Talk
Show steps
  • Find a conversation partner or language tutor.
  • Set up regular practice sessions.
  • Make an effort to use small talk and polite expressions in your conversations.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join a language exchange group
Immerse yourself in the language and culture by joining a language exchange group, where you can practice speaking and listening with native speakers.
Show steps
  • Find a language exchange group near you.
  • Attend meetings regularly.
  • Participate actively in conversations.
Practice small talk phrases
Engage in regular practice of common small talk phrases to improve your fluency and confidence in casual conversations.
Browse courses on Small Talk
Show steps
  • Find a language partner or tutor for conversation practice.
  • Prepare a list of common small talk topics and phrases.
  • Engage in regular conversation practice, focusing on using small talk phrases.
Create a language learning journal
Reflect on your language learning journey, track your progress, and identify areas for improvement by creating a language learning journal.
Browse courses on Language Learning
Show steps
  • Choose a notebook or digital journal.
  • Write about your language learning experience regularly.
  • Include vocabulary, grammar notes, and cultural insights.
Write a dialogue script using both casual and polite speech
Create a dialogue script that incorporates both casual and polite speech, allowing you to practice switching between different registers in context.
Browse courses on Conversational Japanese
Show steps
  • Identify a specific situation or scenario for your dialogue.
  • Write out the dialogue, ensuring that the characters use appropriate casual and polite speech depending on the context.
  • Practice reading or performing the dialogue to improve your pronunciation and intonation.
Describe people and their characteristics
Practice describing people and their characteristics to expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to express yourself in Japanese.
Show steps
  • Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases related to physical appearance, personality traits, and occupations.
  • Practice constructing sentences that describe people using the vocabulary you have learned.
  • Engage in conversation practice, focusing on describing people you know or have observed.

Career center

Learners who complete Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Japanese Translator
As a Japanese Translator, you will be responsible for translating written and spoken Japanese into English, and vice versa. You may work in a variety of settings, such as business, government, healthcare, or education. This course will help you build a strong foundation in Japanese language and culture, which is essential for success in this role. You will learn how to translate accurately and effectively, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of the Japanese language.
Japanese Interpreter
As a Japanese Interpreter, you will be responsible for facilitating communication between Japanese and English speakers. You may work in a variety of settings, such as business meetings, legal proceedings, or medical appointments. This course will help you develop the skills you need to interpret accurately and effectively, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of the Japanese language.
Japanese Teacher
As a Japanese Teacher, you will be responsible for teaching Japanese language and culture to students of all ages. You may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, universities, or community centers. This course will help you develop the skills you need to teach Japanese effectively, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of the Japanese language.
Japanese Businessperson
As a Japanese Businessperson, you may work in a variety of roles, such as sales, marketing, or management. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with Japanese colleagues and clients. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to succeed in the Japanese business world, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese business.
Japanese Researcher
As a Japanese Researcher, you may work in a variety of fields, such as history, literature, or social sciences. You will need to be able to read and understand Japanese sources. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to conduct research in Japanese, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese research.
Japanese Journalist
As a Japanese Journalist, you may work for a newspaper, magazine, or website. You will need to be able to write and speak Japanese fluently. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to succeed as a Japanese journalist, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese media.
Japanese Lawyer
As a Japanese Lawyer, you may work in a variety of roles, such as criminal defense, corporate law, or international law. You will need to be able to read and understand Japanese laws and regulations. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to succeed as a Japanese lawyer, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese law.
Japanese Diplomat
As a Japanese Diplomat, you will represent Japan in foreign countries. You will need to be able to speak and understand Japanese fluently. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to succeed as a Japanese diplomat, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese diplomacy.
Japanese Librarian
As a Japanese Librarian, you may work in a variety of settings, such as public libraries, university libraries, or special libraries. You will need to be able to read and understand Japanese books and other materials. This course will help you develop the language skills you need to succeed as a Japanese librarian, and you will also gain an understanding of the cultural context of Japanese libraries.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions or by industry professionals for beginners to learn Japanese.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions or by industry professionals for beginners to learn Japanese.

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