Teaching and Learning Resources

The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai has released the Japanese language learning platform, JF Japanese e-Learning Minato in order to provide an opportunity to study Japanese for all those people in the world who may wish to begin learning, but cannot attend an actual Japanese language school.

The main course of Minato is the Marugoto Japanese Online Course, which we recommend for those who wish to comprehensively learn about the Japanese language and culture. With this course you can have an integrated learning experience by using interactive e-learning materials to study the language skills needed for communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

A website where you can enjoy studying Japanese while getting information on various topics. It is aimed for Japanese language learners with a proficiency level of A1 or A2 (Starter to Elementary) in the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education. Users can engage with various aspects about Japan and the Japanese language through articles and videos.

◆◇The website ‘MARUGOTO Plus (Starter A1)’ has been updated!◇◆

The website ‘MARUGOTO Plus (Starter A1)’, which allows you to have fun learning Japanese language
and culture, has been updated!

MARUGOTO+ (MARUGOTO Plus) is a website where users can learn about Japanese language and culture alongside the contents of “Marugoto: Japanese language and culture”, a coursebook which uses the JF Standard as a basis. Users can practice “real-life” Japanese while watching videos that help deepen understanding of actual everyday situations, in order to achieve various ‘Can-do’ goals.

A growing number of young people are studying Japanese language because they are attracted to Japan’s “cool” culture. For these young people, the Japan Foundation has developed the series “Erin’s Challenge! I Can Speak Japanese.” The programme features mini-dramas by up-and-coming actors together with clear and fun explanation by animated characters. In addition to language study, the programme is designed to help learners develop an attitude conducive to cultural understanding.

At the Japan Foundation we have made an app with a variety of features, so that these young people can
study Japanese and test their ability more easily and in a more engaging way.
The app can be used to study beginner-level vocabulary and expressions in an engaging way through card
games, manga and quizzes, and it can also be used to check how much you were able to remember.

This app can be used to study beginner-level vocabulary and expressions in an engaging way through card games, manga and quizzes, and it can also be used to check how much you were able to remember.

Available in the Play Store and App Store

View a short video about the app by clicking here

You can access a Resource Page for teachers by clicking here

The purpose of this site is to give Japanese learners and anime/manga fans from all over the world an opportunity to learn Japanese in an enjoyable way, using the anime and manga they enjoy as a gateway to their studies. The site to deepen learners’ understanding of the Japanese language and culture, and to give an added incentive to study.

Ready Steady NihonGO! is a unique scheme of work for teaching Japanese at Key Stage 2. It was produced jointly by Japan 21 (now the Japan Society) and the Japan Foundation London. The scheme comprises ten structured 45-minute lessons, with comprehensive teachers’ notes, National Curriculum Links and a set of accompanying Culture Notes. The course is available free online from the link above. A CD-ROM version is also available from the Japan Society.

JF Standard is a tool to help Japanese teachers consider how Japanese can be taught, and how learners’ achievements can be assessed.

The site features various websites and online tools useful for studying Japanese, and aims to provide support for learners from all over the world who are looking for fun ways to study.

Minna no Kyozai is a website for Japanese-language teachers around the world to create suitable teaching materials for their students. It features resources, a forum and advice on creating effective learning materials.

The official website of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), featuring test guides, sample questions, resource lists and more. The “Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Practice Workbook
Vol. 2″ is now available online

Using “IRO DORI – Japanese for Life in Japan”, Japanese learners can increase their abilities in Japanese communication in order to get on with daily life in Japan. IRODORI offers fundamental Japanese communication skills for learners of Japanese living or working in Japan.