KUBOTAY oshiko, Senior Lecturer and KATO Hisae, Librarian, The Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, Urawa

December 1, 2004

The session began with an introduction of the available materials related to the Japanese language as a second language by Ms. Kubota. Three categories: a) main textbook, b) prints versus audio-visual material, c) realia (nama kyozai). It was emphasized that instructional materials are produced to be used for specific audiences and purposes. Seven key words to choose materials were mentioned (i.e., by whom, how long, to whom, what, how, what purpose, when). Two very useful websites for teachers and learners of Japanese language were also introduced. Min'na no Kyozai Saito provides Japanese language teachers with resources to be used both in the classroom and in the production of teaching materials. There are currently 50,000 registered users from 124 countries. All resources are copyright free. Another website, Sushi Tesuto is a self-test site for learners to evaluate their Japanese language level.

In the last half of the lecture, Ms. Kato discussed how the library at the Institution builds collection of Japanese instructional materials including syllabi and textbooks from all over the world and organizing them to be easily used by researchers and teachers of Japanese language. A series of very useful websites and reference materials for the Japanese language education was introduced by Ms. Kato including the library's own OPAC, online catalogs of Japanese language textbooks for foreigners, and journal indexes for Japanese language education.

(Handouts are available in digital format.) (Handout) and (Bookmark)

[Prepared by Eiichi Ito.]