Why do you think some Japanese language learners struggle to converse in Japanese despite learning many grammar patterns? Perhaps there’s not enough time to practice speaking during class?
Depending on the student’s goals, grammar learning may sometimes be enough, but for most of us learners, we study Japanese in order to communicate and apply our language skills in real life. Just as it was for us growing up, these skills are often developed while we use them in our daily lives.
However, since not all learners have opportunities to practice these skills in real-life settings, our Japanese language class can then serve as a preparatory activity for them—a bridge towards real life communication.
「Nihongo Teacher: What does it mean for a Nihongo class to be a bridge towards real-life communication?」
It means providing many opportunities for conversation practice in settings close to real-life situations in Japan. Does it sound too challenging? Don’t worry! You don’t have to come up with everything from scratch because our official coursebook, IRODORI, was created to build communication skills in real-life situations in Japan, with over 130 Speaking Can-do’s.
If you wish to provide your students more opportunities for conversation practice close to real-life situations, try to use IRODORI in your own Nihongo class!
Link: TOP | IRODORI Japanese for Life in Japan
CF: Conversation Skills: Speaking and Listening Activities of IRODORI | Japan Foundation, Manila
「Nihongo Teacher: We do allot time for conversation. I ask the students questions in Nihongo and they respond in Nihongo. Isn’t that conversation practice?」
It is conversation practice, but if it is grammar-based instead of situation-based, the students may not be able to use them in an actual conversation with a native Japanese or in daily life in Japan.
★If you would like to experience an IRODORI class and learn more about its features, key points, and applied strategies, join the IRODORI Marathon with other fellow Nihongo teachers!
Link: IRODORI Marathon (Online)
★Do some of your students lack confidence in Speaking or struggle keeping up with their classmates’ learning speed? We have a lot of self-paced online materials to help supplement their learning!
Link: E⁻learning
