Are you looking to Learn Japanese Online Class? In today’s interconnected world, the demand for accessible and effective online language learning resources has surged. For those eager to embark on a journey to master the Japanese language, the Marugoto Japanese Online Course emerges as a premier platform. Developed by the Japan Foundation, this comprehensive online program offers a structured and engaging approach to learning Japanese, right from the comfort of your home.
Discover the Marugoto Japanese Online Course
The Marugoto Japanese Online Course is a meticulously designed program dedicated to fostering comprehensive Japanese language skills. It is hosted on the JF Japanese e-Learning Minato platform, a creation of the esteemed Japan Foundation. This platform serves as a hub for learners seeking quality Japanese education in a digital format.
Alt: Marugoto Japanese Online Course platform interface showcasing interactive learning modules.
Unveiling Marugoto: A Foundation for Language and Culture
Alt: Marugoto Japanese Language and Culture coursebook cover, highlighting its focus on communication.
“Marugoto” itself is more than just a name; it represents a philosophy of language learning deeply rooted in effective communication and cultural understanding. It is the name of the coursebook series, “Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture,” developed by the Japan Foundation. This series is built upon the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, ensuring a pedagogical approach that is both structured and communicative.
The Marugoto coursebooks, and by extension, the online course, place significant emphasis on practical Japanese usage for real-world communication. Furthermore, they are designed to cultivate an appreciation for Japanese culture and to encourage respect for diverse cultures globally. The Marugoto Japanese Online Course effectively translates the principles of these acclaimed coursebooks into an interactive and accessible online format.
For a deeper understanding of the Marugoto coursebook series and its underlying principles, you can explore here.
The JF Standard: Your Roadmap to Japanese Proficiency
Understanding your language proficiency is crucial for effective learning. The JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education provides a robust framework for both teaching and learning Japanese. It is also a valuable tool for assessing your progress and understanding your current capabilities in the language. This standard draws inspiration from the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), a widely recognized benchmark for language education in Europe.
By aligning with the JF Standard, the Marugoto Japanese Online Course allows you to clearly gauge your Japanese language proficiency based on demonstrable skills and knowledge. This framework helps you understand “what you can do” in Japanese and “how well you can do it” at each level of your learning journey.
To delve further into the specifics of the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education and its benefits for learners, please visit here.
Who Benefits from the Marugoto Online Class?
Alt: Diverse group of adult learners studying Japanese online, illustrating the course’s accessibility.
The Marugoto Japanese Online Course is primarily tailored for adult learners worldwide who are passionate about learning Japanese. Its online nature makes it an ideal solution for individuals with busy schedules. Whether you are juggling work, school, household responsibilities, childcare, or simply lack access to local Japanese language classes, this online course offers unparalleled flexibility.
Accessibility is a key advantage. The Marugoto Japanese Online Course is compatible with PCs, tablets, and smartphones. This multi-device accessibility empowers you to integrate Japanese study seamlessly into your daily life, allowing you to utilize spare moments to learn Japanese anytime and anywhere that suits you.
Navigating the Japanese Language Levels: A1 to C2
The Marugoto Japanese Online Course aligns its levels with the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, providing a clear progression path for learners. Currently, courses for A1 and A2 levels are readily available, offering a solid foundation in the language. Future expansions will introduce higher levels, catering to advanced learners.
A1 Level: Beginner Japanese Online Class
- Understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and basic phrases to satisfy concrete needs.
- Introduce yourself and others, ask and answer basic personal questions (residence, acquaintances, possessions).
- Engage in simple interactions if the other person speaks slowly, clearly, and is willing to assist.
Alt: JF Standard A1 level graph depicting basic communication skills in familiar contexts.
A2 Level: Elementary Japanese Online Class
- Comprehend frequently used expressions and sentences related to immediate needs (personal/family details, shopping, local areas, employment).
- Communicate in routine tasks requiring direct information exchange on familiar topics.
- Describe simple aspects of background, immediate surroundings, and basic needs.
Alt: JF Standard A2 level graph illustrating ability to handle simple, routine tasks and familiar topics.
B1 Level: Intermediate Japanese Online Class (Future Offering)
- Understand main points of clear standard speech on familiar topics encountered in work, school, or leisure.
- Manage most situations while traveling in Japanese-speaking regions.
- Produce simple connected text on familiar or personal interest topics.
- Describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, ambitions, and briefly explain opinions and plans.
Alt: JF Standard B1 level graph showing capacity to understand main points and manage travel situations.
B2 Level: Upper-Intermediate Japanese Online Class (Future Offering)
- Understand main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field.
- Interact fluently and spontaneously, enabling regular interaction with native speakers without strain.
- Produce clear, detailed text on various subjects and explain viewpoints on topical issues, weighing pros and cons.
Alt: JF Standard B2 level graph demonstrating fluency in interaction and understanding of complex texts.
C1 Level: Advanced Japanese Online Class (Future Offering)
- Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning.
- Express oneself fluently and spontaneously without excessive searching for words.
- Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
- Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, demonstrating controlled use of organizational patterns.
Alt: JF Standard C1 level graph indicating advanced fluency and comprehension in diverse contexts.
C2 Level: Mastery Level Japanese Online Class (Future Offering)
- Understand virtually everything heard or read with ease.
- Summarize information from diverse spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments coherently.
- Express oneself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, even in complex situations, differentiating subtle nuances.
Alt: JF Standard C2 level graph representing near-native fluency and comprehensive understanding.
Alt: Graphic summarizing the progression of Japanese language proficiency levels from A1 to C2 according to JF Standard.
Language Support: Course Explanations in Multiple Languages
To enhance accessibility for learners from diverse backgrounds, the Marugoto Japanese Online Course provides explanations in multiple languages. This feature ensures that language barriers are minimized, and learners can focus on grasping the Japanese language concepts effectively.
| Level | Language of Explanation | Online Course | Coursebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | English, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Portuguese | Marugoto A1-1 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | Starter (A1) |
| Marugoto A1-2 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | L11-L18 | ||
| A2 | English, Indonesian, Spanish | Marugoto A2-1 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | Elementary 1 (A2) |
| Marugoto A2-2 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | L11-L18 | ||
| English, Spanish | Marugoto A2-3 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | Elementary 2 (A2) | |
| Marugoto A2-4 (Katsudoo & Rikai) | L11-L18 | ||
| A2B1 | English | Marugoto A2B1-1 | Pre-Intermediate (A2/B1) |
| Marugoto A2B1-2 | T6-T9 |
The Japan Foundation is committed to expanding language support in the future, aiming to offer explanations in an even wider array of languages, further enhancing the global accessibility of the Marugoto Japanese Online Course.
If you are unsure about your current Japanese level, the platform offers a Japanese Test for Course Recommendation. This helpful tool can guide you to the most appropriate starting point in your language learning journey.
Course Types: Tailoring Your Learning Experience
The Marugoto Japanese Online Course recognizes that learners have diverse preferences and needs. To cater to these variations, it offers two distinct course types:
Alt: Two course types offered by Marugoto: Self-Study Course and Tutor Support Course, highlighting different learning styles.
Self-Study Japanese Online Class
The Self-Study Course is designed for independent learners who prefer to learn at their own pace. It leverages interactive study content that is engaging and comprehensive. This course type provides all the necessary materials and resources for effective self-directed learning.
Tutor Support Japanese Online Class
For learners who benefit from personalized guidance and interaction, the Tutor Support Course offers an enriched learning experience. In addition to the interactive self-study content, this course provides the valuable support of a dedicated tutor. Tutor support includes assignment corrections, live online lessons for each topic, and opportunities for group interaction with fellow learners. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of community and provides additional motivation and support.
Katsudoo Course vs. Katsudoo and Rikai Course (A1 Level)
At the A1 level, Marugoto offers two specialized course paths: the Katsudoo Course and the Katsudoo and Rikai Course. Understanding the difference between these options is crucial for choosing the path that aligns best with your learning goals.
The Katsudoo Course is ideal for learners who seek a more casual approach to language learning. It focuses on developing practical communication skills for everyday situations. Through engaging listening and speaking practice, learners aim to acquire the ability to communicate effectively in common Japanese scenarios.
Conversely, the Katsudoo and Rikai Course is designed for learners who desire a more comprehensive and in-depth study of Japanese. Building upon the practical communication skills of Katsudoo, this course systematically explores the intricacies of the Japanese language within communicative contexts in the Rikai component. It aims to develop well-rounded Japanese language skills across reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
For detailed information on the specific focuses of Katsudoo and Rikai, please visit here.
Learning Methodology: Katsudoo and Rikai in Harmony
Alt: Study flow diagram illustrating the integrated learning approach of Katsudoo and Rikai courses.
The Katsudoo and Rikai courses are structured to complement each other, ensuring a holistic learning experience. Both courses are organized around the same thematic topics. Each topic is divided into two lessons, and the recommended study sequence is to complete the Katsudoo lesson first, followed by the Rikai lesson. This integrated approach allows learners to first engage with practical communication and then delve into the structural aspects of the language, reinforcing learning effectively.
To explore the current course offerings and embark on your Japanese learning journey, visit JF Japanese e-Learning Minato. Registration is free and required to access the Marugoto Japanese Online Course.
Registering in a CourseRegistration (free) to the JF Japanese e-Learning Minato is required to takethe Marugoto Japanese Online Course.
Course Content: Interactive and Engaging Materials
The Marugoto Japanese Online Course utilizes a rich array of study materials, primarily categorized into Katsudoo and Rikai content. These materials are specifically designed to facilitate effective communication in Japanese.
Katsudoo: Practical Communication Skills
Katsudoo focuses on developing practical communication skills through a structured six-step approach for each learning goal:
Alt: Katsudoo learning steps diagram, emphasizing practical communication skill development through interactive exercises.
Step 1: Know the Goals: Clearly defined learning objectives and communicative situations are presented at the outset of each lesson.
Step 2: Look, Listen, and Try Saying: Learners engage with audio and visual materials to practice pronunciation and intonation.
Step 3: Listen and Find: Listening comprehension skills are honed through conversations and focused exercises to identify key expressions and information.
Step 4: Try Using: Interactive video-based activities and exercises encourage learners to practice speaking and writing in Japanese in simulated real-life scenarios.
Step 5: Can-do Check: Self-assessment checkpoints allow learners to evaluate their progress and confirm their achievement of the lesson’s goals.
Step 6: Life and Culture (Even-numbered lessons only): Cultural insights are integrated into even-numbered lessons through photos and videos, enriching the learning experience with cultural context.
Rikai: Understanding Japanese Language Structure
Rikai delves into the structural aspects of the Japanese language, providing a deeper understanding of grammar and vocabulary through an eight-step learning process:
Alt: Rikai learning steps diagram, highlighting structural understanding of Japanese through grammar and vocabulary focus.
Step 1: Basic Sentences: Core sentence patterns and grammatical structures for the lesson are introduced.
Step 2: Japanese Script and Vocabulary: Practice in reading and writing Japanese script (hiragana, katakana) and vocabulary building exercises are provided.
Step 3: Kanji: Kanji characters relevant to the lesson’s vocabulary are introduced and practiced.
Step 4: Conversation and Grammar: The relationship between conversational examples and grammatical rules is explored to enhance understanding of sentence structure and grammar in context.
Step 5: Reading: Short reading passages are provided to develop reading comprehension skills and vocabulary in context.
Step 6: Writing: Writing exercises encourage learners to practice constructing Japanese sentences and short compositions.
Step 7: Quiz (A1-1, A1-2 only): Quizzes in the initial A1 levels assess understanding of key concepts.
Step 8: Nihongo Check: Self-assessment to evaluate the learner’s ability to use Japanese appropriately in different situations, focusing on practical application of learned grammar and vocabulary.
Comprehensive Support for Self-Study Success
Recognizing the challenges of self-study, the Marugoto Japanese Online Course offers extensive support resources to ensure learners can progress effectively and confidently.
Alt: Overall support resources available in Marugoto online course, including grammar materials, word books, and kanji lists.
Overall Support Resources
Learners have constant access to a wealth of supplementary materials. These include comprehensive course content overviews, fundamental Japanese language knowledge resources, detailed grammar explanations, vocabulary lists, kanji resources, and more. Crucially, these valuable study aids are also downloadable in PDF format, enabling offline access and convenient study anytime, anywhere.
Alt: Lesson-specific support features providing immediate access to word meanings, basic sentences, and kanji explanations within each lesson.
Lesson-Specific Support
Within each lesson, learners benefit from readily available support features. These include instant access to word meanings and explanations, detailed breakdowns of basic sentences, and comprehensive kanji information relevant to the lesson’s content. This integrated support system allows learners to quickly address any points of confusion and maintain a smooth learning flow.
Alt: Content-specific support within Marugoto lessons, offering supplementary explanations, cultural insights, and contextual information.
Study Content Support
Depending on the specific practice activity within a lesson, learners are provided with supplementary explanations, cultural notes, and other contextual information. These enriching additions deepen understanding and provide valuable insights into the nuances of the Japanese language and culture, enhancing the overall learning experience.
My Page: Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated
To foster continued engagement and motivation, the Marugoto Japanese Online Course provides each learner with a personalized “My Page.” This feature empowers learners to monitor their progress, reflect on their learning journey, and stay motivated throughout their studies.
Alt: My Page “Study Progress” feature, visually tracking completed lessons and daily learning activity for self-monitoring.
My Page “Study Progress”
The “Study Progress” section visually records completed lessons, providing an at-a-glance overview of learning activity. This feature allows learners to easily track their daily progress and maintain a consistent study rhythm, progressing at their own comfortable pace while staying aware of their accomplishments.
Alt: My Page “Portfolio” feature, documenting learning history, self-evaluations, and written exercises for review and progress reflection.
My Page “Portfolio”
The “Portfolio” section serves as a comprehensive record of each learner’s Japanese language and culture studies. It stores self-evaluations, written exercises, and other learning artifacts. This valuable feature allows learners to revisit past work, review their learning journey, and witness their progress and achievements over time, fostering a sense of accomplishment and encouraging continued learning.
If you are intrigued by the Marugoto Japanese Online Course and wish to experience its interactive learning environment firsthand, we encourage you to try our trial version.
[Sample Lesson
