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The Japan Times Publications Department is pleased to announce that Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, the highly popular series of textbooks and other materials for beginners, is being revised to better serve the needs of learners and instructors. Here’s a quick look at the new edition, which is scheduled for release in February 2011.
1. More information on Japanese culture
Each lesson in the revised edition will feature a new section dubbed “Culture Notes,” which will provide information in English on a wide variety of topics pertaining to Japanese culture and everyday life in Japan. The aim of this new addition is to satisfy learners’ interest in Japan and supply them with the background knowledge needed to communicate effectively in Japanese.
| Lessons | Culture Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Greetings | Greeting Etiquette | |
| Lesson 1 | New Friends | Writing Names |
| Lesson 2 | Shopping | Japanese Currency |
| Lesson 3 | Making a Date | Japanese Homes |
| Lesson 4 | The First Date | Japanese Holidays |
| Lesson 5 | A Trip to Okinawa | Japanese Festivals |
| Lesson 6 | A Day in Robert’s Life | The Japanese Educational System |
| Lesson 7 | Family Picture | Terms for Family Members |
| Lesson 8 | Barbecue | Popular Dishes in Japan |
| Lesson 9 | Kabuki | Traditional Japanese Arts |
| Lesson 10 | Winter Vacation Plans | Transportation in Japan |
| Lesson 11 | After the Vacation | The New Year’s Holiday |
| Lesson 12 | Feeling Ill | Japan’s Climate |
| Lesson 13 | Looking for a Part-time Job | Era Names and the Oriental Zodiac |
| Lesson 14 | Valentine’s Day | Annual Events in Japan |
| Lesson 15 | A Trip to Nagano | Japanese Inns |
| Lesson 16 | Lost and Found | Gift-giving Customs |
| Lesson 17 | Grumble and Gossip | Japanese Gestures |
| Lesson 18 | John’s Part-time Job | Sushi |
| Lesson 19 | Meeting the Boss | Etiquette for Visits |
| Lesson 20 | Mary’s Shopping | Japanese Pop Culture |
| Lesson 21 | Burglar | The Japanese and Religion |
| Lesson 22 | Education in Japan | Education in Japan |
| Lesson 23 | Good-bye | Proverbs |
2. Bundling of audio material
The audio material of the Genki CDs (now sold separately from the textbooks) is being re-edited and re-recorded in MP3 format on CDs that will be bundled with the revised textbooks. As a new feature, the reading material of the Reading and Writing Section will be voice recorded and added to the CDs. Moreover, audio CDs will also be included with the workbooks to make it easier for learners to study on their own.
3. Revamping of vocabulary, expressions, and practices
Genki is now being reviewed for vocabulary and expressions that have lost some of their currency since the time of publication, so that they can be replaced with alternatives that are more relevant to today’s Japan. This review will also target the words appearing in the Dialogues. Cassette tape replaced by CD, Video replaced by DVD, Letter replaced by e-mail.
The Practice sections are also being revamped, with a focus on changing the mechanical portions into a more practical format for building communicative skills. For example, the new edition will include more Pair Work exercises and the addition of drills enhanced with illustrations.
The following existing features will be retained in the new edition.
• General structure: 23 lessons in two volumes (Vol. 1: Lessons 1–12; Vol. 2: Lessons 13–23), with each volume divided into “Dialogue and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing” sections)
• Lesson structure: Dialogue, Vocabulary, Grammar, Practice, Expression Notes, and Supplements (plus Culture Notes in the new edition)
• The grammar items covered in the Dialogue and Grammar section
• The kanji studied in the Reading and Writing section
• The original cast of characters and illustrations
• The supplementing of Japanese text with romanized readings in Lessons 1 and 2
February 2011• Genki Textbook I• Genki Workbook I • Genki Picture Cards on CD-ROM I |
September 2011• Genki Textbook II• Genki Workbook II • Genki Picture Cards on CD-ROM II • Teacher’s Manual • Answer Key |
Along with the revision of the Genki series, the Genki Online website will also get a makeover to enhance its collection of teaching resources, drills, self-study tools, and other helpful features.
Genki Online
http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/
The revised Genki series will comprise the following materials. (Tentative)
| Lessons 1–12 | Lessons 13–23 |
Textbook I“Dialogue and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing” Lessons 1–12, with a CD containing audio files of the dialogues, vocabulary, practice exercises and answers, and reading material |
Textbook II“Dialogue and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing” Lessons 13–23, with a CD containing audio files of the dialogues, vocabulary, practice exercises and answers, and reading material |
Workbook IGrammar and kanji worksheets based on the material covered in Textbook I, with a CD containing audio files of listening comprehension exercises |
Workbook IIGrammar and kanji worksheets based on the material covered in Textbook II, with a CD containing audio files of listening comprehension exercises |
Genki Picture Cards ICD-ROM containing PDF files of picture cards that represent vocabulary covered in Textbook I (for Windows and Mac) |
Genki Picture Cards IICD-ROM containing PDF files of picture cards that represent vocabulary covered in Textbook II (for Windows and Mac) |
Teacher’s ManualContains detailed instructions on how to present the material in each Genki lesson (including points that should be given particular attention) and worksheets for expanded practice. Comes with a supplement that provides answers for all textbook and workbook problems, and transcripts of the listening comprehension exercises. |
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Answer KeyContains answers for all textbook and workbook problems, and transcripts of the listening comprehension exercises. (The same content is provided in the supplement that comes with the Teacher’s Manual.) |
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Related Resources
Kanji Look and Learn TextbookKanji Look and Learn WorkbookThe textbook presents 512 beginning-level kanji (including all 317 covered by the Genki series) with engaging illustrations and mnemonic hints that make it fun and easy to learn the forms and meaning of the characters. It also includes nearly 3,500 elementary and intermediate vocabulary terms that incorporate all kanji presented. Combined with the workbook, it helps users to learn kanji not only at the level of characters and words, but also in the context of sentences and longer text. |
Contact
The Japan Times
Publications Department
Phone: 03-3453-2013 / Fax: 03-3453-8023
Japan Times Bookclub: http://bookclub.japantimes.co.jp/
