★ Features of the Textbook
Irodori, developed by the Japan Foundation, is a Japanese language textbook series designed specifically for foreigners, aiming to help learners acquire basic communication skills for daily life and work in Japan.
The core philosophy of Irodori is to foster mutual understanding through communication and cultural awareness. The textbook not only focuses on language knowledge but also emphasizes practical application in real-life scenarios. Its learning objectives are based on the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (Can-do), enabling learners to handle various everyday situations in Japan, such as shopping, work, and social interactions.
Key features of Irodori:
1. Expands what learners “can do” in Japanese living scenarios
2. Covers Japanese proficiency at AI–A2 levels
3. Aligns with the “JF Can-do for Life in Japan” framework
4. Promotes mutual understanding through communication and cultural exchange
5. Includes diverse topics closely related to daily life
6. Utilizes rich audio and authentic materials for practical Japanese learning
7. Solidifies grammar and kanji knowledge
8. Freely downloadable from the official website
9. Loosely connected to the Marugoto series
★ Textbook Structure
The IRODORI series consists of three volumes: Starter (A1), Elementary 1 (A2), and Elementary 2 (A2). Each volume is organized as follows:
| Textbook (PDF) | Audio Files (MP3) | Supplementary Materials ※ |
|---|---|---|
| 【Cover】 | 【Lessons 1–18】 | 【Answer Key】 |
| 【Preface】【How to Use This Textbook】 | 【Vocabulary List】 | |
| 【Table of Contents】 | 【Teaching Guide】 | |
| 【Lessons 1–18】 Exercises, Listening Scripts, Kanji Vocabulary, Grammar Notes, Japanese Life & Culture |
||
| 【Can-do Self-Assessment Sheet】 | ||
| 【Copyright Page】 |
★ How to Use the Textbook
◇ Lesson Structure
Each volume (Starter, Elementary 1, Elementary 2) comprises 9 themes and 18 lessons. Each lesson is designed for 150–180 minutes of instruction, though timing may vary based on exercise volume.
| 【Theme & Lesson Title】 | |
| 【Warm-up Questions】 | Helps learners contextualize the lesson’s topic through personal reflection or group discussion. |
| 【Exercises】 | Core component for achieving Can-do goals. Each lesson includes 3–6 exercises to master practical Japanese. |
| 【Listening Scripts】 | |
| 【Kanji Vocabulary】 | Introduces kanji encountered in exercises. |
| 【Grammar Notes】 | Explains sentence patterns and expressions from the lesson. |
| 【Japanese Life & Culture】 | Provides insights into cultural or situational contexts from the exercises. |
◇ Exercise Types and Goals
Each lesson includes Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing exercises. While each exercise is standalone, they are thematically linked within a lesson. Speaking exercises are emphasized across the series.
| Speaking | Ask/answer questions about familiar topics; give simple descriptions about oneself or surroundings. |
| Listening | Grasp key points in daily conversations; extract essential information from announcements or simple news. |
| Reading | Understand notices, signs, menus, or pamphlets written in plain Japanese. |
| Writing | Fill out forms, send messages, or post simple updates on social media. |
◇ Universal Learning Flow
| All exercises follow this sequence: | |
|---|---|
| ➊ Confirm Can-do | Review the exercise’s goal. |
| ➋ Exercise | Practice listening/speaking/reading/writing. |
| ➌ Self-Assessment | Use the Can-do sheet to evaluate progress and jot down reflections. |
| 🟢 Step-by-Step Guide: | |
|---|---|
| 1. Review Can-do Goal | |
| 2. Preview Vocabulary | |
| 3. Listen/Read (Model Dialogue) | |
| 4. Focus on Form | ↓ Fill in blanks to observe patterns. |
| ↓ Analyze usage via Grammar Notes. | |
| ↓ Reinforce with the Grammar Workbook (optional). | |
| 5. Speaking Practice | Shadowing or role-play after mastering forms. |
| 6. Can-do Check | Reflect and plan next steps. |
IRODORI prioritizes input-first learning: noticing forms, deducing rules, then applying them. Avoid starting with grammar drills—contextual practice is key.
❌ Ineffective Approach:
- Teach grammar → Explain via Grammar Notes → Drill with Workbook → Begin exercises.
The Grammar Workbook supplements IRODORI but is meaningless without the main textbook’s communicative practice.
◇ Speaking Exercises
| Speaking | |
|---|---|
| ➊ Confirm Can-do | |
| ➋ Vocabulary Prep | Learn terms via: 1. Match audio to illustrations 2. Imitate pronunciation 3. Select correct image after listening (linking meaning to form). |
| ➌ Listen to Model Dialogue | Focus on gist, not details. Two types: - Short dialogues (no script): Later found in Listening Scripts. - Long dialogues (with script): Read after initial listening. |
| ➍ Focus on Form | 1. Notice underlined patterns in dialogues. 2. Answer ❕ questions to deduce rules before checking Grammar Notes. 3. Re-listen to observe usage. |
| ➎ Speaking Practice | 1. Listen to model dialogue 2. Shadowing: Repeat with/without scripts. 3. Guided drills (e.g., word substitution) 4. Free conversation: Role-play or personalize. |
| ➏ Self-Assessment |
ℹ️ Shadowing: Instant repetition of heard phrases, like an echo, to improve fluency.
◇ Listening Exercises
| Listening | |
|---|---|
| ➊ Confirm Can-do | |
| ➋ Vocabulary Prep | Same as Speaking. |
| ➌ Listening Task | 1. Preview context (setting/purpose). 2. Answer questions while listening (e.g., match images, note keywords). 3. Re-listen after checking new terms (optional). |
| ➍ Focus on Form | Analyze new patterns if present. |
| ➎ Self-Assessment |
◇ Reading Exercises
| Reading | |
|---|---|
| ➊ Confirm Can-do | |
| ➋ Reading Task | 1. Preview context. 2. Skim for gist → Scan for details. - Real-life texts lack furigana; guess meanings from context. - Check 🔖 Key Words afterward. |
| ➌ Reflect | Compare with personal experiences (optional discussion). |
| ➍ Focus on Form | Study patterns via fill-in-blanks (if applicable). |
| ➎ Self-Assessment |
◇ Writing Exercises
| Writing | |
|---|---|
| ➊ Confirm Can-do | |
| ➋ Writing Task | 1. Review context. 2. Read examples (may reuse Reading texts). 3. Write (handwrite or type, as situation demands). 4. Share feedback (peer review for real-world relevance). |
| ➌ Self-Assessment |
◇ Kanji Vocabulary
Learners practice 429 kanji (across all levels) in context. Goals: recognize meanings in daily life and input via devices (no handwriting required). Steps:
➊ Check readings/meanings (multiple fonts shown).
➋ Read in sentences.
➌ Type on devices (handwriting optional for enthusiasts).
◇ Grammar Notes
Explains patterns from “Focus on Form” sections. Includes:
- Form/meaning/usage per lesson.
- Additional examples or comparisons.
- Part-of-speech labels:
N = Noun | ナA = ナ-adjective | イA = イ-adjective | V = Verb | S = Sentence.
Teachers may use this for explanations or assign as homework. For deeper grammar study, use MARUGOTO’s “Rikai” series, but stay aligned with Can-do goals.
◇ Japanese Life & Culture
A photo-rich column offering practical tips about Japan. Topics align with lesson themes and cater to learners unfamiliar with Japan. Can be explored independently or in class.
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