This series is structured to help learners gain the practical ability to communicate in Japanese. Mastery comes from understanding what to say in specific situations. Lessons are built around scenes and topics shared between teacher and learner, encouraging active engagement through the question, “What would you say here and now?”
Grammar and vocabulary are introduced as naturally needed by the situation. These contexts and topics are revisited throughout the book, ensuring repeated use of previously learned material. This approach reinforces communication skills and helps learners use Japanese more fluently and confidently.
Learners practise speaking within realistic, everyday situations shared with the teacher. Because conversations are grounded in familiar or plausible scenarios, learners develop the confidence to respond naturally in a variety of settings, broadening their communicative range.
From the early stages, the series emphasises speaking in connected units, not just in isolated sentences. Learners are encouraged to link ideas and express themselves with more depth and coherence. By doing so, they gain the ability to talk about themselves and their thoughts in longer, more structured ways.
This book, which follows the elementary series, retains the same learner-focused approach of shared contexts and action-based goals—but now with an eye towards more complex and abstract topics.
For example, while both the Elementary and Pre-Intermediate/Intermediate levels include a “Shopping” unit, the latter moves beyond asking about products. It includes tasks where learners research options online or via friends, express preferences clearly to staff, and aim for a more satisfying shopping experience.
Connecting Through Trends
Living in the Information Society
The Power of Science
Wealth and Happiness
These are topics that may have been too abstract or advanced at the elementary level. In this book, learners tackle them using all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) in a balanced way—working toward JLPT N2-level proficiency.
