Student Guide

International Communication Institute

〒102-0083 東京都千代田区麹町６－２ 麹町サイトビル４F

TEL 03-3288-0039 FAX 03-3288-0049 e-mail stepupnihongo@icijapan.com

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～ Index ～ １） Introduction p.3 ・ The Step Up Nihongo method ２） About Step Up Nihongo p.4 ・ About the courses ・ PC settings ・ Login process ・ eSUN course ３） How to use eSUN p.10 ・ Overall ・ Basic conversation ・ Vocabulary ・ Comments ・ Grammar ・ Listening test ・ Utilization ・ Report page ４） How to use Yomikaki-SUN p.18 ・ KATAKANA section ・ HIRAGANA section ・ KANJI section

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Introduction Welcome to Step Up Nihongo (SUN)! Step Up Nihongo (SUN) is a series of 4 Levels beginning from Level 1 up to Level 4. Each Level represents the 4 seasons “Spring”, “Summer”, “Fall” and “Winter” in Japan. The name SUN is a pun of the “SUN” above us. This is because Japan is at the far east of Asia and was often called in the past the “Land of the rising sun”. Our goal is to help you enhance your Japanese level through the 4 seasons of SUN. SUN is based on practicing the “Facts” and the “Acts”. All languages are based on some sort of rule which is often called grammar. In order to master a new language it is both necessary to understand the logic in the language “Facts” and at the same time also actually practice speaking it out “Acts”. SUN provides both these factors in an organized way, so that you can manage to move forward steadily and firmly just as like you are riding a bike. SUN is a build up method. After each Lesson you have learnt, the next Lesson will be based on what you had learnt in the previous Lesson. By working your way through step by step, you will learn new expressions and build a strong foundation.

Acts Facts

ＳＵＮ１

ＳＵＮ２

ＳＵＮ３

ＳＵＮ４

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About Step Up Nihongo ＜About the courses＞ This Step Up Nihongo course is an online Japanese studying program. There are 3 main courses (eSUN、Yomikaki-SUN、eSUN-Biz). eSUN is an interactive course that focuses on the language itself and communication skills. Each Step consists of 25 Lessons and by working through all the items one by one you will be able to improve dramatically.

Yomikaki-SUN is an introduction to Japanese Reading and Writing skills by listening to the sounds and watching the stroke order. You can also practice typing Japanese on your PC, print out the work sheets and practice writing each of the characters. eSUN-Biz is for advanced level learners who wish to learn about Japanese business situations. In eSUN-Biz you are Daniel Chen, an employee in a Japanese trading company Fuji Shoji. You are assigned to the Tokyo Head Office for a one year “On the Job Training”. You will be experiencing 3 different departments (“国際電力事業部”, “合成樹脂部”, “投資管理

部”) in Fuji Shoji.

SUN 1

Make basic conversations, using greetings and other useful expressions. Carry out minimum necessary communications, such as shopping, asking directions, making requests, inviting, etc.

SUN 2

Talk about time and locations, make phone calls, ask people to do something or consult them. Make careful and polite expressions, express likes and dislikes. Permission and prohibitions. Express feelings in an indirect manner.

SUN 3

Express wishes to others. Compare various things in varied ways. Speak more precisely with nuances, such as appearance, estimation, intention, reporting, probability, possibility, suggestion, recommendation, obligation, duty, general expectation, preparation, experience, etc.

SUN 4

Develop more in-depth friendship. Appreciate basic difference between spoken language and written language. Express a third-person's emotions appropriately. Carry out confessions and opinions. Manipulate sophisticated language, like business negotiations and presentations.

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＜PC settings＞ 【Outline】 This course is an online program using the internet. You will need to have broad-band connection to use this program successfully. Please check your PC settings as shown in the Specifications below. 【PC specifications】 Automatic PC diagnostics tool (Follow the instructions to check your PC) => http://www.stepupnihongo.com/site/diag.php OR

1. Tic both boxes 2. Click on the mic tab

www.stepupnihongo.com

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4. Tic the echo to reduce echoing. 3. Drag the volume to the

right to make the mic volume louder.

5. Click agree and try recording your voice and check the mic volume. If it is NOT appropriate follow the steps again.

6. Make sure that all the items show OK

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<Operating System>

Windows： Windows 2000 or greater Mac： OS X or greater

<Browser>

Windows： Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater Firefox Version: 1.0.4 or greater

Mac： Safari Version: 1.0.3 <Software>

Macromedia Flash Plugin Japanese fonts <Others> Internet connection speed： 300Kbps or greater Headset with microphone： one per PC

If you have any technical problems please contact us

Email: stepupnihongo@icijapan.com

SUPPORT TEAM

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＜Login process＞ 【Outline】 Open your browser and type “ www.stepupnihongo.com “ in your address bar. This will take you to the main page. By typing in your ID and PW you will be able to access the program throughout your permitted time. 【How to use】 １）Open www.stepupnihongo.com ２）Type in your Login ID and PW

Click on the Login button and the ID/PW box will appear. Type in your

ID/PW and click on Login

Choose your permitted level from Level 1～4. You can access the course by clicking on the button.

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＜eSUN course＞ 【Outline】 Each course is made up of 25 Lessons. A set of 5 Lessons are bind together as one group. After completing the set of 5 Lessons you are entitled to take a Review Quiz. This Review Quiz will unlock the next 5 Lessons. Each Review Quiz can be taken as many times as you like. But only the first time results will be recorded to the system. This Review Quiz is made up of 3 sections (1. Listening, 2. Grammar, 3. Speaking) and is used for checking how well you understood the previous 5 Lessons. Use it for reviewing your weaknesses. After the fifth Review Quiz you are entitled to take the Mastery Test, the final exam. If you score more that 70% you are considered to have mastered this level. This test is also composed of 3 sections just like the Review Quiz, but can be taken only ONE time. So, review thoroughly before taking the Mastery Test. 【How to use】 Click on the set of 5 Lessons and study each Lesson thoroughly. After completing the 5 Lessons take the Review Quiz on the right-hand side. After completing all the Lessons and Review Quizes, please take the Mastery Test located at the bottom of the page.

Click on the set of 5 Lessons on the left-hand side and work through each Lesson.

Once you complete the set of 5 Lessons, take the Review Quiz

After completing all the Lessons and Review Quizes you can now take the Mastery Test.

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How to use eSUN ＜Lesson 1＞ 【Outline】 Lesson 1 is an introduction to the Japanese sounds through the Japanese characters “Hiragana and Katakana”. Unlike the other Lessons, here we focus on the writing, so it is NOT important for those who want to quickly speak the language. Memorizing all the characters takes time so we strongly recommend those who are interested in understanding and speaking the language itself, to SKIP this Lesson and come back after finishing the 25 Lessons. 【How to use】 You can listen to the sound and watch the word stroke by clicking on any of the characters on the character chart. Click on the “more” button to move on to the next Lessons.

The stroke order of each character will appear. Practice each character by writing on paper.

Start from the top left hand side downward. You will quickly understand the rules of the phonetics.

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＜Basic Conversation＞ 【Outline】 The Basic Conversation is used at the begging and end of each Lesson. Video clips that focus on the grammar taught in the Lesson will be shown. Always come back to the Basic Conversation section and try role playing each role after completing all the sections in that Lesson. 【How to use】 １） Choose the first video clip. ２） Choose “Display English” and click “PLAY” to listen and understand the dialog

one time. ３） If you could not catch the pronunciation properly, choose “Display Romaji or

Display Japanese” and watch the video 3 more times to check the pronunciation. During the 3 times, try to speak out along with the video.

４） Finally, choose “No Display” and watch the video one more time. You are now ready to move on to the Vocabulary section.

Choose from “Display English” “Display Romaji” “Display Japanese” “No Display”

You can choose the other videos here

Choose video clip

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＜Vocabulary＞ 【Outline】 Vocabulary in the video clip and additional related vocabulary are introduced here. Listen to each of the vocabulary pronunciation to memorize each word. Listen and speak out the vocabulary at least 5 times. It is essential to know a lot of vocabulary in order to speak a new language. 【How to use】 １） Click on the Words button and speak out each pronunciation. ※Try to memorize all of the vocabulary introduced. ＜Comments＞ 【Outline】 Cultural backgrounds, situations, Japanese customs, expressions introduced in the video are explained in the comments section. Read the explanations carefully. 【How to use】 １）Click on the Comments button and read the explanations.

Listen to the pronunciation by clicking on the sound buttons and practice speaking out each word.

These numbers represent each video. Click on the buttons one by one to view each of the Comment pages.

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＜Grammar＞ 【Outline】 The structure of the Japanese language is explained in detail in the Grammar section. It is very important to read the explanations carefully and understand the mechanics of Japanese. If you move on to the Drills section without thoroughly understanding, the Drills will not be as effective. 【How to use】 Click on the Grammar button and read the explanations 2-3 times, until you feel comfortable with the structure. The Grammar pages are sometimes made up of several pages. At the bottom of each page there are buttons to continue to the following pages.

Click on these buttons to move on to the following pages.

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＜Drills＞ 【Outline】 The Drills section is for practicing out loud the patterns of the newly learnt Grammar structures. To speak out loud is training your mouth muscles. It is very important to practice many times so that your ears and mouth remember the patterns. The Drills are very important in order to speak fluently. It is hard work to use your mouth in a different way, but it cannot be avoided to speak a new language. 【How to use】

２）Now choose “No Caption” and listen to the Drills many times. Follow speaking with the audio and try to keep up with the original speed.

３）Use the recording tool to compare your own voice with the original audio.

１）Choose the set of Drills from the orange buttons on the left, click on Display English and play the Drills ONE time so that you get the meaning.

If you are not sure how to use the Drills, click on the “How to use” button for details.

２） Click on the voice recorder and record your response. Compare your own voice with the original audio. Continue to do this until you are comfortable with your pronunciation.

１） Click and then click right after the question to pause.

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＜Listening Test＞ 【Outline】 The Listening test checks how well you can listen to the patterns and vocabulary you have learnt in the Lesson. You may take this test as many times as you like. 【How to use】

１）Choose a question from one of the orange buttons on the left and click on Play to listen to the conversation.

２）After listening to the conversation, answer the questions below by choosing the suitable answer.

３）After choosing all the answers, click on the Check button to check your answers. ○is correct and ×is incorrect

４）The “Key words” button will show the script of the conversation. The Key words for each question will be hi-lighted

５）Once you complete one section move on to the next set of questions.

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＜Utilization＞ 【Outline】 The main objective here is to make up your own answer and speak it out using what you have learnt in the Lesson. In the Question is a situation you may encounter in Japan. Compose your own answer and record it to the voice recorder. The picture is an image of the situation. 【How to use】 ※ Before you move on to the next Lesson, return to the Basic Conversation and try role

playing all the roles in the video clips.

１）Choose the Utilization from one of the orange buttons. Click on the Question tab and read the question. ２）Record your answer to the voice recorder

３）Click the Sample Answer tab to read the sample answer in Japanese and Romaji. Also, compare your answer by playing the sample answer audio.

If you are not sure how to use the Utilization, click on the “How to use” button for details.

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＜Report Page for Review Quiz (RQ)／Mastery Test (MT)＞

【Outline】 The RQ is taken after every set of 5 Lessons. This test checks how well you understood the 5 Lessons. Use the test results to check your weaknesses and review the Lessons you did not firmly understand.

The MT is the final exam that is taken at the end of the 25 Lessons. You can only take this test ONCE, so make sure you are ready and set to take it. The qualification score for each level is 70 points (Listening 30%, Grammar 30%, Speaking 40%). Both the RQ and MT evaluate your Listening, Grammar and Speaking skills. The Speaking test is actually graded by Japanese teachers and will take couple of days to be assessed. Your scores will be recorded in the Report page. Note that the Report page will not appear until you take a Review Quiz. 【How to use】

１）Click on the Report button and select the Review Quiz or Mastery Test you would like to refer to.

２）Listening, Grammar and Speaking results are shown.

You can view the details of your speaking skills here.

The evaluation criteria is shown here

３）Check the details of Speaking test

2. Listen to your recorded voice

1. View the original question

4. Lastly, listen to the sample answer.

3. Check the teacher’s assessment.

Your score appears here

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How to use Yomikaki-SUN 【Outline】 Yomikaki in Japanese means “Reading and Writing”. So as you can imagine Yomikai-SUN is an introduction course that teaches you how to read and write basic Japanese. The Japanese writing system uses three sets of characters: “Katakana”, “Hiragana” and “Kanji”. Through this course you learn the pronunciations for each character, its stroke order and meaning. 【How to use】

１）Click on the Yomikaki-SUN button and enter the course.

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＜KATAKANA＞ 【Outline】 Here you will learn the basic sound and stroke order of “katakana” characters. “katakana” is primarily used to represent foreign words, except Chinese words, which, of course, are written in “kanji”. And this is exactly why we introduce “katakana”, first, instead of “hiragana”. Most of the words which are actually written in “katakana” are words which are more likely familiar to you, such as non-Japanese names, country names, various items, etc. Also, by expressing those familiar words in “katakana”, you should be able to know how different the Japanese pronunciation is, as compared with the original pronunciation. 【How to use】

Start from the top downward.

Check the stroke order

Listen to the pronunciation

If you have Japanese Fonts on your PC, practice typing the character in the textbox.

１）Put your cursor on the KATAKANA pull-down menu

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２）Click “WORK SHEET” and print out the worksheet to practice hand-writing.

Print out the work sheet and hand-write the characters.

３）Click on Read & Recognize to take a small Quiz.

Try to pronounce each word by yourself. Now move your cursor on top of the word and check if you pronounced it correctly.

※ After completing the worksheet, do not forget to keep the sheets.

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＜HIRAGANA＞ 【Outline】 Here you will learn the basic sound and stroke order of “hiragana” characters. If you have Japanese Fonts installed to your computer you can also type the characters in the textbox shown on the screen. 【How to use】

Start from the top downward.

You can view the stroke order, listen to the pronunciation and type the characters to your PC just like in the katakana section.

Click “WORK SHEET” and print out the worksheet to practice hand-writing.

※ After completing the worksheet, do not forget to keep the sheets.

１）Put your cursor on the HIRAGANA pull-down menu

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＜KANJI＞ 【Outline】 In this section you will learn read and write approximately 1,000 Kanji characters. 【How to use】

All the kanji used in eSUN are introduced in the Appendix page at bottom of the pull-down menu.

The Kanji introduced are categorized by each Lesson. Click on any of the Lessons you would like to study.

Practice writing and typing the the short sentences with the kanji.

Put your cursor over KANJI and start from the top to bottom.

※ After completing the worksheet, do not forget to keep the sheets.