Tobira: Gateway To Advanced Japanese Learning Through Content And Multimedia

by Mayumi Oka

■日本の地理・歴史からポップカルチャーまで、様々なトピックを通して4技能を伸ばす画期的中級日本語教科書。マルチメディアを使用した言語習得を促し、外国在住の学習者でも日本語環境に触れることができるようなサポートも確立。

第1課 日本の地理
第2課 日本語のスピーチスタイル
第3課 日本のテクノロジー
第4課 日本のスポーツ
第5課 日本の食べ物
第6課 日本人と宗教
第7課 日本のポップカルチャー
第8課 日本の伝統芸能
第9課 日本の教育
第10課 日本の便利な店
第11課 日本の歴史
第12課 日本の伝統工芸
第13課 日本人と自然
第14課 日本の政治
第15課 世界と私の国の未来

■TOBIRA is a groundbreaking intermediate-level Japanese textbook designed to develop the four language skills through the study of a variety of different topics from Japanese geography and history to pop culture. TOBIRA promotes language learning through the use of multimedia materials and establishes a support system via the Internet so that learners outside Japan have access to a Japanese language environment.

Chapter 1: The Geography of Japan
Chapter 2: Speech Styles in Japanese
Chapter 3: Japanese Technology
Chapter 4: Sports in Japant
Chapter 5: Japanese Food
Chapter 6: The Japanese and Religion
Chapter 7: Japanese Pop Culture
Chapter 8: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts
Chapter 9: Education in Japan
Chapter 10: Japan's Convenience Stores
Chapter 11: The History of Japan
Chapter 12: Traditional Japanese Crafts
Chapter 13: The Japanese and Nature
Chapter 14: Japanese Politics
Chapter 15: The Future of Your Country and the World

Genres: Japanese Literature, Language, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Reference, Japan, School

420 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2009

Reviews

[Arukiyomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm working my way through this to take myself from the intermediate plateau I've been on since I left Japan 12 years ago. I have to say it beats anything I studied in the 6 years I was there.

Combined with its website it is all you need to push through this level if you use all the material thoroughly and put in the effort required.

The material is engaging, topical and relevant. It varies in medium and, with the website language partner material, covers all four skills. It builds kanji knowledge and, along with the grammar practice workbook, has excellent grammar coverage.

Highly recommended if you are wandering aimlessly on the intermediate plateau.

[Spaghett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly dense, but helpful book. I'd be lying if I said I could magically read japanese after finally finishing it over the course of 6 months but my comprehension is certainly a lot better and I feel like I could jump to something like Satori Reader for some more real-world, but still guided practice.

[Joshua Moravec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a self study book for quite a while. Having already passed N3, it was mostly review (both the vocab and the grammar). However, even though I've already covered or known many of the grammar sections, I think it was worth studying this book for the readings (and to a lesser extent the listening sections). Compared to a lot of beginner to intermediate textbooks for Japanese, the topics covered were quite varied and interesting. It wasn't solely about a foreigner's journey to learn Japanese in Japan or something (not to say that's bad per se), but covered topics ranging from instant ramen to politics to history to haiku. These readings felt more natural Japanese instead of constructed readings meant just to learn a specific grammar topic.

That being said, the book isn't the best for self learning. I think it would work great in a classroom setting to be able to do all the exercises and practice with partners. I also wasn't a huge fan of how the grammar points were laid out. I assume those points have more practice in a workbook, but workbooks tend to really not be great for self learners as its difficult to get answer keys to actually check your work for them.

[Lochkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, mainly for the diversity of the essay topics in it. I love the way it shares traditional Japanese culture. I feel that often, when I am reading Japanese, I understand the vocab and the grammar, but the reason I can't understand what I am reading is because I don't understand the cultural context. And I'm half Japanese! I am sure many westerners would benefit from the cultural insights this book provides. Students may still miss crucial intimations in the text of this book without a teacher or AI to translate. Some people say this book is dated, but I think it certainly holds its own beside newer books like Quartet.

[Danny Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

ついに完成した。xーx
読む間を通して、様々な日本語と日本文化についてことが勉強した。しかし、まだ日本語が上手ではないので、もっと勉強し続かなければならない。

[Silvio Carrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book when moving into intermediate and preparing for N3. I wish it had more exercises but the grammar explanation and readings are great.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this in college. I didn't like it as much as some other text books, but I thought the learning process was unique and great for reading and writing.