About this site

Outline

"MARUGOTO Plus (Elementary 2 A2)" is a website where users can learn about Japanese language and culture alongside the contents of "Marugoto: Japanese language and culture (Elementary 2 A2)", a coursebook which uses the JF Standard as a basis.

Target

・ Learners of Japanese who are studying using the "Marugoto: Japanese language and culture (Elementary 2 A2)" coursebook.
・ Those who have an interest in Japanese language or culture.

Site features

・ You can practice Japanese in order to achieve various "Can-do" (things one is able to do using Japanese) goals based on the JF Standard.
・ You can practice Japanese in order to achieve various "Can-do" (things one is able to do using Japanese) goals based on the JF Standard.
・ With pictures and video, you are able to know about the lives, culture, and ways of thinking of Japanese people as well as people from all over the world.

Conversation

By enjoying the drama, you can understand the various specific situations. You can practice in order to achieve "Can-do" related to Speaking and Interactions. You can turn sounds and scripts on and off, so please practice as if you are one of the actors in the video. If you wish to check the native Japanese pronunciation, you may download the voice data from "Marugoto" Website's Download Materials page.

Grammar

In various situations, you can check how the sentence patterns are used and also practice reviewing them. Also, every sentence pattern has an explanation to go along with it, so you can review what you learned in the classroom or if you forget what the grammar point was, you can confirm it.

Kanji

You can check the meaning, pronunciation, and the example sentences of how to use the kanji. Also, shape and how to write each kanji can be checked by the video. When remembering the kanji, there are illustrations that work as hints (illustrations were created by staff for you to learn, they are not the origin of characters). Also, you can practice by using kanji cards and questions as well.

Life and Culture

You can check the video and information about "Life and Culture" of each topic. In the video, photographer Mr. Aaron who is living in Japan, will visit various locations and interview various people. If you cannot understand Japanese, you can check by the scripts. You can check real Japanese life and culture by various photos and easy Japanese in "Life and Culture Snap!".

Staff

Creation / Management

The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai

Established in 1972 as a semi-governmental corporation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Japan Foundation is the first organization that specializes in international cultural exchange in Japan, playing a major role in promoting arts and cultural exchange, Japanese language education overseas, Japanese studies and intellectual exchange. As an affiliated agency, The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai offers overseas students direct support through Japanese language programs and the development of Japanese teaching materials and websites.

Content production

The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai

・ Yoko Ishii (Language Education Specialist)
・ Sumiko Maeda (Language Education Specialist)
・ Hideaki Ito (Former Language Education Specialist)
・ Reiko Miyazaki (Visiting Instructor)

Collaborators

Website / Video Production

Bau Communications Co., Ltd.

Cast

Conversation:: Hitomi Kume, Thomas Ota, Usman Kawazoe, Adrienne Rochelle, Miyuki Naka, Allan H, Kyle Baughman, people from the Group Echo, people from the Grace.
Life and Culture:: Aaron Berman, Rieko Ikura, Megumi Hamachi, people from the Group Echo, people from the Grace, people from MC-kikaku, people from A-Light Co., Ltd., people from Project Core Co., Ltd., people from A-Cast Co., Ltd., people from the visually impaired person's ballroom dance circle AI.
Voice Cast:: Tomoyo Kobayashi, Takuya Matsumoto.

Special thanks to

l-osaka / GANKO Takasegawa Nijo-en / Kushikatsu Yasuragi / studio tree (gram inc.) / Chishakuin Temple, the headquarters / TSUNAGU / HOTEL ELSEREINE OSAKA / Yakeno welfare centre / Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. / Izumiya Co., Ltd. / Utsubo Park / Utsubo community development association / Osaka MK Co., Ltd. / Osaka city west fire department / Osaka City Voluntary Action Centre / Kindai University / Kano Co., Ltd. / Chiso Co., Ltd. / Millennium Dining / Media Head Co., Ltd. / GANKO Kishiwada Gofuuso / Gyuichi / Hokusai Heart Services / Takimoto Co., Ltd. / Takokyaki Joo / Takonotetsu / Nakanoshima Park / Nihon Keibitsushin Security Services Co., Ltd. / Makino Pick Land / mola mola house / Yunima Corporation Inc. / Shutterstock, Inc. / PIXTA Inc. / Yomiuri News Photograph Centre

Recommended Environment

In order to ensure more comfortable use of this site, we recommend the following environment.
(If you are using other environment, especially on tablets and smart phones may cause some system dis-function.)

OS

・Windows 10 or later
・Mac OS 12.7 or later
・iOS 15 or later
・Android 11 or later

Recommended Browser

Windows

・Microsoft Edge (latest version)
・Chrome (latest version)

Macintosh

・Safari (latest version)
・Chrome (latest version)

Display resolution

1,200px X 800px or larger is recommended

Javascript

This site uses JavaScript.
When viewing, please activate JavaScript on the browser setting.

Sound replay

If your computer does not have speakers installed, please use speaker or headphone.