Online resource Irodori helping you with Japanese communication skills

With the spread of Covid-19 around the planet, many academic institutions have been forced to close their doors, adopting online classes instead. Japanese language schools are no exception.

The Japan Foundation, a national institute that promotes Japanese language education on a global scale, launched an online Japanese language resource “Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan” in March. This learning resource is designed as a practical guide for non-Japanese workers living in Japan, including those with “Specified Skilled Workers” status. It covers phrases and vocabulary that they would encounter in everyday situations.

The textbook was named “Irodori,” means “to color” in rough translation, to convey the notion of transformation and beauty in life. The Japan Foundation believes that good communication with those around you, including neighbors, coworkers and friends is essential to your life in Japan. It is their hope that this textbook can facilitate a smooth learning process for Japanese language learners.

Irodori covers an extensive range of topics. A few examples include the weather, asking for and giving directions, office communication and some emergency situations like going to the doctor and getting ready for natural disasters. All these lessons enable you to acquire everyday Japanese phrases and vocabulary that people are likely to use when living in Japan.

Other beneficial features of Irodori textbooks are:

1. All textbooks and audio materials are available on their official website for free. Learners can access and download them anytime, anywhere.
2. There are abundant audio materials for listening and speaking practice. Detailed realia allows learners to focus on each lesson easily.
3. Learning objectives are based on JF standards, which follow communication-based criteria that evaluate a learner’s competency based on what they can do in a specific context, rather than their grammatical ability.
4. Japan-specific customs, including those related to seniority, punctuality and paying the bill at restaurants, are explained in separate columns, giving a glimpse of Japanese culture and society.

Currently, Irodori textbooks are available only in Japanese and English. However, The Japan Foundation says they’re planning to develop translations in multiple South East Asian Languages.

Starting a new life in Japan can be an incredibly overwhelming experience, but with Irodori, non-Japanese speakers can get a clearer image of what they need to learn before they come to Japan, or what they need to improve if they’re already in the country. At the same time, the Irodori series can be used as a guide for Japanese speakers to get an idea of how they can help non-Japanese speakers improve their communication skills.