Learning and Teaching Resources: ポップカルチャー New & Old

Many Japanese language learners are drawn to Japan through its pop culture.  This could be through its anime, manga, music, dance, and more.  What better resource than a text that focuses exactly on that?

「ポップカルチャー New & Old」, edited by Yoshiro Hanai, teaches Japanese through an introduction to Japanese pop culture; it is very informative and provides the historical contexts from which learners can appreciate various cultural phenomenon, from how Sukiyaki became a hit in the U.S., to the history of anime in Japan’s postwar era, to the roots of popular music in Japan.  Reading materials utilize kanji complemented with furigana, and so learners will be able to rapidly familiarize themselves with kanji and their readings.  Contents are provided both through the textbook and on the website.

The book effectively makes use of content-based learning so that students can more smoothly progress to more advanced-level study.  Students will surely be able to increase both their cultural knowledge and linguistic skills.  This is an invaluable text worth checking out!