The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai has developed Japanese language e-learning materials specifically for Japanese learners worldwide. It announces today the release of ‘JF Japanese e-Learning Minato’, an online Japanese language learning platform designed to enable anyone in the world, such as those who may wish to study, but have no school available nearby, or those who just cannot seem to begin learning, to easily study Japanese.

Minato allows anyone in online environment to study the Japanese language any time using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. In order to make the Japanese learning more accessible, the Institute has provided a range of courses that allow students to select one that will suit their personal interests. The couses offered are the ‘Marugoto’ course, an integrated teaching of the Japanese language and culture; the Hiragana/Katakana course, focusing on the written characters; and the Anime/Manga Japanese Language Course, a pleasant treat for the eyes at the same time as acquiring the language. While they are mainly ‘self-study courses’ that allow students to learn at their own pace, there are also the ‘tutor-support courses’ that provide assistance of assignments, evaluations, and live lessons with teachers. Further, to solve the concern of online learning being a lonesome pursuit, the online ‘Community’ lets users to communicate and interact with their fellow Japanese language students worldwide. This will stimulate the learning incentive through this virtual cultural exchange with like-minded people across the globe.

The Japan Foundation will continue to provide a variety of Japanese language courses, offering a wide range of levels, study categories, and languages used for explanation. Going forward, the Foundation’s plans are that its overseas offices will also function in this capacity, in order to develop Japanese language courses attractive to people from all around the world.