AT A GLANCE: Beginner Level Docs & Links, Intermediate/Advanced Docs & Links, General Information Links (Info on Japan, Online Newspapers, Homestay Programs, Student Contests, College Info on Japan/Asia-related majors and programs, Local & State Japan-Related Organizations)
BEGINNER LEVEL (初級)
***General Support & Class Resources
Adventures in Japanese Companion Site
Common Terms Defined for Beginners (PDF file)
***Kana Study Resources (Hiragana & Katakana)
Hiragana Chart (PDF file)
Video Featuring the Japanese Alphabet in Song (YouTube)
Hiragana Stroke Order (University of Michigan Japanese Program)
Remembering Hiragana Through Pictures (Georgia Tech Japanese Program)
Katakana Chart (PDF file)
Katakana Stroke Order (University of Michigan Japanese Program)
Remembering Katakana Through Pictures (Georgia Tech Japanese Program)
Kana Practice Sheets AND Online Study Materials (MIT Japanese Program)
***Geography & Cultural Resources
Map of Japan - Major Cities (PDF file)
Map of Japan by Regions & Prefectures (PDF file)
Geography of Japan Fact Sheet (PDF file)
Current Events Format & Requirements for Level 1 & 2 students (PDF file)
***Essay Writing Resources
How to Use a Genkouyoushi (PDF file of AIJ Workbook explanation)
Large Box Genkouyoushi (PDF file to download for practice)
Small Box Genkouyoushi (PDF file to download for essay/journal submissions)
***Kanji Writing Resources
Basic Kanji Book Online Review & Practice (webjapanese.com)
Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 - Lesson 1-5 Review Powerpoint
Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 - Lesson 6 Review Powerpoint
INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVELS (中級 ・上級)
***General Support & Class Resources
Adventures in Japanese Companion Site
Conjugation Chart (PDF file) --- Conjugation Chart (JPG file)
Current Events Format & Requirements for Level 3 and above students (PDF file)
***Language & Grammar Resources
Japanese Course (Wikibooks - useful links here)
Japanese Language Proficiency Test Guide (Wikibooks)
Japanese/English Chat, Penpals, Language Help (Apricotweb.com)
***Computer & Online Dictionary Resources
Denshi Jisho Online Dictionary - A very useful online WA-EE and EE-WA dictionary
Jim Breen's Online Translation Dictionary - Another useful online WA-EE and EE-WA dictionary
***Kanji Study Resources
Basic Kanji Book Online Review & Practice (webjapanese.com)
Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 - Lesson 1-5 Review Powerpoint
Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 - Lesson 6 Review Powerpoint
IB Kanji List (published by IBO)
Study Guide for Non-Basic Kanji Book Series Kanji on the IB Kanji List
AP Kanji List (published by College Board)
***Essay Writing Resources
How to Use a Genkouyoushi (PDF file of AIJ Workbook explanation)
Large Box Genkouyoushi (PDF file to download for practice)
Small Box Genkouyoushi (PDF file to download for essay/journal submissions)
GENERAL INFORMATION RESOURCES (インタネットの情報)
INFORMATION OF GENERAL INTEREST
Japan Information Network (sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - The most comprehensive website for learning about a variety of topics on Japan.
Web Japan (sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - Affiliated with the above site, this site offers more topics of interest to young people learning about Japan: Trends in Japan, Japan Fact Sheets, Nipponia Online Magazine, etc.
Country Studies - Japan (sponsored by the Federal Research Division of the The Library of Congress) - A scanned book that covers information about every aspect of Japan.
Japan Travel & Living Guide (sponsored by Japan Guide.com) - Full of general information about Japan, but BEWARE, this site is meant more for the traveler and less for the academic researcher.
Information Links About Japan (sponsored by AdmiNet) - Some of the links on this site no longer work, but the ones that do are full of information.
JGuide, Stanford Guide to Japan Information Resources (sponsored by Stanford University) - Full of general information links about Japan, but BEWARE, like Wasabi-Links, this has numerous links to commercial sites not meant for the academic researcher, but more for the curious web surfer interested in Japan.
Japan Institute - ANU (sponsored by Australian National University) - There are a number of article links that relate to Japan's public policy and general involvement in world affairs.
ONLINE MEDIA RESOURCES
Asahi News in English; Asahi Shimbun in Japanese
Daily Yomiuri Online in English; Yomiuri Shimbun in Japanese
Mainichi Daily News in English; Mainichi Shimbun in Japanese
NHK in English (Japanese News and TV); NHK in Japanese (Choose either domestic or overseas news)
Google News - Look for the link on world events or navigate through the site by themes
Yahoo News - Look for the link on world events or navigate through the site by themes
Kidon Media - An Index of Japanese Newspapers, includes newspapers by geographic region
SPECIAL PROGRAMS & STUDENT CONTESTS
Youth For Understanding - This organization provides scholarships for year-round and summer homestays in Japan. Many of our students have been accepted to this program in the past. THE DEADLINE FOR MANY OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THIS PROGRAM IS JANUARY 15th.
Concordia Language Village - This is an intensive language & culture study program that can be done during the summer.
US High School Diplomats (HSD) Program - This is a summer exchange program with Japanese students at Princeton University; after one summer in this program, you become eligible to apply to the HSD Japan and spend the next summer in Japan. Many of our students have been accepted to this program in the past. 2015 APPLICATION DEADLINE : JANUARY.
Kobe College Corporation - Japan Education Exchange High School Essay Contest - A 1-month trip to Japan is awarded to one student who writes a 500-word essay IN ENGLISH related to a current event in Japan. 2015 APPLICATION DEADLINE : FEBRUARY.
LEX America - This program provides homestay opportunities in Japan.
American Field Service - This program provides homestay opportunities in Japan.
Experiment in International Living - This program provides homestay opportunities in Japan.
Laurasian Institution - New Perspectives Program - This program provides an entire class the opportunity to go abroad to Japan.