For those who just want to talk, want to become able to speak, and want to enjoy communication, the Marugoto series is perfect. This textbook is not built on stacking sentence patterns but rather focuses on how people actually communicate in real situations. It takes a completely different approach from traditional grammar-based syllabi. The primary goal of the material is to learn Japanese that can be used in real-life situations.

The title Marugoto reflects the creators’ desire to present the entirety of Japanese life and culture as it truly is.The series is divided into six levels. There are nine textbooks in total, with seven covering the introductory and beginner levels, and the remaining two aimed at the intermediate level. The seven introductory and beginner books featured here were published between 2013 and 2015.

 

Target Learners

This course is intended for adult learners who are beginning Japanese with little to no prior knowledge. It is suitable for learners both inside Japan—learning the language while living in the country—and those studying abroad, as long as they wish to acquire practical and natural Japanese for everyday use.

Given the communication-focused nature of the materials, the course is expected to be more effective when used in a classroom setting with classmates, preferably in face-to-face instruction rather than online learning.

 

 

Textbook Structure

The seven textbooks covering levels from introductory to intermediate are divided into the levels of Introductory, Elementary 1, Elementary 2, and Pre-Intermediate. In Introductory, Elementary 1, and Elementary 2 levels, each level is split into two volumes: ‘Katsudou,’ which focuses on performance learning, and ‘Rikai,’ which focuses on language knowledge. The two volumes are designed to complement each other, with shared communicative contexts for each lesson. According to the textbook, it is possible to study using only one of the two volumes, but if both are used, it is recommended to start with ‘Katsudou’.

The textbooks are relatively large, measuring 30 cm by 21 cm, but each contains just under 200 pages. With plenty of colorful photos and illustrations, and a generous use of color throughout, the books are visually appealing and easy to navigate. Each page contains only a small amount of information, resulting in a spacious, uncluttered layout that helps prevent learners from feeling overwhelmed. The setting and context of each scene are conveyed visually at a glance, clearly signaling what learners are about to study.

Another major feature is the integration of task-based learning (Can-do), which focuses on what learners will be able to accomplish using Japanese. The learning items are selected based on these real-world tasks. Since communication is the primary goal, there is a noticeable reduction in repetitive grammar drills compared to traditional textbooks. Instead, grammar is presented in a way that encourages learners to notice patterns and discover rules on their own. To further promote natural communication, each lesson is centered around everyday topics that learners are likely to encounter in real life.

 

 

Audio

All audio files can be downloaded for free from the website.

 

 

Workbook

Since the workbook is integrated into the textbook, there is no separate workbook. Numerous free supplementary materials are available on the website.

Advantages

• The focus is on how to make learning real communication enjoyable and how to ensure it sticks with learners.
• Learners can also gain an understanding of Japanese culture through communication.
• The textbook avoids a crammed learning approach, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
• The abundant use of color photos helps reinforce learning through visual information

 

Disadvantages

• Although the online support for the materials is comprehensive, the full benefits of this textbook are best realized in group lessons. Therefore, independent learners may not be able to fully take advantage of its strengths.

 

My thoughts

The ‘Marugoto’ series comprehensively covers Japanese that can be used in real-life situations. In group lessons, learners can quickly practice what they’ve learned with classmates, leading to faster retention and making it less likely to forget what they’ve learned.

Each lesson clearly states its goals at the beginning, and there is a well-established process for learners to confirm whether they have achieved those goals by the end of the lesson. This ensures that both teachers and learners are always on the same page. The clarity and ease of understanding that this textbook provides are unmatched by others. In fact, it is a meticulously crafted textbook with no detail overlooked.

By the way, what intrigued me most was Marugoto’s philosophy of recommending the use of Katsudou, which focuses on performance-based learning, before Rikai, which centers on language knowledge. I had always believed that following a structural syllabus was the safest and most reliable approach, so this idea came as a bit of a jolt to my rigid thinking. But when I tried it—hesitantly—I was pleasantly surprised to find that the students kept up with ease, and that teaching this way was actually more enjoyable.