Stage 3 Outline
- Grammar
- Vocabulary-Building
- Reading Practice
- Kanji
- Listening
- JLPT-Specific (incl. grammar, vocabulary, and kanji)
Recommended Tools: Rikaichan, KanjiBox, Keyhole TV, Wordchamp, Lang-8, The Mixxer, Quia, Mixi, Quizlet, Anki
Stage 3 is intended for those who have studied Japanese for several years, especially those who have been to
Japan or have taken advanced-level classes. Some websites are in English, but the majority are in Japanese, as those at this level are expected to be able to read such materials. Grammar resources are mainly those intended for levels N2 and N1 of the JLPT. Reading practice can be improved by reading newspapers, but we also recommend reading actual novels and other printed resources at this point. At this point students should know most, if not all, of the kyouiku kanji, and Kanji resources are listed for jouyou and hyougai kanji. Listening skills can be sharpened by listening to news sources and television programs, although practice with native speakers, if possible, is an essential part of improving listening, as well. Finally, JLPT resources are listed as well, and students hopefully will be able to pass level N2 or N1 of the test.
* Sites that are introduced in Stage 3 but are not in Stages 1 or 2 are marked with an asterisk.
GRAMMAR
- * 日本語教材の日本語駆け込み寺
This website has materials meant for teachers, but there are also advanced grammar topics with examples that students should find helpful, as well. (Note that the website is a little hard to navigate and registration is required, however.)
- * 日本語能力試験出題基準・文法 (N1)
Convenient list of JLPT N1 grammar with example sentences (does not include grammar meanings). A N2 grammar list is also available.
- Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese
Concise and informative guide to Japanese grammar, with vocabulary lists and practice exercises to use with the lessons. PDF and ipod touch/iphone versions are also available for portable studying.
VOCABULARY-BUILDING
- * Specialized Glossaries :
These glossaries/vocabulary lists have much more "advanced" vocabulary that those found even in some basic Japanese-English dictionaries. Lists are seperated by subject in most cases, so students can study lists of related words all at once.
- Lee no Kyouzaikan [Lee's Learning Materials]
This website is meant for Japanese elementary and middle school children, so it contains a lot of vocabulary you may not find in textbooks written in English! The lists have pictures near their readings, so even without a dictionary you will probably be able to understand what the words in the lists mean.
READING PRACTICE
- *** Newspaper Sources
Reading practice can be greatly improved by reading newspapers, so please refer to our list of newspaper sources on its own page.
- * 青空文庫 | Aozora Bunko
Aozora Bunko is similar to Project Gutenburg in English, where you can read thousands of works of fiction and non-fiction online, for free! (Also see the links for the listening versions of many of the works under the Listening section.)
- * 語源由来辞典
This website is a dictionary of Japanese etymology, including many slang words that may not even be listed in the main Japanese-English dictionaries.
- Eijiro on the Web
Eijiro on the Web is ALC's dictionary tool that uses real newspaper or other articles to create a searchable database. Enter the word that you want to see in either English or Japanese in the bar at the top of the page. Note that conjugated verbs do not appear if you enter dictionary form verbs, so vary your search if you are unable to get any results.
- 漢字で学ぶ日本語
With this website, you can practice your kanji while practicing your reading! Click on a kanji to read a short article about the kanji and what it means. At the bottom of each story is a vocabulary list that you can use to help read the article.
- Old Stories of Japan
Learn Japanese through fairytales! With this website, you can practice your reading skills by looking at these traditional Japanese stories and folktales. English translations of each story are available, as well, so you can check your comprehension of the Japanese tales. Use with Rikaichan is recommended.
→ Students' Comments♥ One good way to check your understanding is to write your own translation of a story, then see how it compares to the website's creator's translation (although keep in mind that the website's creator isn't a native English speaker so not everything will match, of course).
- Pera Pera Penguin
Pera Pera Penguin's lessons are mini-articles about various topics in Japanese. The articles themselves are written in English, so even if the grammar or concepts are high-level ones, intermediate students should still find the articles very fun to read.
KANJI
- * 表外漢字一覧
[Non-Jouyou Kanji List]
One of the many websites available with lists of non-jouyou kanji, but still a very convenient resource for those who want to expand their kanji knowledge past the jouyou list.
- * 四字熟語データバンク
[Yojijukugo Databank]
Yojijukugo database.
- 部首一覧
[Radical List]
List of kanji radicals, with example kanji and explanations for shape, origin, etc. [site in Japanese].
- Drill and Learn the Kanji [Jouyou] || Drill and Learn the Kanji [JLPT]
Kanji drilling applet, based off JLPT levels or Jouyou kanji. You can click the various parts within the applet to show/hide them, so that you can use the program like you would use flashcards.
- 早おし！部首チャレンジ [Radical Challenge]
Kanji radical identification game! Good for improving recognition of the various parts of kanji. To play, just select that kanji that has the radical at the top of the screen before time runs out.
- 常用漢字表 [Jouyou Kanji List]
Organized list of the Jouyou kanji, complete with example compounds and notes on special readings.
- Yamasa Online Japanese Dictionary
Yamasa Online Japanese Dictionary. Includes great kanji stroke-order animations!
LISTENING
- * Aozora Bunko Audio Versions [Site 1 | Site 2 | Site 3 | Site Collection]
These are various websites for audio version of the works found on Aozora Bunko; they are by no means the most comprehensive of all audio files available, but they are a good starting point to work with if you are interested in hearing works found on Aozora Bunko read outloud.
- * Yahoo! 映像ニュース
This page has collections of the day's news in video form from various news sources. In addition to the video, transcriptions of the videos are located on their respective pages so that students can listen to the news and double-check their listening skills.
- ECISインターネット放送局
This website has a collection of videos that you can watch in order to practice your listening skills. Levels are from intermediate to expert, so you can try to challenge yourself with higher levels after finishing the intermediate ones.
- NHK Radio News
Updated daily, on this page you can listen to the day's news in Japanese to practice your listening skills! In addition, you can first choose the speed that you'd like to hear the news spoken at (normal, slow, fast) to adapt to hearing spoken Japanese at various speeds. (Also available as a Podcast.)
JLPT-SPECIFIC – INCLUDES GRAMMAR, KANJI, AND VOCAB
- Charles Kelly's Online Japanese Study Materials
Japanese study materials website. Includes many different flash quizzes to help improve your vocabulary, reading, and more!
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test Resources
Japanese Language Proficiency Test resource site. Includes kanji, grammar, and vocabulary resources!
- JLPT Study Website
Mock JLPT practice tests, in multiple-choice format for easy scoring and evaluation.
- MLC Japanese Language School - Free Study Materials
Meguro Language Center’s free online Japanese resources. This website also has a level checking page where you can get an estimate of your JLPT level!
- renshuu.org
Resource website for grammar, kanji, vocabulary, and more! Based mainly off JLPT and Kanji Kentei levels, but also includes various textbooks' materials. Quizzes are available and you can make an account to track your progress.