FAQ
Questions
- Do you have teacher’s manuals?
- Is Kisetsu based on National Standards for foreign language education?
- What is the Advanced Placement (AP) program? Can I use Kisetsu for the AP program?
- What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
- Do you have a workbook for Haruichiban?
- Is there a glossary and an index in Kisetsu textbooks?
- Why do you introduce katakana first rather than hiragana in Haruichiban?
- Do you have other learning materials besides workbooks?
- Are there summaries and reviews in each unit of kisetsu textbooks?
- Can I photocopy the pictures in Kisetsu textbooks freely for classroom use?
- When are you going to release the rest of Kisetsu textbooks?
- How many kanji do students learn in Haruichiban?
- Can students learn Japanese culture from Kisetsu textbooks?
- Can my school or school district pilot Kisetsu textbooks?
- Do you have a volume purchase program?
- What’s KisetsuNow?
- How can I contact you if I have a question?
Answers
Do you have teacher’s manuals?
We have a teacher’s manual for Getting Started I and II of Haruichiban. Although we do not have a teacher’s manual for other chapters of Haruichiban, the textbook itself takes the role of a teacher’s manual by looking at the structure of the textbook. There are steps in each chapter. What you have to do is follow the small steps. The other volumes of Kisetsu textbooks have the same structure as Haruichiban.
Is Kisetsu based on National Standards for foreign language education?
Yes. Each Kisetsu textbook has charts to tell you how each chapter corresponds with the five elements of National Standards in the introduction section of each textbook.
What is the Advanced Placement (AP) program? Can I use Kisetsu for the AP program?
The AP program is a program that offers high school students college-level classes provided by the College Board. Japanese is one subject in the AP program. Schools offering Japanese tend to offer the AP programs in their curriculum. In the AP program, students can not only learn higher level Japanese, but also carry the credits they received from their high schools over to college.
The syllabus 1 of AP Japanese consists essentially of Kisetsu. When you take a look at the syllabus, you will see how appropriately Kisetsu corresponds to the AP program.
What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
IB is a diploma that proves students finished secondary education and a qualification to enter college. The International Baccalaureate Organization, non-profit educational foundation in Switzerland, administers IB. International schools and schools in an international setting take IB into their curriculum. Kisetsu textbooks correspond to education in America and IB as well.
Do you have a workbook for Haruichiban?
Yes. We have three workbooks for Haruichiban. The first workbook is for practice of katakana and hiragana. The second one is for homework corresponding to chapter 1 through 4. The third one is 300 pages and the material can be photocopied freely for classroom use. You can use the third workbook for homework, class activities, assessments and etc. We plan to make workbooks for other Kisetsu textbooks.
Is there a glossary and an index in Kisetsu textbooks?
Yes. The glossary has both Japanese-English and English-Japanese. You can use the index in English. Please see the end of the textbooks. You also can use the index with the 5C topics of the National Standards.
Why do you introduce katakana first rather than hiragana in Haruichiban?
We think that katakana words are familiar and easier to memorize than hiragana ones for Japanese learners because most katakana words are quoted from English words. Therefore, Japanese learners can use knowledge they already have to memorize katakana words while learning katakana.
There is another reason. We have seen many Japanese learners who often forget and cannot remember katakana because of less frequency of use than hiragana. As a result of this, we expect that teaching katakana first helps students to memorize and keep katakana unforgettable.
Do you have other learning materials besides workbooks?
Yes. We have apps (only available for iPad) and posters sold on our online store. Also, we have audio files. Please contact us regarding the audio files.
Are there summaries and reviews in each unit of kisetsu textbooks?
Yes. Kisetsu textbooks have a unit concept section and brief explanation of each chapter in the beginning of each unit. Kisetsu textbooks also have review in the end of each unit. The unit reviews consist of a variety of types of questions such as true and false, visual questions, and role plays.
Can I photocopy the pictures in Kisetsu textbooks freely for classroom use?
Some of the pictures can be photocopied, but some of them are not. Please contact us if you want to use pictures in Kisetsu textbooks. The third workbook of Haruichiban is material that can be photocopied freely for classroom use. Please use it freely.
When are you going to release the rest of Kisetsu textbooks?
We will release Volume 2 Ginga, in summer, 2011. You can order both Ginga textbooks and workbooks in advance. Please contact us. The pilot version of Volume 3 Akimatsuri will be released in fall, 2011.We are not sure when we can release Volume 4 Hatsuyume yet. Updates will be posted on our website.
How many kanji do students learn in Haruichiban?
There are 32 kanji in Haruichiban. In Ginga, there are 130 new kanji and 160 “recognize” kanji that have been introduced previously and students can recognize.
Can students learn Japanese culture from Kisetsu textbooks?
Yes. Students can learn cultural concepts, which corresponds to projects in each chapter, throughout the projects.
Can my school or school district pilot Kisetsu textbooks?
Yes. We are happy to offer pilotting out textbooks and workbooks. Please contact us.
Do you have a volume purchase program?
Yes. We have a discount for a volume purchase. Please contact us.
What’s KisetsuNow?
KisetsuNow is a tumblr-based social community for Kisetsu textbooks users. Students and teachers can post how they use the textbooks in class, what they make out of lessons using the textbooks, and simply class pictures. Posting class pictures helps students and the class become aware of audience outside of class and be able to see how other schools ore students learn Japanese using Kisetsu textbooks. KisetsuNow will help students broaden their learning community.
How can I contact you if I have a question?
Please contact from here. We will answer your inquiries as soon as possible, although we might not be able to reply to you immediately. Thank you for your patience.
