J-PEAK: Japanese for Liberal Arts at the University of Tokyo [Pre-advanced Level]

A textbook for those who have completed the intermediate level, intended to build the capacity to think logically and convey opinions in Japanese.

Features of This Book

1. Selection of topics to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of learners

The spread of topics in each unit is balanced among the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, based on the concept of liberal arts education, to ensure that topics will be of interest to learners regardless of their own areas of study.

2. Unit structure devised to promote academic Japanese

Learners will deepen their understanding of topics and activate their knowledge and thinking skills through versatile reading and listening activities. They will develop their ability to think analytically and critically, and to express logical opinions, aiming to achieve true academic Japanese.

3. Learners will gain the ability to logically convey more advanced content than the intermediate level and to navigate academic situations

All new reading comprehension texts and listening comprehension scripts, with standards set for vocabulary and kanji characters to enable learners to tackle these after completing the intermediate level. Questions incorporate strategy research findings to support active input.

Content and Structure

1. Basic structure of each unit

Main text:
Intensive Reading _ Speed Reading _ Listening*
_
Speaking Activity (Presentation/Debate/Discussion)
_
Writing Activity (Statements of determination/Report/Opinions/Introductions/Class essays)

Supplement (with English translations): Vocabulary lists and Building Sentences section

*Audio recordings are available for all of this. Answers to questions and Listening section scripts are available for download in PDF format.

2. List of topics
Unit 1 ____________ Time Management for Achieving Goals
Unit 2 ____________ Japanese Industry Perceived Through Data
Unit 3 ______ Cameras in Town
Unit 4 _______ Working with Artificial Intelligence
Unit 5 ____ Japanese Art
Unit 6 ________ Dealing with Words of Foreign Origin
Unit 7 _____________ Bacteria Found in Our Surroundings and Our Health
Unit 8 ___________ The Contribution of Companies to Society