Using Authentic Reading Materials with Information from Word Parts for Kanji Instruction for Japanese L2 Students at the Elementary Level

Abstract

Kanji is one of the most difficult parts to learn for Japanese L2 students at the elementary level whose native language is English. Because of its difficulties and cross-linguistic differences, Japanese L2 students tend to feel like it is difficult to learn and avoid learning Kanji. However, they have to memorize an amount of Kanji to read texts in Japanese. In addition, there is a limited number of methods to teach novel Kanji for Japanese L2 students. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to create a new method to teach Kanji effectively. As a result of the analysis of literature, the criteria needed for Kanji instruction is developed. Lesson plans applied for the criteria are created and are showed to other Japanese teachers at universities in the United States. Through their feedback, lesson plans can be developed. Finally, at the end of this project, 20 lesson plans that apply to the criteria are available for reference for Japanese teachers who want to teach Kanji effectively.