"Strategy Instruction for Japanese Students"

CARLA Summer Institutes: "Strategy Instruction for Japanese Students"

This material has been developed by Yukiko Abe Hatasa (yukiko-hatasa@uiowa.edu) and Kumi Sato at the University of Iowa. Professor Hatasa received a LCTL project minigrant to develop and share this material.

Instructional Modules
This material consists of a set of instructional modules which focus on strategy instruction for intermediate/advanced students of Japanese. The instructional modules are organized in terms of skills and knowledge and is independent of any particular textbooks. Most of the instructions are written in Japanese, and depending on the level and specific textbooks used, the instructor may wish to modify vocabulary items and phrases.

Student Requirements
This material is designed for students who:

have completed two hundred or more hours of instruction in Japanese.
have been introduced to basic survival level functions, structures, hiragana/katakana, and three hundred or more kanji but are unable to create an extended discourse with ease.
posess intermediate mid to advanced-level proficiency in the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Guideline.
Terms of Use
Teachers can use this material for non-commercial purposes. If you wish to modify anything, please contact Yukiko Abe Hatasa, and the other copyright holders. If use these materials, the LCTL project and Yukiko Abe Hatasa would like to hear from you.


Chapter Title and Sections

Files require Adobe Acrobat Reader


Cover and Contents


Part A: Raising awareness for strategy use

Brainstorming, using the Japanese and English version of SILL and Vocabulary Introduction
SILL based awareness activity
Factors affecting language learning
Good language learners
Language learning style, using ELSIE (in English and Japanese) and goal setting


Part B: Vocabulary and learning strategies

Making a list of strategies
Repeating and mechanical learning strategies
Classifying and using semantic networks
Using imagery, physical reponse and sensation
Using context to infer vocabulary
Retention strategies


Part C: Kanji (Chinese character) learning strategies

Making a list of strategies
Using commponent shapes of Kanji
Visualizing and using mnemonics
Speeded pattern recognition
Learning kanji through sound and in words
Analyzing morphology of kanji words
Using context


Part D: Grammar strategies

Making a list of strategies
Inferring patterns
Deductive reasoning
Contrasting and assessing similarities
Analyzing long sentences and combining phrases
Applying grammar in novel situations


Part E: Conversation strategies

Making a list of strategies
Using affective strategies
Asking for help and correction
Preplanning, assessing background knowledge, potential problems & resolutions
Monitoring and involving oneself to maintain control during conversation
Evaluating, identifying problems, and planning for future occasions


Part F: Listening strategies

Making a list of strategies
Activating schemata and organization
Preplanning, identifying potential problems and solutions
Attending information selectively
Monitoring & guessing during listening
Evaluating, identifying problems, and planning for future occasions


Part G: Reading strategies

Making a list of strategies
Activating schemata and organization
Preplanning, identifying potential problems and solutions
Monitoring, guessing, during reading
Using resources
Evaluating, identifying problems, and planning for future occasions