Let's Learn Japanese

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Let's Learn Japanese is a video-based Japanese language study course for English speakers produced by The Japan Foundation.

The two seasons (Series I and Series II) were originally aired on television at a rate of one episode per day, with each episode consisting of two lessons. Text books which complement the series were also available; these contained vocabulary lists, explanations of grammar, transcriptions of scenes from within the programme, and cultural information about Japan. Both seasons used a drama called Yan and the Japanese People for instruction. This drama consisted of scenes which focus on the experiences of a young man named Yan (played by Nick Muhrin), a foreigner living and working in Japan.

Series one of "Let's Learn Japanese" was made in 1984 and 1985. It was presented by Mary Althaus and featured a number of skits, featuring Mine-san (Yusuke Mine), Sugihara-san (Miki Sugihara), and Kaihô-san (Hiroyuki Kaihô), which were designed to help the viewer memorize, and practice the use of, new words and grammatical structures. The series also followed the story of Yan's new life in Japan working as an architect.

Series two was created in 1995 - 10 years after the end of the first series - and was presented by Tae Umino. The skits were performed by Andò-san, Koyanagi-san and Kodama-san. In this series the story of Yan is continued, only this time it is much darker and more interesting. Yan's heart is torn asunder by the young lady he had a crush on in series one, and he goes to Niigata to drown his sorrows in the wild winter Sea of Japan.

[edit] Let's Learn Japanese Basic I

Presented by Mary Althaus.

Lessons:

1. I'm Yan.
2. What's that?
3. There's a cat.
4. Where is it?
5. Please give me some stamps.
6. Please turn left at the next corner.
7. May I look at this?
8. May I write with a pencil?
9. She gets up at 6 o'clock every morning.
10. He doesn't drink milk.
11. I went to Nikkō.
12. When did you go?
13. They're watching a baseball game.
14. He's drinking beer while watching TV.
15. It's hot every day.
16. Is it hot enough?
17. I want to drink some cold beer.
18. Do you dislike fish?
19. Mt Fuji will come into view before long.
20. It looks good.
21. I can't speak English.
22. Is it possible to see the model room?
23. Why aren't cars passing?
24. We're a little late so let's hurry
25. What's in the briefcase?
26. Do you remember

[edit] Let's Learn Japanese Basic II

Presented by Tae Umino.

Lessons:

1. I think I can be there by 4 PM
2. Maybe you should go and meet her soon
3. He said he's going to Nagasaki today
4. I got them from a friend
5. We're thinking of singing Beethoven's ninth
6. Try reading the Japanese
7. It's nice and clean now
8. Will you turn up the volume on the TV a little bit? - Part I
9. Will you turn up the volume on the TV a little bit? - Part II
10. Turn the stove of when you leave the room
11. I'm so bored I don't know what to do
12. Shall I change the towel?
13. Mr.Terada has been taking care of me
14. If this design is chosen, I'll go back to my country
15. You musn't tell Yan
16. He doesn't seem to be there
17. Even if we invite him, I don't think he will come
18. I was in such a hurry so I couldn't buy it
19. I'm planning to see the sea, visit old houses and so on.
20. It's hard, working like that in this snow
21. What's this fish called?
22. The sakura hasn't bloomed yet
23. There's only one bottle left
24. We'll miss you when you've gone
25. I've never travelled abroad before
26. Give it to him when he's come down.

[edit] Let's Learn Japanese - Hiragana (Program)

Non-official and non-commercial program for Hiragana hieroglyph learning. The user types in romaji and tries to guess the meaning of the hieroglyph. After completing he can see his results.

LLJap-Hiragana Website (Japan Foundation);"Let's Learn Japanese Basic II" Learners Textbook