Japanese Children’s Literature and Society: Discovering Japanese Culture Through Stories

Course Description

Summary

In this second-term Japanese course, students will learn Japanese language and culture through the exploration of Japanese children’s books. Using Japanese folktales and short stories, students will develop their Japanese reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills while exploring Japanese cultural values, traditions, customs, and everyday life. Particular attention will be given to the values and morals conveyed through children’s literature, such as respect for elders, kindness, cooperation, responsibility, perseverance, and consideration for the community. Through guided reading, storytelling, class discussions, and creative activities, students will practice interpreting written and visual texts, identifying key information, and expressing their ideas, opinions, and reflections in Japanese. Students will also examine how characters’ actions, relationships, and choices reflect cultural perspectives and moral lessons, while comparing these themes with values and experiences in their own cultures. By the end of the course, students will strengthen their foundational Japanese language skills, gain confidence in reading accessible Japanese texts, and develop a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and values through the stories and lessons found in children’s books.  As part of the course, students will read a Japanese story to preschool-aged Japanese students.