Ever come across “Minna no Nihongo”? It’s an old textbook a lot of Japanese teachers swear by. Personally, I see it as a relic not quite cut out for the online learning scene.
A Glimpse into 20th Century: The Birth of “Minna no Nihongo”
Released in 1998, “Minna no Nihongo” carries with it a long history. Despite a second edition rollout in 2012, it’s stayed true to its somewhat dated approach.
Twenty-five years might not sound ancient, but consider this: “Minna no Nihongo” traces its roots back to “Shin Nihongo no Kiso (1990)” and even further to “Nihongo no Kiso (1973).” Back then, the audio-lingual method was popular in Japan, heavily influencing these textbooks.
Pattern Practice Overload
What you won’t find in “Minna no Nihongo” are grammar explanations. It’s essentially a pattern playbook. The core text skimps on grammar explanations and translations, nudging you towards additional purchases for that content. When you stack it against something like “GENKI,” which bundles translations and explanations in one, “Minna no Nihongo” feels lacking. Its mainstay? Repetitive pattern drills that scarcely bridge to practical conversation skills—a stark contrast to “GENKI’s” communicative approach that’s more aligned with real-world use.
The Bizarre Ways of “Minna no Nihongo”
Despite being taught through the direct method in Japanese language schools (where Japanese is taught in Japanese), this textbook’s lack of grammar guidance pushes teachers towards creating supplemental materials or acting out scenarios for students to guess the grammar points. It’s an absurdly roundabout and irrational process.
For your reference:
This is a class where students are prompted to guess the meaning of “かもしれません.” If I were teaching, I would just explain that “かもしれません” translates to “might” or “perhaps.”
Online, teachers seem to be adapting by enriching their slides with grammar explanations or facilitating communicative exercises that utilize the learned patterns. But if we’re customizing to this extent, why not just start with “GENKI”?
Why Stick with “Minna no Nihongo”?
This textbook continues to be used simply because it was published earlier than other textbooks. Another factor is its Japanese-only explanation approach, seen as providing a level playing field for all learners. The student body in domestic Japanese language schools is diverse, but a common language for instruction seemed fair. This reasoning, however, rests on an outdated view of English as merely a national language primarily for Americans and Brits. Times have changed, and English has evolved into a global lingua franca, something I believe should be leveraged more in teaching.
Too Much For Beginners
For beginners, “Minna no Nihongo” can be overwhelming. It’s divided into two volumes, “Minna no Nihongo 1” and “Minna no Nihongo 2”, each packed with 25 lessons. It takes 4 to 6 hours to complete one lesson. Completing the first gets you to N5 level, and finishing the second brings you to N4. Considering the time investment required, you’re looking at an over 4-year commitment at a pace of one hour per week—impractical by any standard.
The Volume Conundrum
The textbook’s exhaustive approach might stem from the direct method’s limitation: beginners can’t ask questions in their native tongues, necessitating an overly thorough coverage to preempt any confusion.
A Mismatch for Online Learners Outside of East Asia
This methodology may have had its day when the student demographic was predominantly East Asian, accustomed to rote learning. But for a global audience, it’s a drag. The rise of students from Southeast Asia has spotlighted “Minna no Nihongo’s” flaws.
Speed May Matter More Than Precision
Many Japanese language teachers often errs on the side of meticulousness, but I’ve found that embracing a bit of imperfection for the sake of progression yields better long-term results. Four years to master beginner grammar? Not on my watch.
“Minna no Nihongo” and Online Learning: A Poor Fit
The shortcomings of “Minna no Nihongo” are:
- Endless, monotonous drills that fail to enhance conversational skills.
- Time lost on teacher-performed skits because of the absence of explanations in foreign languages.
- An overwhelming amount of content for beginners (up to N4 level).
These issues undermine the benefits of online lessons, which include:
- The opportunity for live, one-on-one interactions with a tutor.
- Tailored lessons that enable efficient learning and allow you to ask questions in your first language.
- The advantage of being able to quickly clarify doubts and move forward.
So, What’s the Alternative?
No textbook designed with traditional classrooms in mind will fit perfectly with online learning as of now. However, “Marugoto” and “Irodori” show promise for their self-study compatibility. For those inclined towards a structured grammar foundation, “GENKI” offers an efficient path with the added benefit of English explanations.
My own web materials are tailor-made for online learning efficiency. By having students prep with English grammar guides, we can cut learning time in half compared to “Minna no Nihongo.” Curious? Join me for a lesson on Preply and see for yourself!
