Paper short abstract:

"JF Japanese e-Learning Minato" is a platform to learn Japanese online for people of the world who have had no access to the language due to geographic or time constraints. We discuss ways to support self-study e-learning using examples from the development and operation of Japanese Online Courses.

Paper long abstract:

The institute with which the presenters are affiliated has, since July 2016, been operating an openly available online Japanese language learning platform utilizing a LMS. The platform is called 'JF Japanese e-Learning Minato' (https://minato-jf.jp , hereafter referred to as 'Minato'). The aim of 'Minato' is to provide an opportunity to learn Japanese for anyone around the world who previously was not able to begin, or continue their studies due to geographical or time constraints, and to this end currently a wide variety of Japanese language courses have been made available online.

At the present date of January, 2017, there are currently over 6000 registered users from 124 countries/regions around the world. In Europe, beginning with Spain and Britain, and including countries such as Kosovo and Andorra where there are no confirmed Japanese language education institutions, there are currently users from 42 separate countries/regions.

With 'Minato' there are two main types of course available: Self-Study courses that allow you to learn by yourself using interactive e-learning study materials, and Tutor-Support courses that enhance your self-study with an instructor who performs assignment corrections and Live Lessons, etc. This allows users to select courses catering to their particular interests and learning style.

The institute that the presenters are affiliated with developed and now operates courses such as the following (currently level A1, with English as the language of explanation) - The 'Marugoto Course '; the 'Hiragana/Katakana Course'; and the 'Anime/Manga Japanese Course'.

In this presentation, specific examples will be given to introduce the various Japanese online courses available at 'Minato', including - ways to encourage students to continue their self-study e-learning; the creative techniques employed within these courses that differ from lessons and materials used in classrooms; and both the developmental side of courses that use interactive e-learning study materials together with the operational side of running courses such as the Tutor-Support course.

From August, 2017, we also plan to begin operation of the Japanese courses on 'Minato' via our European offices, and hope to discuss how we can contribute to Japanese language education within Europe.