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Today native speakers of Japanese frequently use abbreviated forms, even in formal speech. However, Japanese learners are often bewildered by these forms upon arrival to Japan or during interactions with native Japanese speakers. With explicit instruction regarding the use of abbreviated forms, learners of Japanese can achieve more natural and native-like Japanese. In this research, native speakers of Japanese speaking the frequent appearance of abbreviated firms was reconfirmed and a list of abbreviated forms which should be taught is proposed. In addition, the actual teaching situation of abbreviated forms in Taiwan, a country where there are many non-native learners of Japanese, was carried out, textbooks widely used in educational institutions throughout Taiwan were selected, the presence or absence of abbreviated forms, the placement of these forms in the texts, and instruction method were analyzed. Based on these results, modifications in the instructional method and timing for teaching abbreviated forms in textbooks are proposed. In addition, questionnaires were used to shed light on teachers’ recognition, instruction, and thoughts regarding abbreviated forms. It is hoped that the results from this textbook analysis and teacher questionnaire will contribute to future instruction on abbreviated forms.
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