The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters

Kodansha's Kanji Learner's Course (KLC) is a highly regarded, complete guide to mastering the 2,300 kanji characters needed for true literacy in Japanese. The course is supported by various resources such as the KLC Graded Reading Sets, the KLC Green Book, the KLC Wall Chart, and keystojapanese.com, a website designed to facilitate study groups, tips exchange, and track learning progress through points and levels.

Four Essential Elements of Kanji Learning

The 2,300 kanji entries in this main textbook are designed with the following four key learning elements:

• Accurate Keywords: Each kanji's meaning is encapsulated in a concise, easily memorable keyword that integrates the character’s different meanings into a core idea.
• Vocabulary: Each keyword is illustrated with up to five sample vocabulary items to show how the kanji is used in typical words and phrases.
• Mnemonic Aids: Original mnemonic aids are provided to help learners remember the meaning of each kanji and distinguish similar-looking characters.
• Rational Learning Sequence: Kanji are introduced step by step, grouped by related components, and presented in order of importance to help learners progress logically.

A Self-Guiding, Self-Reinforcing Course

The course organizes the information for learning 2,300 kanji into a self-guiding, streamlined curriculum. Sample compounds include only kanji already studied, reinforcing earlier lessons and ensuring learners understand and can use the kanji in context.

The Ultimate Kanji Learning Resource

This course provides:

• A Pedagogically Sound Method: Uses concise keywords for each kanji to aid in memorization and understanding.
• Meaning and Usage: Introduces each kanji with its meaning and usage, ensuring learners understand their components as they progress.
• Concrete Imagery: Simplifies complex kanji by using concrete imagery, making their meanings instantly recognizable in their graphical forms.
• Effective Sequence: Teaches kanji in a sequence that groups related characters together, making it easier to remember their distinctions and reduce confusion.
• Application with Key Vocabulary: Teaches vocabulary that helps learners use each kanji in everyday reading and writing.
• Distinguishing Similar Kanji: Focuses on how to remember graphically similar characters by highlighting their visual distinctions and linking them to semantic differences. Nearly 800 pairs of easily confused kanji are introduced.
• Stroke Order and Writing: Emphasizes correct stroke order and writing, helping learners accurately write kanji.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Includes all kanji needed for true literacy, covering all 2,136 characters from the official Joyo Kanji List, including the 196 characters added in 2010.