Our Japan, Our World: An Intercultural Journey (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9784991461712)

Journey across Japan and the world with these engaging readings! This text introduces students to the English-speaking world, intercultural communication skills, and covers domestic locations and issues as well. The readings are written to an A2/B1 CEFR level, so they are appropriate for students who need to study English, but may not be English majors. Each of the 48 topics (16 in each of the three topic threads) has pre and post discussion questions, and comprehension and vocabulary questions as well. The text is written so the topics can be covered in any order or omitted as needed. A teacher's manual (available from spring 2026) has answers for the questions, translations of all passages, and a discussion of the concepts underlying how the book was made and its effective use.

Topics include:

(From the international topic readings...)

The story of English - how did it develop and spread so far?

The UK and Ireland

Canada and the USA

East and West Africa

South Africa

The Middle East

(From the Japan-focused topic readings...)

One reading for each of Japan's 8 regions (Chugoku, Shikoku, Kansai, Hokkaido, Kanto, Tohoku, Chubu, Kyushu/Okinawa - for example, how population change is affecting Tohoku now)

Japan's Festivals

Ekiben, and food tourism

Japanese who have had an impact on the world's perception of Japan (Kurosawa, DT Suzuki)

(From the intercultural communication-focused readings...)

Identity and Culture

Edward Hall

Culture and Perception

Stereotypes and how they relate to generalization as a learning strategy

Nonverbal communication (including time, touch, body language, etc.)

Diversity

Marginality - how it can be isolating, but also a source of change and growth