NHK language classes supplemented online
By Shoji Ichihara Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
Learning foreign languages through NHK's educational TV or radio programs no longer means just tuning in to the show with a textbook open in front of you. Since April, NHK has been offering a variety of services via the Internet to enhance its language-learning programs.
For example, users can buy digital versions of textbooks for some programs online to download to their own computers. The so-called d-texts allow users to print out only the necessary pages for a given lesson. They also incorporate features such as a word-search function.
The service started with textbooks for Bijinesu Eikaiwa (Business English Conversation) on radio and Kyokara Eikaiwa (Learn English Conversation from Today) on television. The d-text service has begun expanding to other programs, including a radio program for learning Chinese.
The online release of textbooks for language programs has been driven by the fact that increasing numbers of small bookstores--often seen on local shopping streets--have been closing nationwide. That has made it difficult for NHK viewers and listeners to buy conventional textbooks. The public broadcaster has received many requests from the public for digital versions to be made available online.
Meanwhile, Bijinesu Eikaiwa on radio also started a service to rebroadcast the program via its Web site in April. online rebroadcasting of each lesson is available for two weeks after the show's initial airing.
That service was launched after NHK got many requests from businesspeople, who asked about the radio rebroadcasting schedule of the program, saying they had missed some lessons because of business trips. Apparently reflecting such needs, the online rebroadcasting service enjoys about 200,000 visits every month.
There are two periods every day when the site enjoys many visits. The rebroadcasting service becomes particularly popular from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.--suggesting that there are many businesspeople who are making every effort to improve their language skills even in short periods such as on lunch breaks and before going to bed.
"We believe that behind such popularity for the online rebroadcasting service is the fact that more and more companies today regard employees' language skills as a key element in promotion decisions," Kazumi Shiotsu, chief producer at NHK, said.
Meanwhile, a Web site called "Gogakuru" offers various supplementary materials for learning nine languages through NHK broadcast programs. It features points for learning or messages from instructors and celebrities featured on these programs, and also offers preparation and review materials, particularly for certain English- and Chinese-learning programs.
Some of NHK's language-learning programs on radio also release two sets of CDs that include lessons broadcast each month. Of them, two English-learning programs now offer a download service to allow users to get the same audio information found on the CDs.
(Oct. 18, 2007)
By Shoji Ichihara Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
Learning foreign languages through NHK's educational TV or radio programs no longer means just tuning in to the show with a textbook open in front of you. Since April, NHK has been offering a variety of services via the Internet to enhance its language-learning programs.
For example, users can buy digital versions of textbooks for some programs online to download to their own computers. The so-called d-texts allow users to print out only the necessary pages for a given lesson. They also incorporate features such as a word-search function.
The service started with textbooks for Bijinesu Eikaiwa (Business English Conversation) on radio and Kyokara Eikaiwa (Learn English Conversation from Today) on television. The d-text service has begun expanding to other programs, including a radio program for learning Chinese.
The online release of textbooks for language programs has been driven by the fact that increasing numbers of small bookstores--often seen on local shopping streets--have been closing nationwide. That has made it difficult for NHK viewers and listeners to buy conventional textbooks. The public broadcaster has received many requests from the public for digital versions to be made available online.
Meanwhile, Bijinesu Eikaiwa on radio also started a service to rebroadcast the program via its Web site in April. online rebroadcasting of each lesson is available for two weeks after the show's initial airing.
That service was launched after NHK got many requests from businesspeople, who asked about the radio rebroadcasting schedule of the program, saying they had missed some lessons because of business trips. Apparently reflecting such needs, the online rebroadcasting service enjoys about 200,000 visits every month.
There are two periods every day when the site enjoys many visits. The rebroadcasting service becomes particularly popular from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.--suggesting that there are many businesspeople who are making every effort to improve their language skills even in short periods such as on lunch breaks and before going to bed.
"We believe that behind such popularity for the online rebroadcasting service is the fact that more and more companies today regard employees' language skills as a key element in promotion decisions," Kazumi Shiotsu, chief producer at NHK, said.
Meanwhile, a Web site called "Gogakuru" offers various supplementary materials for learning nine languages through NHK broadcast programs. It features points for learning or messages from instructors and celebrities featured on these programs, and also offers preparation and review materials, particularly for certain English- and Chinese-learning programs.
Some of NHK's language-learning programs on radio also release two sets of CDs that include lessons broadcast each month. Of them, two English-learning programs now offer a download service to allow users to get the same audio information found on the CDs.
(Oct. 18, 2007)