So I'm preparing material for kanji ahead of time for my class. We haven't learned カタカナ yet so I have plently of time for preparation. Now I am going to teach a total of 300 kanji through a semi Heisig manner -- not exactly in the same order or seperation but in a similar method. I don't expect most of them even think they would ever learn 100 so I want to keep it down low. We will be learning 5 漢字a day with grammar/vocab on the side. I have been making lists but I haven't had much success. I need a practical list of really common characters but at the same time I want to make it a little bit open, covering the basic radicals and shapes, so they could learn more on their own after the class. I'm not sure if the JLPT N4 kanji list does this well enough.

Would you have any advice or material on the manner of teaching kanji?
どうぞよろしくお願いします！

How old is the group you are teaching, most college Japanese courses don't cover 300 kanji over the course of the first two semesters. If you want a good order to go in I would use the order it's actually taught in Japan I know there are a few books that separate based on what grade one would learn them in.

As long as they know the idea behind radicals and such I don't think it would be difficult for them to continue and pick up a few more after the hact if they wanted to.

Personally I would stick with either the JLPT N4 set, or go with the kyouiku kanji lists since they're aimed at children! If I were to teach my kids, I'd stick as closely to the japanese children's curriculum as I could since obviously it works for them!

"I'd stick as closely to the japanese children's curriculum as I could since obviously it works for them!"

I see, it really isn't so much the strokes of the kanji but the meanings of the kanji.

"most college Japanese courses don't cover 300 kanji over the course of the first two semesters."

Actually, I'm just a senior in HS right now but the class is not traditional as it's more "at your own pace" with meetings every week. (It will last over a period of a year.)

Thanks for the advice -- I think I will stick with the N4 list then.

Teach the very basic kanji I'd say and kana through songs. (Japanese children songs). Although I'm pretty sure you already know this but...make it fun!


(I wouldn't really know how to teach this but try to make it visual appealing or anything that's fun for children to do. I know I'm fag, just feeling lazy right now...)