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Tadoku Reading Nights

Enhanced COVID-safe measures will apply to this 2-hour long on-site event as follows.

  • Use the hand sanitiser provided.
  • Follow instructions by library staff when handling books.

Nihongo Tadoku is back! – Reading Nights at the Library

Want to read Japanese books besides your textbook? Having trouble finding something entertaining that is also at your current reading skill?

Our reading nights are just the starting point you need. Enjoy fun, engaging material for quiet self-reading. All books are graded by difficulty. At the conclusion, there will also be a short period for discussion with peers.

Requirements

  • Can read hiragana and katakana
  • Best suited for Japanese learners from elementary to upper-intermediate level reading ability
  • 18 years and older

If you are a Japanese-language teacher at a high school and would like your students to experience Tadoku, we offer a Tadoku session at our Centre Visit for Schools program.

What is the Tadoku Method?

Known as ‘extensive reading’, the aim of Tadoku is to accumulate many enjoyable reading experiences over a short amount of time, while only utilising existing language knowledge. Under the Tadoku method, you are discouraged from choosing difficult texts that include frequent new grammar and vocabulary. You need to follow these four rules in order to maximise the benefits from Tadoku.

  1. Choose an easy level to start.
  2. Do not use a dictionary.
  3. Skip words and phrases you do not understand.
  4. Too difficult language or uninteresting content? Read a different book.

Books

At our reading nights, the library provides books from the collection that are graded into six levels. Level 0 is the easiest level and is suitable for beginner learners who have just reached the point of being able to read Hiragana and Katakana. Levels 4 and 5 are for more advanced learners who are on the verge of reading an authentic Japanese book, and therefore these levels contain some titles written for the general Japanese population such as manga and bestselling literature.

[click a circle below to see a list of Tadoku collection by level]

Tadoku books level 0 Tadoku books level 1 Tadoku books levels 2 and 2 plus
Tadoku books levels 3 and 3 plus Tadoku books levels 4 and 4 plus Tadoku books levels 5 and 5 plus

Free Online Resources

Enjoy these learner-friendly online resources while you stay safe at home.

  • Free eBooks hosted by Tadoku Supporters (levels 0 to 5)
    102 titles are available in an eBook format that you can read with your web browser.
  • Tadoku Nihongo Gakushū Tokuhon (levels 0 to 2)
    21 titles are available in PDF. Please choose a level below to download a file.
    level 0 / level 1 / level 2
  • Yomimono Ippai (levels 1 to 3)
    126 titles are available in PDF. Please choose a level below to download a file.
    level 1 / level 2 / level 3
  • News Web Easy (ungraded)
    NHK news scripts that are rewritten for Japanese-language learners. Scripts are supplemented with furigana, built-in pop-up dictionary and machine reading voice. Advanced learners can read the original script by clicking a button located at the bottom of the page.

(last updated February 8, 2022)

DETAILS

WHEN
6pm – 8pm
January 14, 2025 (Tue)

Admission is free. RSVPs essential.
You may participate in any or all sessions

RSVP opens in Dec

(This button will open a new page at Eventbrite.)

VENUE
The Japan Foundation, Sydney
Level 4, Central Park
28 Broadway
Chippendale NSW 2008

ENQUIRIES
(02) 8239 0055

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