The purpose of this study is to analyze and verify the learning process from the case of a “Japanese learned by songs” class and self-reflection about learning activities for 36 students who were learning Japanese for the first time and beginner-level Japanese learners. It is intended to consider the effect of learning the Japanese language and Japanese culture and circumstances through songs. After the learners learned the song, they created and submitted an assignment every time and gave feedback. Among them, the self-reflection part created by the learners is valuable material data that we can grasp the learning process and changes in cognition. Therefore, the researcher analyzed and verified the learning process based on the material that organized the self-reflection part. It seems that lessons using songs are particularly related to the use of three strategies: memory, cognition, and affection. By working with these strategies, the learner gradually overcomes the three variables of the affective filter: low motivation, lack of self-confidence, and great anxiety. It was found that the lessons using songs contributed to lowering the affective filter of learners at various levels and worked to activate the vectors that promote learning.

This article considers the content and utilization of cultural elements that promote effective learning in Japanese language education classes, based on a survey and analysis of cultural elements that Korean learners of Japanese are interested in. Effective learning means that learners ‘discover’ their own culture in the process of inter-action through learning and activities, recognize and understand other cultures, find problems through mutual understanding and critical thinking, and fosters cooperation and creative problem solving.　As a result of analyzing the cultural elements surveyed, <B2. Products(with substance)> in the analysis framework was the most common, followed by <C. Practices>. In this way, students, regardless of whether they majored in Japanese or not, were highly interested in products and practices as external cultural elements. However, it does not mean incorporating all the cultural elements that the learners desire into a class is proper. There are variables such as the environment and purpose of learning the target language, goals, interests, Japanese level, motivation to sustain learning, communication effectiveness, time constraints, and whether or not the learner is a Japanese major. It is necessary to incorporate ‘cultural elements’ with these limitations in mind.

This study purposed to see the effectiveness of a media literacy activity in a Japanese conversation class. For this class, teaching/learning contents and methods were developed utilizing the concept of media literacy. Specifically, a CF production activity was created and its effectiveness was compared with other conventional activities such as free talking and debating. The results showed that the CF production activity resulted in high scores and most students found the activity fun, cooperative, and creative. However, when compared with other course contents, it didn’t show much improvement in the students’ Japanese language proficiency. The results suggest that there is a need to do more research on the concept of media literacy and related methodologies in Japanese language education in order to decrease the gap between ‘having fun and developing creativity’ and ‘improving Japanese language skills’.