What is Encounters?

Encounters is a series of speaking and listening courses (CD included) for false-beginner to intermediate level university students in Japan. The following editions are available. See the How to Order section to buy or obtain free copies.


Standard Edition Explanations written in Japanese. Activity instructions in English. Japanese translations given for new vocabulary items.
English Edition All explanations and activities in English. Japanese translations given for new vocabulary items.
Teacher's Edition The English Edition with answers written in for all exercises.
Teacher's Materials A teacher's manual, supplementary worksheets and classroom activities, and course assessment materials are available on line. Just go to the The Teacher Zone on this site and start downloading!

Encounters can be used as a course textbook by university English teachers, or alone by students using the enclosed CD.

Each unit of Encounters focuses on a conversation that is commonly used in English. Students first study how a native speaker would do the conversation. They are then systematically shown how to participate in this conversation spontaneously and appropriately using their own words. In classroom trials, learners quickly gained confidence, fluency, and accuracy in oral communication. You can expect similar results in your classroom.