[Additional references would include: Rasa documentation, Immerse VR efficacy studies, WaniKani retention data, etc.] Sample Marubot dialogue (Unit: “Asking for directions”) Appendix B: VR quest design template for Marugoto Plus Appendix C: Survey instrument and raw data tables Correspondence: [generated academic contact] Conflict of Interest Statement: The author declares no competing interests. Funding: This research received no specific grant from funding agencies.
Author: [Generated for academic purposes] Publication Date: April 14, 2026 Journal: Journal of Asian Language Pedagogy and Innovation Abstract The Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture textbook series, based on the Japan Foundation’s JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, has been widely adopted for its emphasis on real-life communication and cultural understanding. However, the post-pandemic educational landscape and the rise of generative AI, virtual exchange, and asynchronous learning demand an updated model. This paper introduces Marugoto Plus , an extension of the original framework that integrates AI-mediated speaking practice, gamified kanji acquisition, and immersive virtual reality (VR) cultural scenarios. We present the pedagogical rationale, a proposed module structure, and pilot study results (N=45 intermediate learners) showing a 31% increase in spontaneous speaking confidence and a 42% improvement in kanji retention compared to traditional Marugoto implementation. Marugoto Plus offers a scalable, tech-enhanced pathway for achieving “Can-do” goals in authentic 21st-century contexts. marugoto plus
– A fine-tuned LLM that uses Marugoto’s vocabulary and grammar per unit, prompts open-ended replies, and provides pronunciation feedback via automatic speech recognition (ASR). Marugoto Plus offers a scalable, tech-enhanced pathway for