The Grammatical Structure ~途端 (に) “-Totan (Ni)” in Terms of the Methodology of Teaching Japanese as a Foreign/Second Language

The present study investigates Japanese compound sentences that include subordinate time clauses, with a particular focus on the grammatical construc tion ~途端に (“-totan [ni]”) as a conjunction linking main and subordinate clauses. Drawing on methodologies for teaching Japanese as a foreign or second language, we analyse this construction and propose effective strategies to facilitate its acquisition by advanced learners of Japanese. Our examination of how “-totan (ni)” is introduced in two widely used online resources, Jisho.org and Weblio国語辞典, reveals that these platforms primarily ad dress its common usages. This highlights the need for a more comprehensive teaching approach, particularly for advanced learners. Such an approach should integrate critical thinking and multifaceted collaborative learning. By encouraging learners to explore the nuances of “-totan (ni)”, including its contextual implications and varia tions, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of its application.