専門は現代文になります
いいクラスにしていきましょう
Introduction to Academic and Classroom Japanese
Today we’re learning two expressions commonly used in educational settings, particularly when teachers introduce themselves or address their classes. These phrases combine formal politeness with inclusive language, making them essential for anyone studying or teaching in Japanese academic environments. For JLPT N3-N2 students, understanding these patterns will significantly improve your comprehension of classroom Japanese.
First Sentence: 専門は現代文になります
Word Breakdown
専門 (せんもん) – specialty, major, field of expertise
は – topic marking particle
現代文 (げんだいぶん) – modern Japanese literature, contemporary Japanese texts
になります – to be, to become (polite form)
Literal vs Natural Translation
Literal meaning: As for specialty, becomes modern Japanese literature
Natural translation: My specialty is modern Japanese literature / I specialize in modern Japanese literature
Understanding 現代文 (Modern Japanese Literature)
What is 現代文?
現代文 refers to modern Japanese literature and texts written in contemporary Japanese language, as opposed to classical Japanese. In Japanese education, 現代文 is a major subject in high school focusing on reading comprehension, critical analysis, and interpretation of modern literary works, essays, and non-fiction texts. It’s distinct from 古文 (classical Japanese literature) and 漢文 (classical Chinese literature).
Grammar Point: になります
This is one of the most important grammar patterns for formal Japanese. になります has multiple uses and understanding its nuances is crucial for sounding natural in polite situations.
The Mystery of になります
While です is the standard copula meaning “to be,” になります is often used in formal situations instead. Literally, なる means “to become,” so になります means “to become.” However, in formal contexts, Japanese speakers frequently use になります where English would simply say “is.” This is considered more polite and softer than です in certain contexts.
When to Use になります vs です
Compare these sentences:
専門は現代文です – My specialty is modern Japanese literature (neutral)
専門は現代文になります – My specialty is modern Japanese literature (more formal/polite)
Both are correct, but になります sounds more formal and is preferred in:
Business presentations
Formal introductions
Customer service
Academic settings
Official announcements
Common Uses of になります
Identifying or stating facts formally:
お名前は山田様になりますね – Your name is Yamada, correct?
合計は5000円になります – The total is 5000 yen
担当は佐藤になります – The person in charge is Sato
Indicating changes or results:
春になります – It becomes spring / Spring is coming
大人になります – To become an adult
可能になります – It becomes possible
Academic Subject Vocabulary
Common academic subjects with 専門は:
専門は数学になります – My specialty is mathematics
専門は英語になります – My specialty is English
専門は歴史になります – My specialty is history
専門は物理になります – My specialty is physics
専門は化学になります – My specialty is chemistry
専門は生物になります – My specialty is biology
専門は古文になります – My specialty is classical Japanese
専門は世界史になります – My specialty is world history
Using This in Teacher Introductions
Complete teacher introduction:
皆さん、はじめまして。田中一郎と申します。今年からこの学校で教えることになりました。専門は現代文になります。文学作品を通して、深く考える力を身につけていきましょう。よろしくお願いします。
Everyone, nice to meet you. My name is Ichiro Tanaka. I’ll be teaching at this school starting this year. My specialty is modern Japanese literature. Let’s develop the ability to think deeply through literary works. I look forward to working with you.
Nuance and Formality
Using になります in self-introductions adds a layer of humility and formality. It’s particularly appropriate when introducing yourself to students, colleagues, or in any educational setting. The slightly indirect nature of になります (compared to です) aligns with Japanese communication style that values modesty.
Important Note:
While になります is formal and polite, overusing it in every sentence can sound unnatural. In casual conversation with friends, stick to です. Save になります for situations where formality is expected or appreciated.
Second Sentence: いいクラスにしていきましょう
Word Breakdown
いい – good
クラス – class
にして – making (it) into, turning (it) into
いきましょう – let’s go (continue doing)
Literal vs Natural Translation
Literal meaning: Let’s go making it into a good class
Natural translation: Let’s make this a good class / Let’s create a great class together
Grammar Point: にする (To Make Into)
The pattern にする means “to make something into” or “to decide on something.” When you want to transform or change something into a specific state, you use にする.
Basic pattern examples:
部屋をきれいにする – To make the room clean
音を小さくする – To make the sound quieter
コーヒーにする – To decide on coffee (when ordering)
髪を短くする – To make hair short / To cut hair short
問題を簡単にする – To make a problem easier
Grammar Point: ていく (Continuing Action)
The pattern ていく indicates an action that continues into the future or progresses over time. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity and suggests sustained effort.
Understanding ていく
ていく literally means “going while doing,” but functionally it means “to keep doing” or “to continue doing going forward.” It’s often used to express commitment to an ongoing process or to indicate that something will develop over time. The nuance is that the action extends from now into the future.
ていく pattern examples:
勉強していきます – I’ll continue studying (going forward)
成長していきます – Will continue growing
変わっていきます – Will keep changing
頑張っていきます – Will keep trying hard
支えていきます – Will continue supporting
Grammar Point: ましょう (Let’s)
ましょう is the volitional form used to suggest doing something together. It’s inclusive and collaborative, making it perfect for classroom or team settings.
ましょう examples:
行きましょう – Let’s go
食べましょう – Let’s eat
始めましょう – Let’s begin
休みましょう – Let’s rest
考えましょう – Let’s think
Combining All Elements: にしていきましょう
When we combine にする (to make into) + ていく (continuing action) + ましょう (let’s), we get a powerful expression that means “let’s continue making it into” or “let’s work together to create.” This pattern emphasizes collaborative, ongoing effort toward a goal.
The Power of にしていきましょう
This construction is particularly effective in motivational contexts because it:
Includes everyone (ましょう)
Emphasizes shared responsibility (にする)
Acknowledges ongoing effort (ていく)
Projects into the future
Creates a sense of teamwork and collective goal
When Teachers Use This Expression
Teachers commonly use いいクラスにしていきましょう on the first day of class or at the beginning of a new term. It sets a positive, collaborative tone and establishes that creating a good learning environment is a shared responsibility between teacher and students.
Similar teacher expressions:
楽しいクラスにしていきましょう – Let’s make this a fun class
素晴らしい一年にしていきましょう – Let’s make this a wonderful year
みんなで頑張っていきましょう – Let’s all work hard together
協力していきましょう – Let’s cooperate (going forward)
成長していきましょう – Let’s grow together
Nuance and Cultural Context
This expression reflects Japanese educational philosophy that emphasizes collective responsibility and group harmony. Rather than the teacher dictating rules, the phrase invites students to be active participants in creating their learning environment. It’s inclusive, positive, and forward-looking.
Variations in Different Contexts
Workplace context:
いいチームにしていきましょう – Let’s make this a good team
成功するプロジェクトにしていきましょう – Let’s make this a successful project
Community context:
住みやすい町にしていきましょう – Let’s make this a livable town
明るい未来にしていきましょう – Let’s create a bright future
Personal development:
自分を強くしていきましょう – Let’s make ourselves stronger
健康な体にしていきましょう – Let’s make our bodies healthy
Using Both Sentences Together
The Complete Teacher Introduction Pattern
These two sentences often appear together in teacher self-introductions, creating a complete picture of who the teacher is and what they hope to achieve with their students.
Standard pattern:
Introduction + 専門は[subject]になります + いいクラスにしていきましょう
はじめまして。高橋美咲です。専門は現代文になります。一緒に楽しく学んでいきたいと思います。いいクラスにしていきましょう。よろしくお願いします。
Nice to meet you. I’m Misaki Takahashi. My specialty is modern Japanese literature. I hope we can enjoy learning together. Let’s make this a good class. I look forward to working with you.
Extended Example
Detailed teacher introduction:
皆さん、おはようございます。今日から皆さんの担任を務めます、中村健太と申します。専門は現代文になります。大学では日本文学を研究していました。
この一年、皆さんと一緒に様々な作品を読んで、考えを深めていきたいと思います。授業では積極的に意見を交換し、お互いに学び合える環境を作りたいです。
一人一人が成長できる、いいクラスにしていきましょう。どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Good morning, everyone. I’m Kenta Nakamura, and I’ll be your homeroom teacher starting today. My specialty is modern Japanese literature. I studied Japanese literature at university.
This year, I want to read various works together with you all and deepen our thinking. In class, I’d like to actively exchange opinions and create an environment where we can learn from each other.
Let’s make this a good class where each person can grow. I look forward to working with you all.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Complete the sentences
1. 専門は＿＿＿になります (Your subject of choice)
2. ＿＿＿にしていきましょう (Something you want to make good)
3. 合計は＿＿＿になります (Use になります for a total)
Exercise 2: Create your own teacher introduction
Write a complete teacher introduction including:
Your name
Your specialty using 専門は…になります
A motivational statement using …にしていきましょう
Appropriate opening and closing phrases
Exercise 3: Transform these sentences using ていく
1. 勉強します → 勉強して＿＿＿
2. 頑張ります → 頑張って＿＿＿
3. 成長します → 成長して＿＿＿
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using です instead of になります inappropriately
In very formal contexts: 専門は現代文です sounds less polite
Better: 専門は現代文になります
Mistake 2: Forgetting the に particle
Wrong: いいクラスしていきましょう
Correct: いいクラスにしていきましょう
Mistake 3: Using ていく in past context
Wrong: いいクラスにしていきました (past doesn’t work with future-oriented ていく)
Correct: いいクラスにしていきましょう (let’s, future)
Mistake 4: Overusing になります
Don’t replace every です with になります – it sounds unnatural in casual conversation
Related Grammar Patterns
にする vs になる
にする (transitive – making something change):
部屋をきれいにする – To make the room clean (you do it)
になる (intransitive – something changes by itself):
部屋がきれいになる – The room becomes clean (it happens)
Remember:
にする = You actively make the change
になる = The change happens naturally or to you
ていく vs てくる
ていく (action going forward/away):
成長していく – Will continue growing (into the future)
変わっていく – Will keep changing (progressing forward)
てくる (action coming toward present/speaker):
成長してくる – Has been growing (up to now)
変わってくる – Has been changing (approaching current state)
Remember:
ていく = Future-oriented, continuing forward
てくる = Past-to-present, approaching now
Key Takeaways for JLPT Students
専門は現代文になります demonstrates formal self-introduction patterns essential for N3-N2 level. Understanding when to use になります instead of です is crucial for sounding appropriately formal in professional and academic contexts.
いいクラスにしていきましょう combines three important grammar patterns: にする, ていく, and ましょう. Mastering this construction allows you to express collaborative, ongoing efforts in various contexts.
Both expressions reflect the formal, respectful language expected in Japanese educational settings. They’re not just grammatical patterns but cultural expressions of humility, collaboration, and forward-thinking.
Cultural Insights
Japanese Education Culture:
The phrase いいクラスにしていきましょう reflects the Japanese concept of 協働 (kyōdō – collaboration). Unlike systems where the teacher is the sole authority, Japanese classrooms emphasize collective responsibility. Students are expected to contribute to the learning environment, not just passively receive information.
This collaborative approach extends beyond the classroom into Japanese work culture, where phrases like いいチームにしていきましょう are equally common.
Wrap-up
Today we explored two essential expressions for academic Japanese: 専門は現代文になります and いいクラスにしていきましょう. These phrases exemplify the formal, collaborative language that characterizes Japanese educational settings.
The first sentence teaches us the important になります pattern for formal situations, while the second demonstrates how combining にする, ていく, and ましょう creates powerful expressions of shared commitment and ongoing effort.
Whether you’re a student trying to understand your teachers better or someone planning to teach in Japan, these expressions are fundamental to navigating Japanese academic environments. Practice them until they feel natural, paying attention to the nuances of formality and collaboration they convey.
Remember that language learning is not just about grammar and vocabulary—it’s about understanding the cultural values embedded in how people communicate. These phrases reveal Japanese values of modesty, teamwork, and long-term thinking that are central to both education and society.