This text has been developed to cultivate the listening skills required for presentations and lectures at Japanese universities. The book does not merely focus on listening skills, but also has exercises to enable the learner to grasp the general themes of a lecture or presentation and be able to summarize what he/she is hearing. With such topics as the Odeko Shinkansen, women-only train cars, kendo, Rakugo, etc., the book is packed with themes related to Japanese society and culture that will be of interest to the overseas student.