Japanese Basics
Unlock the fascinating culture and language of Japan with our structured beginner course
Start Your Japanese Journey
Japanese may seem intimidating at first, but our step-by-step approach makes it accessible and enjoyable. We start with the fundamentals of the writing systems and build up to practical conversation skills.
Learning Outcomes
âïž Writing Systems
Read and write hiragana and katakana, and recognize 50+ essential kanji characters
đŁïž Basic Communication
Hold simple conversations, ask questions, and navigate common situations in Japanese
đ Cultural Understanding
Learn Japanese customs, etiquette, and cultural context for effective communication
đ Sentence Structure
Understand basic Japanese grammar and sentence patterns
Course Curriculum
Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-5)
- Hiragana writing and reading mastery
- Katakana for foreign words and names
- Basic greetings and self-introductions
- Numbers, time, and dates
Phase 2: Building Blocks (Weeks 6-9)
- Introduction to essential kanji characters
- Basic sentence structure (SOV order)
- Particles: wa, ga, o, ni, de
- Present and past tense verbs
Phase 3: Communication (Weeks 10-14)
- Asking for directions and ordering food
- Describing people, places, and things
- Japanese honorifics and polite language
- Cultural project: Planning a day in Tokyo
Japanese Writing Systems
Hiragana (ăČăăăȘ)
46 basic characters used for native Japanese words and grammar
Katakana (ă«ăżă«ă)
46 characters used for foreign words, names, and emphasis
Kanji (æŒąć)
Chinese characters representing words or ideas
Student Experiences
"Yuki-sensei is incredibly patient. I never thought I could learn Japanese characters, but her method works!"
"The cultural context made the language come alive. I understand so much more about Japan now."
"Perfect pace for busy adults. The writing practice sheets were especially helpful."