Japanese Level 1 | Sundays

About this course

This course introduces Japanese through spoken communication alongside structured work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Lessons use group activities and role-plays, while the teacher speaks in the target language throughout to develop listening and comprehension. The syllabus covers greetings, introductions, personal details, shopping and locations. Language work includes questions, present-tense affirmative and negative sentences, particles such as wa, mo, ka and no, and the Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words. Learners also study numbers, leisure activities, professions, nationalities, family names, department-store and office vocabulary, and the hiragana alphabet.

What you'll learn

• Greet people and introduce yourself and others in Japanese.
• Ask for and give personal details.
• Form affirmative and negative present-tense sentences and questions.
• Use the particles wa, mo, ka and no in basic sentences.
• Apply the Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words.
• Recognise and use introductory vocabulary relating to numbers, professions, nationalities, family and everyday places and items.

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for complete beginners who have never studied Japanese. It combines spoken communication with structured language study, so participation involves interactive classroom activities as well as attention to grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and listening.

• The teacher speaks in the target language throughout the course.
• Group work and role-plays are part of the teaching format.

Before you go

• The coursebook Minna no Nihon-go Beginners Book 1 may inform the materials but is not required; teachers may use different resources.
• Learners receive access to an online platform with lesson summaries, notes and resources.
• Japanese language teachers provide study tips, support and advice.