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Keehwan Kim

Welcome to Japanese for Beginners Course

This course is designed for those learning Japanese for the first time. Therefore, we will first learn how to read and write the two writing system of Japanese - Hiragana and Katakana.

Our systematic approach to learning the Japanese writing system means that you will learn how to read Japanese effortlessly. In our lessons on learning Hiragana and Katakana, we will...

  1. show you how to write the characters

  2. guide you through systematic speaking practice to retain what you are learning in the long term

Read more

Welcome to Japanese for Beginners Course

This course is designed for those learning Japanese for the first time. Therefore, we will first learn how to read and write the two writing system of Japanese - Hiragana and Katakana.

Our systematic approach to learning the Japanese writing system means that you will learn how to read Japanese effortlessly. In our lessons on learning Hiragana and Katakana, we will...

  1. show you how to write the characters

  2. guide you through systematic speaking practice to retain what you are learning in the long term

Our lessons also come with individual writing sheets so that you can practice writing Japanese.

Once you have learned how to read and write Japanese, we will help you to develop your speaking skills. We will develop your speaking skills step by step, and with our systematic approach to learning Japanese, you will be able to communicate in Japanese in no time.

In all of our lessons, you will learn grammar and vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and truly learn how to use Japanese language. Along the way, you will also learn about Japanese culture.

We have carefully crated all of our lessons to help you learn Japanese and we look forward to seeing you in the first lesson.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to read hiragana and katakana
  • Learn how to speak japanese
  • Develop japanese vocabulary knowledge
  • Develop japanese grammar knowledge

Syllabus

Learn how this course is structured
Japanese writing system overview
Course overview
Learn the sounds of all the characters in Gojuon-zu
Read more
A-row - あいう (a, i, u)
A-row - えお (e, o)
A-row - review lesson
K-row - かきく (ka, ki, ku)
K-row - けこ (ke, ko)
K-row - review lesson
S-row - さしす (sa, shi, su)
S-row - せそ (se, so)
S-row - review lesson
T-row - たちつ (ta, chi, tsu)
T-row - てと (te, to)
T-row - review lesson
N-row - なにぬ (na, ni, nu)
N-row - ねの (ne, no)
N-row - review lesson
H-row - はひふ (ha, hi, hu/fu)
H-row - へほ (he, ho)
H-row - review lesson
M-row - まみむ (ma, mi, mu)
M-row - めも (me, mo)
M-row - review lesson
Y-row - やゆよ (ya, yu, yo)
Y-row - review lesson
R-row - らりる (ra, ri, ru)
R-row - れろ (re, ro)
R-row - review lesson
W-row - わを (wa, wo)
ん (N) character
W-row & N - review lesson
Learn how hiragana characters can be pronounced differently
Dakuon - G-row
Dakuon - Z-row
Dakuon G & Z-row - review lesson
Dakuon - D-row
Dakuon - B-row
Handakuon - P-row
Dakuon D & B-row & Handakuon P-row - review lesson
Yo-on Part 1
Yo-on Part 2
Yo-on - review lesson
Sokuon
Chouon
Sokuon & Chouon - review lesson
Katakana overview
A-row - ア イ ウ エ オ
K-row - カ キ ク ケ コ
Review Lesson (A-row & K-row)
S-row - サ シ ス セ ソ
T-row - タ チ ツ テ ト
Review Lesson (S-row & T-row)
N-row - ナ ニ ヌ ネ ノ
H-row - ハ ヒ フ ヘ ホ
Review Lesson (N-row & H-row)
M-row - マ ミ ム メ モ
Y-row - ヤ ユ ヨ
Review Lesson (M-row & Y-row)
R-row - ラ リ ル レ ロ
W-row & N-sound - ワ ヲ ン
Review Lesson (R-row, W-row & N sound)
Learn how Katakana characters can be pronounced differently
Dakuon 1 (G-row & Z-row)
Dakuon 2 (D-row & B-row)
Handakuon (P-row)
Review Lesson (Dakuon & Handakuon sounds)
Yoon sounds
Combination 1 (V & W sounds)
Combination 2 (F & TSA sounds)
Review Lesson (Yoon and combination sounds)
Sokuon sounds
Chouon sounds
Review Lesson (Sokuon & Chouon sounds)
Let's learn how to speak Japanese!
1.1 Japanese writing system
1.2 Punctuation in Japanese
1.3 How to greet someone
1.3 How to greet someone (Practice)
1.4 How to say 'thank you' and 'sorry'
1.4 How to say 'thank you' and 'sorry' (Practice)
1.5 How to introduce yourself
1.5 How to introduce yourself (Practice)
1.6 How to say 'goodbye'
1.6 How to say 'goodbye' (Practice)
1.7 A1 Part 1 - Unit 1 Review
2.1 How to talk about names
2.1 How to talk about names (Practice)
2.2 How to talk about nationality
2.2 How to talk about nationality (Practice)
2.3 How to say 'I am not' 1
2.3 How to say 'I am not' 1 (Practice)
2.4 How to say 'I'm not' 2
2.4 How to say 'I'm not' 2 (Practice)
2.5 How to talk about jobs
2.5 How to talk about jobs (Practice)
2.6 A1 Part 1 - Unit 2 Review

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Japanese for Beginners | The complete course with these activities:
Review Hiragana and Katakana Charts
Reinforce your knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana before starting the course to ensure a solid foundation.
Browse courses on Hiragana
Show steps
  • Download or print Hiragana and Katakana charts.
  • Practice writing each character multiple times.
  • Use flashcards to test your recognition.
Read 'Remembering the Kana'
Use a mnemonic-based approach to accelerate your memorization of Hiragana and Katakana.
View Remembering the Kana on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Remembering the Kana'.
  • Follow the book's instructions to learn Hiragana and Katakana using mnemonics.
  • Review the characters regularly to reinforce your memory.
Read 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'
Supplement your learning with a well-regarded textbook to gain a broader understanding of the fundamentals.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'.
  • Work through the first few chapters, focusing on Hiragana, Katakana, and basic grammar.
  • Complete the exercises and practice dialogues.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create Hiragana/Katakana Flashcards
Solidify your knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana by creating your own flashcards for practice and memorization.
Show steps
  • Gather index cards or use a flashcard app.
  • Write each Hiragana and Katakana character on one side of a card.
  • Write the corresponding Romaji or English pronunciation on the other side.
  • Use the flashcards regularly to test yourself.
Practice Writing Japanese Characters
Improve your writing skills by practicing writing Hiragana and Katakana characters repeatedly.
Show steps
  • Find online resources or worksheets for practicing writing Japanese characters.
  • Focus on stroke order and proper form.
  • Practice writing each character multiple times until you feel comfortable.
Write Simple Sentences in Japanese
Apply your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary by writing simple sentences in Japanese.
Show steps
  • Review basic sentence structure and grammar rules.
  • Choose simple vocabulary words you have learned.
  • Write sentences about yourself, your hobbies, or your daily routine.
  • Use online resources or a dictionary to check your work.
Practice Speaking with a Language Partner
Improve your speaking skills by practicing with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Practice introducing yourselves, asking simple questions, and having basic conversations.
  • Provide each other with feedback and support.

Career center

Learners who complete Japanese for Beginners | The complete course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Japanese for Beginners | The complete course.
Genki widely used textbook for beginner Japanese learners. It provides a comprehensive introduction to grammar, vocabulary, and culture. is helpful for providing background and prerequisite knowledge. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Uses mnemonics to help learners memorize Hiragana and Katakana quickly and effectively. It provides a unique and memorable approach to learning the Japanese writing system. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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