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Japanese Course for Absolute Beginners (Letters, Alphabet)

Felicity Corp.

"Japanese Course for Beginners (Alphabet)" is designed for Japanese beginners to master Hiragana and Katakana (Japanese Letter), the most essential and fundamental part of Japanese language. With a strong foundation of Hiragana and Katakana, students can go further learning of Japanese (N5 level to N1 level).

Distinct from the traditional teaching method, this course not only enables you to master how to pronounce and write each Japanese letters, but also provides you with various supplementary knowledge:

Read more

"Japanese Course for Beginners (Alphabet)" is designed for Japanese beginners to master Hiragana and Katakana (Japanese Letter), the most essential and fundamental part of Japanese language. With a strong foundation of Hiragana and Katakana, students can go further learning of Japanese (N5 level to N1 level).

Distinct from the traditional teaching method, this course not only enables you to master how to pronounce and write each Japanese letters, but also provides you with various supplementary knowledge:

  • English-based instruction creating a totally foreigner- friendly environment especially for beginners;

  • the proper ways to do self-practice after class;

  • the downloadable PDF learning material of each section with corresponding writing practice;

  • culture note session that explains aspects of the culture and everyday life of japan, and deepens your understanding of Japanese culture;

  • vocabulary builder that enables you to practice pronunciation and acquire a basic level of Japanese words on completing the whole lectures;

  • the learning of daily phrases that are frequently used in daily life in Japan

  • comprehensive guidance that helps you to avoid common mistakes students tend to make to each Hiragana and Katakana.

Each of your comments and questions will be carefully handled and students are totally welcome to discuss anything related to the course.

The upcoming N5 and N4 course is being recorded and will be available soon. N3, N2 and N1 courses are also scheduled.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Master japanese characters: hiragana and katakana system
  • Totally understand japanese writing system
  • Acquire a strong foundation to start elementary japanese
  • Master the pronunciation and intonation system in japanese
  • Master the most commonly used phrases for greetings in daily life
  • Acquire a broad knowledge of japan through information on japanese culture and daily life

Syllabus

Introduction of the courses series of FELICITY Online Japanese
Lesson 1: Gojuonzu (Japanese Alphabet) Fundamentals
Introduction
Self-introduction
Read more
The Beginning
The Introduction of Gojuonzu (Japanese Alphabet)
Lesson 2: あ row and か row
「あ」row: the five vowels
Japanese Intonation System
Common mistakes
か Row and “Consonant + Vowels”
か Row Vocabulary
Culture Note: Japanese Currency
Lesson 3: さ row and た row
さ Row Part 1
さ Row Part 2
さ Row Vocabulary
た Row Part 1
た Row Part 2
た Row Vocabulary
Lesson 4: な row and は row
な Row
な Row Vocabulary
は Row
は Row Vocabulary
Culture Note: New Year's in Japan
Lesson 5: ま Row and や row
ま Row
ま Row Vocabulary
や Row
や Row Vocabulary
Lesson 6: ら Row, わ row, and ん
ら Row
ら Row Vocabulary
わ Row
わ Row Vocabulary
the Last Hiragana: ん
Culture Note: Sushi
Lesson 7: Diacritical Marks
Diacritical Marks and Five New Consonants Part 1
Diacritical Marks and Five New Consonants Part 2
Diacritical Marks and Five New Consonants Part 3
Lesson 8: Contracted Sound
Contracted Sounds – Small Hiragana Part 1
Contracted Sounds – Small Hiragana Part 2
Contracted Sounds Vocabulary
Lesson 9: Double Consonants
Double Consonants – Small “つ”
lesson 10: Long Vowels
Long Vowels
Lesson 11: Katakana
Katakana
Katakana Word List
Culture Note: Bowing in Japan
Lesson 12: Daily Phrases
Daily Phrases Part 1
Daily Phrases Part 2
Conclusion

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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 Course for Absolute Beginners (Letters, Alphabet) with these activities:
Review Basic English Phonetics
Reviewing English phonetics will help you better understand the pronunciation of Japanese characters and words, especially since the course uses English-based instruction.
Show steps
  • Study the IPA chart for English sounds.
  • Practice pronouncing different English vowel and consonant sounds.
  • Listen to native English speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation.
Read 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'
Reading 'Genki' will provide a broader context for learning Hiragana and Katakana, as it introduces basic grammar and vocabulary.
View GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the introductory chapters on Japanese writing and pronunciation.
  • Focus on the sections that cover Hiragana and Katakana.
  • Practice writing the characters as you read along.
Hiragana and Katakana Writing Practice
Practicing writing Hiragana and Katakana characters repeatedly will reinforce your memory and improve your handwriting skills.
Show steps
  • Download and print practice sheets for Hiragana and Katakana.
  • Use a pencil or pen to trace and copy each character multiple times.
  • Focus on stroke order and proper proportions.
  • Review characters you find difficult more frequently.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create Flashcards for Hiragana and Katakana
Creating flashcards will help you memorize Hiragana and Katakana characters by associating them with their corresponding sounds and example words.
Show steps
  • Create flashcards with Hiragana/Katakana on one side and pronunciation/example words on the other.
  • Use the flashcards to quiz yourself regularly.
  • Review the flashcards frequently, especially for characters you find difficult.
Explore 'Remembering the Kana' by James Heisig
Using 'Remembering the Kana' can provide a different perspective on memorizing Hiragana and Katakana, using mnemonics to aid recall.
View Remembering the Hiragana on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the introduction to understand the mnemonic approach.
  • Work through the lessons for Hiragana and Katakana, focusing on the images and stories.
  • Review the characters regularly to reinforce your memory.
Write a Short Story Using Hiragana and Katakana
Writing a short story will force you to actively use the Hiragana and Katakana characters you've learned, solidifying your understanding and improving your fluency.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple topic for your story.
  • Write the story using only Hiragana and Katakana characters.
  • Use a dictionary or online resources to look up words you don't know.
  • Review your story for errors and make corrections.

Career center

Learners who complete Japanese Course for Absolute Beginners (Letters, Alphabet) 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 Course for Absolute Beginners (Letters, Alphabet).
Cover image
Remembering the Hiragana
Save
Focuses specifically on memorizing Hiragana and Katakana using a mnemonic system. It's a great resource for learners who struggle with rote memorization. It provides a structured approach to learning the characters and can be used alongside the course. It is particularly useful for visual learners.
Remembering the Hiragana
Paperback
Check
Remembering the Hiragana
Kindle Edition
Check
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Save
Widely used textbook for beginner Japanese learners. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the language, including grammar, vocabulary, and cultural notes. While this course focuses on Hiragana and Katakana, 'Genki' will be a valuable resource for continuing your Japanese studies beyond the alphabet.
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Paperback
Check
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
6.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Felicity Corp.
Language
English
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