Japanese Beginners Step 1

This course is the first step of six progressive steps to complete our beginners level in Japanese.

In this course, which is taught in Japanese, you will learn to read and write in Hiragana. You will also learn to introduce yourself, ask basic questions about others, explain where you live as well as order food and pay in a restaurant.

You will develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of learning activities in class and at home. Class based activities include small-group role-plays, responding to short texts, listening to dialogues or watching video clips. Language learning requires regular practice, and you will consolidate your skills at home, with vocabulary, grammar and writing exercises.

You will need to buy a textbook (see below). You will also need access to a computer or another device with an internet connection to be able to use our learning platform.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Read and write using the Hiragana writing system
• Introduce yourself and ask others for personal information (e.g. What is your name? Where do you come from?)
• Order food and pay in a restaurant

The above list is indicative and may be subject to change.

You will need to buy the following textbook to learn Hiragana:

• Japanese for Busy People Kana Workbook – 4th, revised edition – ISBN: 978-1-56836-622-7

This course is for complete beginners.  If you have previously learned Japanese or have some knowledge and are unsure of your level, please assess your level.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy. Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

This is a complete beginners course for those with no prior knowledge of Japanese. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website to access the course learning platform.