Languages · Beginner
Start speaking and writing basic Japanese at your own pace
Twenty-three structured lessons take you from your first sentences to the grammar and vocabulary of the N5 level, with exercises and tests along the way.
- 23 step-by-step lessons
- N5 grammar and vocabulary
- Interactive exercises
- Self-check tests
- 12 months of access
Why starting Japanese feels harder than it should
Many people want to learn Japanese and never get past the first week. The writing looks unfamiliar, the sentence order is the opposite of what you are used to, and it is hard to tell which resource to trust or what to study first. Scattered videos and phrase lists give you words, but they rarely add up to a language you can actually use.
This course gives you a clear path instead. Each lesson builds on the previous one, so grammar and vocabulary grow together rather than as two separate piles of facts. You always know what you are learning, why it matters and how it connects to the next step.
The programme is aimed at the N5 level, the first stage of the standard Japanese proficiency scale. That is a realistic, motivating target for a beginner: enough language to build simple sentences, talk about yourself and your daily life, and understand basic everyday exchanges.
Because the course is self-paced, it fits around work, study and family. There are no fixed class times and no live sessions to catch up on. You decide when to study, how long to spend on a lesson, and when to go back and repeat something that has not yet settled.
What you will be able to do
By the end of the programme you will have a practical beginner toolkit for Japanese.
- Build simple grammatical sentences
Use the core structures, particles and tenses to express your own thoughts at a beginner level.
- Use basic vocabulary with confidence
Apply everyday words in real situations such as talking with friends, travelling or simple conversations.
- Recognise N5-level grammar patterns
Understand the constructions that the first level of the proficiency scale expects you to know.
- Talk about yourself and your surroundings
Introduce yourself, describe people and places, and ask basic questions.
- Express time, past and present
Choose the right verb and adjective forms to say when something happens or happened.
- Understand basic cultural nuances
Learn the points of etiquette and usage that help you interact more naturally with Japanese speakers.
- Check your own progress
Use the tests after each stage to see what you have mastered and what needs another pass.
- Continue into deeper study
Use the foundation from this course as a base for more advanced Japanese learning.
- 23
- step-by-step lessons
- 6
- modules in the programme
- N5
- grammar and vocabulary level
- 12 months
- of access to the materials
The method: grammar and vocabulary learned together
Every lesson in this programme is organised around a small set of grammar points and the vocabulary you need to use them straight away. Instead of memorising a long word list and hoping to find a use for it later, you meet each new word inside a sentence pattern and practise it immediately.
Examples are presented in text and come with voiced recordings, so you hear how phrases should sound as well as seeing how they are written. After the explanation, interactive exercises ask you to apply what you have just learned, and tests let you confirm that it has really stuck before you move on.
Along the way you pick up short notes on Japanese culture and usage. These explain why certain expressions are phrased the way they are, which makes the language feel less arbitrary and easier to remember.
How the course works
The lessons are written in text form, with voiced examples, interactive exercises and self-check tests. You work through them in order in your browser, whenever it suits you. There are no deadlines, no fixed groups and no timetable to keep to.
Lesson length depends on you. As a rough guide, a typical lesson takes several hours of focused study if you do all the exercises and review the examples properly. Some people split a lesson across several evenings; others prefer to finish it in one longer session. Both approaches work, and you can repeat any lesson as often as you like.
You get access to the full set of materials for one year from the date of purchase. That gives you time to move steadily through the programme, return to difficult topics and revise before moving on to further study.
The programme
Six modules and 23 lessons, each combining explanation, voiced examples, exercises and a check of your understanding.
1Module 1 — First sentencesMeet the basic sentence pattern and introduce yourself.4 lessons
- Greetings and polite expressions for everyday use
- Introducing yourself with the basic sentence pattern
- Asking and answering simple questions
- Numbers and basic counting
2Module 2 — Things and placesPoint to things, describe where they are and what they are like.4 lessons
- This, that and which: pointing to things
- Asking where things and people are
- Describing objects with adjectives
- Talking about what you have and what exists
3Module 3 — Daily actionsStart using verbs to describe routines and activities.4 lessons
- Present-tense verbs and the particles that go with them
- Talking about your daily routine
- Going, coming and returning
- Expressing time of day and days of the week
4Module 4 — Past eventsSay what you did and describe how things were.4 lessons
- Past forms of verbs
- Past forms of adjectives and nouns
- Talking about weekends and holidays
- Comparing two things
5Module 5 — Wants, requests and invitationsExpress what you want, ask for things and make suggestions.4 lessons
- Saying what you want to have and to do
- Making polite requests
- Inviting others and making suggestions
- Giving reasons and connecting sentences
6Module 6 — Putting it togetherReview everything and use it in realistic situations.3 lessons
- Review of grammar patterns from the whole programme
- Everyday situations: shopping, travelling and eating out
- Final self-check and next steps in learning
What you get
Everything included with your purchase.
- 23 structured lessons
Grammar and vocabulary at the N5 level, arranged in a logical order.
- Voiced examples
Recordings that let you hear how the sample phrases should sound.
- Interactive exercises
Practice tasks that let you use new material right after learning it.
- Self-check tests
Tests that show which topics you have mastered and which need review.
- Cultural notes
Short explanations of usage and etiquette that help you understand the language in context.
- 12 months of access
Study when you like and return to any lesson during the year.
- Self-paced format
No fixed schedule and no time-zone restrictions.
- 14-day refund window
If the course is not right for you, you can ask for your money back within 14 days.
Is this course for you?
This course is for you if…
- You want to learn Japanese but do not know where to begin
- You prefer to study at your own pace and at times that suit you
- You plan to move to Japan, for example to attend a language school, and want a solid basic level before you go
- You like a clear structure with exercises and tests to check your progress
- You are happy to study mainly through text lessons with voiced examples
Probably not a fit if…
- You are looking for live classes with a teacher at fixed times
- You want a video-based course; the lessons here are written, with voiced examples
- You already read and speak Japanese beyond the first beginner level
- You expect to be fluent after one programme; this course covers the foundation only
After the course
When you finish the programme you will be able to put together simple, correct sentences, use a core vocabulary of everyday words, and handle basic situations such as introducing yourself, asking questions, describing your day and making simple requests.
You will also understand how the main grammar structures fit together, which makes further study much easier. New material will no longer look like a wall of unfamiliar patterns, because you will recognise the building blocks.
From there you can move on to more advanced courses, reading practice or listening practice, and you can use the self-check tests as a reference point for what you already know. If you plan to study in Japan, you will arrive with a firm basic level rather than starting from zero.
Questions before you buy
How much time do I need each week?
It depends on how quickly you want to progress. A typical lesson takes several hours if you do all the exercises, so many learners plan a few focused sessions a week. You set the pace and can speed up or slow down at any time.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
No. The programme is designed for beginners who are starting Japanese from scratch. You only need a computer, tablet or phone with an internet connection.
How does access work after payment?
Once your payment is confirmed, you receive access to the full set of lessons and materials. You can start straight away and study at any time of day, from any time zone.
What is the refund policy?
You can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if the course is not what you expected.
What format are the lessons in?
The lessons are written in text form with voiced examples. They include interactive exercises and tests so you can practise and check your understanding.
How long does the material stay available?
You have access to all the materials for 12 months from purchase. During that time you can revisit any lesson as often as you like.
How long will a single lesson take?
Everyone learns at a different speed, so there is no fixed time. On average a lesson takes about six hours or more if you work through the examples and exercises carefully.
What can I study after this course?
The programme gives you a foundation for further study. You can continue with more advanced materials that add reading, listening and speaking practice.
Begin your Japanese this week
Join the programme, open the first lesson today and move forward at a pace that suits your life.