Aimed at total beginners, our Japanese Fast Track course allows students to study Module One and Module Two of the Beginners course in just 10 weeks, starting in January.
Whether learning Japanese for travelling, working abroad or with foreign companies, the Japanese Beginners course enables you to communicate confidently on a basic level in everyday situations, socialise and not feel out of place when visiting the country.
This accelerated Japanese short course is an introduction to the Japanese language and way of life for the purpose of practical communication. Challenging but rewarding, the course is perfectly suited to those looking to develop a basic command of Japanese.
The course consists of two evening class a week (Monday and Wednesday), for a total of 10 weeks. During this time you will cover Module One and Module Two of the standard Japanese Beginners (Year 1) course. On completion of the course you can enrol on Module Three of the standard Japanese Beginners course in the summer term, if you choose to continue your learning.
All of our language short courses are taught by qualified native speakers and delivered at City, University of London’s main campus, in the heart of the capital.
This course is an introduction to the Japanese language and way of life for the purpose of practical communication. You will develop essential listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Japanese and will be introduced to Japanese characters (Hiragana, Katakana and very basic Kanji).
The Japanese Beginners Fast Track short course is designed for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of the Japanese language.
If you are not a complete beginner and have some prior knowledge of Japanese, you may wish to join our course or join Part 2 or Part 3 of the Japanese Beyond Beginners course or Part 2 or Part 3 of the Japanese Beginners (Year 1) beginners course.
You can check your level using our online guidelines
If you are not certain of your level, we recommend you contact Taka, our Japanese tutor on t.ogura@city.ac.uk who will be able to advise you.
“ Taka was a great tutor. Extremely enthusiastic and shared information about Japan culturally as well as about the language. We received hand out notes from each class which was brilliant as sometimes it was difficult to make notes and talk at the same time. As it was an intensive course, over half way through I did feel overwhelmed with the work load within my own work life and homework for the class. If doing both terms over two terms you would receive a break in between so it might feel more manageable. However as we were trying to complete two in one term (accelerated) it was exhausting at times ”
Kirsty Pipkin
Former student
“ My tutor made the lessons fun and kept me interested very well. ”
Astin Daley
Former student
“ Well presented course at good level. ”
Warren Inniss
Former student
The Japanese Beginners Fast Track short course is designed for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of the Japanese language.
The fast track course covers Module One and Module Two of the standard Japanese Beginners (Year 1) course. Once you have completed the fast track course you may choose to enrol on Module Three of the Japanese Beginners (Year 1) course in April/May to complete the full beginners syllabus.
If you are not a complete beginner and have some prior knowledge of Japanese, you may wish to join our Japanese Beginners Refresher course or join Module Two or Module Three of the Japanese Beginners (Year 1) course. You can check your level using our online guidelines.
You will need to respond to instructions and read course documents in English.
The emphasis in this course is on listening and speaking. The lessons focus on language that is required in authentic situations.
Classroom activities will include:
More comprehensive grammar exercises, practice in Japanese writing and reading texts are generally set as homework. All evaluation will take place in a relaxed and informal setting.
There is no formal assessment and no qualification is issued at the end of the course, but you will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate on completion of the course. You must attend over 70 per cent of the classes to be eligible for the certificate.
Japanese for Busy People: Kana [With CD (Audio)]
Students are advised to purchase their own copy of the book
Takayuki Ogura
Takayuki Ogura has been teaching Japanese as a foreign language in London for over ten years to students from diverse backgrounds.
Taka also has extensive experience teaching Japanese for business, in particular for banks, insurance companies and to diplomats.
