Learn at a moderate pace with our Japanese Beginners short course. Starting in October, you will progress through three modules over a one-year period. For more flexibility, for this course, we offer you the choice of a Tuesday and a Saturday session.
Whether you're learning Japanese for travelling, working abroad or with foreign companies, the Japanese Beginners course will enable you to communicate confidently on a basic level in everyday situations, socialise and not feel out of place in the country you are visiting.
This 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 one evening class a week, for a total of 30 weeks; spread across three modules, which is ideal for those with various commitments or working full-time.
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 Japanese evening course will help you to develop essential listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. You will be introduced to Japanese characters (Hiragana, Katakana and very basic Kanji).
By the end of the course you will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You will be able to introduce yourself, people you know and things you have. You will be able to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
If you have no prior knowledge of Japanese you must start with Module One, which takes place in October term.
If you have some basic knowledge of Japanese and you are already familiar with the content of Module One you may choose to enrol on Module Two or Module Three. See the Eligibility section below for more details.
If you are a complete beginner but you have missed October enrolment for the Japanese Beginners course you can join our Japanese Beginners Fast Track course in January or the Japanese Beginners Summer Intensive course in April/May.
Please make sure you have the correct level by using our online guidelines.
“ It is a good course for anyone with limited or no knowledge of the language. You learn a lot of things and there is a good emphasis on conversations – most important part of learning a language. ”
Lyumbomir Terziev
Former student
“ The teacher is really good and you would learn a lot from attending just one lesson. Furthermore, the lessons are fun. The course is well structured and really easy to follow. ”
Anon
Alumni
Modules are taught at progressive levels, if you have no prior knowledge you must start at Module One in the autumn (October).
If you wish to join Module Two of the Japanese short course (in January), you must have completed Module One or be familiar with the content taught in Module One, specified in the What will I learn? section.
If you wish to enrol on Module Three of the short course (in April/May), you must have completed both Module One and Module Two or be familiar with the content taught in these two modules, found in the What will I learn? section.
Please check your level by using our online guidelines before enrolling.
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.
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.
Classroom activities will include:
More comprehensive grammar exercises, practise in Japanese writing and reading texts are generally set as homework.
All evaluation will take place in a relaxed and informal setting.
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.
