Always wanted to learn Japanese but worried it would be too much, too fast? Gentle Japanese Level 1 is for complete beginners who want to start properly, in a relaxed afternoon class where there’s time to ask questions, practise and try again. 

From the first session you’ll be greeting people, introducing yourself and asking simple questions in Japanese. Alongside speaking, you’ll begin reading and writing hiragana, the first of Japan’s three writing systems, one step at a time. 

By the end of the eight weeks you’ll be able to introduce yourself and others, give and ask for personal details, count up to 10,000, shop, and find your way around a department store or office building. 

Course format 

Why choose Gentle Japanese? 

• The same content as our regular Level 1, with two extra hours of class time 

• Longer afternoon sessions, so there’s time to practise, ask questions and review 

• A relaxed, supportive group where you can build confidence speaking 

• Qualified, experienced teachers at a trusted school in the heart of Covent Garden 

• A clear path onwards to Level 2 

This course is for complete beginners, or anyone who has picked up a few words but never studied Japanese in a structured way. 

It’s a good fit for 

• Adults starting Japanese from zero who prefer a calmer, more supported pace 

• People with free weekday afternoons, including shift workers, freelancers, parents and retirees 

• Learners who like time to consolidate before moving on 

• Anyone planning a trip to Japan who wants a real foundation rather than a phrasebook 

This course may be especially useful if you want to 

• Build confidence speaking from the very first lesson 

• Learn hiragana properly, without rushing 

• Get used to learning in a group, in a supportive setting 

• Set yourself up well for Level 2 

How does this compare to our other Japanese courses? 

Gentle Japanese and our regular courses cover exactly the same content and lead to the same outcomes. Gentle courses simply give you more time: eight sessions of 1 hour 45 minutes (14 hours) rather than 12 hours. If you’d prefer to move faster, our Saturday Fast Track courses cover two levels in eight weeks. 

The content below is a rough guide. Your teacher will choose the most useful material and adapt the pace to suit the group, so there’s always time to consolidate before moving on. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to 

• Greet people 

• Introduce yourself and someone else 

• Ask for and give personal details, such as your job and nationality 

• Make positive and negative sentences, and ask questions 

• Ask what something is and who it belongs to 

• Use numbers up to 10,000 and shop with confidence 

• Ask and say where places and things are 

• Read and write your first hiragana 

Language you’ll learn along the way 

What your Japanese will sound like 

わたしは たなか よしおです。 

Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. 

I’m Yoshio Tanaka. 

すずきさんは いしゃじゃありません。 

Suzuki-san wa isha ja arimasen. 

Ms Suzuki isn’t a doctor. 

これは くるまの ほんです。 

Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. 

This is a book about cars. 

この かばんは わたしのです。 

Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. 

This bag is mine. 

とけいは あそこです。 

Tokei wa asoko desu. 

The clock is over there. 

Self-study 

We recommend around an hour of self-study a week, mostly short, regular hiragana practice. Little and often works far better than one long session. 

What’s next? 

After this course you can continue to Japanese Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Japanese courses.

Do I need any Japanese before I start? 

No. Level 1 starts from the very beginning, including the writing system. 

Do I need to buy a textbook? 

No. Your teacher uses Minna no Nihongo and a range of other resources as teaching materials, and will provide what you need in class. Some materials may also be shared digitally. 

How is Gentle Japanese different from your regular Level 1? 

The content and outcomes are the same. The difference is time: Gentle courses run for 14 hours over eight 1 hour 45 minute afternoon sessions, rather than 12 hours, so there’s more room for practice, review and questions. 

Will I learn to read and write Japanese? 

Yes. You’ll start learning hiragana in the first week and practise it throughout the course. Example sentences are also shown in romaji (Japanese in the Roman alphabet) while you find your feet. 

Why does the teacher speak Japanese in class? 

Hearing Japanese throughout the lesson is one of the most effective ways to build your listening and comprehension. Your teacher will always make sure you understand, using gesture, visuals and carefully chosen language. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. Speaking is at the heart of every session, in a supportive and encouraging group where making mistakes is part of learning. 

What happens after this course? 

After this course you can continue to Japanese Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Japanese courses. 

Want to speak Japanese — fast? 

Fast Track Japanese: Beginner 1 takes you from complete beginner to the end of our Level 2 in just eight Saturday mornings. Japanese is one of the world’s most rewarding languages to learn, and one of the most distinctive. In this course you will begin speaking Japanese from the very first session, while also learning to read and write hiragana, the first of Japan’s three writing systems. 

Each three-hour Saturday session combines structured teaching with real communicative practice, conversations, activities, and tasks that help you use Japanese from day one, not just study it.  

By the end of the course, you will be able to introduce yourself, talk about your daily routine, tell the time, go shopping, and navigate basic everyday situations in Japanese. 

Course format 

Why choose Fast Track Japanese: Beginner 1? 

• Study with a trusted and internationally recognised language school in the heart of London 

• Learn in an immersive, face-to-face environment with a qualified, experienced teacher 

• Cover Japanese Levels 1 and 2 in just eight Saturday mornings 

• Benefit from practical activities, speaking tasks, and communicative practice every week 

• Use Japanese from day one — real communication, not just textbook exercises 

• Make rapid progress without any weekday commitment 

This course is for complete beginners who want to start learning Japanese properly — building a genuine foundation in both spoken Japanese and the hiragana writing system from the very first session. 

It is a good fit for: 

• Adults who are completely new to Japanese and want to get started properly 

• People who want to cover two levels of Japanese in a single focused Saturday programme 

• Learners who want real communicative practice alongside script learning from day one 

• Anyone with a personal, professional, or cultural interest in Japan who wants to make rapid, meaningful progress 

This course may be especially useful if you want to: 

• Build a genuine beginner foundation in spoken Japanese quickly and systematically 

• Learn to read and write hiragana — an essential first step in Japanese literacy 

• Develop confidence in basic Japanese communication from the very first session 

• Set yourself up to progress to Beginner 2 without losing momentum 

How does this compare to our Japanese courses? 

Both formats cover exactly the same content and lead to the same learning outcomes. Fast Track Japanese: Beginner 1 covers two levels — the equivalent of two separate courses in eight Saturday morning sessions of three hours each. Our standard courses cover one level at a time at a more gradual pace. 

This course may not be the right choice if you prefer a slower, more gradual pace. In that case, our other Japanese courses may be a better fit.

The content below gives you an overview of the grammar, vocabulary, and script focus for this course. It is a rough guide only: your teacher will select the most relevant material and may adapt the pace and order of topics to suit the group. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Greet people and introduce yourself and others in Japanese 

• Ask for and give personal information including your name, nationality, and occupation 

• Tell the time and talk about your daily routine and schedule 

• Express where you go, when, with whom, and how you get there 

• Use numbers confidently from 0 to 10,000 

• Start reading and writing hiragana, the first of Japan’s three writing systems 

Course content overview 

 Examples 

• Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. – I am Yoshio Tanaka. 

• Suzuki san wa isha ja arimasen. – Ms Suzuki is not a doctor. 

• Yamada san wa gakusei desuka. – Is Mr Yamada a student? 

• Sasaki san mo gakusei desu. – Ms Sasaki is a student too. 

• Kore wa hon desu. – This is a book. 

• Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. – This is a book on cars. 

• Sore wa watashi no pen desu. -That is my pen. 

• Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. – This bag is mine. 

• Koko wa ima desu. – This is a living room. 

• Tokei wa asoko desu. – The clock is over there. 

• Ima gogo san-ji desu. – It is 3pm now. 

• Watashi wa ku-ji kara go-ji made hatarakimasu. – I work from 9 to 5. 

• Watashi wa asa hachi-ji han ni okimasu. – I get up at 8:30 in the morning. 

• Watashi wa kino benkyo shimashita. – I studied yesterday. 

• Watashi wa Hiroshima e ikimasu. – I (will) go to Hiroshima. 

• Watashi wa densha de uchi e kaerimasu. – I (will) go home by train. 

• Watashi wa kazoku to Nihon e kimashita. – I came to Japan with my family. 

Self-study 

We recommend 2-3 hours of self-study per week. Your teacher will suggest exercises and may also recommend online resources and apps to support your progress between Saturday sessions. Practising hiragana regularly outside class is especially important at this stage. 

Learning approach 

Lessons are face-to-face, dynamic, and led by a qualified, experienced teacher who speaks in Japanese throughout. Every session combines structured teaching with practical communicative activities — conversations, speaking tasks, and pair or group work — alongside script practice, so that language, literacy, and communication develop together from the very start. 

Grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation are developed systematically alongside communicative practice, so you make progress across all aspects of the language, not just conversation. 

Do I need any previous knowledge of Japanese? 

No. This course is designed for complete beginners with no previous experience of Japanese. 

Do I need to buy a textbook? 

No. Your teacher uses Minna no Nihongo 1 and a range of other resources as teaching materials. You do not need to purchase any books before the course begins — your teacher will provide everything you need in class and may share additional materials digitally. 

Will I learn to read and write Japanese? 

Yes. Learning to read and write hiragana is an integral part of this course. Hiragana is one of Japan’s three writing systems and an essential foundation for all further study. By the end of Beginner 1 you will be able to start reading and writing some hiragana characters. 

Is Japanese hard to learn? 

Japanese has a reputation for being challenging, and it is true that the writing system and grammar are very different from other languages. However, many aspects of Japanese are highly logical and consistent, and learners often make faster progress than they expect — particularly in speaking — once they have the right foundation. The Fast Track format gives you the structure and pace to make real progress from the start. 

What kind of activities will we do in class? 

Each session combines structured teaching with practical communicative activities — conversations, speaking tasks, and pair or group work — alongside script practice. The aim is for you to use Japanese every week, not just learn about it. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. Speaking and real communication are at the heart of every session. You will practise from the very first lesson, in a supportive and encouraging environment where making mistakes is part of the process. 

What will I be able to do by the end of the course? 

You will be able to introduce yourself and others, give and ask for personal information, tell the time, talk about your daily routine, use numbers confidently, and start reading and writing hiragana. 

What happens after this course? 

After completing Fast Track Japanese: Beginner 1, you can continue to Fast Track Japanese: Beginner 2, which covers Levels 3 and 4 at the same pace. Alternatively, you can join one of our level 3 courses. 

Pack your bags — and your Japanese! Japanese: Language for Travel is a practical course that helps you speak with confidence on holiday or work trips. Over two consecutive Saturdays at IH London, you’ll practice the phrases that matter through role-plays, guided conversations and real travel scenarios. 

You’ll leave with a “survival Japanese” toolkit: high-frequency vocabulary, clearer pronunciation, and easy strategies to keep talking even when you can’t remember the exact word. 

Why study Japanese at IH London? 

Japanese is a fascinating language and a valuable skill for travel, culture and international communication. It can also feel very rewarding because you can start using practical phrases quickly.

At International House London, you’ll learn with expert teachers and dynamic, interactive lessons that help you build real communication skills naturally — with plenty of guided speaking practice from day one. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes and learning resources 

• Additional self-study materials 

• Ongoing support from experienced teachers 

• Access to exclusive IH London student workshops and events 

This course is ideal for learners who want practical Japanese for travel, including: 

• students who have studied very little Japanese but want to use it more confidently 

• beginners who want a focused “holiday Japanese” boost 

• learners who can recognise a few basic words/phrases but hesitate when speaking 

• anyone travelling to Japan who wants useful language for real situations 

If you’re unsure about your level, we can help you choose the best option. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

Communicate confidently in common travel situations 

You’ll practice Japanese for real-life travel scenarios, such as: 

• greetings, introductions and polite social language 

• checking in/out at hotels and handling common requests 

• ordering in cafés/restaurants (preferences, problems, paying) 

• asking for and understanding directions and transport information 

• shopping and making simple enquiries (prices, sizes, tickets, times) 

• dealing with unexpected situations (lost items, delays, health/pharmacy basics) 

Speak more clearly and naturally 

You’ll also build speaking confidence through: 

• key survival phrases and high-frequency vocabulary 

• pronunciation support for clearer, more intelligible Japanese 

• mini role-plays and speaking tasks to help you respond quickly and naturally 

Build cultural confidence in Japan 

Alongside the language, you’ll build confidence for real interactions through: 

• essential politeness and everyday etiquette 

• typical service interactions (shops, cafés, stations) and common set phrases 

• practical tips for travelling in Japan 

Course materials: All course materials are shared via SharePoint. You will receive the access link in your welcome email, which is sent 24 hours before the course starts. 

Do I need previous knowledge of Japanese? 

Some basic Japanese is helpful, but the course is designed to support learners who want practical travel language and lots of guided speaking practice. 

When is the course and how long is each class? 

The course runs on two consecutive Saturdays, 10:00–13:00, at IH London. 

Is this course face-to-face or online? 

This is a face-to-face course taught at our school in London. 

What level is the course? 

This course is best for beginners and near-beginners who want practical Japanese for travel. If you’re unsure, we can advise you on the best option. 

Will there be lots of speaking practice? 

Yes. The course is highly practical and includes guided speaking tasks, role-plays and realistic travel scenarios to help you build confidence quickly. 

What writing system will we use (romaji, hiragana, katakana, kanji)? 

We’ll focus mainly on speaking and listening, using romaji (Latin script) to support communication. You’ll have a brief introduction to hiragana and katakana for recognition and travel purposes (for example, signs, menus and tickets).  

What should I bring to class? 

Just a notebook and something to write with. Your teacher will provide materials, and digital resources are shared via SharePoint. 

Where will the class take place? 

Classes take place at IH London – 16 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LQ. You’ll receive full details in your welcome email. 

What if I miss a Saturday? 

Because this is a short course, it’s best to attend both sessions. If you miss a class, we’ll share key materials via SharePoint, but we can’t replicate the in-class speaking practice. 

Can I continue studying after this course? 

Yes! Your teacher can recommend the best next step, such as a general Japanese course or a level-based programme at IH London. 

How will I receive the course materials? 

All course materials are shared via SharePoint, with access provided in your welcome email 24 hours before the course starts. 

Is there a coursebook? 

No fixed coursebook is required — your teacher will provide targeted materials and resources for the course. 

Japanese Level 1 Afternoon is course a Beginners course for students who have never studied the language before.

Our Japanese language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Evening language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills. 

Course Content

Communicative aims

– Greeting people

– Introducing yourself and someone else

– Asking and giving personal details

– Shopping

– Locations

Linguistic aims

– Forming affirmative & negative sentences in present tense.

– Forming questions.

– Particles “wa”, “mo”, “ka” and “no”

– The Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words.

Examples

(1) Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. – I am Yoshio Tanaka.

(2) Suzuki san wa isha ja arimasen. – Ms Suzuki is not a doctor.

(3) Yamada san wa gakusei desuka. – Is Mr Yamada a student?

(4) Sasaki san mo gakusei desu. – Ms Sasaki is a student too.

(5) Kore wa hon desu. – This is a book.

(7) Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. – This is a book on cars.

(8) Sore wa watashi no pen desu. -That is my pen.

(9) Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. – This bag is mine.

(10) Koko wa ima desu. – This is a living room.

(11) Tokei wa asoko desu. – The clock is over there.

Vocabulary

– Leisure activities

– Numbers 0 – 10.000

– Professions

– Hiragana Alphabet

– Country and Nationality

– Family names

– Items in a department stores and office buildings

Based on the course book – Minna no Nihon-go Beginners Book 1*

Chapters 1 to 3

*Materials may be based on the coursebook but it is not required as teachers may use different resources.

This language course includes: 

• Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources 
• Support and advice from Japanese language teachers 
• Japanese language study tips 

Course Overview 

Japanese Level 1 is a Beginners Japanese course for students who have never studied the Japanese language before. 

Our Japanese language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Evening language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills. 

Course Content

Communicative aims

– Greeting people

– Introducing yourself and someone else

– Asking and giving personal details

– Shopping

– Locations

Linguistic aims

– Forming affirmative & negative sentences in present tense.

– Forming questions.

– Particles “wa”, “mo”, “ka” and “no”

– The Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words.

Examples

(1) Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. – I am Yoshio Tanaka.

(2) Suzuki san wa isha ja arimasen. – Ms Suzuki is not a doctor.

(3) Yamada san wa gakusei desuka. – Is Mr Yamada a student?

(4) Sasaki san mo gakusei desu. – Ms Sasaki is a student too.

(5) Kore wa hon desu. – This is a book.

(7) Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. – This is a book on cars.

(8) Sore wa watashi no pen desu. -That is my pen.

(9) Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. – This bag is mine.

(10) Koko wa ima desu. – This is a living room.

(11) Tokei wa asoko desu. – The clock is over there.

Vocabulary

– Leisure activities

– Numbers 0 – 10.000

– Professions

– Hiragana Alphabet

– Country and Nationality

– Family names

– Items in a department stores and office buildings

Based on the course book – Minna no Nihon-go Beginners Book 1*

Chapters 1 to 3

*Materials may be based on the coursebook but it is not required as teachers may use different resources.

This language course includes: 

• Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources 
• Support and advice from Japanese language teachers 
• Japanese language study tips 

Japanese Level 1 Fridays is a Beginners Japanese course for students who have never studied the Japanese language before. 

Our Japanese language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Evening language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills. 

Course Content

Communicative aims

– Greeting people

– Introducing yourself and someone else

– Asking and giving personal details

– Shopping

– Locations

Linguistic aims

– Forming affirmative & negative sentences in present tense.

– Forming questions.

– Particles “wa”, “mo”, “ka” and “no”

– The Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words.

Examples

(1) Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. – I am Yoshio Tanaka.

(2) Suzuki san wa isha ja arimasen. – Ms Suzuki is not a doctor.

(3) Yamada san wa gakusei desuka. – Is Mr Yamada a student?

(4) Sasaki san mo gakusei desu. – Ms Sasaki is a student too.

(5) Kore wa hon desu. – This is a book.

(7) Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. – This is a book on cars.

(8) Sore wa watashi no pen desu. -That is my pen.

(9) Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. – This bag is mine.

(10) Koko wa ima desu. – This is a living room.

(11) Tokei wa asoko desu. – The clock is over there.

Vocabulary

– Leisure activities

– Numbers 0 – 10.000

– Professions

– Hiragana Alphabet

– Country and Nationality

– Family names

– Items in a department stores and office buildings

Course Book – Minna no Nihon-go Beginners Book 1*

Chapters 1 to 3

*Materials may be based on the coursebook but it is not required as teachers may use different resources.

This language course includes: 

• Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources 
• Support and advice from Japanese language teachers 
• Japanese language study tips 

Japanese Level 1 Sundays is a Beginners Japanese course for students who have never studied the Japanese language before. 

Our Japanese language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Weekend language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills.

Important Notice

Course Content

Communicative aims

– Greeting people

– Introducing yourself and someone else

– Asking and giving personal details

– Shopping

– Locations

Linguistic aims

– Forming affirmative & negative sentences in present tense.

– Forming questions.

– Particles “wa”, “mo”, “ka” and “no”

– The Ko, So, A, Do system of demonstrative words.

Examples

(1) Watashi wa Tanaka Yoshio desu. – I am Yoshio Tanaka.

(2) Suzuki san wa isha ja arimasen. – Ms Suzuki is not a doctor.

(3) Yamada san wa gakusei desuka. – Is Mr Yamada a student?

(4) Sasaki san mo gakusei desu. – Ms Sasaki is a student too.

(5) Kore wa hon desu. – This is a book.

(7) Kore wa kuruma no hon desu. – This is a book on cars.

(8) Sore wa watashi no pen desu. -That is my pen.

(9) Kono kaban wa watashi no desu. – This bag is mine.

(10) Koko wa ima desu. – This is a living room.

(11) Tokei wa asoko desu. – The clock is over there.

Vocabulary

– Leisure activities

– Numbers 0 – 10.000

– Professions

– Hiragana Alphabet

– Country and Nationality

– Family names

– Items in a department stores and office buildings

Based on the course book – Minna no Nihon-go Beginners Book 1*

Chapters 1 to 3

*Materials may be based on the coursebook but it is not required as teachers may use different resources.

This language course includes: 

• Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources 
• Support and advice from Japanese language teachers 
• Japanese language study tips 

Why not try out a sample beginners Japanese lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the Japanese language before. 

Our Japanese language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Weekend language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills.

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)