Our Fast Track Japanese Level 1 and 2 course is designed for complete beginners who are looking to accelerate their language learning. Classes take place twice a week at our school in Covent Garden. Led by qualified, experienced teachers, our lessons are dynamic, engaging, and focused on spoken communication. Classes include a variety of interactive activities such as group discussions, role-plays, and practical exercises to build fluency and confidence.

Is this course for you?

This course is ideal for complete beginners who are ready to commit to a more intensive learning experience. If you’re looking to make faster progress and can attend classes twice a week, this course is a great fit. However, if you prefer a slower pace or have a busier schedule, we also offer evening, afternoon and weekend courses that take place once a week—perfect for learners seeking a less intense option. If you already have some basic knowledge of Japanese, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you. After this course, continue your learning with Level 3 and 4 and beyond. Progression is based on your class participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To help you better understand our level system, check our level chart.

Course Dates:

Monday and Wednesdays: 12th January 2026 – 25th February 2026 (Break 16th and 18th February 2026)
Tuesday and Thursdays: 10th March 2026 – 30th April (Easter Break – 31st March – 9th April 2026)
Monday and Wednesdays: 11th May 2026 – 24th June 2026 (Spring Break 25th and 27th May 2026)
Tuesday and Thursdays: 7th July – 13th August 2026
Monday and Wednesdays: 31st August – 7th October 2026
Tuesday and Thursdays: 13th October – 26th November 2026 (Autumn Break – 27th and 29th October 2026)

What’s Included in your course?

• Lesson summaries, notes & resources
• Japanese study tips
• Additional study resources
• Support from experienced teachers
• Exclusive workshops and events to IH London students

By the end of your course, you should be able to:

• Greet people and use basic social expressions confidently.
• Introduce yourself and others in both casual and polite settings.
• Ask for and share personal details such as names, contact information, and more.
• Navigate shopping situations — from asking prices to making purchases.
• Talk about locations and give simple directions.
• Read and understand basic time-related phrases and schedules.
• Ask about opening and closing times for shops and places.
• Describe your daily routines and habits.

Materials

Suggested Coursebook
Minna No Nihongo Shokyu [2nd edition] Vol. 1
Publisher: 3A Network
ISBN 9784883196036

For this course we will use units 1 to 5 in the coursebook. Please note we might not cover all activities during the course.