Introduction
Are you ready to explore Japan?
Japan is both ancient and advanced all at the same time. The combination of rich nature, and futuristic cities is a unique juxtaposition. It's alluring and intimidating all at once. Especially since only 10% of Japanese can hold a conversation in English!
But don't let that stop you!
Learning a little bit of Japanese can help you unlock a deeper, richer experience during your stay. It can give you the confidence to wander down that alley in Kyoto and take advantage of the unplanned things that simply unfold during your trip. In Japan, even a little Japanese can go a very long way! Having the basics covered can give you both peace of mind and the experience of a lifetime.
What will students learn in this course?
This course provides a guide to beginner level Japanese phrases which are useful during your trip to Japan while introducing basic grammar, vocabulary, expressions used in daily life, and various lessons on Japanese culture along the way.
What will students get from the course?
- About 6 hours of video lessons
- More than 100 phrases phrases which you will come across when you are staying in Japan
- Practice listening to native Japanese pronunciation
- Examples sentences shown in both hiragana, and romaji
- You can download PDF materials (like digital guide), if you wish
- You can download lessons so that you can study even while you're on the plane
- a mini-quiz at the end of every lesson to review key points as well as self-assessment tool
- You can ask questions on the comment section and your tutor will get back to you!
Who is this course for?
- Beginners to upper beginners who are planning to go to Japan in the future and would like to learn some basics before they go to make their trip more meaningful.
- Suitable for those who are looking to strengthen their foundation in beginner Japanese.
- Absolute beginners who would like to challenge themselves.
Why ”Tekuteku Nihongo”?
Enjoy the quality and rigor of classroom teaching, but delivered in the style of private one-on-one tutoring. Learn at your own pace from the comfort of your own home whenever it suits your schedule.
I can not read Japanese characters, can I still enroll in the course?
Yes! This is an entry-level course, and all example sentences are shown using both hiragana and romaji, so that you can use whichever feels most comfortable to you.
Curriculum
- Lesson 1: Overview (1:23)
- Asking "How much is this?", "What is this?" (4:07)
- Looking for something in a store (3:57)
- Saying "I will take/buy this." , "I will pay with a card, please" (1:40)
- Asking "what time are you open until?" (2:17)
- Summary -Let's pronounce useful phrases!- (3:08)
- Quiz -Lesson 1-
- Lesson 2: Overview (1:05)
- Responses at the supermarket, department store etc. Let's try tasting! (5:54)
- Frequent questions which you will be asked at stores/convenience stores. (3:41)
- Asking "Do you have X (item)?" (3:38)
- Common messages or questions at stores (8:06)
- Let's pronounce shopping phrases! (3:15)
- Let's practice listening! (1:11)
- Quiz -Lesson 2-
- Lesson 3: Overview (0:56)
- "Good morning" and "Hello" (2:01)
- "Good evening" and "Good night" (2:07)
- "Good bye" and "Take care" (2:01)
- "Excuse me" and "Thank you" (2:27)
- "How are you?" and "Long time no see" (2:38)
- Speaking Practice -Essential Greetings- (1:33)
- Let's practice pronunciation of Japanese greetings (polite) (2:31)
- Quiz -Lesson 3-
- Lesson 4: Introduction (Te-form) (1:49)
- ID checking "Please show me your passport." (1:16)
- Shopping "Please show me this." & "Please give me a fork." (2:45)
- Money "Please give me a refund & Please exchange to Japanese yen." (1:23)
- Memories "Please take photo of me/us." Please get me through (1:50)
- Getting on a taxi "Please take me/go to (destination/address)." (0:44)
- How to read Japanese addresses? (3:34)
- Talking to taxi driver "Please take me to Ueno Zoo. " "Please go straight. " (1:02)
- Vocabulary -Making Requests- (2:16)
- Quiz -Lesson 4-
- Let's count from 1-10! (1:21)
- Let's count from 11-100! (0:52)
- Let's count from 200-1000! (0:59)
- Count practice (2:12)
- Overview of numbers in Japanese (3:13)
- Let's count from 1000-10,000! (2:26)
- 100,000, 1 million and Japanese currency; yen. (0:30)
- Numbers written in Kanji/Japanese characters (0:55)
- Let's practice some numbers! (5:22)
- Quiz -Lesson 5-
- Lesson 6: Overview (0:46)
- Can I try this on? (1:20)
- Telling staff its "just the right size", "big" "small" or "It does not suit me." (1:52)
- Asking "Do you have a bigger or smaller size?" (1:36)
- Asking "Do you have a different colour?" (1:33)
- Let's learn colours! (0:55)
- What to say when you want to wear your clothes just after your purchase? (0:37)
- Vocabulary & Phrases -a clothing shop or boutique- (2:55)
- Quiz -Lesson 6-
- Lesson 8: Overview (0:24)
- Where is this seat? & May I get through? (1:55)
- I am on vacation or I am on a business trip. (0:59)
- I am travelling alone. (with family etc) (2:41)
- I will stay at (accommodation). (2:33)
- Lost or damaged luggage. Luggage claim in Japanese. (3:04)
- Japanese phrases when arriving in Japan (3:51)
- Quiz -Lesson 8-
- Lesson 9: Overview (0:52)
- Asking "Where is X ?" and "Is it far from here?" (1:14)
- Asking politely to strangers "Could you tell me how to get to (destination)?" (1:01)
- Asking some questions related to directions (2:09)
- Directions (Right, Left. Straight and turn etc) (3:26)
- A short dialogue (1:11)
- Essential verbs (0:49)
- Understanding directions when travelling in Japan (3:51)
- Quiz -Lesson 9-
- Lesson 12: Overview (0:30)
- Arrival and departure (1:04)
- Women and men (0:53)
- Hot bath and outdoor hot-spring/manners (1:48)
- Bathroom/Toilet (0:41)
- Vacant and occupied (2:23)
- Exit and entry (2:44)
- Sign "We are open" "In preparation(We are not open yet.)" (1:20)
- Bill/check counter, information centre and non smoking signs (3:12)
- All you can eat or drink (3:15)
- Kanji Quiz -Lesson 12-
- Introduction regarding "vegan" or "vegetarian" food in Japan (1:49)
- Telling staff "I am allergic" (2:25)
- Telling staff "I CAN NOT eat X (specific type of food/ingredients. )" (1:42)
- Vocabulary -The 10 most common food allergies- (2:37)
- Speaking practice and asking "Does it contain X?" (1:30)
- Telling staff "I am a vegetarian or vegan" (2:12)
- Asking "Can I have this without (food)?" (3:54)
- It's okay. (0:34)
- Food terminology (3:38)
- Speaking practice (0:59)
- Recommended Japanese foods for vegetarian. (1:36)
- Quiz -Lesson 16-
Your Japanese Tutor
Ayana Okamoto
Ayana is originally from Kanagawa, Japan where she received her Bachelor's degree in Education before moving to New Zealand in 2011 where she has since helped hundreds of students learn Japanese. Through her decade of experience teaching Japanese one-on-one she has built up a wealth of knowledge of what really helps students succeed in learning the language, and is now excited to share that with you.
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Knowledgeable instructor
The signs were very helpful
What I really liked and appreciated the most was how the signs look, as you would see them out in public .
I was shocked to see just how different the printed text you would see in books and computers vs the hand written versions you would see out in public.
Sometimes the signs are only marked in Kanji and not English so knowing that was helpful. For example, the different signs for male and female in Japanese to avoid any embarrassment going into the wrong toilets!
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