Beginners Japanese - 2026

Course Overview

An introduction to Japanese language and culture, for absolute beginners, covering New Zealand Curriculum Levels 1-4. Students will be able to understand language that contains well-rehearsed sentence patterns and familiar vocabulary. They will interact in predictable exchanges. As they study the various topics, the students will learn about some basic Japanese grammar and also cultural aspects and elements.

Topics covered include:

• Hiragana script

• whakawhanaungatanga - greetings and learning to talk about yourself and those around you

• name/age/birthday/likes/dislikes/favourites/nationalities/personality/what you/they look like

• Family & pets (and other animals)

• School - subjects - when you have them/how you feel about them and the teachers

• Daily routine

• Holidays - where you are planning to go & went, who with, what you will do/did, what it will be/was like

• Food - learn Japanese food/restaurant conversations etc

• Around town - introduce where you live

• Japanese culture

• Important days in Japan