Level 1 Absolute Beginner
Level 1 Absolute Beginner
Start here if you're new to Japanese or can only say a few words and phrases.
Start here if you're new to Japanese or can only say a few words and phrases.
Online Cohort
Online Cohort
Live on Zoom
Spots limited
Starts
Starts
October 29
October 29
Duration
Duration
8 Weeks
8 Weeks
Schedule
Schedule
Thu. 9:00 PM EST 🇺🇸
Thu. 9:00 PM EST 🇺🇸
Class length
Class length
90 min / week
90 min / week
Class size
Class size
Max. 6
Max. 6
Enroll: US$429
Face-to-Face Cohort in Hong Kong (Yau Ma Tei MTR)
Face-to-Face Cohort in Hong Kong (Yau Ma Tei MTR)
Spots limited
Starts
Starts
Obtober 27
Obtober 27
Duration
Duration
8 Weeks
8 Weeks
Schedule
Schedule
Tue. 7:00 PM HKT 🇭🇰
Tue. 7:00 PM HKT 🇭🇰
Class length
Class length
90 min / week
90 min / week
Class size
Class size
Max. 6
Max. 6
Enroll: HK$4280
By the end of this course, you will be able to…
- 01Introduce yourself and have a simple conversation about who you are and what you like
- 02Talk about your daily life, routines, and upcoming plans
- 03Ask and answer simple questions to keep a conversation going
- Vocabulary & sentence flashcards with audio recorded by Mari
- Interactive homework you can do right from your phone
- Class recordings for review any time
- End-of-course 1:1 speaking session with Mari (20 mins)
Your First Japanese Conversation
Learn essential Japanese sounds, greetings, and expressions you can use from day one. Start introducing yourself in Japanese.
Introduce Yourself
Talk about who you are and ask someone basic questions about themselves.
Talk About What You Like
Share your interests and find out what other people like.
Talk About Your Daily Life
Start using Japanese verbs to talk about what you do in everyday life.
Ask About Someone's Day
Ask and answer simple questions about everyday activities and understand basic responses.
Talk About Your Routine
Describe when, where, and how often you do things in your daily life.
Talk About Your Plans
Tell someone what you're planning to do and ask about their plans.
Put It All Together
Use everything you've learned to have longer beginner conversations about yourself, your interests, daily life, and plans.
No. Level 1 is designed for complete beginners. You don't need to know any Japanese words, grammar, hiragana, or katakana before your first class.
You're still welcome to join! Level 1 is a good starting point if you know some Japanese but aren't yet comfortable making sentences or having conversations.
Yes! You'll learn hiragana and katakana as part of the course, alongside grammar, vocabulary, and speaking practice.
Both! You'll learn how Japanese sentences work through clear explanations and practice using what you've learned in conversations.
Level 1 runs for 8 weeks, with one 90-minute live class per week (12 hours in total). The course fee is US$429 or HK$4280.
You can continue to Level 2, where you'll learn to talk about past experiences, invite people out, make plans, and use Japanese in more everyday situations.
By the end of this course, you will be able to…
- 01Introduce yourself and have a simple conversation about who you are and what you like
- 02Talk about your daily life, routines, and upcoming plans
- 03Ask and answer simple questions to keep a conversation going
- Vocabulary & sentence flashcards with audio recorded by Mari
- Interactive homework you can do right from your phone
- Class recordings for review any time
- End-of-course 1:1 speaking session with Mari (20 mins)
Your First Japanese Conversation
Learn essential Japanese sounds, greetings, and expressions you can use from day one. Start introducing yourself in Japanese.
Introduce Yourself
Talk about who you are and ask someone basic questions about themselves.
Talk About What You Like
Share your interests and find out what other people like.
Talk About Your Daily Life
Start using Japanese verbs to talk about what you do in everyday life.
Ask About Someone's Day
Ask and answer simple questions about everyday activities and understand basic responses.
Talk About Your Routine
Describe when, where, and how often you do things in your daily life.
Talk About Your Plans
Tell someone what you're planning to do and ask about their plans.
Put It All Together
Use everything you've learned to have longer beginner conversations about yourself, your interests, daily life, and plans.
No. Level 1 is designed for complete beginners. You don't need to know any Japanese words, grammar, hiragana, or katakana before your first class.
You're still welcome to join! Level 1 is a good starting point if you know some Japanese but aren't yet comfortable making sentences or having conversations.
Yes! You'll learn hiragana and katakana as part of the course, alongside grammar, vocabulary, and speaking practice.
Both! You'll learn how Japanese sentences work through clear explanations and practice using what you've learned in conversations.
Level 1 runs for 8 weeks, with one 90-minute live class per week (12 hours in total). The course fee is US$429 or HK$4280.
You can continue to Level 2, where you'll learn to talk about past experiences, invite people out, make plans, and use Japanese in more everyday situations.
Learn with us and speak with confidence
Learn with us and speak with confidence
“Mari-sensei is a very patient, fun and engaging teacher. As a language teacher myself, I can only praise her ability to balance out different activities and to make students work on variety of skills, allowing us to put what we learn to practice immediately through pair-to-pair interaction. The course progression is very well organized, and the content is practical, allowing us to talk about a wide range of self-introduction topics, which is very satisfying and encouraging as a new-language learner. Finally, managing to make an online group lesson so warm, safe and engaging is truly a gift! Thank you so much for your energy, patience, availability and fun lessons, Mari-san!”
“This course is fun, friendly and interactive. A good place to learn every-day Japanese and practise speaking it.”
“I loved the class. I learned how to read Hiragana and can build sentences. Mari took a lot of time to make sure we understood the lessons.”
Ally · USALevel 2 — Beginner“Loved the class, be prepared to speak during class, Mari really wants you to learn so speaking is almost mandatory 😁”
“Mari sensei is amazing!! Her japanese classes were so engaging and fun and she doesn't give up on her students, which is the best part. Always ready to be there, always smiling and cheerful, and she is sooo experienced and has ways to make you understand things. She isn't a clock watcher — very skilled with her teaching so she understands her students well. She personally created learning audio material for us in Quizlet, which you could listen to at the gym or while driving. She is the best! If I could, I would fly to Hong Kong to get a Nihongo course with her other students. You also get to have conversations and get to know people from different walks of life who are also learning the language. Although I feel the classes should be longer for serious learners — I would suggest something like a 6-month course if she offers one. For those going to travel, learning for fun, or to find a Japanese partner, her course is fun!”
Mrinal · IndiaLevel 1 — Absolute Beginner“Mari-sensei is a very patient, fun and engaging teacher. As a language teacher myself, I can only praise her ability to balance out different activities and to make students work on variety of skills, allowing us to put what we learn to practice immediately through pair-to-pair interaction. The course progression is very well organized, and the content is practical, allowing us to talk about a wide range of self-introduction topics, which is very satisfying and encouraging as a new-language learner. Finally, managing to make an online group lesson so warm, safe and engaging is truly a gift! Thank you so much for your energy, patience, availability and fun lessons, Mari-san!”
“This course is fun, friendly and interactive. A good place to learn every-day Japanese and practise speaking it.”
“I loved the class. I learned how to read Hiragana and can build sentences. Mari took a lot of time to make sure we understood the lessons.”
Ally · USALevel 2 — Beginner“Loved the class, be prepared to speak during class, Mari really wants you to learn so speaking is almost mandatory 😁”
“Mari sensei is amazing!! Her japanese classes were so engaging and fun and she doesn't give up on her students, which is the best part. Always ready to be there, always smiling and cheerful, and she is sooo experienced and has ways to make you understand things. She isn't a clock watcher — very skilled with her teaching so she understands her students well. She personally created learning audio material for us in Quizlet, which you could listen to at the gym or while driving. She is the best! If I could, I would fly to Hong Kong to get a Nihongo course with her other students. You also get to have conversations and get to know people from different walks of life who are also learning the language. Although I feel the classes should be longer for serious learners — I would suggest something like a 6-month course if she offers one. For those going to travel, learning for fun, or to find a Japanese partner, her course is fun!”
Mrinal · IndiaLevel 1 — Absolute Beginner