Learning Program
Japanese Listening for Absolute Beginners
Program outline
Course Stages
- Week 1–2: Hiragana and katakana sound recognition in spoken form, basic mora rhythm training
- Week 3–4: Particle identification by ear, numbers, time expressions, greetings in natural speed
- Week 5–6: Short dialogues — shopping, directions, introductions — with comprehension checks
- Week 7–8: Simple interview-style audio, note-taking practice, vocabulary review sessions
Each stage includes a short audio quiz before advancing. No written grammar tests — this is listening-focused throughout.
About this course
Starting from what you can actually hear
Most beginners struggle with Japanese audio because the phonetic system is genuinely different from European languages. This course begins with pitch accent awareness and mora-timed rhythm before moving to vocabulary in context.
What the lessons look like
Each session uses short audio clips — 20 to 60 seconds — followed by guided analysis. You learn to identify word boundaries and common particles by ear, not just on paper.
Materials used
- Graded audio dialogues recorded by native speakers from Tokyo and Osaka
- Annotated transcripts for self-review
- Weekly shadowing exercises with feedback notes
Realistic expectations
After completing this program, most learners can follow slow, clearly spoken Japanese on familiar topics. Rapid natural speech remains challenging — that is covered in the intermediate level.
Saoirse Bellamy, enrolled student — I had studied grammar for two years but could not understand a single podcast. After four weeks here I started catching full sentences.
Format and pace
Sessions run twice per week, 50 minutes each. All recordings remain accessible for six months after enrolment.