Courses and Events - Japanese Language Courses

For a calendar of upcoming courses and events only, see our What’s On page.

For Japanese language courses aimed specifically at non-native Japanese language teachers, please click here

The Japan Foundation & SOAS Language and Culture Course (Beginner Level)

The Japan Foundation & SOAS Language and Culture Course (Beginner Level) is a new kind of course for absolute beginners of Japanese. It is based on the JF Standard for Japanese Language Education, rather than traditional methods of language education that focus on grammar and sentence structure. The aim of the course will be to use Japanese language skills to get to know people, visit restaurants and take part in many other Japan-related events. At the end of every lesson, participants will be able to perform specific, practical tasks in Japanese.

The course does not focus on language alone; learning Japanese culture will also be an important element in the lessons. The course incorporates videos, games and media that will help you to learn about Japan, in addition to social networking services such as Facebook to give you the opportunity to use your new Japanese skills outside of the classroom. You will also be given exclusive access to the supplementary Marugoto Plus Japanese Learning website. Participants of this course will even be eligible for temporary full membership of the Japan Foundation London Library for the duration of the term they are enrolled in and will be able to borrow resources from its collection of over 9,000 Japanese language education textbooks and other learning materials.

This course is perfect for absolute beginners of Japanese who would like to use their new language skills in practical situations, and to really connect with Japanese society.

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or check our What's On page to check course dates.

Japanese from Scratch

Japanese from Scratch is a new series of Japanese language and culture workshops from the Japan Foundation London, suitable for those who are interested in learning Japanese but haven't started yet, or those who have just started learning.

Workshops are held for a single evening several times a year, and each workshop focuses on a different theme. By exploring different aspects of Japanese culture, participants not only deepen their knowledge of Japan, but also learn basic Japanese language skills.

Please subscribe to our ebulletin or check our What's On page to see when our next Japanese from Scratch workshop will be held.

Past Japanese from Scratch workshops include:

• March 2013 "Shodo - An Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy"
• August 2012 – "Travel in Japan"
• March 2012 – "Let's Eat Japanese Food!"

Japanese Plus

Japanese Plus is a new Japanese language course designed for adult learners interested in updating and refreshing their knowledge about Japan whilst practising their Japanese language skills in a series of evening classes at the Japan Foundation London. Whilst providing a genuine chance to look behind some of Japan's cultural issues, the course will also provide you with an ideal opportunity to improve all four skills of Japanese. The course level is aimed at learners with a Japanese level of approx. JLPT Level 2 / N2 and above.

Please subscribe to our ebulletin or check our What's On page to see when our next Japanese Plus course will be held.

Past Japanese Plus courses include:

• February – March 2013 – "An Introduction to Professional Japanese Interpreting"
• February 2013 – One Evening Special: "Add Colour to your Japanese"
• November 2012 – "An Introduction to Professional Japanese Translation"
• June 2012 – "Japanese Dialects"
• February-March 2012 – "Read and Write Japanese Newspapers"

Our Japanese Plus course develops upon our now discontinued workshop series, "Talking Contemporary Japan." To read about our past Talking Contemporary Japan seminars, please click here