Japanese Beginner Course A1.1
Online Mini Group
Have you ever wanted to start learning Japanese, but felt intimidated by large classes or fast-paced courses? This cozy online mini group is designed especially for beginners who want to learn in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
Together, we will follow the Marugoto A1 Starter textbook and cover the first half of A1 level (A1.1). No previous knowledge of Japanese is needed — we will start from the very beginning step by step.
Classes take place every Monday at 19:00 (NL time).
Let’s make your first steps in Japanese enjoyable and motivating together!
Why this course is different
The group is kept intentionally small — maximum 6 participants — so everyone has time to speak, ask questions, and learn comfortably without pressure. The lessons feel more personal, interactive, and friendly than typical large online classes.
The course takes place online, which means you can join not only from Apeldoorn, but from anywhere in the Netherlands — or even from abroad.
Course Details
Your First Steps into the Japanese Language
Course Schedule
Complete Timeline of the Course
Important: This course covers only the first half of A1 (A1.1).
The continuation course A1.2 will start in January 2027 and requires a separate enrollment and payment.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, students will:
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Develop practical Japanese communication skills through the communicative approach used in the Marugoto A1 textbook.
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Complete the first half of the A1 level course in 13 lessons.
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Learn essential sentence patterns and basic vocabulary for everyday situations.
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Be able to understand and use simple Japanese expressions for greetings, self-introductions, ordering food and drinks, talking about time and daily activities, and more.
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Gain confidence in listening and speaking basic Japanese in real-life contexts.
Course Structure
Each lesson includes:
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Step-by-step practice in reading and recognizing Hiragana and Katakana, supported by recommended learning apps and a comfortable pace of 5–15 new characters per week.
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Easy-to-follow Study Notes based on the textbook, including clear grammar explanations, practice activities, and access to free online self-learning resources for extra support outside the classroom.
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Interactive listening and speaking activities that help students communicate in Japanese using practical expressions and simple grammar from the very beginning.
Who This Course Is For
Designed for Students Starting Japanese from Zero
About The Teacher
Yuko Kabashima（樺島 夕子） is a native Japanese speaker and graduate of Osaka University. She has been teaching Japanese since 2016 after receiving her qualification as a Certified Japanese Language Teacher for Foreigners.
Over the years, she has taught students of different ages and backgrounds through private lessons, international companies, and educational communities in the Netherlands. Her experience includes teaching at Deloitte, Hotel Okura Amsterdam, and Democratic School Amsterdam.
Her teaching style focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment where students can naturally build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and understanding Japanese culture.
Teaching Style and Approach
This course is based on three simple learning policy:
1. Don’t try to learn everything at once.
Even understanding just one new thing can make learning enjoyable and rewarding.
2. Mistakes are your best teacher.
Students are encouraged to speak without fear and learn through trying, making mistakes, and communicating.
3. Touch Japanese every day.
Language is a tool for communication, so using Japanese even once a day helps build confidence and lasting skills.
What Happens Next? (A1.2)
After completing A1.1, students can continue with:
Japanese Course A1.2 (second half of A1 level)
Starts: January 2027
Separate registration and payment required
Registration
To reserve your place in the September Online Japanese Course, please complete the registration form below.
A non-refundable registration deposit of 99€ is required to confirm your spot.
The remaining course balance must be paid at least two weeks before the course starts.
Places are limited (max. 6 participants)