Hiragana & Katakana Beginner Practical Course – Now Accepting Applications

Category： Information

This is the perfect 4-week intensive course for those who want to start Japanese from zero and build a solid foundation in hiragana and katakana, step by step, in an international environment with classmates from over 30 countries.

Course starting Monday, November 30, 2025 – Now Accepting Students!

Right now, you can still make it in time for the last Beginner Practical Course of the year. The class starting on November 30 offers a limited number of seats where you can study together with classmates from both overseas and within Japan. Whether it is your first time learning a language or you want to quickly acquire the Japanese you need for daily life, you are very welcome to join us.

Course Overview

The Hiragana & Katakana Beginner Practical Course at Kudan Institute of Japanese Language is a 4-week intensive program designed for complete beginners who want to acquire balanced skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Through 3.5 hours of lessons each day (20 lessons per week), you will carefully learn essential expressions and practical skills necessary for daily life in Japan.

Classes are conducted in a friendly and supportive atmosphere where you can try using Japanese from the very first day. You will not only study from textbooks, but also practice real-life situations, so that you can say “I can actually use Japanese!” by the end of the course.

Course Highlights

A curriculum designed so that complete beginners can join with confidence. The course starts with orientation and self-introductions, followed by intensive practice of hiragana and katakana, as well as conversation exercises for daily situations such as shopping, transportation, eating out, and small talk.
Small-sized classes (average 12–20 students) provide a close distance between teachers and students, creating an environment where you can easily ask questions and receive personalized feedback on your progress.
The course adopts an active-learning style that develops not only Japanese language skills, but also your ability to express yourself, including use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language for effective real-life communication.
Because students come from many different countries and backgrounds, you will have plenty of opportunities to use Japanese as a common language, naturally increasing your speaking time and boosting your confidence.

What You Will Learn

Intensive practice of hiragana and katakana, vocabulary quizzes, and listening drills to firmly establish the basics of reading and writing.
Self-introduction speeches and basic expressions for greetings, making requests, and asking for permission to build the foundation of interpersonal communication.
Useful expressions for shopping, such as “This one, please.” and “How much is it?”, practiced through realistic role-plays.
How to use public transportation (train and bus), and how to order at restaurants and convenience stores, so you can move around and eat out independently in Japan.
How to talk about your plans and daily activities, invite friends, and express your impressions, enabling you to describe your day and weekends in simple Japanese.
Basic Japanese that connects to various activities such as manga-making projects and short tea ceremony experiences, allowing you to enjoy language study together with Japanese culture.

Example 4-week Schedule

Week 1: Hiragana, self-introductions, classroom language (greetings, name, country, occupation, numbers, basic questions).
Week 2: Completion of hiragana, shopping and restaurant conversations (prices, quantities, menus, ordering food and drinks).
Week 3: Katakana, transportation, and request expressions (asking for directions, buying tickets, asking someone to help or show you something).
Week 4: Katakana in real use, meals, daily conversation, and final presentations (introducing what you like, simple speeches about your life and experiences in Japan).

Each week, you will check what you can do in Japanese, so you can clearly see your progress. By the end of the course, the goal is to be able to manage basic everyday situations in Japan on your own.

Schedule & Fees

This course is offered five times a year, starting in March, June, August, November, and December, so you can choose the timing that best suits your study plan or travel schedule.

4-week course fee: 102,000 yen (includes admission fee, tuition, and teaching materials)

Homestay option available (28 nights with breakfast and dinner: 102,400 yen).
Guest house plans are also available to match your preferred lifestyle and budget.
Comprehensive support for accommodation arrangements, airport pick-up, and weekend cultural experience options is provided for a safe and comfortable stay.

Life Support & Activities

Kudan Institute offers not only language lessons but also support for daily life in Japan, including help with finding accommodation, guidance on commuting routes, and assistance with procedures at city offices or visiting a doctor when needed.

On weekends, you can join various cultural activities such as tea ceremony experiences, visits to manga and anime-related spots, and short trips around Tokyo and nearby areas. These activities provide great opportunities to actually use the Japanese you have learned in class.

Voices from Former Students

“It was my first time in Japan and I was very nervous at first, but both my classmates and teachers were kind and supportive. I could practice Japanese every day in a fun way, and now I can go shopping and use the train by myself without any problem.”

“At my homestay, I was able to immediately use the expressions I had just learned in class, and I became really close with my Japanese host family. Mealtimes with them felt like an extra conversation lesson every day.”

Many students also say that they made friends from all over the world and that they are no longer afraid to speak Japanese after finishing this course.

Who This Course Is For

Those who want to prepare for study at a Japanese university, vocational school, or language program.
Those who want to build a solid foundation before starting a working holiday or job hunting in Japan.
Self-learners who want to review and organize their basic knowledge through a short but intensive program.
Travelers and culture lovers who want to enjoy Japanese sightseeing and cultural experiences more deeply by learning basic Japanese.

The school is conveniently located in Chiyoda Ward, with easy access to major areas in Tokyo. As a three-star accredited school, Kudan offers a learning environment where language study and international exchange go hand in hand, and anyone aged 15 or over is welcome to join.

Contact & Application

▼ For more details, brochures, and applications, please contact us via the official website or by phone. ▼

Practical course for beginners

Master real-life Japanese conversation skills from basic (N5…

https://www.kudan-japanese-school.com/en/hiraganakatakana.php

Tel: +81-3-3239-7923

Take your first step in Japanese in Tokyo, and expand your possibilities at Kudan Institute of Japanese Language!
You can also see what student life is like on our Instagram and YouTube channels, where we share class scenes, student interviews, and school events.