Free online courseJapanese for Beginners - Marugoto A1 Starter - Hiragana, Introductions and Food Basics

Course Description

Step into Japanese with a friendly, practical path designed for true beginners. This free online course helps you build confidence from the very first lesson, so you can understand and use simple Japanese in everyday situations. Instead of getting stuck in complicated explanations, you will focus on communication you can apply immediately: greeting people politely, introducing yourself, and handling common interactions in class or while traveling.

You will also develop the essential foundation of the Japanese writing system. Learn to recognize core characters and get comfortable with how Japanese is written in real life, including how names are commonly shown and how to read key information on items like business cards. By connecting what you see with what you say, you will start to feel at home with Japanese text rather than intimidated by it.

As you progress, you will practice making simple statements and questions naturally, using patterns that unlock basic conversation. You will talk about your family and describe people in a straightforward way, building your ability to share personal information politely. This gives you the tools to participate in introductions, small talk, and light social exchanges with a clear and respectful tone.

Food is a major theme, helping you learn Japanese you will actually use. You will learn how to say what you like, connect foods smoothly in one sentence, offer and decline drinks politely, and handle mealtime expressions commonly heard in Japan. You will also gain confidence with menu language, locations, and prices, making it easier to navigate cafés, restaurants, and lunch plans without switching back to English.

Throughout the course, short practice questions reinforce what you learn so it sticks. By the end, you will have a solid A1-level starter base in Japanese: recognizable writing, useful phrases, and real conversational building blocks you can keep expanding.