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JLPT N5 Curriculum for Beginners

Build a strong foundation in Japanese and progress toward JLPT N5 level through structured private 1-on-1 lessons and guided self-study.

This level is designed to build a strong foundation for beginners learning Japanese. It helps learners develop the four essential skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—through lessons and homework provided by their teacher. Using a step-by-step approach, learners start with simple sentence patterns and gradually progress to more complex structures.

Features of the Curriculum:
・Structured around sentence patterns, examples, conversations, and exercises.
・Focuses on practical Japanese for everyday situations.
・Uses Minna no Nihongo Shokyu I as the main textbook, supported by homework and feedback from your teacher.

Learning Goals:
By the end of this level, learners will be able to:
・Handle simple interactions in common everyday situations.
・Express basic thoughts and ideas about familiar topics in Japanese.
・Build the foundational Japanese skills needed to progress beyond JLPT N5 level.

Sample Japanese Learning Materials

See examples of the original learning materials used in our N5-level online Japanese lessons. Our materials combine grammar, practical examples, illustrations, and exercises to help beginners understand and use Japanese step by step.

Introducing Yourself in Japanese

Learn basic sentence patterns such as 「私は〜です」 and practice introducing your name and nationality in Japanese.

N5 Japanese lesson sample for introducing yourself in Japanese

Asking for Locations in Japanese

Learn how to ask where places and things are using expressions such as 「〜はどこですか」 and practice using Japanese in everyday situations.

N5 Japanese lesson sample for asking for locations in Japanese
These are examples of the original learning materials used in our private 1-on-1 Japanese lessons. Your teacher will guide you through the materials and provide additional explanations, speaking practice, and homework based on your learning progress.

This curriculum is ideal for anyone looking to build a solid foundation in Japanese while gaining confidence in using the language in real-life contexts!

課 Lessons Topic What you Can-do
1 2~4 Review (Pronunciation, Reading &Writing of Hiragana, Katakana) Review basic (pronunciation, reading & writing of Hiragana, Katakana), basic phrases
2 2~4 Hello Exchange greetings

Give a simple self introduction

3 2~4 What is it ? Ask something’s name, and express who the things belong to
4 2~4 Please give me this one. Ask someone the location

Do some shopping

5 2~4 What time is it ? Talk about your schedule to someone (time, day of the week)
6 2~4 Do you go to Japan? Go out with your friends by vehicle
7 2~4 Shall we go toghter? Ask your frined to join

Talk about your daily routine

8 2~4 Excuse me Ask someone you don’t know how to say in Japanese.
9 2~4 How are you ? Talk about your daily life
10 2~4 I like Japan! Talk about your likes and dislikes/strengths and weaknesses.
11 2~4 Let me introduce my country Give a simple introduction of your country, city you live in
12 2~4 How long do you stay in Japan? Talk about number, time, term, frequency
13 2~4 How was the festival? Talk about your past experience
14 2~4 I want to drink beer Talk about what you want to do
15 2~4 Please take me to the Tokyo Give a simple request, instructions to someone
16 2~4 Let me introduce my family Talk briefly about your family and job
17 2~4 Please tell me how to use this Give a explanation of the place, things, people
18 2~4 What’s wrong with it? Give a explanation of rule and regulations
19 2~4 What is your hobby? Talk about your hobbies

Talk about what you can and can’t do

20 2~4 I’ll go on a diet from tomorrow. Talk about the changes of scene, situation
21 2~4 What will you do on summer vacation? Have a casual conversation with your close friends
22 2~4 I think so too. Give a simple opinion, impressions and expectation
23 2~4 What kind of apartment do you like? Give a detailed explanation about things and person
24 2~4 How do I get there? Give a explanation about direction and how to use something
25 2~4 Could you help me? Ask somebody to do something for you

GUIDED SELF-STUDY & HOMEWORK

In addition to your private 1-on-1 lessons, your teacher provides approximately 2 hours of guided self-study and homework for each lesson to help you review and reinforce what you have learned.

  1. Sentence Practice (60 min)
    Create your own sentences using the key grammar patterns learned in the lesson.
  2. Reading & Speaking Practice (40 min)
    Read key grammar examples aloud and record yourself to practice pronunciation and speaking.
  3. Grammar Review (20 min)
    Complete 5–7 short quizzes to review the grammar covered in the lesson.

*Homework may vary depending on your level and learning progress. While learning hiragana and katakana, different homework activities may be assigned.

TYPICAL STUDY PACE TO JLPT N5 LEVEL

A common pathway to JLPT N5 level includes approximately 50 hours of private 1-on-1 lessons plus 100 hours of guided self-study and homework.

Your timeline will depend on your starting level, lesson frequency, self-study pace, and learning progress. The following is a general guideline:

  • 4 lessons per week: approximately 3 months
  • 3 lessons per week: approximately 4 months
  • 2 lessons per week: approximately 6 months — recommended pace
  • 1 lesson per week: approximately 12 months

*Each private lesson is 60 minutes. These timelines are estimates and may vary depending on your starting level and individual progress.

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