Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will focus on 46 Hiragana and Katakana characters and enable you to write sentences in Japanese.
What will we cover?
Hiragana and Katakana characters, history of Japanese writing, word order and other writing rules.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Talk about the history of Japanese writing -Identify and use the right shape of hiragana and katakana -Understand word order rules -Understand basic rules of the Japanese writing system, including 'double consonants', 'modifying syllable' and 'long vowels' -Change foreign words into katakana, including writing your name.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Near beginners - students should have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar, be able to read hiragana and katakana.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is based on the communicative approach:
- active students’ interaction - emphasis on speaking and listening skills - pair and group work - use of realia, pictures and authentic material - use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate
Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A pencil. All other materials will be given by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You tutor will advise you on appropriate progression routes.
Chika has over 27 years of experience as a Japanese teacher, 23 of which she has spent at City Lit. Her work was recognised with a Teacher of the Year award in 2017. She has a teaching diploma and a Degree in Fine Art. Since coming to the UK from Yokuska, Japan, in the late 1980s, Chika travelled extensively as a performance artist, taught Zig and Zag Japanese on the Big Breakfast TV show, and wrote pieces about Japanese life for various publications. Chika encourages her students to experience every aspect of Japanese culture, which she supports by introducing food, onsen, music and etiquette in her classes, as well as running special film night events at City Lit. Chika is constantly researching new methods to introduce students to the joy of learning, encouraging self- discovery and connection through class activities. Chika’s love of art and performance is reflected in her inspirational teaching materials, including original hand drawn certificates for student achievements which are displayed in the City Lit 100 years exhibition. Teaching and learning Japanese is a joy that Chika wants to share with everyone.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/japanese-writing-for-beginners-part-1318858Japanese: writing for beginners part 1https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/japanese-2-low-mod-2-lj201-1024.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Languages/Courses/Languages/Asian/Courses/Languages/Asian/Japanese/Courses/vm/East and Southeast Asia season22851280130213041368312285128013021653Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.152990156Japanese: writing for beginners part 15959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/japanese-2-low-mod-2-lj201-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-16T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMay 2026LanguagesLJW275959Japanese: writing for beginners part 1595959Chikako Nakagawajapanese-writing-for-beginners-part-1/ljw27-2526Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.0000-Available|2026-05-16 00:00:00This course will focus on 46 Hiragana and Katakana characters and enable you to write sentences in Japanese.Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.Hiragana and Katakana characters, history of Japanese writing, word order and other writing rules.-Talk about the history of Japanese writing<br/>-Identify and use the right shape of hiragana and katakana<br/>-Understand word order rules <br/>-Understand basic rules of the Japanese writing system, including 'double consonants', 'modifying syllable' and 'long vowels'<br/>-Change foreign words into katakana, including writing your name.Near beginners - students should have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar, be able to read hiragana and katakana.The course is based on the communicative approach:<br/><br/>- active students’ interaction<br/>- emphasis on speaking and listening skills<br/>- pair and group work<br/>- use of realia, pictures and authentic material<br/>- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate<br/><br/>Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.A pencil. All other materials will be given by the tutor.You tutor will advise you on appropriate progression routes.AsianJapanesevirtual3040228Japanese: writing for beginners part 16969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/japanese-2-low-mod-2-lj201-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceNov 2026LanguagesLJW006969Japanese: writing for beginners part 1696969Chikako Nakagawajapanese-writing-for-beginners-part-1/ljw00-2627Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.0000-Available|2026-11-21 00:00:00This course will focus on 46 Hiragana and Katakana characters and enable you to write sentences in Japanese.Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.Hiragana and Katakana characters, history of Japanese writing, word order and other writing rules.-Talk about the history of Japanese writing<br>-Identify and use the right shape of hiragana and katakana<br>-Understand word order rules <br>-Understand basic rules of the Japanese writing system, including 'double consonants', 'modifying syllable' and 'long vowels'<br>-Change foreign words into katakana, including writing your name.Near beginners - students should have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar, be able to read hiragana and katakana.The course is based on the communicative approach:<br><br>- active students’ interaction<br>- emphasis on speaking and listening skills<br>- pair and group work<br>- use of realia, pictures and authentic material<br>- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate<br><br>Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.A pencil. All other materials will be given by the tutor.You tutor will advise you on appropriate progression routes.AsianJapanesevirtual59,6959,6959,69LJW27,LJW00NONESat16/05/2610:00 - 15:0010:0015:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetChikako NakagawaBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-05-16T00:00:00+00:00,2026-11-21T00:00:00+00:00May 2026,Nov 2026Languages5959,69Japanese: writing for beginners part 1japanese-writing-for-beginners-part-1/ljw27-2526,japanese-writing-for-beginners-part-1/ljw00-2627Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.0000-Available|2026-05-16 00:00:00This course will focus on 46 Hiragana and Katakana characters and enable you to write sentences in Japanese.Come and improve your knowledge of the basic Japanese writing system, Hiragana and Katakana. Suitable if you are studying Japanese at beginners level.Hiragana and Katakana characters, history of Japanese writing, word order and other writing rules.-Talk about the history of Japanese writing<br/>-Identify and use the right shape of hiragana and katakana<br/>-Understand word order rules <br/>-Understand basic rules of the Japanese writing system, including 'double consonants', 'modifying syllable' and 'long vowels'<br/>-Change foreign words into katakana, including writing your name.,-Talk about the history of Japanese writing<br>-Identify and use the right shape of hiragana and katakana<br>-Understand word order rules <br>-Understand basic rules of the Japanese writing system, including 'double consonants', 'modifying syllable' and 'long vowels'<br>-Change foreign words into katakana, including writing your name.Near beginners - students should have knowledge of basic Japanese grammar, be able to read hiragana and katakana.The course is based on the communicative approach:<br/><br/>- active students’ interaction<br/>- emphasis on speaking and listening skills<br/>- pair and group work<br/>- use of realia, pictures and authentic material<br/>- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate<br/><br/>Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.,The course is based on the communicative approach:<br><br>- active students’ interaction<br>- emphasis on speaking and listening skills<br>- pair and group work<br>- use of realia, pictures and authentic material<br>- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate<br><br>Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.A pencil. All other materials will be given by the tutor.You tutor will advise you on appropriate progression routes.AsianJapaneseconfigurable
