• Dear Novice learners of Japanese,

   

  Welcome to the Japanese Language Program at Tohoku University!

   

  All our Japanese language instructors are happy and ready to help you.

  To ensure success when studying beginning-level Japanese, we have prepared a pre-first class assignment for you! If you have no knowledge of basic Japanese characters (hiragana and katakana, collectively called kana),learn them BEFORE your first class so that you can at least recognize and pronounce them on the first day.

  We will have quizzes on hiragana and katakana in the first few days of class! 

   

  How can you learn hiragana and katakana before class?

  You can study them however you like. If you like to learn using self-study programs/apps, the following links will take you to sites that list kana learning programs/apps our former beginning-level students have tried and highly recommended.You can try them out and use the program/app of your choice to master Japanese kana characters.

   

  [ Web-based PC programs ]  [ iOS apps ]   [ Android apps ]

   

  If you like to learn from textbooks, the following is recommended (it is used in the university’s start-of-term kana classes -see the Guide) and available at the University Coop Bookstore at Kawauchi:

  Self-Study Kana Workbook, by AOTS

   

  What if you arrived late and had to miss the first classes?

  You are expected to master kana yourself by using the above methods (the links will be up for some time), or through any other way you choose. Be sure to get up to speed so that you can enjoy learning Japanese in class. You do not want to fall behind! 

   

  We are looking forward to seeing you in class soon! 

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Japanese language teaching staff at Tohoku University

  
  

Tohoku University 　｜　Institute for Excellence in Higher Education ｜　Japanese Language Section ｜　Center for Culture and Language Education 　｜　Global Learning Center