About this subject
Do you want to speak to family and friends in another language? Perhaps you are going on holiday and want to be able to order in a restaurant? Or maybe you just fancy a new challenge?
Japanese is one of the top 10 most widely spoken languages in the world and growing fast thanks to its popular culture, culinary delicacies, and business opportunities.
With our courses, you'll focus on speaking to survive in everyday situations, like ordering sushi in Osaka, booking a hotel room in Kyoto or catching the bullet train in Tokyo!
Our courses run over a period of weeks for a term three times a year from September to July plus short courses at the start of summer.
Enrolments open each term in March, July and November. If courses have already started you may still be able to join so please contact us.
If courses are full please sign up to our newsletter to hear when enrolments open again.
Course levels
We offer Japanese courses at beginners and beyond beginners level, in line with Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages.
Your tutor will teach you practical language skills to help you handle real-life situations, and will ensure you are working at the right level for you.
Each level is split into termly modules with additional courses specifically designed to help you pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Tests (JLPTs).
- Our beginners language courses are designed to get you speaking the language from day one. You will also have the chance to practise your listening, reading and writing skills, and learn some essential grammar.
- Our Beyond Beginners courses are ideal if you already have a good grasp of the basics and want to build your confidence.
All of our language courses are mapped against the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages. For 2023 to 2024, we have changed how we name our courses to better reflect the CEFR levels and help learners understand where they are in their language learning journey.
Each course spans two to three years and is arranged into termly modules. If you are unsure which level is right for you, please refer to the table here or complete our online self-assessment form below.
| Our course levels | CEFR Level | Number of hours of prior learning you should have had to join the first module of this level |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners (Modules 1 to 3) | A1 Beginner | 0 |
| Beginners (Modules 4 to 6) | A1 Beginner | 50 |
| Beyond Beginners| (Modules 1 to 3) | A2 Elementary | 100 |
| Beyond Beginners (Modules 4 to 6) | A2 Elementary | 150 |
Self assessment
Complete our languages self assessment form to help you to choose the right language level.
Fees and discounts
We have a range of discounts and support with fees available, including money off your first course if you are a library member, a Surrey Heritage user, or over the age of 66.
Please note: Your tutor will also advise you of any required course books, which typically cost £15 to £30. They will also be able to recommend other optional resources that you may find useful for your learning.