Lesson 1 — Duration: 2 HoursLesson 1 — Duration: 2 HoursLesson 1 — Duration: 2 Hours

Duration: 2 HoursDuration: 2 HoursDuration: 2 Hours

JLPT Level: N5 FoundationJLPT Level: N5 FoundationJLPT Level: N5 Foundation

JFT-Basic: Reading & Pronunciation FoundationJFT-Basic: Reading & Pronunciation FoundationJFT-Basic: Reading & Pronunciation Foundation

Stroke OrderStroke OrderStroke Order

3 Strokes3 Strokes3 Strokes

1. Short horizontal line 1. Short horizontal line 1. Short horizontal line

2. Vertical line with a slight curve 2. Vertical line with a slight curve 2. Vertical line with a slight curve

3. Curved stroke on the right 3. Curved stroke on the right 3. Curved stroke on the right

✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice

あ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ あ

あ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ あ

あ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ ああ あ あ あ あ

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Reading PracticeReading PracticeReading Practice

あさです。あさです。あさです。

Asa desu.Asa desu.Asa desu.

It is morning.It is morning.It is morning.

あめです。あめです。あめです。

Ame desu.Ame desu.Ame desu.

It is raining.It is raining.It is raining.

あかです。あかです。あかです。

Aka desu.Aka desu.Aka desu.

It is red.It is red.It is red.

Speaking PracticeSpeaking PracticeSpeaking Practice

Repeat slowly.Repeat slowly.Repeat slowly.

あああ

あああ

あああ

あああ

あああ

Now read:Now read:Now read:

あさあさあさ

あめあめあめ

あかあかあか

Character 2 — い Character 2 — い Character 2 — い

RomajiRomajiRomaji

iii

PronunciationPronunciationPronunciation

Pronounce it like "ee" in see.Pronounce it like "ee" in see.Pronounce it like "ee" in see.

Urdu sound:Urdu sound:Urdu sound:

Stroke OrderStroke OrderStroke Order

2 Strokes2 Strokes2 Strokes

✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice

い い い い いい い い い いい い い い い

い い い い いい い い い いい い い い い

い い い い いい い い い いい い い い い

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Reading PracticeReading PracticeReading Practice

いえです。いえです。いえです。

Ie desu.Ie desu.Ie desu.

It is a house.It is a house.It is a house.

いぬです。いぬです。いぬです。

Inu desu.Inu desu.Inu desu.

It is a dog.It is a dog.It is a dog.

いまです。いまです。いまです。

Ima desu.Ima desu.Ima desu.

It is now.It is now.It is now.

Speaking PracticeSpeaking PracticeSpeaking Practice

いいい

いいい

いいい

いいい

いいい

Read:Read:Read:

いえいえいえ

いぬいぬいぬ

いまいまいま

Character 3 — う Character 3 — う Character 3 — う

RomajiRomajiRomaji

uuu

PronunciationPronunciationPronunciation

Pronounce it like "oo" in food, but shorter.Pronounce it like "oo" in food, but shorter.Pronounce it like "oo" in food, but shorter.

Urdu sound:Urdu sound:Urdu sound:

Stroke OrderStroke OrderStroke Order

2 Strokes2 Strokes2 Strokes

✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice

う う う う うう う う う うう う う う う

う う う う うう う う う うう う う う う

う う う う うう う う う うう う う う う

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Reading PracticeReading PracticeReading Practice

うみです。うみです。うみです。

Umi desu.Umi desu.Umi desu.

It is the sea.It is the sea.It is the sea.

うしです。うしです。うしです。

Ushi desu.Ushi desu.Ushi desu.

It is a cow.It is a cow.It is a cow.

うたです。うたです。うたです。

Uta desu.Uta desu.Uta desu.

It is a song.It is a song.It is a song.

Speaking PracticeSpeaking PracticeSpeaking Practice

ううう

ううう

ううう

ううう

ううう

Read:Read:Read:

うみうみうみ

うしうしうし

うたうたうた

➡️ Continue with Lesson 1 (Final Version 3.0 – Part 2), covering え・お, pronunciation➡️ Continue with Lesson 1 (Final Version 3.0 – Part 2), covering え・お, pronunciation➡️ Continue with Lesson 1 (Final Version 3.0 – Part 2), covering え・お, pronunciation

drills, activities, JLPT N5 practice, JFT-Basic practice, homework, and lesson review.drills, activities, JLPT N5 practice, JFT-Basic practice, homework, and lesson review.drills, activities, JLPT N5 practice, JFT-Basic practice, homework, and lesson review.

Character 4 — え Character 4 — え Character 4 — え

RomajiRomajiRomaji

eee

PronunciationPronunciationPronunciation

Pronounce え like the "e" in bed, but hold the sound slightly longer.Pronounce え like the "e" in bed, but hold the sound slightly longer.Pronounce え like the "e" in bed, but hold the sound slightly longer.

Urdu Sound:Urdu Sound:Urdu Sound:

Mouth PositionMouth PositionMouth Position

✍ Stroke Order✍ Stroke Order✍ Stroke Order

2 Strokes2 Strokes2 Strokes

1. Short horizontal stroke. 1. Short horizontal stroke. 1. Short horizontal stroke.

2. Long curved stroke. 2. Long curved stroke. 2. Long curved stroke.

PracticePracticePractice

✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice

え え え え ええ え え え ええ え え え え

え え え え ええ え え え ええ え え え え

え え え え ええ え え え ええ え え え え

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

ExamplesExamplesExamples

えきです。えきです。えきです。

Eki desu.Eki desu.Eki desu.

It is a station.It is a station.It is a station.

えがおです。えがおです。えがおです。

Egao desu.Egao desu.Egao desu.

It is a smile.It is a smile.It is a smile.

えんです。えんです。えんです。

En desu.En desu.En desu.

It is Japanese Yen.It is Japanese Yen.It is Japanese Yen.

Speaking PracticeSpeaking PracticeSpeaking Practice

Read aloud five times.Read aloud five times.Read aloud five times.

えええ

えええ

えええ

えええ

えええ

Now read:Now read:Now read:

えきえきえき

えがおえがおえがお

えびえびえび

Character 5 — お Character 5 — お Character 5 — お

RomajiRomajiRomaji

ooo

PronunciationPronunciationPronunciation

Pronounce お like the "o" in orange, but a little longer.Pronounce お like the "o" in orange, but a little longer.Pronounce お like the "o" in orange, but a little longer.

Urdu Sound:Urdu Sound:Urdu Sound:

Mouth PositionMouth PositionMouth Position

Round your lips naturally.Round your lips naturally.Round your lips naturally.

Avoid saying "ou".Avoid saying "ou".Avoid saying "ou".

✍ Stroke Order✍ Stroke Order✍ Stroke Order

3 Strokes3 Strokes3 Strokes

1. Short left stroke. 1. Short left stroke. 1. Short left stroke.

2. Vertical stroke. 2. Vertical stroke. 2. Vertical stroke.

3. Curved right stroke. 3. Curved right stroke. 3. Curved right stroke.

Write neatly and keep the character balanced.Write neatly and keep the character balanced.Write neatly and keep the character balanced.

✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice✍ Writing Practice

お お お お おお お お お おお お お お お

お お お お おお お お お おお お お お お

お お お お おお お お お おお お お お お

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

ExamplesExamplesExamples

おちゃです。おちゃです。おちゃです。

Ocha desu.Ocha desu.Ocha desu.

It is green tea.It is green tea.It is green tea.

おかねです。おかねです。おかねです。

Okane desu.Okane desu.Okane desu.

It is money.It is money.It is money.

おとこです。おとこです。おとこです。

Otoko desu.Otoko desu.Otoko desu.

It is a man.It is a man.It is a man.

Speaking PracticeSpeaking PracticeSpeaking Practice

Read aloud.Read aloud.Read aloud.

おおお

おおお

おおお

おおお

おおお

Now read:Now read:Now read:

おちゃおちゃおちゃ

おかねおかねおかね

おんなおんなおんな

おとこおとこおとこ

Let's Read Together Let's Read Together Let's Read Together

Read slowly.Read slowly.Read slowly.

あ い う え おあ い う え おあ い う え お

お え う い あお え う い あお え う い あ

あ う お え いあ う お え いあ う お え い

い え あ お うい え あ お うい え あ お う

Useful Beginner Words Useful Beginner Words Useful Beginner Words

PracticePracticePractice

🗣 Mini Conversation🗣 Mini Conversation🗣 Mini Conversation

ConversationConversationConversation

A: おちゃですか。A: おちゃですか。A: おちゃですか。

Ocha desu ka?Ocha desu ka?Ocha desu ka?

Is it green tea?Is it green tea?Is it green tea?

B: はい、おちゃです。B: はい、おちゃです。B: はい、おちゃです。

Hai, ocha desu.Hai, ocha desu.Hai, ocha desu.

Yes, it is green tea.Yes, it is green tea.Yes, it is green tea.

ConversationConversationConversation

A: いぬですか。A: いぬですか。A: いぬですか。

Inu desu ka?Inu desu ka?Inu desu ka?

Is it a dog?Is it a dog?Is it a dog?

B: はい、いぬです。B: はい、いぬです。B: はい、いぬです。

Hai, inu desu.Hai, inu desu.Hai, inu desu.

Yes, it is.Yes, it is.Yes, it is.

Culture Corner Culture Corner Culture Corner

The five vowel sounds (あ・い・う・え・お) are the foundation of Japanese pronunciation.The five vowel sounds (あ・い・う・え・お) are the foundation of Japanese pronunciation.The five vowel sounds (あ・い・う・え・お) are the foundation of Japanese pronunciation.

Unlike English, Japanese pronunciation is very consistent. Once you learn these five vowelUnlike English, Japanese pronunciation is very consistent. Once you learn these five vowelUnlike English, Japanese pronunciation is very consistent. Once you learn these five vowel

sounds correctly, reading Japanese becomes much easier.sounds correctly, reading Japanese becomes much easier.sounds correctly, reading Japanese becomes much easier.

Japanese learners who master these vowels early usually develop much better pronunciationJapanese learners who master these vowels early usually develop much better pronunciationJapanese learners who master these vowels early usually develop much better pronunciation

later.later.later.

✔ Lesson Progress✔ Lesson Progress✔ Lesson Progress

You have now learned:You have now learned:You have now learned:

あ あ あ

い い い

う う う

え え え

お お お

You can now read your first Japanese words and simple sentences.You can now read your first Japanese words and simple sentences.You can now read your first Japanese words and simple sentences.

Next: Lesson 1 – Final Version 3.0 (Part 3) will include:Next: Lesson 1 – Final Version 3.0 (Part 3) will include:Next: Lesson 1 – Final Version 3.0 (Part 3) will include:

Part 3 – Practice, Assessment & ReviewPart 3 – Practice, Assessment & ReviewPart 3 – Practice, Assessment & Review

Activity InstructionsActivity InstructionsActivity Instructions

Listen carefully and write the correct Hiragana.Listen carefully and write the correct Hiragana.Listen carefully and write the correct Hiragana.

Exercise 1Exercise 1Exercise 1

1. a → __________ 1. a → __________ 1. a → __________

2. i → __________ 2. i → __________ 2. i → __________

3. u → __________ 3. u → __________ 3. u → __________

4. e → __________ 4. e → __________ 4. e → __________

5. o → __________ 5. o → __________ 5. o → __________

Exercise 2Exercise 2Exercise 2

Listen and tick (✓) the sound you hear.Listen and tick (✓) the sound you hear.Listen and tick (✓) the sound you hear.

Teacher Says あ い う え おTeacher Says あ い う え おTeacher Says あ い う え お

✍ Hiragana Writing Practice✍ Hiragana Writing Practice✍ Hiragana Writing Practice

Write each Hiragana neatly.Write each Hiragana neatly.Write each Hiragana neatly.

Round 1Round 1Round 1

あ _______________________あ _______________________あ _______________________

い _______________________い _______________________い _______________________

う _______________________う _______________________う _______________________

え _______________________え _______________________え _______________________

お _______________________お _______________________お _______________________

Round 2Round 2Round 2

あ い う え おあ い う え おあ い う え お

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Reading PracticeReading PracticeReading Practice

Read aloud three times.Read aloud three times.Read aloud three times.

WordsWordsWords

あいあいあい

あさあさあさ

あめあめあめ

いえいえいえ

いぬいぬいぬ

いまいまいま

うえうえうえ

うしうしうし

うみうみうみ

うたうたうた

えきえきえき

えがおえがおえがお

えんえんえん

おちゃおちゃおちゃ

おかねおかねおかね

おんなおんなおんな

おとこおとこおとこ

SentencesSentencesSentences

あさです。あさです。あさです。

いえです。いえです。いえです。

いぬです。いぬです。いぬです。

うみです。うみです。うみです。

えきです。えきです。えきです。

おちゃです。おちゃです。おちゃです。

おかねです。おかねです。おかねです。

🗣 Speaking Practice🗣 Speaking Practice🗣 Speaking Practice

PracticePracticePractice

Student AStudent AStudent A

あさです。あさです。あさです。

Student BStudent BStudent B

はい。はい。はい。

Student AStudent AStudent A

おちゃですか。おちゃですか。おちゃですか。

Student BStudent BStudent B

はい、おちゃです。はい、おちゃです。はい、おちゃです。

Student AStudent AStudent A

いぬですか。いぬですか。いぬですか。

Student BStudent BStudent B

はい、いぬです。はい、いぬです。はい、いぬです。

Pair Activity Pair Activity Pair Activity

One student points to a Hiragana.One student points to a Hiragana.One student points to a Hiragana.

The other student must:The other student must:The other student must:

1. Read it. 1. Read it. 1. Read it.

2. Say the pronunciation. 2. Say the pronunciation. 2. Say the pronunciation.

3. Write it. 3. Write it. 3. Write it.

Then change roles.Then change roles.Then change roles.

Classroom Game Classroom Game Classroom Game

Hiragana Speed ChallengeHiragana Speed ChallengeHiragana Speed Challenge

Teacher shows a Hiragana card.Teacher shows a Hiragana card.Teacher shows a Hiragana card.

Students must answer immediately.Students must answer immediately.Students must answer immediately.

ExamplesExamplesExamples

Teacher:Teacher:Teacher:

あああ

Student:Student:Student:

aaa

Teacher:Teacher:Teacher:

ううう

Student:Student:Student:

uuu

Continue until all five are recognised instantly.Continue until all five are recognised instantly.Continue until all five are recognised instantly.

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Match the words.Match the words.Match the words.

Japanese EnglishJapanese EnglishJapanese English

Fill in the Missing HiraganaFill in the Missing HiraganaFill in the Missing Hiragana

Complete the words.Complete the words.Complete the words.

1. 1. 1.

□さ□さ□さ

MorningMorningMorning

2. 2. 2.

い□い□い□

HouseHouseHouse

3. 3. 3.

う□う□う□

SeaSeaSea

4. 4. 4.

え□え□え□

StationStationStation

5. 5. 5.

お□ゃお□ゃお□ゃ

Green TeaGreen TeaGreen Tea

Choose the Correct WordChoose the Correct WordChoose the Correct Word

1. Which means Dog? 1. Which means Dog? 1. Which means Dog?

A. うみA. うみA. うみ

B. いぬB. いぬB. いぬ

C. おちゃC. おちゃC. おちゃ

D. あさD. あさD. あさ

2. Which means Money? 2. Which means Money? 2. Which means Money?

A. おかねA. おかねA. おかね

B. えきB. えきB. えき

C. うしC. うしC. うし

D. あいD. あいD. あい

3. Which means Sea? 3. Which means Sea? 3. Which means Sea?

A. うみA. うみA. うみ

B. いえB. いえB. いえ

C. おんなC. おんなC. おんな

D. えびD. えびD. えび

JLPT N5 Practice JLPT N5 Practice JLPT N5 Practice

Choose the correct answer.Choose the correct answer.Choose the correct answer.

Which Hiragana is pronounced "i"?Which Hiragana is pronounced "i"?Which Hiragana is pronounced "i"?

A. あA. あA. あ

B. おB. おB. お

C. いC. いC. い

D. えD. えD. え

Which Hiragana is pronounced "e"?Which Hiragana is pronounced "e"?Which Hiragana is pronounced "e"?

A. えA. えA. え

B. うB. うB. う

C. あC. あC. あ

D. おD. おD. お

Which word means House?Which word means House?Which word means House?

A. いえA. いえA. いえ

B. うみB. うみB. うみ

C. あめC. あめC. あめ

D. おちゃD. おちゃD. おちゃ

Which word means Station?Which word means Station?Which word means Station?

A. うたA. うたA. うた

B. えきB. えきB. えき

C. あいC. あいC. あい

D. おんなD. おんなD. おんな

Which word means Morning?Which word means Morning?Which word means Morning?

A. あさA. あさA. あさ

B. おかねB. おかねB. おかね

C. いぬC. いぬC. いぬ

D. うしD. うしD. うし

JFT-Basic Can-do Practice JFT-Basic Can-do Practice JFT-Basic Can-do Practice

SituationSituationSituation

You are attending your first Japanese language class.You are attending your first Japanese language class.You are attending your first Japanese language class.

Can you:Can you:Can you:

☐ Read あ☐ Read あ☐ Read あ

☐ Read い☐ Read い☐ Read い

☐ Read う☐ Read う☐ Read う

☐ Read え☐ Read え☐ Read え

☐ Read お☐ Read お☐ Read お

☐ Pronounce each correctly.☐ Pronounce each correctly.☐ Pronounce each correctly.

☐ Write each correctly.☐ Write each correctly.☐ Write each correctly.

If you can do all of these, you have achieved today's lesson goal.If you can do all of these, you have achieved today's lesson goal.If you can do all of these, you have achieved today's lesson goal.

🇯🇵 Japanese Culture Corner🇯🇵 Japanese Culture Corner🇯🇵 Japanese Culture Corner

Unlike English, Japanese pronunciation is almost always consistent.Unlike English, Japanese pronunciation is almost always consistent.Unlike English, Japanese pronunciation is almost always consistent.

For example:For example:For example:

「あ」 is always pronounced "a".「あ」 is always pronounced "a".「あ」 is always pronounced "a".

It never changes its sound.It never changes its sound.It never changes its sound.

This makes Japanese reading much easier once you learn Hiragana.This makes Japanese reading much easier once you learn Hiragana.This makes Japanese reading much easier once you learn Hiragana.

Study Tips Study Tips Study Tips

To remember Hiragana faster:To remember Hiragana faster:To remember Hiragana faster:

✔ Say the sound while writing.✔ Say the sound while writing.✔ Say the sound while writing.

✔ Read every day for 10–15 minutes.✔ Read every day for 10–15 minutes.✔ Read every day for 10–15 minutes.

✔ Write neatly before writing quickly.✔ Write neatly before writing quickly.✔ Write neatly before writing quickly.

✔ Review yesterday's lesson before learning new characters.✔ Review yesterday's lesson before learning new characters.✔ Review yesterday's lesson before learning new characters.

✔ Practise reading words, not just individual letters.✔ Practise reading words, not just individual letters.✔ Practise reading words, not just individual letters.

HomeworkHomeworkHomework

1. Writing1. Writing1. Writing

Write each Hiragana 20 times.Write each Hiragana 20 times.Write each Hiragana 20 times.

あああ

いいい

ううう

えええ

おおお

2. Reading2. Reading2. Reading

Read these words five times.Read these words five times.Read these words five times.

あいあいあい

あさあさあさ

いえいえいえ

いぬいぬいぬ

うみうみうみ

えきえきえき

おちゃおちゃおちゃ

おかねおかねおかね

3. Speaking3. Speaking3. Speaking

Read aloud:Read aloud:Read aloud:

あ・い・う・え・おあ・い・う・え・おあ・い・う・え・お

Record yourself and compare your pronunciation with your teacher or audio.Record yourself and compare your pronunciation with your teacher or audio.Record yourself and compare your pronunciation with your teacher or audio.

4. Challenge4. Challenge4. Challenge

Without looking at your book, write:Without looking at your book, write:Without looking at your book, write:

あああ

いいい

ううう

えええ

おおお

Then check your answers.Then check your answers.Then check your answers.

Self-Assessment Self-Assessment Self-Assessment

Tick (✓) the boxes you can confidently complete.Tick (✓) the boxes you can confidently complete.Tick (✓) the boxes you can confidently complete.

Recognise the five vowels instantly ☐Recognise the five vowels instantly ☐Recognise the five vowels instantly ☐

Lesson Summary Lesson Summary Lesson Summary

Today you learnedToday you learnedToday you learned

HiraganaHiraganaHiragana

あ い う え おあ い う え おあ い う え お

VocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

You have completed your first Japanese lesson.You have completed your first Japanese lesson.You have completed your first Japanese lesson.

This is the beginning of your journey toward reading, speaking, writing, and understandingThis is the beginning of your journey toward reading, speaking, writing, and understandingThis is the beginning of your journey toward reading, speaking, writing, and understanding

Japanese with confidence.Japanese with confidence.Japanese with confidence.