Hint for Learning

We have gathered Japanese learning materials that are useful for preparing to take JFT-Basic. These free materials will help you learn the Japanese language.

Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan

The Japanese-language coursebook “Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan” is a textbook for foreign people to learn basic Japanese communication skills that are needed for daily life and working in Japan. It covers a variety of topics and situations to let you effectively acquire practical Japanese communication skills that you are actually likely to use in your life in Japan. Learning objectives of each lesson are given as Can-do statements, giving you a clear idea of what you will be able to do after studying the lesson.

Level of Japanese: A2
Language of Explanation: English and Japanese

JF Japanese e-Learning Minato

JF Japanese e-Learning Minato is a Japanese language learning platform that provides around 150 different online Japanese courses a year, operated by the Japan Foundation. You can learn the Japanese language on the Internet anytime, anywhere after registration. It also provides links of websites and smartphone apps for learning the Japanese language.

Online Japanese courses offered on Minato

Marugoto Japanese Online Course: The Marugoto Japanese Online Course is a course for learning the Japanese language and culture comprehensively. You can learn by practicing listening, speaking, reading and writing interactively, and using contents available to support your self-study. The Marugoto Japanese Online Course is available not only for PCs but also for tablets and smartphones.

Level of Japanese: A1,A2
Language of Explanation: English, Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, French, and Japanese

The image of MARUGOTO Katsudoo Rikai Self-Study Course A1-1

The image of MARUGOTO Katsudoo Rikai Self-Study Course A2-1

The image of MARUGOTO Katsudoo Rikai Self-Study Course A2-3

Hiragana・Katakana・Kanji Courses: The Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji Courses are courses to study the basics of reading and writing in Hiragana, Katakana, and A1 level Kanji.

Level of Japanese: A1
Language of Explanation: English

The image of KATAKANA A1 Self-Study Course

The image of KANJI A1-1 Self-Study Course

Website

Marugoto Plus: Marugoto Plus is a site supporting the self-study of learners who are studying using Marugoto:Japanese Language and Culture. You can practice the Japanese language in order to achieve various ‘Can-dos’, and find out more about the Japanese culture through videos and pictures.

Level of Japanese: A1,A2
Language of Explanation: English, Spanish and Japanese

Smartphone apps

HIRAGANA/KATAKANA Memory Hint: HIRAGANA Memory Hint is an app for learning Hiragana and Katakana in a fun way using mnemonic pictures. It includes quizzes for you to test your understanding.

Level of Japanese: A1
Language of Explanation: English, Indonesian, Thai

KANJI Memory Hint 1,2,3: KANJI Memory Hint is an app for checking whether you have learned a "kanji" in two games after you have studied it using associative drawings.

Level of Japanese: A1,A2
Language of Explanation: English

For those who are teaching the Japanese language

The Japan Foundation has developed a new series of Can-do Statements for foreign nationals who are not native speakers of Japanese. These statements, each beginning with “I can ...” and describing an ability to complete a communicative task, are called the “JF Can-do for Life in Japan” and outline the fundamental Japanese skills required for everyday life for foreign nationals living in Japan on a status of residence such as “Specified Skilled Worker.” It was developed based upon the philosophy and concept of the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education released in 2010. It consists of 381 Can-dos at levels A1 and A2.

In addition, the Japanese-language coursebook “Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan” sets these Can-dos as learning goals.