Which Japanese level should I choose?

Take our quick placement test or start with Beginner if you're new to Japanese. Choose Intermediate if you know basics, Advanced for fluency practice, or Exam Preparation for GCSE\\\/A-Level\\\/Leaving Cert.

What's the difference between levels?

Each level focuses on different skills: Beginner covers basics and pronunciation, Intermediate builds conversation skills, Advanced perfects fluency, and Exam Preparation targets specific test requirements.

Can I switch levels later?

Yes! You can switch between levels anytime. We recommend starting with a level that feels comfortable and moving up as you progress.

How do I know if I need exam preparation?

Our regular levels focus on practical communication skills. Choose based on your current ability and learning goals.

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What can I practise on the Japanese page?

This Japanese hub explains LearnLingo.ai speaking practice for conversation, pronunciation, fluency, grammar, vocabulary, and learning journeys. It links learners towards AI speaking sessions and related exam-style preparation where available.

Is LearnLingo.ai an official Japanese exam provider?

No. LearnLingo.ai provides preparation support and feedback. It does not award official credentials, guarantee results, provide official scores, or claim affiliation with exam boards, schools, governments, or test centres.

How much Japanese speaking practice is free?

The free plan includes 5 minutes of speaking practice each week. Premium adds fair-use unlimited conversations, with individual sessions up to 15 minutes.

Which Japanese route should I use next?

Use this language hub for the overall learning route, the practice pages for speaking sessions, and exam pages when you need exam-style preparation. Check official sources for current exam rules, dates, fees, and marking requirements.

Page ownership

/practice/*

Conversion into AI speaking sessions, selected mode, free-minute expectations, and what feedback appears after practice.

Links onward to /exams/* for format context, /pricing for plan limits, /languages/* for general fluency.

Do not duplicate long exam guides or claim official scoring.

/languages/*

General language speaking practice, pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, CEFR journeys, and non-exam conversation routines.

Links onward to /exams/* when a learner has a test goal, /practice for session start, /features/*.

Do not compete with exam-specific pages for oral-test format queries.

Priority public pages

Language exam hubExamsCompare exam families and route learners to the most relevant exam guide.

L1 to L2 Optimisation

LearnLingo.ai provides personalised learning paths optimised for your native language, addressing specific challenges and leveraging linguistic similarities.

Writing system approach based on your L1 script

Particle usage explained through L1 grammar

Pitch accent training for your language background

Kanji learning strategies adapted to your experience

Politeness levels mapped to your cultural context

CEFR-Aligned Learning Path

A1

Beginner - Hiragana, katakana, and survival phrases

150-200 hours of study

You will be able to:

Read and write hiragana and katakana
Use basic greetings and self-introduction
Order food and ask simple questions

A2

Elementary - Basic kanji and daily conversations

300-400 hours of study

You will be able to:

Recognise 200-300 basic kanji
Describe daily activities and experiences
Handle shopping and travel situations

B1

Intermediate - Comfortable in everyday situations

600-800 hours of study

You will be able to:

Read and write 500-600 kanji
Express opinions and give reasons
Understand everyday conversations at natural speed

B2

Upper Intermediate - Complex topics and formal language

1000-1200 hours of study

You will be able to:

Master 1000-1200 kanji
Use keigo (honorific language) appropriately
Read newspapers and contemporary fiction

C1

Advanced - Professional and academic Japanese

1500-2000 hours of study

You will be able to:

Command 2000+ kanji
Navigate complex social hierarchies linguistically
Understand cultural subtext and implications

C2

Proficiency - Near-native abilities

2500+ hours of study

You will be able to:

Master 3000+ kanji including variants
Understand historical and literary texts
Express subtle nuances across all registers

Real-World Practice Scenarios

A1-A2

Visiting a Japanese onsen (hot spring)

Tasks you'll practice:

• Read basic signs and rules
• Ask about facilities and etiquette
• Purchase entry tickets and rent towels
• Navigate gender-specific areas

Language focus:

Onsen-specific vocabularyProhibition expressions with ないでくださいAsking permission with もいいですかReading essential kanji for facilities

B1-B2

Job hunting in Japan (就活)

Tasks you'll practice:

• Write a Japanese resume (履歴書)
• Conduct formal interview in keigo
• Follow up appropriately after interview
• Understand employment contracts

Language focus:

Business keigo and humble formsSelf-introduction for interviewsWritten vs spoken formal JapaneseIndustry-specific terminology

Cultural Context & Etiquette

Greetings

• Bow instead of shaking hands
• Depth of bow indicates formality level
• Say "ojamashimasu" when entering homes

Etiquette

• Never stick chopsticks upright in rice
• Remove shoes at entrance (genkan)
• Avoid eating while walking

Business Culture

• Exchange business cards with both hands
• Consensus-building (nemawashi) is crucial
• Punctuality means arriving 5-10 minutes early

Exam Preparation

Available Exams

• JLPT N5-N1 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
• EJU (Examination for Japanese University)
• BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test)
• J-CAT (Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test)

Preparation Tips

• JLPT has no speaking component
• Focus on grammar patterns for each level
• Kanji readings can be irregular - memorise exceptions

Your Learning Toolkit

Master kana first, introduce kanji gradually, focus on practical usage

Daily Practice

Write 5 new kanji with proper stroke order
Shadow anime/drama dialogue
Use Anki for spaced repetition
Read NHK Easy News daily

Immersion Tips

Watch anime with Japanese subtitles
Play Japanese video games
Join HelloTalk for native exchanges
Listen to Japanese podcasts by level

Start Your Japanese Journey Today

Practise Japanese with AI-powered conversations tailored to your native language.

Try free (5 min/week)Try a Conversation

L1 to L2 Optimisation

LearnLingo.ai provides personalised learning paths optimised for your native language, addressing specific challenges and leveraging linguistic similarities.

Writing system approach based on your L1 script

Particle usage explained through L1 grammar

Pitch accent training for your language background

Kanji learning strategies adapted to your experience

Politeness levels mapped to your cultural context

CEFR-Aligned Learning Path

A1

Beginner - Hiragana, katakana, and survival phrases

150-200 hours of study

You will be able to:

Read and write hiragana and katakana
Use basic greetings and self-introduction
Order food and ask simple questions

A2

Elementary - Basic kanji and daily conversations

300-400 hours of study

You will be able to:

Recognise 200-300 basic kanji
Describe daily activities and experiences
Handle shopping and travel situations

B1

Intermediate - Comfortable in everyday situations

600-800 hours of study

You will be able to:

Read and write 500-600 kanji
Express opinions and give reasons
Understand everyday conversations at natural speed

B2

Upper Intermediate - Complex topics and formal language

1000-1200 hours of study

You will be able to:

Master 1000-1200 kanji
Use keigo (honorific language) appropriately
Read newspapers and contemporary fiction

C1

Advanced - Professional and academic Japanese

1500-2000 hours of study

You will be able to:

Command 2000+ kanji
Navigate complex social hierarchies linguistically
Understand cultural subtext and implications

C2

Proficiency - Near-native abilities

2500+ hours of study

You will be able to:

Master 3000+ kanji including variants
Understand historical and literary texts
Express subtle nuances across all registers

Real-World Practice Scenarios

A1-A2

Visiting a Japanese onsen (hot spring)

Tasks you'll practice:

• Read basic signs and rules
• Ask about facilities and etiquette
• Purchase entry tickets and rent towels
• Navigate gender-specific areas

Language focus:

Onsen-specific vocabularyProhibition expressions with ないでくださいAsking permission with もいいですかReading essential kanji for facilities

B1-B2

Job hunting in Japan (就活)

Tasks you'll practice:

• Write a Japanese resume (履歴書)
• Conduct formal interview in keigo
• Follow up appropriately after interview
• Understand employment contracts

Language focus:

Business keigo and humble formsSelf-introduction for interviewsWritten vs spoken formal JapaneseIndustry-specific terminology

Cultural Context & Etiquette

Greetings

• Bow instead of shaking hands
• Depth of bow indicates formality level
• Say "ojamashimasu" when entering homes

Etiquette

• Never stick chopsticks upright in rice
• Remove shoes at entrance (genkan)
• Avoid eating while walking

Business Culture

• Exchange business cards with both hands
• Consensus-building (nemawashi) is crucial
• Punctuality means arriving 5-10 minutes early

Exam Preparation

Available Exams

• JLPT N5-N1 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
• EJU (Examination for Japanese University)
• BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test)
• J-CAT (Japanese Computerized Adaptive Test)

Preparation Tips

• JLPT has no speaking component
• Focus on grammar patterns for each level
• Kanji readings can be irregular - memorise exceptions

Your Learning Toolkit

Master kana first, introduce kanji gradually, focus on practical usage

Daily Practice

Write 5 new kanji with proper stroke order
Shadow anime/drama dialogue
Use Anki for spaced repetition
Read NHK Easy News daily

Immersion Tips

Watch anime with Japanese subtitles
Play Japanese video games
Join HelloTalk for native exchanges
Listen to Japanese podcasts by level