Free Japanese Lessons via Skype!
I’m looking for 4 people who are interested in participating in beginner Japanese lessons on Sundays, Japan time. I will conduct the lesson using the conference feature of Skype so a microphone and a Skype account are required. (You’ll probably want a headphone/mic setup to leave your hands free.) The lesson details are below so if you or anybody you know is new to Japanese and interested in learning it, please leave a comment. Depending on the response, the first lesson might be as early as this Sunday (4/9).
※I will contact all participants via email regarding the final date for the lesson so make sure I have your email address. (Either through your skype profile or by emailing me at kimchi314@yahoo.co.jp)
This is my first time using Skype so please excuse me if there are some glitches along the way.
Important: The lessons will be recorded and posted on this site. If you do not want to be recorded, please do not participate in the lesson.
Lesson 1: Greetings and pronunciation
Overview
First, we’ll learn some greetings to start off the first class.
We’ll also discuss the long vowel sound, proper pronunciation, and the different levels of politeness in Japanese including our first look at 「です」 and 「ですか」.
Please comment with your name and skype id if you want to participate in this lesson. (Maximum of 4 people)
Note: This lesson is now full.
※This lesson will be recorded and posted on this site along with my notes.
Lesson Date and Time
Time: Sun 9:00 am, Tokyo Time (No DST) (convert time)
Date: April 16
Length: 30 min to 1 hour
Participants: Andrew, John, Joshua, Rossine
Prerequisites
1. Knowledge of basic hiragana is assumed but not required.
2. Though useful, knowledge of kanji is not neccessary.
Lesson Preparation
I strongly recommend learning at least the basic hiragana characters.
・Hiragana Link 1
・Hiragana Link 2
You should also become at least somewhat familiar with the following vocabulary and expressions before the lesson. You do not have to worry about the kanji for now.
Vocabulary
１．はい – yes (polite)
２．いいえ – no (polite)
３．うん – yes (casual)
４．ううん – no (casual)
５．先生【せんせい】 – teacher
６．学生【がくせい】 – student
７．学校【がっこう】 – school
８．小学校【しょうがっこう】 – elementary school
９．中学校【ちゅうがっこう】 – middle school
１０．高校【こうこう】 – high school
１１．教科書【きょうかしょ】 – textbook
Expressions
１．おはよう。- Good morning. (casual)
２．おはようございます。- Good morning. (polite)
３．こんにちは。- Good afternoon.
４．こんばんは。- Good evening.
５. 元気（げんき）ですか？- Are [you] doing fine?
６．元気（げんき）です。- [I'm] fine.
Lesson Notes
Rules for writing long vowel sounds based on the vowel
1. /a/ -> あ
2. /i/ -> い
3. /e/ -> え
4. /u/o/ -> う
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