JLPT-Aligned · Foundation Level
Level N5 · Foundation
JLPT N5 Foundation Course
Start Japanese from absolute zero. Our JLPT N5 Foundation course covers all scripts — Hiragana, Katakana, and ~100 Kanji — with N5 grammar, vocabulary, and listening practice. 3 months, 120 hours, small batches, experienced Indian trainer. Coimbatore campus & online across India.
N5 Syllabus
What You'll Learn in the N5 Course
The N5 Foundation course takes you from zero to confident beginner — covering all Japanese scripts, essential grammar, ~800 vocabulary words, and the listening skills needed to pass the JLPT N5 exam.
- Hiragana — all 46 characters + combinations
- Katakana — all 46 characters + combinations
- ~100 JLPT N5 Kanji with readings and meanings
- N5 core grammar patterns (は、が、を、に、で、も、と…)
- ~800 vocabulary words (JLPT N5 word list)
- Basic sentence structures (SOV pattern, は-sentences)
- Present, past, and negative verb forms (Group 1, 2, Irregular)
- Adjective types (i-adjective vs na-adjective)
- Counting, time, dates, and numbers in Japanese
- JLPT-style reading comprehension (short passages)
- JLPT N5 listening practice — dialogue & announcements
- Mock tests: 3 full N5 practice exams before the real test
Japanese Scripts You'll Master
Week-by-Week Plan
N5 Course Curriculum
Our 12-week N5 curriculum is structured to build progressively — each week adds new grammar, vocabulary, and characters while reinforcing what you've learned. Final 2 weeks are dedicated to mock tests and exam strategy.
| Week | Topics Covered | Scripts / Kanji | Grammar Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | Introduction to Japanese, Hiragana (rows 1–5) | あ-row to お-row, combination sounds | Self-introduction, greetings (おはよう、こんにちは) |
| Week 3–4 | Complete Hiragana + Katakana introduction | All 46 Hiragana, Katakana rows 1–3 | これ・それ・あれ, nouns + は + です structure |
| Week 5–6 | Complete Katakana + Numbers, Time, Dates | All 46 Katakana, Kanji: 一二三四五六七八九十 | 〜ませんか、〜ましょう; telling time; days of week |
| Week 7–8 | Verbs (Group 1 & 2), Adjectives | Kanji: 日月火水木金土 + 上下左右中 | Verb て-form, い/な adjective forms, negative sentences |
| Week 9–10 | Particles, Directions, Shopping, Family | Kanji: 人口手足目耳口鼻 + location kanji | に/で/を/が/も particles in context; てください; たい-form |
| Week 11 | Listening & Reading Comprehension | Review all N5 Kanji (~100 total) | Past tense (〜ました、〜ませんでした); て-form requests |
| Week 12 | Full Mock Exams × 3 + Exam Strategy | All N5 vocabulary + Kanji revision | Time management, answer strategy, common pitfalls |
* Curriculum adapts slightly per batch based on pace. Offline batches may include additional conversation practice sessions.
Your N5 Trainer
Taught by an Experienced Indian Trainer
Experienced Indian Trainer
N5 SpecialistThe JLPT N5 course at iTokyo is taught by an experienced Indian trainer who specialises in beginner Japanese. An Indian trainer is deliberately chosen for N5 because they understand the challenges Indian students face — especially the mental bridge from Indian language phonetics to Japanese pronunciation, and from English grammar patterns to Japanese SOV structure.
From N4 onwards, iTokyo transitions to native Japanese trainers — giving you the authentic language immersion needed at higher levels. But for N5, the Indian trainer approach is proven: it accelerates script learning and removes the early fear of speaking.
Note on trainer progression: N4, N3, N2, and N1 courses are taught by JLPT-certified native Japanese trainers. The switch to a native trainer from N4 is intentional — by then you have the foundation to benefit from authentic Japanese immersion.
How to Join
Choose Your N5 Learning Format
The N5 Foundation course is available in three formats — choose what works best for your location and schedule.
Offline — Coimbatore
Face-to-face classroom at our Avinashi Rd campus. Morning, evening, and weekend N5 batches available.
- ✓ Small batch (8–15 students)
- ✓ In-person mock tests
- ✓ Whiteboard + printed materials
Online Live — Pan-India
Instructor-led live sessions via Google Meet/Zoom. Two batches per year — join from any Indian state.
- ✓ Live class — not pre-recorded
- ✓ Batches: Dec–May & Jul–Nov
- ✓ Recordings of your sessions
LMS — Self-Paced
Study N5 at your own pace. Pre-recorded video lessons, quizzes, and downloadable study materials. 6-month access.
- ✓ Study any time, any device
- ✓ Practice quizzes per chapter
- ✓ 6 months access from purchase
Course Investment
N5 Course Fees
Register or sign in to view the detailed fee structure for N5 — offline, online, and LMS pricing.
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The iTokyo Advantage
Why Start Your Japanese Journey at iTokyo?
Beginner-Focused Curriculum
The N5 course is specifically designed for absolute beginners. No prior Japanese knowledge needed — we start from the very first stroke of Hiragana and build methodically to exam readiness.
92% JLPT Pass Rate
Our structured approach — grammar drills, vocabulary practice, timed mock tests, and listening sessions — has produced a 92% JLPT pass rate across all levels since 2012.
Pan-India Reach
Coimbatore campus for offline students; live online and LMS for every other Indian state. Our N5 students come from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Kerala, and beyond.
Gateway to Japan
N5 is the entry requirement for our Study-in-Japan UNITAS program. Many students start N5 specifically to qualify for the Japan pathway — your N5 certificate is your first step toward Japan.
Got Questions?
N5 Course — Frequently Asked Questions
I have zero Japanese knowledge. Can I join N5?
Absolutely. The N5 Foundation course is designed for absolute beginners with zero prior Japanese knowledge. Day one begins with learning Hiragana from scratch. No alphabet, no vocabulary, no grammar knowledge is needed to start.
Why does N5 use an Indian trainer and not a native Japanese trainer?
At the beginner N5 level, an experienced Indian trainer is more effective for Indian students. Indian learners benefit from a trainer who understands the specific challenges of moving from Indian language structures to Japanese grammar, and who can explain concepts in relatable terms. From N4 onwards, we transition to native Japanese trainers to provide authentic language immersion at higher proficiency levels.
How long does it take to go from N5 to N4?
After completing the 3-month N5 course and passing the JLPT N5 exam, you can enrol directly in the N4 Elementary course (4 months). Most students complete N5 in one exam cycle (July or December) and begin N4 immediately after — so the N5-to-N4 journey takes approximately 7–8 months total.
Is N5 required for the Study-in-Japan program?
Yes. JLPT N5 proficiency is the minimum requirement for the UNITAS Study-in-Japan program (updated policy, 2025). Students who don't have N5 yet typically enrol in our 3-month N5 Foundation course first, pass the JLPT N5, and then apply to the UNITAS program. N5 is your gateway to the Japan pathway.
When are the N5 JLPT exams in India?
JLPT N5 exams are held twice a year in India — July and December. Registration typically opens 2–3 months before the exam. Our course batches are structured so you complete 12 weeks of study and 3 mock tests before your target exam date. Speak to our counsellors to find the right batch for your exam goal.
Continue Your Journey
After N5 — What's Next?
Once you clear JLPT N5, you're ready for N4 Elementary — where you continue with a native Japanese trainer and build conversational fluency.
Your Japanese Journey Starts Here
Ready to Start N5? Book a Free Demo
Attend a free demo class — meet your trainer, see our teaching methodology, and find out which batch suits your schedule. No commitment required.
