Conversation Courses 2026
Join a friendly, relaxed online group class and start speaking Japanese with confidence.
Conversation Courses are comprehensive programs covering both spoken and written Japanese. These 24-week courses run from January to June 2026, and enrolment is now open!
Classes are interactive and designed to maximise your speaking time. A typical lesson includes a variety of communicative activities such as pair and group work. Join us and discover a whole new world through the Japanese language!
Not sure which level is right for you? Book a free 30-minute zoom consultation or feel free to email me for advice.
Private one-to-one lessons are also available for students at all levels, including advanced learners.
Jump to: Sakura Fuji More Information about Conversation Courses
A 24-week course for absolute beginners.
Ideal for anyone starting from scratch or looking to refresh their basic Japanese skills in a friendly, supportive environment.
You’ll learn how to:
Introduce yourself and exchange simple greetings
Ask and answer basic questions when meeting someone for the first time
Talk in simple terms about where you live, and who your family and friends are
Request help and clarification when needed
Pronounce all the sounds in Japanese
Read hiragana (one of the basic Japanese scripts)
Start to recognise some simple kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese)
We focus on practical, everyday language to help you communicate clearly and confidently.
Course details:
Duration: 24 weeks (6th January-24th March and 14th April-30th June 2026)
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 12pm (UK time), 55 minute sessions
Textbook: Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan - Starter (starting from Lesson 1)
Free to download online
After completing this course, continue your learning journey with the next Sakura term in Autumn 2026.
Is this course right for you?
✓ You’re a complete beginner (or a rusty one!)
✓ You want to learn basic Japanese in a relaxed and engaging setting
Still unsure?
Feel free to book a free 30-minute zoom consultation or email me for help choosing the right level.
Fuji
A 24-week course designed for learners with some prior experience in Japanese.
Most students joining this course will have studied Japanese for 1-2 years.
To join this course, you should be able to read hiragana and katakana.
You’ll learn how to:
Talk about your hobbies and favourite activities
Describe your work and how you spend your free time
Understand simple weather forecasts
Talk about the weather and seasons in Japan and your own country
Give reasons using ～から
Read and understand new kanji related to course topics (e.g. work, leisure, seasons)
The course is designed to build your confidence using simple, practical Japanese for daily conversations.
Course details:
Duration: 24 weeks (6th January-24th March and 14th April-30th June 2026)
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 1pm (UK time), 55 minute sessions
Textbook: Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan - Elementary 1 (starting from Lesson 1)
Free to download online
After completing this course, continue your learning journey with the next Fuji term in Autumn 2026.
Is this course right for you?
✓ You have some study experience at beginner level and ready to take the next step
✓ You can read hiragana and katakana (even if not perfectly!)
Still unsure?
Feel free to book a free 30-minute zoom consultation or email me for help choosing the right level.
More Info:
Information about Conversation Courses
Spring/Summer 2026 Course Details
Each class meets at the same time each week (for example, Sakura will meet every Tuesday at 12pm).
These are 24-week courses running from January to June 2026.
Term Schedule:
Spring Term: 12 weeks - 6 January to 24 March 2026
Summer Term: 12 weeks - 14 April to 30 June 2026
Each lesson is 55 minutes long.
After completing this course, you’re welcome to continue your studies in the Autumn 2026 term.
Which Level?
For advice choosing the right level, please book a free 30-minute zoom consultation or email me. I’ll be happy to help!
Online Course Format
We use Zoom, a simple and reliable video calling platform. To join the class, you’ll need a device with internet access that can support video calls. Since I’ll be sharing slides during lessons, I recommend using a computer or tablet rather than a smartphone for a better learning experience.
In class you’ll learn to speak and understand Japanese, through fun and creative communicative activities. Lessons are interactive and designed to get you speaking Japanese as much as possible. Depending on the class size, we often use breakout rooms for pair and group work.
Please note: Conversation Course lessons are no longer recorded. This change is intended to create a more comfortable environment where students can speak freely and confidently. If you miss a lesson, you can catch up using the materials provided. Some students like to book a one-to-one lesson to review too.
I ask students to mute yourselves when not speaking, to help cut down on background noise. If possible, keep your camera on, especially during pair or group activities - this helps improve communication.
Class times are listed in UK time. Please note that the UK switches from GMT to BST on 29 March 2026 (for daylight saving time), and the dates that the clocks change may be different from in your country.
Step Up Japanese is a fully online school. If you are based in Sussex, UK, I sometimes run informal social events in Brighton for my students. I’d love to see you there!
Course Fees - Spring/Summer 2026
Full Course (24 weeks) £350
Pay Termly: £195 per 12-week term
Enrolment Deadline
Please enrol by Tuesday 30th December. Enrolment is possible after this date if there are spaces available, but it will help me to plan if you can sign up by 30th December.
For advice choosing the right level, please book a free 30-minute zoom consultation, or email me.
Class Size
All courses run with a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 12.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Full refund if cancelled 14+ days before the course start date
If cancelled within 14 days of the start, a refund will be given minus a £10 admin fee
No refunds once the course has started
Who Can Join?
These courses are designed for adults only. Unfortunately, I do not teach under-18s - no exceptions, sorry.
Textbooks
Most Conversation Courses use digital textbooks, which are free to download. Some courses may use a textbook which much be purchased separately. Please check the description for your course.
Self-Study & Homework
To get the most out of your course, I recommend finding ways to practise Japanese outside of class, such as reading, listening to Japanese media, or chatting with a language partner.
After each lesson, I’ll send out weekly homework by email - usually one or two short tasks like:
Preparing for the next lesson
Online quizzes or games
Listening or writing practice
Some tasks are for everyone, and others are optional extras.
One-to-One Lessons
I also offer one-to-one lessons for students at all levels, including Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced.
For help choosing the right level for you, please get in touch to book a free zoom consultation.
Teacher
Classes at Step Up Japanese are taught by me, Fran Wrigley. Konnichiwa!
I started Step Up Japanese in a little yellow classroom in Brighton in 2015, and in 2020 I moved all my teaching online.
I love the Japanese language, and sharing that with students is a privilege I don't take for granted. Learning a foreign language is hugely rewarding - and, if you get it right, it should be really fun.
I hope to see you soon at Step Up Japanese!
Got a question? I'm here to help.
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