Yes, for beginners starting from little or nothing. This is a designed course from Japan's public broadcaster, not native entertainment: 48 short, structured lessons built around a story that gives each grammar point a real situation.
- Level
- Beginner
- Format
- Podcast
- Year
- 2020
- Episodes
- 48
- Where
- Free from NHK WORLD-JAPAN, Japan's public broadcaster
Why it works for learners
Unlike a film or show, these lessons were written for learners, so the speech is controlled and each one has a single aim, such as asking for directions or saying where you are from. A story about Tam, a student from overseas at a Japanese university, ties them together, so phrases come with people and places attached. Lessons build in order, which removes the question of what to study next. That makes it a sturdy base before native material.
What makes it hard
Because the dialogue is scripted for learners, it is tidier and slower than real conversation, so native shows will still come as a shock. A story that runs in order also means skipping ahead can leave you lost, especially in later lessons.
How to use it
Do one lesson every two days, listening first with no text, then again while repeating each line of dialogue. Say the key phrase in a sentence about yourself. After about 12 lessons, replay the first few to see how much has become easy.
More for Japanese learners: our Japanese guides.
Keep it where you'll see it
Save NHK World Easy Japanese and log every episode or chapter toward your Japanese hours. Free for one language.
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