What actually happens in a first Japanese lesson

Booking can feel harder when you cannot picture the lesson itself. Will you have to read kanji aloud? What happens if you understand a question but cannot answer? Can you use English? This walkthrough explains the approach I use, including what to do when the words disappear.

The timings below are a rough guide to this trial lesson, rather than a schedule every Japanese teacher follows. If you are starting from zero, we can spend longer on a greeting. If you already speak comfortably, we can move into a more demanding conversation. The purpose is to find a task that gives you something useful to practice.

The basics

Before the lesson: bring a reason, if you have one

You do not need to prepare a speech or buy a textbook for this first meeting. If you want to bring something, choose one reason you are learning: an upcoming trip, a series you enjoy, or a person you want to speak with. You can explain that reason in English.

Check the joining instructions in your booking confirmation and make sure your microphone works. Those small practical steps can make arriving easier. There is no need to turn preparation into another language assignment.

You might want to say that this is your first lesson. Here is a useful sentence to recognize, even if you cannot produce it independently yet:

日本語にほんごのレッスンは初はじめてです。 — This is my first Japanese lesson.

The word 初はじめて means “for the first time.” You do not need to learn every part of this sentence before joining. Hearing a phrase, understanding it with help, and trying it yourself can all happen during the lesson.

Minutes 0–5: find a comfortable starting point

We begin with simple questions and adjust from your responses. This is an informal check of what you can do, not a placement exam with a score. A teacher can learn something from a short answer, a request for repetition, or an explanation that you have never studied Japanese.

A name is enough for an initial exchange:

お名前なまえは何なんですか？ — What is your name?

アレックスです。 — I am Alex.

In お名前なまえ, the prefix お makes the reference to the other person's name polite. In this context, 何なに is read nan. When you answer, your name plus です is enough; you do not have to begin every sentence with 私わたしは, “as for me.”

If you already know some Japanese, the conversation may continue with your interests. A small answer gives us material to build on:

アニメが好すきです。 — I like anime.

You do not have to explain a complicated plot. Naming a show or saying what you like is a workable beginning. For more examples, see the guide to a Japanese self-introduction.

Minutes 5–10: learn how to get help

Two questions make the rest of the lesson easier. One asks about the meaning of Japanese you hear. The other asks for Japanese you do not yet know.

「練習れんしゅう」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “renshuu” mean?

「ticket」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “ticket” in Japanese?

The first question contains 意味いみ, “meaning.” The second contains 日本語にほんご, “Japanese,” and asks for an expression in that language. The answer to “ticket” depends on the situation: a train ticket may be 切符きっぷ, while a concert ticket is commonly チケット. That context is exactly the kind of detail we can work through together.

You can read these questions from the screen. Using a visible prompt still lets you ask a real question and understand an answer. Memorizing them can come later.

What you need	Useful Japanese pattern	What it asks the teacher to do
Understand a word you heard	「…」はどういう意味いみですか？	Explain the meaning
Find a Japanese expression	「…」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？	Supply a Japanese word or phrase
Hear the same words again	もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。	Repeat the previous words
Make the speech slower	もう少すこしゆっくり話はなしてください。	Speak a little more slowly

These requests solve different problems. Repeating a word does not necessarily explain its meaning, and translating a word does not necessarily make it easier to hear. Choose the help you need at that moment. The article on asking what something means in Japanese develops the first pattern further.

Beyond the basics

Minutes 10–25: practice something you actually want to say

The middle of the lesson connects the language to your reason for learning. For a traveler, that could mean ordering a drink or asking about a ticket. For someone interested in anime, it could mean discussing a character or looking at a short line together. These are possible activities, not a promise to cover all of them in one session.

Suppose your goal is to order something at a cafe. We can begin with a short request:

コーヒーをください。 — Coffee, please.

First, you hear a model. Then you try it with support. Next, we change one element, such as the item you want, and try the exchange again. This makes the sentence a usable choice instead of a string of sounds you can only repeat in one order.

If you already know the basic request, the task can become more detailed: listening to a follow-up question, choosing an option, or asking for clarification. Knowing a phrase on paper and responding to another speaker are related skills, but they are not identical. The lesson gives us a chance to see which part needs attention.

A useful correction is small enough to act on. If one word is difficult to hear or pronounce, we can isolate it and return to the sentence. You do not need to solve every pronunciation issue before continuing the conversation. The immediate aim is to make the next attempt clearer.

What happens when you freeze

A pause does not end the lesson. It tells us to slow down, offer a choice, repeat the question, or provide a model. You can also signal what you need yourself:

もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。 — Once more, please.

もう少すこしゆっくり話はなしてください。 — Please speak a little more slowly.

In the first request, もう一度いちど means “once more.” In the second, ゆっくり means “slowly,” and 話はなしてください asks someone to speak. Both are useful during a lesson with a teacher.

You can also make the difficulty explicit:

すみません、分わかりません。 — Sorry, I do not understand.

Here, すみません softens the interruption. You do not need to apologize repeatedly for being a learner; the phrase simply gives you a polite way to stop and ask for support. If the request itself is too difficult, say what you need in English. English is available during this lesson.

For additional ways to handle a missed sentence, read how to ask someone to repeat in Japanese. You only need one dependable request to begin with.

Minutes 25–30: choose one next step

Near the end, we review what you tried and choose a manageable next action. That might be practicing your introduction aloud, reusing a clarification question, or repeating a short exchange with a different item. It should connect to something you actually did during the lesson.

This review is also a chance to talk about what kind of support fits your situation. A complete beginner may want more guided practice. Someone who understands plenty of Japanese may want regular conversation and targeted feedback. A first meeting can suggest a direction without defining your entire study plan.

You could express a simple preference like this:

会話かいわを練習れんしゅうしたいです。 — I want to practice conversation.

会話かいわ means “conversation,” and 練習れんしゅう means “practice.” The ending たい expresses a wish to do something. You can borrow this sentence as a whole; understanding every grammatical detail is not a prerequisite for using it with support.

After the lesson: use the notes selectively

In the approach described here, you receive written notes covering the language from the lesson. That lets you concentrate on the exchange instead of trying to transcribe every sentence while speaking. If writing a quick reminder helps you, it is fine to do so.

When you review, choose a small target. Read one useful sentence, look away, and try saying it in a situation where it makes sense. Then check the notes. If you cannot remember it, use the prompt and try again. A short review of something relevant is a practical next step; you do not need to turn the notes into a large new project.

Ready to try the process? Book a trial lesson · $13, and use the practice activities if you would like a small speaking task beforehand. Check the booking page for current availability and terms.

Common mistakes

Treating the opening questions as a performance

A memorized introduction can be helpful, but it can also hide where you need support. If you finish a long speech and cannot understand the next question, that is useful information for the teacher. You do not have to keep performing at the level of the speech. Give a short, honest answer and let the conversation adapt.

Answering yes when the question was unclear

Saying はい can feel like the easiest way to keep an exchange moving. However, if you have missed the question, the teacher may assume you understood and move ahead. Asking for repetition gives the teacher a clearer signal. Use もう一度いちどお願ねがいします when you want another chance to hear the same words.

Mixing up meaning and translation

If the teacher says 練習れんしゅう and you do not know the word, ask what it means. If you know the English word “practice” but need the Japanese expression, ask how to say it in Japanese. These are opposite directions through the same gap in vocabulary. The table above helps you choose the appropriate question.

Waiting until you know more before speaking

You do not need a particular number of kanji or a finished beginner course for this trial. We can start with listening and short spoken responses. If you have studied for years, there is also no need to review every chapter before coming back. Tell me what feels easy and what feels rusty so we can choose a realistic task.

Expecting every error to be corrected immediately

Stopping after every word can make a short conversation difficult to finish. Some corrections are useful right away, especially when meaning is unclear; others can wait until you finish your thought. If you want more immediate correction, say so. The first lesson is also a chance to discuss how you like feedback.

Practice

These exercises rehearse situations from the lesson. Try answering aloud before opening each answer. For the Japanese questions, reading from the earlier examples is fine on your first attempt.

1. You are joining your first Japanese lesson. How can you say that using 初はじめて?

Show answer

日本語にほんごのレッスンは初はじめてです。 — This is my first Japanese lesson. You can use the complete sentence as a ready-made introduction.

2. The teacher asks your name. Answer using Alex as the example name.

Show answer

アレックスです。 — I am Alex. Your name plus です is enough in this context.

3. You heard the Japanese word 練習れんしゅう but do not know its meaning. Which question should you ask?

Show answer

「練習れんしゅう」はどういう意味いみですか？ — What does “renshuu” mean? Ask about meaning because you already have the Japanese word.

4. You want the Japanese expression for the English word “ticket.” Ask for it.

Show answer

「ticket」は日本語にほんごで何なんですか？ — How do you say “ticket” in Japanese? Add the situation if necessary, since a train ticket and a concert ticket may use different words.

5. You missed what the teacher said. Ask to hear it once more.

Show answer

もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。 — Once more, please. This asks for repetition without claiming you understood.

6. The teacher repeats the sentence, but the speed is still difficult. Ask for slower speech.

Show answer

もう少すこしゆっくり話はなしてください。 — Please speak a little more slowly. This identifies speed as the problem.

7. Order coffee using the short request from the lesson example.

Show answer

コーヒーをください。 — Coffee, please. You can later substitute a different item to practice making your own choice.

8. Tell the teacher that you want to practice conversation.

Show answer

会話かいわを練習れんしゅうしたいです。 — I want to practice conversation. This gives the teacher a useful starting point for discussing your goals.

9. After the lesson, you have notes containing several new expressions. Suggest one manageable review activity.

Show answer

Choose one sentence you expect to use, read it aloud, then try saying it without looking. Check the notes and repeat with support if needed. Other small activities connected to your lesson are also valid.

FAQ

Do I need to study before the first lesson? No advance study is required for this trial. Check your joining instructions and audio, and bring a reason for learning if you have one. You can explain that reason in English. The lesson itself is where we find an appropriate starting point.

Do I need to read hiragana already? No. We can begin with spoken models and short exchanges. Learning hiragana will support later study, but you do not need to postpone this first conversation until you can read it. Tell the teacher when written Japanese is unfamiliar so the support matches your needs.

Can I use English when I get stuck? Yes, English is available in this lesson. You can try a Japanese request for help when you feel ready, or explain the problem in English. The goal is to get you back into a useful exchange, so struggling silently is unnecessary.

Will every first lesson follow these exact timings? No. The minute ranges describe a rough plan for this 30-minute trial. We may spend more time finding a comfortable starting point or move more quickly into practice. Other teachers may organize a first lesson differently, so this article should not be read as a universal format.

Will one lesson make me confident in Japanese? One meeting gives you a sample of the learning process and a small next step; it cannot guarantee confidence or fluency. A useful outcome might be asking for repetition independently or completing a short exchange with help. Those are concrete things you can practice again.

Vocabulary from this article

Every entry below appears earlier in the article. The readings help you recognize the words used in the examples; you do not need to memorize the whole list before attending.

Japanese	Reading	Meaning in this article
日本語にほんご	にほんご	Japanese language
初はじめて	はじめて	for the first time
名前なまえ	なまえ	name
好すき	すき	liked; expressing that you like something
意味いみ	いみ	meaning
練習れんしゅう	れんしゅう	practice
切符きっぷ	きっぷ	ticket, especially for transport
もう一度いちど	もういちど	once more
ゆっくり	ゆっくり	slowly
会話かいわ	かいわ	conversation

The same vocabulary is provided below as tab-separated text for flashcard import.

日本語	にほんご	Japanese language
初めて	はじめて	for the first time
名前	なまえ	name
好き	すき	liked; expressing that you like something
意味	いみ	meaning
練習	れんしゅう	practice
切符	きっぷ	ticket, especially for transport
もう一度	もういちど	once more
ゆっくり	ゆっくり	slowly
会話	かいわ	conversation

Sources

• Eri Banno et al., GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese I, third edition, The Japan Times Publishing. Reference for beginner introductions, polite sentence patterns, and requests. It does not prescribe the lesson schedule described here.
• Seiichi Makino and Michio Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times. Reference for grammatical patterns such as です, ください, and たい used in the example sentences.
• The original version of this article, “What actually happens in a first Japanese lesson,” dated July 29, 2026, and the site lesson booking page. Sources for the teacher-specific trial format and service information; the example exchanges and practice exercises illustrate that format.

だから、順番じゅんばんにぜんぶ説明せつめいします。わたしの体験たいけんレッスンを予約よやくすると、こういう流ながれになります。

前準備まえじゅんびは必要ひつようありません

何なにも勉強べんきょうしておく必要ひつようはありません。何なにかを予習よしゅうする必要ひつようもありません。確認かくにんメールに届とどくビデオ通話つうわのリンク以外いがい、何なにもインストールする必要ひつようもありません。

もし1つだけ持もってくるなら、日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしている理由りゆうを持もってきてください。好すきな作品さくひん、旅行りょこうの予定よてい、大切たいせつな人ひと、好すきなゲーム。これは、どんなレベル分わけテストよりも、わたしにとって役立やくたちます。

0〜5分ふん いまのレベルを知しる

やさしい質問しつもんから始はじめて、答こたえられなくなるまで、少すこしずつむずかしくしていきます。

いやな感かんじに聞きこえるかもしれませんが、実際じっさいはそうではなく、3分わくらいで終おわります。答こたえの正ただしさを見みているのではなく、「どこまでできるか」の境目さかいめをさがしています。レッスンは、その境目さかいめから始はじまるからです。

まったくの初心者しょしんしゃなら、最初さいしょの質問しつもんは「名前なまえは？」です。そこから始はじめます。これはとても普通ふつうの始はじめ方ほうで、わたしの生徒せいとの3人にんに1人ひとりくらいは、ここから始はじめます。

5〜10分ふん 2つの文ぶん

まずはじめに、この2つを覚おぼえてもらいます。

〜は どういう いみですか？ — What does 〜 mean? 〜は 日本語にほんごで なんですか？ — How do you say 〜 in Japanese?

生徒せいとはみんな、最初さいしょの10分ふんでこの2つを覚おぼえます。この2文ぶんがあることで、そのあとのレッスンを「日本語にほんごについて」ではなく「日本語にほんごで」進すすめられるようになるからです。

10〜25分ふん あなた自身じしんの題材だいざい

ここが、人ひとによってまったく変かわる部分ぶぶんです。

好すきな作品さくひんがきっかけで来きた人ひととは、そのセリフを使つかいます。10月がつに東京とうきょうに行いく人ひととは、実際じっさいに使つかう場面ばめんの会話かいわを作つくります ― ホテル、改札かいさつ、レストランなど。日本人にほんじんのパートナーの家族かぞくに会あう予定よていがある人ひととは、そこで必要ひつような文ぶんから始はじめます。

郵便局ゆうびんきょくについての教科書きょうかしょの章しょう、というようなものはここにはありません。この15分間ふんかん、あなたはたくさん話はなすことになります。うまく話はなせなくても、それでいいのです。それが目的もくてきです。

25〜30分ふん 次つぎにやること

わたしが思おもったことを、正直しょうじきに伝つたえます。もし、まだレッスンが必要ひつようないと思おもえば、そう言いいます。すでにしっかりした基礎きそがあって、ただ話はなす相手あいてが必要ひつようなだけの人ひともいて、そういう場合ばあいはそのまま伝つたえます。

そして、次つぎまでにやる小ちいさなことを1つだけ決きめます。計画けいかくではなく、1つのことだけです。

レッスンのあと ノート

レッスンでやったことを、日本語にほんごをそのまま書かいたノートとして渡わたします。レッスン中なかにメモを取とる必要ひつようはありません。むしろ、取とらないでほしいです。メモを取とることは、話はなさないための方法ほうほうでもあるからです。

みんなが心配しんぱいする3つのこと

「発音はつおんがはずかしい」 最初さいしょはみんなそうです。わたしの英語えいごもそうでした。発音はつおんは、聞きいてもらって、直なおしてもらうことで上手じょうずになります。そのためには、まずはずかしい部分ぶぶんが起おきる必要ひつようがあります。

「頭あたまが真っ白まっしろになりそう」 たぶん、1、2回かいはなります。そのための、さっきの2つの文ぶんです。道具どうぐを持もったまま止とまるのは、ただの一時停止いちじていしです。

「もう何年なんねんも勉強べんきょうしていない」 それなら、これは試験しけんではなく、30分ふんの会話かいわです。何なにもテストされませんし、追おいつかなければいけないこともありません。

具体的ぐたいてきな情報じょうほう

• 30分ふん、13ドル。予約よやくのときにカードで支払しはらいます
• Google Meet を使つかいます。リンクは確認かくにんメールに届とどきます
• キャンセルは12時間前じかんまえまで無料むりょう。間に合まにあえば、無料むりょうでもう一度いちど予約よやくできるリンクを送おくります
• レッスンは日本語にほんごで行おこないますが、必要ひつようなときはいつでも英語えいごも使つかえます

予約よやくする

いちばんむずかしいレッスンは、最初さいしょの1回かいです。そして、そのむずかしさは、ちょうど30分ふんだけです。