1. Setting Up

If you are taking an in-person class, please skip Sections 1 and 2 and go directly to Section 3 below.

Before logging into an online class, choose a quiet location with a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection. Online classes are designed for individual participation; if multiple students join from the same room, microphones and speakers can create audio feedback (a loud howling or echoing sound). To avoid this, only one active microphone should be used in a shared space, and you should keep your microphone muted when you are not speaking. We also recommend using a headset with a built-in microphone rather than relying on your computer’s speakers and microphone, as this helps improve sound quality and reduces background noise.

Picture of a laptop computer with a headset Picture of a laptop computer with no headset; Built-in microphone and speakers are crossed out.

2. Audio Check

The following expressions will be used often at the beginning of each classroom session. Click on each picture to hear the sound. Japanese text is shown here for exposure. You are not expected to read it yet. The alphabet-based typing above the Japanese text is provided as an optional guide to how the expressions are entered and may sound.

Picture shows Teacher asking "Can you hear me?" in Japanese. Click this or hit Enter to hear the audio.

Teacher: きこえますか(k i k o e m a s u k a) Can you hear me?

Picture shows Student 1 responding 'I can hear you' in Japanese. Click this picture or hit Enter to hear the audio.

Student 1: はい、きこえます(H a i, k i k o e m a s u)

Yes, I can hear.
Picture shows Student 2 saying "I cannot hear you" in Japanese. Click this picture or hit Enter to hear the audio.

Student 2: きこえません(K i k o e m a s e n)

I can't hear.

We will discuss how to read and write Japanese characters later. Don't worry about how to read them at this point.

3: Please listen/say it/answer/ask...

Click (or press the Enter key on) the audio buttons below to hear classroom instructions in Japanese. You may listen to the instructions, read them, or use the images to understand what each instruction means. When you recognize an instruction, perform the corresponding action. You can also click on the image to confirm its meaning. Choose the approach that works best for you. You do not need to rely on audio alone.

Japanese text is shown here for exposure. You are not expected to read it yet. The alphabet-based typing above the Japanese text is provided as an optional guide to how the expressions are entered and may sound.

Picture shows a student listening to something.
きいてください(k i i t e k u d a s a i)
Please listen.
Sign that says 'What is your name?'Picture shows Tom saying 'What is your name?'
いってください(i t t e k u d a s a i)
Please say it.
Sign that says 'What is your name?'Picture shows Tom saying 'What is your name?' again.
もういちど、いってください(m o u i c h i d o , i t t e k u d a s a i)
Please say it one more time.
Sign that says 'What is your name?'Picture shows Tom answering with his name 'Tom.'
こたえてください(k o t a e t e k u d a s a i)
Please answer/respond.
Picture shows John facing Tom.Picture shows Tom asking John 'What is your name?'
ジョンさんにきいてください(j o n s a n n i k i i t e k u d a s a i)
Please ask John.

4: Teacher Reactions

Listen to the three teacher responses below and identify what each one means. You will learn how to read and write Japanese characters later.

Picture shows the teacher asking 'Is that Okay?'
いいですか(i i d e s u k a)
Is that okay / Do you understand?
Picture shows the teacher saying 'That is good!'
いいですねえ(i i d e s u n e e)
That's good!
Picture shows the teacher saying 'Well done!'
よくできました(y o k u d e k i m a s h i t a)
Well done!

Other Instructions (Used as needed)

Teacher is saying 'Please speak louder.
おおきいこえで はなしてください(o o k i i k o e d e h a n a s h i t e k u d a s a i)
Please speak louder.
A student is looking at the book.
みてください(m i t e k u d a s a i)
Please look at it.

3: Student Responses

This is how you respond to the teacher when he/she calls your name. Click on the video to see it.

Teacher: Mr. Smith? スミスさん(s u m i s u s a n)
Student 1: Here/Yes. はい(h a i)
Teacher: Ms. Brown? ブラウンさん(b u r a u n s a n)
Student 2: Here/Yes. はい(h a i)