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See How Your Learning Fits Together
It is easier to keep studying when you understand what you are building toward. Simple Gaijin's twelve-stage pathway begins with Japanese writing and fundamentals, then progresses through Japanese I–III, Intermediate Japanese I–III, Advanced Japanese I–III, and a final Advanced Japanese Capstone.
Your lessons develop literacy, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking as connected skills. The curriculum supplies direction; Mike adjusts the instruction to your pace and needs.
Explore the Twelve Stages
Stage 1
An Introduction to Japanese
Written systems: hiragana and katakana. You work with Japanese script from the beginning so you can develop literacy without depending on romaji.
Stage 5
Japanese III
Genki I,
Chapters 9–12.
Stage 9
Advanced Japanese I
An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, Chapters 1–5.
Stage 2
Japanese Fundamentals
Two textbook options are available. Mike can discuss the appropriate option with you.
Stage 6
Intermediate Japanese I
Genki II,
Chapters 13–17.
Stage 10
Advanced Japanese II
An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, Chapters 6–10.
Stage 3
Japanese I
Genki I,
Chapters 1–4.
Stage 7
Intermediate Japanese II
Genki II,
Chapters 18–20.
Stage 11
Advanced Japanese III
An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, Chapters 11–15.
Stage 4
Japanese II
Genki I,
Chapters 5–8.
Stage 8
Intermediate Japanese III
Genki II, Chapters 21–23.
Stage 12
Advanced Japanese Capstone
Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese.
After Genki II, Stages 9–11 provide a defined pathway into more advanced study using An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese. Stage 12 then serves as the final capstone of Simple Gaijin’s structured curriculum using Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese.
Advanced Japanese is the name of this sequence within Simple Gaijin’s curriculum.
Completing the capstone marks the end of the structured curriculum, not the end of learning Japanese. Students who wish to continue can pursue increasingly individualized advanced study around their goals and use of the language.
The stages give your study a clear sequence. Your starting point depends on your existing Japanese, and your pace depends on how your skills develop.
Already Studied Japanese
You do not have to begin at Stage 1 simply because you are new to Simple Gaijin. Mike can discuss your previous experience and recommend an appropriate starting point.
Tell him about the courses or materials you have used, what feels comfortable, and where you struggle. A strong vocabulary with uncertain grammar, for example, calls for a different starting conversation than a complete beginner needs.
Explore beginner Japanese, intermediate Japanese, or advanced Japanese classes to see which description sounds closer to you.
Keep Your Goal Connected to Your Foundation
An upcoming trip, a JLPT target, or a desire to speak more naturally can influence lesson priorities. Mike can discuss how that focus fits alongside the broader skills you need.
You get individual guidance within a consistent teaching relationship. Learn how private Japanese lessons work in practice.
