Japanese Level 1 is designed to introduce the student to the basics of the Japanese language and culture.  Students will participate in speaking and listening activities, learn the first two alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana) for basic reading and writing, as well as 15 kanji.  The course begins with all speaking done in informal speech, as one would speak his/her first language when first learning; then the student begins to speak more formally, and recognize the situations in which to use more formal styles. 

By the end of the course, students should be at a Novice Low proficiency level.