Fun with Japanese – free online taster session and resources for children aged 5-11 (Available January to 31st March 2026)
Get a taster of Japanese language and culture with The Japan Society! For NE schools, families and communities. Children aged 5-11 can learn some Japanese language basics, including common greetings and numbers from 1-10. Everyone can have a go at Japanese Calligraphy using our tutorial video or try some of our other simple cultural activities!
Register for the activity and you can do this anytime between January and 31st March for free.
Who is it for?
- New learners and complete beginners of Japanese
- Most suitable for Primary schools and KS2 pupils
- May also be suitable for upper KS1/lower KS3 pupils
- Community groups and parents with children aged 5-11
- Japanese calligraphy tutorial is suitable for all
- No previous experience of the language is required
When will it happen?
- Resources for this activity are available to access online between January and 31st March.
- Allow 40 minutes for the main activity and up to an hour to include extension activities.
What is the activity?
Ready Steady NihonGO! resource is a 10 lesson language and culture resource for KS2 pupils and this activity is designed as a short taster session. Children will learn: numbers 1-10 in Japanese using fun accompanying actions to help them remember, how to write numbers in Japanese kanji characters, and a popular group exercise routine called Radio Taiso which can be done anywhere, anytime, by anyone!
Also included, is a tutorial video for Japanese Calligraphy for all ages. Schools and teachers can request a free loan of our calligraphy equipment (this is subject to availability, postage costs apply – see details here).
Suggestions for extension activities are also provided: pupils can play bingo in Japanese or learn a simple song and there’s an achievement card so pupils can keep track of their progress too.
Many more free resources are available on The Japan Society website here.
How do I get involved?
- Click here to register for this free session and you will be sent the link to the activity and be able to access all the activity materials.
Further information and links?
- Our 10 lesson Japanese Language and Culture Resource Ready Steady NihonGo!
- Calligraphy Tutorial Video and free loans of calligraphy equipment
- Our free online resources for all
- Free loan resources for schools
- Follow us on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram
- Click here to see other Festival events and activities relating to Japan and Japanese, plus links and resources from The Japan Society and The Japan Foundation
Who is organising this?
- Organisation name: The Japan Society
- Named contact person: Rebecca Lee
- Email: education@japansociety.org.uk
