Japanese Level Check: Genki Japanese and Culture School

Choose the level that best fits your abilities:

Complete beginner

Have never studied Japanese before or can only use very simple Japanese phrases.

Note: We accept applications from complete beginners, but you must memorize the hiragana and if possible katakana alphabets before you start your study with us. This usually only takes a couple of days.

Beginner 1

Can hold very simple conversations, and read Japanese Hiragana and/or Katakana.

Beginner 2

Can hold simple conversations. Equivalent to having finished Minna no Nihongo book 1 or Genki Japanese book 1, or having passed level 4 of the Japanese Proficiency Test.
Students at this level can take the Japanese Through Pop Culture course, although the materials used are restricted, and you may not be able to make requests.

Pre-Intermediate

Have some confidence in everyday conversations, and can read texts written using Hiragana, Katakana, and simple Kanji. Equivalent to having finished Minna no Nihongo book 2 or Genki Japanese book 2, or having passed level 3 of the Japanese Proficiency Test.
Students at this level can take the Japanese Through Pop Culture course using unrestricted materials, such as your favorite manga/anime.

Intermediate

Understand the basics of grammar, can hold most everyday conversations (including telephone skills), and can read texts written using Hiragana, Katakana, and most common Kanji. Equivalent to having passed level 2 of the Japanese Proficiency Test.

Advanced

Understand grammar and most of the main kanji in use. Able to use Japanese required in business or university settings. Equivalent to having passed level 1 of the Japanese Proficiency Test.