The course introduces the Japanese sound system, basic greetings as well as a number of basic Japanese structures and vocabulary expressed in Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries that are essential to basic Japanese communication. They are taught through four social/cultural topics following the textbook, Nakama Book 1 chapters:

1. Self-introduction
2. Discussion of location
3. Discussion of daily routines
4. Discussion of likes and dislikes

In each topic, while studying the language, students are challenged to discover different approaches to viewing the world around them linguistically and culturally, and are given the opportunity to understand current sociocultural issues in Japan. They are also inducted into the learning routine necessary to succeed in the fast paced learning of a foreign language.