Japanese Chat Club in Edinburgh (EH10) — Beginner Travel Conversation

Led by Hitomi (MA in Applied Linguistics; speaker of Standard Tokyo Japanese), this friendly club builds practical speaking confidence step by step — perfect if you’re new to Japanese or brushing up on the basics.

Who it’s for

1. Beginners (including Complete Beginners — you’re very welcome).
2. Anyone planning a trip to Japan and wanting an everyday conversation that actually works.

What we’ll do (travel‑ready themes)

Short, clear input‑rich activities (listening, reading snippets, visuals) → guided practice → role‑plays. Topics rotate through typical travel moments:

1. cafés & restaurants (ordering, paying, dietary needs)
2. stations & transport (tickets, times, directions)
3. shopping & prices (sizes, colours, “How much is it?”)
4. hotels & check‑in/out, simple requests
5. small talk & polite phrases you’ll really use

Our approach

1. Can‑do statements shape each session (e.g. “I can order a coffee for takeaway.”).
2. Input first → output next: we prioritise plenty of comprehensible input to ensure understanding, then move into low‑pressure speaking and role‑play. This sequencing follows best practice in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) for building robust comprehension before production.
3. Original materials created by Hitomi. Expect clear visuals, bite-sized dialogues, and travel-focused phrase banks that you can reuse immediately.

Why join a live club, rather than just watching videos?

You’ll get real interaction, personalised feedback, and structured, purposeful practice — the things podcasts and YouTube can’t deliver on their own. Plus, you’ll train with original worksheets written by a conversation‑textbook author, designed specifically for this club.

What you’ll come away with

By the end of a session, you’ll be able to say — with evidence — outcomes such as:

1. I can order food & drink politely.
2. I can ask for (and understand) prices and quantities.
3. I can buy train tickets and confirm times/platforms.
4. I can check into a hotel and make simple requests.
5. I can ask for/follow simple directions.

These are examples of can‑dos; each session focuses on a select subset, not the entire list at once.

Level & script

No prior knowledge needed. Hiragana is helpful but not required. Worksheets use dual‑script throughout (romaji + kana) so you can participate from day one, and practice instructions are in English. We’ll gently nudge you towards the script at a comfortable pace.

Friendly, low‑pressure vibe

Mistakes are welcome; they show you’re learning. We keep it warm, encouraging, and practical — with just enough grammar to make your phrases work in the wild.

A friendly space people return to

In 2025–26, around 70% of eligible Chat Club bookings/participants led to another session.

Based on Chat Club participation records in the 2025–26 teaching year.

Pricing & Group size

1. Pricing: £28 per 90‑minute session
2. Group size: small group, 2–4 participants. If a date doesn’t reach the minimum of 2, we’ll offer an alternative date or a refund.
3. Location: Edinburgh South (EH10)
4. Included: a welcome drink & a Japanese snack, plus original mini‑worksheets — all at no extra charge.
5. Under 18s are welcome with parental consent.

How to join

Questions or ready to book? Send a message via the contact form, and we’ll share upcoming dates and availability.

FAQs

What should I bring?

Nothing specific. Stationery will be provided.

Is this suitable for Complete Beginners?

Yes. We start from zero. Dual‑script worksheets (romaji + kana) and English instructions help you participate confidently from the first minute.

Can under 18s join?

Japanese Chat Club is for adults aged 18 and over. We’re not currently able to accept participants under 18.

What is the group format like?

Japanese Chat Club is a small-group conversation session rather than a one-to-one lesson. Participants take part in the group conversation independently, so I’m not able to provide ongoing individual support during the session. If you’re unsure whether the format would suit you, you’re welcome to get in touch before booking.

Do I need to know hiragana/katakana?

No. You’ll see romaji alongside kana, and we’ll nudge you towards reading naturally over time.

What materials do you use?

Original worksheets created by a conversation‑textbook author aligned with a Can‑do approach for travel tasks.

Will there be grammar?

Just enough to make your phrases work in real situations — always tied to a communicative goal.

What can I expect after one session?

A small set of clearly demonstrable can‑dos related to that day’s theme (e.g., ordering drinks politely). We build breadth over multiple sessions.

Is there an online option?

Not at the moment — sessions are in Edinburgh South (EH10). If demand is high enough, we’ll consider adding an online group.

Booking & cancellations

1. Booking & payment: up to 2 days before the session. See Adult Terms & Conditions
2. Cancellations: up to 24 hours before — full refund. Less than 24 hours — Sorry, no refund is available.
3. To book or cancel, please use the contact form.