Irodori adds a pre-intermediate route for life in Japan
The Japan Foundation expanded Irodori with a free A2/B1 level. See what changed, how culture enters the lessons, and which phrases matter.
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In this guide
MAP NOTES
What to take with you
- The Pre-Intermediate A2/B1 volume carries a March 31, 2026 first-edition date
- Its 18 lessons connect communication tasks with work, relationships, emergencies, and travel
- Learn how 初中級, 生活場面, and 〜できる describe a practical learning goal
What is new
The Japan Foundation’s Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan now includes a Pre-Intermediate level marked A2/B1. The official colophon gives March 31, 2026 as the first-edition date, and the site later added explanatory material and seminar videos.
What the route covers
The level contains 18 lessons. Official lesson titles and topics include interests, relationships, emergencies, travel, and work in Japan. The course is built around what a learner can do in a situation, so language forms are connected to an action rather than presented as an isolated list.
Culture inside communication
The Irodori site explains cultural understanding as part of mutual understanding between people beginning life in Japan and people already living there. That makes culture something negotiated in real encounters. It should not be reduced to rules about what every person in Japan thinks or does.
Japanese for learning goals
初中級（しょちゅうきゅう） means pre-intermediate. 生活場面（せいかつばめん） is a daily-life situation. The pattern 〜ことができる expresses what someone is able to do. These terms help learners read course goals and choose material that matches a real need.
How to use the update
Choose one lesson by situation, read its Can-do goal, and collect the language needed to complete that action. Check the official site for corrections before downloading or reusing a file, because the Foundation maintains a correction list and updates the materials.
JAPANESE IN CONTEXT
Read it. Hear it. Use it.
日本語で説明することができます。
I can explain it in Japanese.生活場面で使う日本語を学びます。
I learn Japanese used in daily-life situations.初中級の教材が公開されました。
The pre-intermediate material was released.困ったときは、助けを求めます。
When I am in trouble, I ask for help.Sources and further reading
These references support the guide. Explanations, examples, and practice questions are created by English Atlas.
Uses the Japanese voice available on your device.
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