This 2-credit course is designed for students who are just beginning their journey in Japanese and want to develop practical communication skills through face-to-face instruction and practice. Over eight weeks, students will engage in interactive speaking and listening activities in class, focusing on essential conversational skills such as greetings, self-introductions, and asking and answering questions. Through practical exercises and authentic interactions, learners will gain confidence in using Japanese in real-life situations while deepening their understanding and appreciation of the Japanese language and culture. Students interested in strengthening their foundation in beginner-level vocabulary and grammar are encouraged to also enrol in the 1-credit self-paced online course, LANG1212: Japanese Vocabulary and Grammar Essentials I. This supplementary course offers comprehensive explanations of key grammatical structures and extended vocabulary practices, featuring online lectures and interactive exercises designed to reinforce learning over eight weeks. Graded P or F.