Questions
Before you
start.
Do I need to know any Japanese to start?
No. The N5 course starts at absolute zero — hiragana, katakana, and your first words. Most members join without reading a single character.
Is this built for the JLPT?
Yes. Every lesson sits inside the JLPT structure, N5 through N1, so what you learn ladders straight to the exam. The December Sprint is a cohort built back from JLPT day.
How is this different from Duolingo?
They pair well. Apps are great for the daily habit and your first words. Rei covers the part that needs more than a drill: handling a real situation (ordering at a konbini, a train announcement, conversation at speed), grammar taught inside the scene, a weekly live Q&A, and a community. Plenty of members run both.
What does it cost?
The community, the weekly Q&A, the placement test, and five full sample classes (one from every level) are free. Beyond Zero is $29/month for every course from N5 to N1 plus the Vault: decks, cheat sheets, grammar maps, and a pass-plan per level. The December Sprint cohort is €329 founding (€429 list).
Is there a refund?
Beyond Zero has a 30-day refund, no questions asked. If it is not for you, you get your money back.
Do I have to show my face, and is it all live?
No face required. Lessons are self-paced videos you watch on your own time. The one live commitment is a weekly Q&A on Wednesdays at 10:00 Amsterdam, and it is recapped afterwards for other timezones.
How long does it take to reach N5?
It depends on your hours, but the N5 course is 12 lessons plus daily challenges. Learners who show up most days and use the community tend to move fastest — the placement test gives you a realistic 90-day plan for your level.
Still have a question?
Email me at reijapanese@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you.
Your day one
starts here.
Three minutes to your real level, then the first lesson. Free.
