Introduction
Welcome to the Irodori Starter audio practice page at NihongoDoya. This page is a free study companion for the 180+ native-speaker tracks that come with Irodori Starter (Japan Foundation) (18 task-based units) — short model sentences, full dialogues and comprehension prompts. Play the audio from your own textbook or the publisher’s official source, then pair each scene with the matching grammar guide unit and Japanese word list to build a single, joined-up study cycle.
What you will learn
- Task-based scenes from Irodori Starter A1 units
- Daily-life situations such as shops, stations and meetings
- Slow, classroom-pace delivery for new beginners
- Numbers, dates and prices in everyday context
- Polite expressions you hear on the first day in Japan
- Short comprehension prompts after each scene
Who this level is for
Irodori Starter is built for adults living, working or studying in Japan who want practical conversation skills first and exam structure second. If you need Japanese for shops, transport, doctor visits and short small talk, the units here cover exactly those situations.
A useful weekly cycle for audio practice
- Play a full scene once at natural pace, no script.
- Open the matching grammar guide unit and Japanese word list, then replay.
- Shadow — speak along with the speaker for the last pass.
- Note any line you missed and revisit it the next day.
- Test yourself with the unit-end comprehension prompt before moving on.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Translating each line in your head instead of mapping it to the scene image.
- Skipping the first slow play and jumping to a faster pass too soon.
- Listening without the matching grammar guide open for new patterns.
- Practising once a week instead of short daily blocks; ear training is daily.
Related study materials
Build a joined-up study cycle by combining this page with the matching Irodori Starter grammar guide, the Irodori Starter Japanese word list and the Irodori Starter audio practice page.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Irodori Starter audio cover?
Daily-life scenes at CEFR A1 — shops, stations, meeting people, ordering food, making purchases, and basic polite exchanges, all at a relaxed classroom pace.
Is the audio in standard Japanese?
Yes — all tracks are in standard Tokyo Japanese, the variety used by national broadcasters and most language schools.
How fast should I move through the units?
One unit per week is comfortable, with daily short replays. Pair every unit with the matching grammar guide and Japanese word list.
Should I shadow the audio?
Yes. Shadowing — repeating what you hear out loud — is one of the fastest ways to lift A1 comprehension and pronunciation at once.
What comes after Irodori Starter audio?
Continue to Irodori Elementary 1 audio practice or join the JLPT N5 listening practice page, depending on whether your goal is conversation or exam.