"I want to learn Japanese, but most courses are in English." "Where do I study for JFT-Basic?" "Is there anything free that is actually reliable?"
If these questions sound familiar, you are not alone. Many Bangladeshi learners spend weeks jumping between random videos before they find a clear path. The good news: some of the best Japanese materials in the world are free, and several already explain Japanese in Bangla. Most of the list below comes from public broadcasters and the official exam organisations, not from apps trying to sell you something.
Which resource fits your goal?
| Your goal | Start with |
|---|---|
| Complete beginner, everyday conversation | NHK "Easy Japanese" (in Bangla) |
| Living or working in Japan, JFT-Basic, SSW | Irodori + JFT-Basic official site (in Bangla) |
| JLPT N5 or N4 | JLPT sample questions + NihongoHub practice (partly in Bangla) |
| Hiragana, katakana and kanji practice | NihongoHub charts, Kanji Map and quizzes (in Bangla) |
| Finding more free tools | NIHONGO eな directory (English/Japanese) |
1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN: Easy Japanese (সহজে জাপানি ভাষা)
Japan's public broadcaster runs a complete beginner course in Bangla: সহজে জাপানি ভাষা. It has 48 lessons with audio, animated videos and text, from everyday conversation to phrases for travel, plus culture tips. The MP3 audio and the textbook PDF are free to download for personal use.
How to start: do one lesson a day, say every line aloud with the audio, and only move on when you can repeat the key phrase without reading.
2. Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan
Irodori is the Japan Foundation's free course for people who want to live and work in Japan. The textbooks and MP3 audio are free, from Starter through Elementary 1 and 2 to Pre-Intermediate, with word lists and grammar worksheets. A Bengali edition was released in July 2024.
Why it matters for SSW: Irodori teaches the practical Japanese of daily life and work, which is exactly what the JFT-Basic test checks.
3. Irodori online course on JF Japanese e-Learning Minato
If you prefer studying on a screen, the Japan Foundation's Minato platform hosts an Irodori online course. Bengali explanations were added in June 2024. You need a free account to join self-study courses.
4. JFT-Basic official site in Bangla
Planning to go to Japan as a Specified Skilled Worker? The Japan Foundation explains the JFT-Basic test in Bangla on its official site: the purpose of the test, who it is for and how it works. Read this first, so you study for the real test format and not for rumours.
5. JLPT official sample questions
For JLPT N5 or N4, practise with the official sample questions from the test organisers. They are in English and Japanese, but the question types are what matter: once you know the format, the exam day feels familiar. Pair them with our JLPT N5 reading practice with answers.
6. NIHONGO eな: a directory of free tools
Run by the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai, NIHONGO eな collects free websites and apps for learners, sorted by skill: reading, listening, kana, kanji, grammar and more. It is in English and Japanese, and it is the place to look when you want something specific, such as kanji games or a tool that adds furigana to Japanese websites.
7. NihongoHub practice tools
Our own free tools on this website are made for Bangla-speaking beginners:
- All Japanese letters: hiragana and katakana charts and N5/N4 kanji, with audio and stroke order
- Kanji Map: see how N5 and N4 kanji are built from parts, with a PDF to download
- JLPT N5 grammar list: 20 core patterns with examples
- Japanese games and quizzes: quick kana and kanji practice
The NihongoHub Android app adds lessons explained in Bangla, JLPT N5 mock exams and games; it is free to start: get it on Google Play.
How to combine them
- Weeks 1–2: learn hiragana with our hiragana guide and NHK lessons 1–5.
- Weeks 3–8: keep one main course (NHK for conversation, Irodori for life and work in Japan) and add katakana.
- From week 8: follow the JLPT N5 study plan, or the JFT-Basic official guide if you are going for SSW, and test yourself with official sample questions.
One main course plus one practice tool beats ten half-finished ones. If you are moving to Japan, also read our checklist for preparing for life in Japan.
