Finally Build Your Own Sentences in Japanese
(Instead of Just Memorizing Phrases)
Most Japanese courses teach you set phrases and expect you to memorize them. But when you want to express your own thoughts? You're stuck.
The problem isn't the language. It's how it's being explained to you.
Traditional textbooks and courses skip over the why - why particles work the way they do, why sentence structure follows certain patterns, how to actually build your own sentences from scratch.
Introducing 80/20 Japanese: Foundations, the course that finally explains Japanese in a way that makes sense to English speakers.
Using visual diagrams and logical explanations, you'll understand:
- How particles really work
- How to build sentences from the ground up
- How you can put all the pieces together to express what you want to say, not just memorized phrases
Bite-sized lessons. Your own pace. Real comprehension.
No more racing through textbooks. No more gaps in understanding.
Just a clear, logical path from complete beginner to confident communicator.
Why Most Japanese Learners Get Stuck
Sound familiar? You're not alone, and it's not your fault.
Most Japanese resources teach you what to say, but not how to build sentences yourself. They teach you sentence patterns and vocabulary, then expect you to figure out how it all connects on your own.
This just leaves you stuck with rigid sentence templates, unable to express your own thoughts.
You shouldn't have to piece it together yourself.
Wouldn’t it be easier if it all made sense from the beginning? If you could actually see how each individual concept fits into the bigger picture?
Introducing 80/20 Japanese: Foundations
Visual, Logical, Connected
See how Japanese grammar can be clear and simple. In this 10-minute preview featuring clips from three lessons, you will see exactly how the visual sentence model makes everything fit together logically.
Japanese grammar is actually logical and straightforward, just different from English.
The secret to mastering Japanese isn't endless memorization or language apps. It's understanding the core principles that everything else builds upon.
80/20 Japanese: Foundations uses videos with visual diagrams that show you exactly how Japanese sentences are constructed - making complex grammar instantly clear.
Instead of jumping around between disconnected topics, each of our 60+ lessons connects to a master sentence structure model. You'll see exactly how particles, verb forms, and phrases fit together into the complete system.
The result? You'll finally understand how to build your own sentences from scratch and express what you want to say - in any situation.
What You'll Get
65 Video Lessons
that take you from complete beginner to confident communicator
Visual Sentence Models
that show exactly how every concept connects, so building sentences makes senses
250+ Interactive Exercises
including listening, reading, and speaking practice to build real fluency
- Downloadable Resources* including lesson slides and transcripts
- Choose your display characters and complete exercises in romaji, kana or kanji from day one
- Effective Practice Methods including sentence completion, comprehension and speaking exercises
- Mobile-Friendly Audio versions of all lessons - listen while you commute or work-out
*Only available when purchasing Lifetime access
Practice makes perfect!
See how the 250+ sets of exercises help you build all the skills you need to communicate effectively in Japanese:
Course Curriculum
What you'll learn: This is where your Japanese grammar journey really begins. You will learn how Japanese sentences are structured, and begin applying the 80/20 Japanese sentence model we use to build a wide range of sentences throughout the course. You will also learn some essential particles verb forms, and use these to start buliding your own polite-form sentences in different tenses.
Why it matters: This module gives you the foundation for everything that follows. The sentence model we develop here will be your framework for understanding all Japanese grammar going forward - no more confusion about how everything fits together.
What you'll learn: Now we expand beyond basic sentences to describe things in detail. You'll learn how to talk about where things are, use adjectives to describe people and objects, and express preferences and desires.
We'll also start to look at informal speech and how it compares to the polite form, and tackle one of Japanese's trickier distinctions - the difference between the topic-marking particle "wa" (は) and the subject-marking particle "ga" (が).
Why it matters: This module transforms you from making simple statements to having real descriptive power. You'll be able to express your opinions, talk about what you see around you, and start having more meaningful conversations.
What you'll learn: In this module, you will build real conversational skills by learning how to ask both yes/no questions and open-ended questions, as well as the natural way to answer them.
We also explore informal speech with key informal verb forms, learn how to use particles to add emotion and nuance to our sentences, and see how we can link related or contrasting ideas using words like "because," "so," and "but."
Why it matters: This is where Japanese stops feeling like isolated sentences and you start feeling like you can hold a real conversation. You'll sound more natural in both polite and informal settings, helping you build stronger connections with people.
What you'll learn: This module is all about actions and time. You'll learn to talk about what you want to do and what you can do, suggest activities, and describe experiences you've had.
We also look at more precise ways to describe and ask about when things happen, and introduce the incredibly versatile te-form of verbs, including two of its most useful applications - making requests and describing ongoing actions (like "I am eating").
Why it matters: These are the tools you need to coordinate with others, make plans, and talk about your life in detail.
What you'll learn: Here we add nuance and sophistication. You'll learn to use adverbs to describe things in more detail, how to use numbers as "counters" (essential for Japanese), and how to combine multiple related ideas into a single sentence. You will also learn to express your thoughts and report what others have said.
Why it matters: This module helps you speak with more precision and complexity. Instead of simple statements, you can now describe how, when, and how often things happen, and start expressing more complex ideas.
Who This Is For
(and who it's not for)
Perfect for you if:
✓ You are an English speaker who wants to truly understand Japanese, not just memorize phrases or parrot set expressions
✓ You are a complete beginner or an intermediate learner looking to solidify your foundation and clear up lingering confusion
✓ You are frustrated with traditional textbooks and group classes that race through material without explaining the "why"
✓ You have struggled with other resources that jump around topics or leave gaps in understanding (especially particles like wa/ga)
✓ You need flexibility to study at your own pace and review concepts as needed, rather than being locked into a fixed class schedule
✓ You are an audio-visual learner who benefits from video lessons, graphics, and bite-sized modules.
Might not be the right fit if:
✗ You prefer purely text-based study without video or audio components
✗ You are looking for a quick-fix or minimal-effort approach rather than comprehensive understanding
✗ You are already quite advanced in your Japanese learning and can confidently hold conversations in Japanese
✗ You are looking for live classes with a set schedule
✗ You are only interested in survival Japanese - being able to get around without understanding grammar and sentence structure
What Makes 80/20 Japanese: Foundations Different?
Visual Learning That Actually Makes Sense
Every grammatical concept is explained with clear visual diagrams showing how pieces fit together, making abstract grammar concepts concrete and easy to understand.
Logical Progression That Builds Naturally
Each lesson builds on the previous one in a carefully structured sequence, so you're never left wondering "where does this fit in?"
Interactive Exercises That Reinforce Learning
Extensive practice exercises after each lesson help you solidify concepts through application, not just memorization.
Multiple Learning Formats for Flexibility
Video lessons, audio downloads, transcripts in multiple formats, and downloadable slides give you multiple ways to absorb the material.
Emphasis on Both Understanding AND Communication
Learn both formal and casual Japanese from early on, so you can speak naturally in any situation.
What Students Are Saying
I have been studying Japanese for 4 years, but I have never found another resource that teaches you how to make your own sentences. Most just teach you set phrases but never explain the WHY... I am getting more confident and now starting to have conversations with Japanese people, beyond my online sensei. — A. Howatson
I had taken a few in-person group courses that strictly followed a textbook, without really understanding the concepts. The concepts in 80/20 Japanese are presented logically and thus, make Japanese understandable! It was a game changer for me." — C.E., Calgary, AB, Canada
80/20 Japanese is the first program that has kept me motivated to stay with it, to be consistent and to keep going...I can't say enough about how beautifully, simply, and thoroughly everything is explained. That is so different to other courses." — Jay H.
GUARANTEE
Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee
Try Foundations risk-free with our money-back guarantee:
- 7 days for membership plans
- 30 days for lifetime purchases
If you're not making real progress, just let us know and we'll refund your investment in full.
No questions asked. We're that confident in our teaching method.
Start Learning Today!
Find your perfect plan
All plans include full flexibility - start at any level, skip lessons you know, and learn at your own pace.
Foundations Membership
Only available in US dollars.
Pay monthly
$27USD
per month
Full flexibility with no long-term committment
Pay yearly
$247USD
per year
≈ $20.58/mo
Save 23%
compared to monthly
Foundations Lifetime
Lifetime
$297USD
one-time payment
Pay once, study forever.
Updates included.
Lifetime +
Anki Flashcards
$397USD
one-time payment
Includes:
8000+ Anki flashcards*
featuring all vocabulary and sentences from the course
*Anki is a third-party flashcard app, free on desktop and Android devices. iPhone and iPad users need the AnkiMobile app sold separately via Apple App Store (~US$25).
Lifetime
€249
one-time payment
Pay once, study forever.
Updates included.
Lifetime +
Anki Flashcards
€335
one-time payment
Includes:
8000+ Anki flashcards*
featuring all vocabulary and sentences from the course
*Anki is a third-party flashcard app, free on desktop and Android devices. iPhone and iPad users need the AnkiMobile app sold separately via Apple App Store (~US$25).
Lifetime
$429AUD
one-time payment
Pay once, study forever.
Updates included.
Lifetime +
Anki Flashcards
$573AUD
one-time payment
Includes:
8000+ Anki flashcards*
featuring all vocabulary and sentences from the course
*Anki is a third-party flashcard app, free on desktop and Android devices. iPhone and iPad users need the AnkiMobile app sold separately via Apple App Store (~US$25).
Lifetime
£217
one-time payment
Pay once, study forever.
Updates included.
Lifetime +
Anki Flashcards
£289
one-time payment
Includes:
8000+ Anki flashcards*
featuring all vocabulary and sentences from the course
*Anki is a third-party flashcard app, free on desktop and Android devices. iPhone and iPad users need the AnkiMobile app sold separately via Apple App Store (~US$25).
Lifetime
¥45,600
one-time payment
Pay once, study forever.
Updates included.
Lifetime +
Anki Flashcards
¥61,000
one-time payment
Includes:
8000+ Anki flashcards*
featuring all vocabulary and sentences from the course
*Anki is a third-party flashcard app, free on desktop and Android devices. iPhone and iPad users need the AnkiMobile app sold separately via Apple App Store (~US$25).
Your course is fantastic! I really enjoy it. The videos are very well made and the explanations are crystal clear. I've been studying Japanese for years and I finally feel like I'm starting to make sense out of the language. I'm delighted to see that new lessons are being added. Thank you so much for your excellent work!
Maryline L.
France
About Your Instructor
Richard Webb passed the JLPT N1 (the highest level of Japanese proficiency), lived and worked professionally in Japan for 4 years, and served as an in-house translator and interpreter.
But he wasn't always fluent.
Early in his learning journey, Richard struggled with many of the same problems you're facing now - textbooks that jumped around, grammar explanations that left him more confused, and the frustrating inability to express himself despite hundreds of hours of study. Instead of learning in a logical way, he had to battle his way to fluency through what felt like brute force.
Once he reached fluency, he realized others were struggling with the exact same problems. He developed a new approach: visual diagrams and clear explanations in English that show why Japanese works the way it does, not just what the rules are.
His book "80/20 Japanese" has helped thousands of learners finally understand particle usage, sentence structure, and how to express themselves naturally. Now, this video course brings that same clarity, with even more detailed explanations and practical exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
The video lessons are pre-recorded and can be viewed at any time, as many tmes as you like. There are no live classes.
Videos are streamed via the 80/20 Japanese course website, and can be viewed on any device with a browser and internet connection.
The main advantages of the Foundations course over the 80/20 Japanese book are the in-depth videos with the extensive use of visual aids, substantially more exercises including reading/listening comprehension exercises, and flexible learning options like character switching and streaming audio.
The general topics covered in the course are generally the same as the book, but Foundations has a much greater emphasis on informal spoken Japanese.
Yes, the lessons are not locked, so you can skip lessons or come back to earlier lessons later on. That said, the lessons build on each other in a very systematic way, so we strongly recommended completing the lessons in order
That depends. The course is primarily aimed at beginner and intermediate students who struggle with grammar and building sentences.
If you have studied quite a lot, but still feel confused and frustrated that you are not progressing as much as you would like, this course may help to fill in some gaps in your understanding so you can make better sense of what you already know.
If, however, you are confident in your understanding of grammar and can communicate effectively without too much confusion, then you are likely too advanced to benefit from Foundations.