First conversations
Meet someone, ask for help, and keep a conversation going.
- Hello & goodbye
- Little replies
- Counting
Islands · A learning mode in Kotoba
Islands is a learning mode in Kotoba, inspired by the language-islands technique. Everyday life, relationships, work, and ideas become places to explore through stories and practice.
Explore the islands ↓New to the idea? Read what language islands are and how to build one, with a practical example you can use in any language.
Explore freely. Practice with focus.
Open an island and turn between its topics. Plan your day, introduce a friend, or explain a point of view. Every topic is available to explore, with no lesson order to unlock.
Create a story for the topic or return to one you saved. The same place can hold several stories, so you can revisit familiar language in different situations.
Read with word lookup, listen to a situation, write a response, or practice speaking aloud. Speaking practice is self-directed; it does not grade pronunciation or record your voice.
A four-part ring fills as you practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking at the selected depth. Change depth when you want a different challenge. The ring records activity, rather than certifying fluency.

12 islands. Plenty of ways in.
Meet someone, ask for help, and keep a conversation going.
Your people, your interests, and what matters to you.
The routines, small plans, and familiar things that fill your day.
Find your way, order something you like, and get things done.
Share a memory, a discovery, or a story worth telling.
Make plans together, share your views, and understand each other.
The conversations that help you find your place and get things done at work.
Ask questions, share discoveries and make unfamiliar ideas understandable.
Communicate your needs, describe how you feel and care for yourself and others.
Build friendships, celebrate together and navigate moments that need care.
Explore the things people make, play and celebrate.
Talk about technology, nature and the choices that shape shared life.
Make the map your own
Kotoba Pro lets you create custom scenarios for something specific: a trip, a conversation at work, or a situation you want to rehearse. Your Scenarios has its own island, alongside shortcuts to saved stories and vocabulary practice.
Already have something to read? Bring your own text, or find ideas in our language reading guides.