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1Beginner · Level 1/10Foundations

Forex Trading for Beginners: From Zero to First Demo Trade

A practical, self-paced beginner course from FX Academy that teaches what the forex market is, how currency pairs, pips, lots, spreads, leverage and margin work, and walks you step-by-step to place your first demo trade. This course is hands-on: worked numbers, realistic position-sizing, and demo practice are required. Most retail traders lose money; practise on demo and follow risk rules.

~12 hours7 modules22 lessons13h of guided studyquizzes included

What you'll learn

  • Explain what the forex market is, who trades it and why, and the main risks involved.
  • Read and interpret currency pair quotes, bid/ask prices and calculate the spread.
  • Calculate pip value for standard, mini and micro lots and for JPY vs non-JPY pairs.
  • Compute margin required using margin = (lot size × price) / leverage with worked examples.
  • Size a position so your stop-loss risks a precise percent of an account (example: 1% of $1,000).
  • Describe market session times (Tokyo, London, New York) and when volatility tends to increase.
  • Open a free demo account and place your first demo trade end-to-end (entry, stop, take-profit).
  • Apply simple trade management rules and understand why demo trading first matters.

Course curriculum

7 stages, easiest first. Lesson content unlocks with enrollment.

Stage 1Module 1 — Forex Market Essentials3 lessons + quiz

Foundations: what forex is, who participates, why currencies move, and honest expectations about risk and time required to learn.

  1. What is the Forex Market?35 min
  2. Why People Trade Forex — Uses and Risks35 min
  3. How Forex is Traded: OTC Market, Liquidity and Hours35 min
Stage 2Module 2 — Currency Pairs, Quotes, Bid/Ask and Spreads3 lessons + quiz

Learn how currency pairs are quoted, the difference between base and quote currency, majors/minors/exotics, and how brokers show bid and ask prices and spreads.

  1. Reading a Currency Pair Quote35 min
  2. Bid, Ask and Spread — What You Actually Pay35 min
  3. Majors, Minors and Exotics — What to Trade First35 min
Stage 3Module 3 — Pips, Lots and Pip Value (with Worked Numbers)3 lessons + quiz

Concrete mechanics: define a pip, lot sizes (standard/mini/micro), and calculate pip value with step-by-step examples for USD-quoted and JPY pairs.

  1. What is a Pip and a Point?35 min
  2. Lot Sizes: Standard, Mini and Micro30 min
  3. Calculate Pip Value — Worked Examples35 min
Stage 4Module 4 — Spreads, Commissions, Slippage and Order Types3 lessons + quiz

Costs and execution: what you pay to trade, differences between spreads and commissions, slippage, and basic order types (market, limit, stop-loss).

  1. How Brokers Charge: Spread vs Commission35 min
  2. Slippage and Requotes — Real-World Execution Issues35 min
  3. Order Types: Market, Limit, Stop and Stop-Loss35 min
Stage 5Module 5 — Leverage, Margin and Position Sizing (with Formulas)3 lessons + quiz

Critical money management: how leverage magnifies exposure, how to calculate required margin (margin = (lot size × price) / leverage), and how to size positions to risk a controlled percent of your account.

  1. What is Leverage? Benefits and Dangers35 min
  2. Margin Calculation — Worked Examples35 min
  3. Position Sizing Using Risk Percent and Pip Stop30 min
Stage 6Module 6 — Market Sessions, Volatility and Trade Timing3 lessons + quiz

When to trade: understand Tokyo, London and New York sessions, session overlaps that raise liquidity and volatility, and which times suit different trading styles.

  1. Global Sessions and Local Time Conversion35 min
  2. Session Overlaps and Volatility Patterns35 min
  3. Choosing Pairs and Times for Your Style35 min
Stage 7Module 7 — Open a Demo Account and Place Your First Demo Trade (Step-by-Step)4 lessons + quiz

Hands-on module: open a free demo account (we recommend Exness demo), set up charting, calculate position size from your risk rules and place a market trade with stop-loss and take-profit. Includes step-by-step screenshots, worked numbers, and required safety reminders.

  1. Choosing a Broker and Opening a Demo Account35 min
  2. Platform Basics: Charts, Orders and Account Window35 min
  3. Step-by-Step: Size the Trade, Place Entry, Stop and Take-Profit35 min
  4. Managing the Trade and Post-Trade Log35 min
Not sure yet?

Sample the teaching first

We wrote a free in-depth guide on this exact topic — read it, and if the teaching style clicks, the course goes ten times deeper.

Read: Forex Trading for Beginners 2026 — Practical Start Guide

Frequently asked questions

Is this course really worth paying for?

Every Forex Fluency course is a deep, structured program — long-form fact-checked lessons, fully worked numeric examples, diagrams and end-of-module quizzes. At $20 it costs less than one impulsive, uneducated trade typically loses.

How do I access the course after paying?

Checkout takes a minute. Once your payment is confirmed you receive an access code by email — enter it on the My Learning page and every lesson unlocks instantly, forever.

Do I need a trading account first?

No. You only need a free demo account for the practice exercises, and we show you exactly when and how to open one — no deposit required.

Will this course make me profitable?

No honest school promises that. Most retail traders lose money; education, risk management and disciplined practice are what separate the minority who succeed. This course gives you that foundation — the results depend on you.

Is it self-paced?

Completely. Lessons are written, not scheduled — read them any time, on any device, and your progress is saved as you go.