Intro to Japanese Language & Culture I & II

Intro to Japanese Language & Culture I

New to Japanese? This six-week course for adult learners covers the essentials: greetings and self-introductions, numbers and money, likes and dislikes, shopping, and navigating real-life situations like reading a train schedule and finding your way to the airport. Along the way, you'll learn to read and write hiragana and pick up cultural insights — from bowing etiquette to the art of exchanging business cards.

No prior knowledge of Japanese required.

Materials: Various handouts will be provided.

Intro to Japanese Language and Culture II

This course builds on the foundations established in Japanese Language & Culture I, continuing students' exploration of both the Japanese language and the rich cultural traditions that shape it. Learners will expand their vocabulary, deepen their understanding of grammar structures, and further develop their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Alongside language study, students will broaden their knowledge of Japanese customs, arts, history, and contemporary society. By the end of the course, students will feel more confident navigating everyday situations in Japanese — whether in the classroom or on the streets of Tokyo.

Materials: Various handouts will be provided. 

 Everyday Japanese I & II

Ready to take your Japanese to the next level? Everyday Japanese I picks up where Intro to Japanese Language & Culture I & II left off, helping you turn foundational grammar into real conversations. Using Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan, a free course text developed by the Japan Foundation, you'll learn to talk about who you are, chat about the seasons and weather, and proudly show off your neighborhood — all in Japanese. Along the way, you'll pick up cultural insights that bring the language to life. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan, connecting with Japanese friends and family, or simply love a good language challenge, this course will have you speaking with more confidence, one everyday conversation at a time.

Japanese in Action I (Formerly Intermediate III)

Ready to put your Japanese to work? This course builds on Everyday Japanese I–III and helps you use the language with more confidence in real-life situations. Using Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan – Elementary 2, a free textbook from the Japan Foundation, you'll practice practical conversations, listening, reading, and writing, and you'll also learn cultural insights that help you connect with people in Japan and here in Chicago. The course is designed for learners who have completed Everyday Japanese III or have equivalent experience, including hiragana, katakana, basic kanji, and basic grammar.

The Fluent Frontier 

This class will provide a forum for more advanced Japanese conversation between students and instructor along with additional progressive kanji. Topics of conversation will be determined by the instructor, along with various reading assignments.

Students at this level can continue to re-take this class as class material will differ each term.