Japan America Society of Chicago - Japanese Language Courses

Log in

Japanese Language Courses

Spring I Japanese Language Classes

April 20- May 28, 2026

$190 Early Bird Special - Members and Continuing Students (Valid until WED 4/15)

$205 - Members and Continuing Students (After WED 4/15)

$215 Early Bird Special - New Students (Valid until WED 4/15)

$230 - New Students (After WED 4/15)

For additional information or questions email kono@jaschicago.org.

All classes will be held virtually via ZOOM.

All classes are tailored to the level of expertise and type of study required by students. Weekly lessons provide students with an opportunity to begin the study of Japanese or to sharpen previously acquired skills. Writing, reading and speaking skills will be covered in all class levels.

Class Payment/Class Cancellation:

In order to be registered for the class pre-payment must be received prior to the first class. If minimum class size is not met, the Society has the right to cancel class level. All students will receive a full refund.

Please be reminded that class registration fee is for one student only. If there are multiple students who are interested in taking our classes, please register each student separately. Society has the right to cancel a student’s registration at any time.

Intro to Japanese Language & Culture (Tuesdays 7:30-9:30 pm)

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.

Practical Japanese II (Formerly known as Beginning II) (Tuesdays 7:30-9:30 pm)

A continuation of an Intro to Japanese Language & Culture, this course will build upon previously learned basic elements of Japanese grammar and expressions. Previous knowledge of hiragana is essential before taking this level. Writing system will include hiragana, katakana, and an introduction to basic Chinese characters (kanji).

Materials: Worksheet(s) and Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People, Vol. I (4th edition), Workbook Vol. I (4th edition) & Basic Kanji Vol 1.

Beginning Japanese Level IV (Monday 7:30-9:30 pm)

A continuation of Beginning Japanese Level III , this level will build upon previously learned basic elements of Japanese grammar and expressions. Prior knowledge of hiragana and katakana are required.

Materials: Worksheet(s) and Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People, Vol. I (4th edition), and Workbook Vol. I (4th edition).

Beginning Japanese Level VII (Wednesday 7:30-9:30 pm)

A continuation of Beginning Japanese Level VI, this class will provide a forum for basic Japanese conversation between students and instructor as well as for more advanced kanji. Topics of conversation will be determined by the instructor, along with various reading assignments.

Materials: Worksheet(s) and Textbooks: Japanese For Busy People, Vol. I (4th edition), and Workbook Vol. I (4th edition).

Conversation II (Thursdays 7:30-9:30 pm)

A continuation of Japanese Conversation I, this class will provide a forum for basic Japanese conversation between students and instructor as well as for more advanced kanji. Topics of conversation will be determined by the instructor, along with various reading assignments.

Materials: Various handouts will be provided.

The Fluent Frontier (Formerly known as Advanced XV) (Tuesdays 7:30-9:30 pm)

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.

Text Books:

Students will receive the first week’s class materials by email prior to the first day of class. Students are required to purchase all textbooks, workbooks and additional books via www.amazon.com.

Students registering for the Intro to Japanese Language & Culture, Conversation I -V and The Fluent Frontier classes will receive various handouts.

Beginning Level

Introduction to Japanese Language & Culture

Materials: Handouts will be provided.

Practical Japanese II (Formerly known as Beginning II) - Beginning VII

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. I Textbook

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. I Workbook

Copies of “Let’s Learn Hiragana” and “Let’s Learn Katakana” materials will be provided.

Intermediate

Intermediate I – VI

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. II Textbook

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. II Workbook

Intermediate VII – X

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. III Textbook

Click Here to Purchase JFBP Vol. III Workbook

Conversation I - V

Students will receive various handouts.

The Fluent Frontier (Formerly known as Advanced XV)