Course Information
These courses will be conducted online via Zoom. To participate fully, you will need access to a device with internet, microphone, and camera (such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet). All times listed are New York time (ET).
These courses are for students who are ages 12 to 15 as of the start date of the course.
All other Language Center programs are for adults (age 16+); please visit the Language Center homepage for a full list of offerings.
Beginners are invited to start their Japanese language learning journey in this online course. Students ages 12 to 15 will learn and practice the fundamentals of Japanese language and culture with a group of like-minded peers. Using a variety of fun and engaging activities referencing popular Japanese media such as anime, students will develop practical listening, speaking, writing and cultural skills to kick-start their Japanese language abilities!
Basic vocabulary, grammar and sentence structures will be taught so students can carry on a simple conversation.
Both complete beginners and students who have taken the previous “Japanese for Teens” course (offered through Spring 2022) should take Youth Level 1. Students with more experience, please email us for placement in Youth Level 2, 3 or 4.
For a printer friendly version of these courses, please click here: 2023 Fall Japanese for Youth: Ages 12 to 15 (PDF).
Select a level to learn more:
Youth Level 1 | Youth Level 2 | Youth Level 3 | Youth Level 4
Course Descriptions
Youth Level 1
ONLINE·10 classes·Yuki Aizaki
Youth Level 1 is for both complete beginners as well as students who have taken the previous Japanese for Teens course offered by Education & Family. Course content will include the following:- X wa Y desu. (e.g., I am Jon. Risa is 14 years old. My phone number is 123-4567.)
- Noun + janai desu (e.g., I am not American. I am not a student.)
- Question sentences (e.g., How old are you? What time is it?)
Required Textbook: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 1)Youth Level 2
Thursdays, October 5—December 14, 5-6 pm ET (no class 11/23)ONLINE·10 classes·Kaoru Shinohara
Youth Level 2 is for students who have a thorough understanding of Japanese for Youth Level 1 material.
Course content will include the following:- Kore/Sore/Are/Dore (e.g., How much is this game?)
- Koko/Soko/Asoko/Doko (e.g., Where is the bathroom? It’s over there.)
- Dareno + noun (e.g., Whose cellphone is this?)
- The particle mo (e.g., Watashi mo: Me too.)
Hiragana recognition will be emphasized.
Required Textbook: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 2)Youth Level 3
Wednesdays, October 4—December 13, 5:30-6:30 pm ET (no class 11/22)ONLINE·10 classes·Yuki Aizaki
Youth Level 3 is for students who have a thorough understanding of Japanese for Youth Level 2 material.
Course content will include the following:- Present tense verbs (e.g. I sleep: Watashi wa nemasu.)
- The particles o, de, ni, and e (e.g. I eat a banana: Watashi wa banana o tabemasu.)
- Time expressions ni (e.g. I watch anime on Sunday: Watashi wa nichiyoubi ni anime o mimasu.)
- Frequency adverbs (e.g sometimes: tokidoki, often: yoku, etc.)
Emphasis will be on complete mastery of hiragana. A few more kanji will be introduced.
Required Textbook: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 3)Youth Level 4
Tuesdays, October 3—December 12, 6:15-7:15 pm ET (no class 11/21)ONLINE·10 classes·Yuki Aizaki
Youth Level 4 is for students who have a thorough understanding of Japanese for Youth Level 3 material.
Course content will include the following:- Xがあります/います。 (There is / are X.)
- Describing where things are. (e.g. Xはどこですか。Where is X?)
- Past tense of です (e.g. がくせいでした。I was a student.)
- Past tense of ます (e.g. にほんにいきました。 I went to Japan.)
Katakana and more kanji will be introduced.
Required Textbook: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 4)
Youth Level 4 course canceled.
Tuition
Japan Society members: $200
Non-members: $250
How to Register
Registration is accepted online (preferred) or by phone at (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293, or in-person on select days.
To register at the member price, the membership must be under the student’s name (Student Membership), or the student should be part of a Family Membership. To purchase or renew a membership, please visit the Membership page and pay online. Or, call 212-715-1270 and leave a message; they will get back to you.
Please register by Friday, September 29, if possible. Seats may not be available after this date; please check the website for registration availability or contact the office.
Registrants will receive a Welcome Email and Zoom link from [email protected] on:
- the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 (for classes beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023)
- the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 (for classes beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023)
- the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (for classes beginning on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023)
For more information, please email us at [email protected], or call (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293.
Additional Information
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are accepted until 12 pm ET on the business day before the course or workshop begins (for Shodo, until 12 pm ET on the business day before coursework begins). After this deadline, cancellations are not accepted and tuition is not refundable or transferable for any reason (including for credit). Upon cancellation, the tuition paid minus a service charge ($20 for courses, $5 for workshops) will be refunded. Cancellations are only accepted via phone.
Japan Society also reserves the right to cancel any course or workshop if sufficient enrollment is not obtained. In such cases, students already enrolled will receive full refunds (no service charge).
By registering for a course, you accept and agree to the above terms of the cancellation policy.
Students must be age 16 or older.
We do not record these classes, and recording of these classes is prohibited.
Required Textbooks
A limited supply of textbooks is available for purchase at the Language Center on select days. Please contact the office to arrange purchase and pick-up.
You may also purchase your book in advance from an outside vendor. Either a digital or print textbook is fine. Please do your best to have your textbook by the first day of the course.
GENKI I (An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese) (3rd Edition)
published by The Japan Times | ISBN: 978-4789017305
Price at Japan Society: $45
We strongly recommend purchasing the 3rd Edition. Please note that the 2nd Edition has some differences, including page numbers, examples, etc., and is not recommended for this reason.
Instructors
Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Support for Japan Society’s Language Center is provided, in part, by Mark F. Goldfield and Mary E. Hatch; Christopher Hong; Steven Giordano; and Dr. Bic Kanayjorn.