Course Information
During this 5-week semester, the Language Center offers select levels of the core curriculum of Japanese Courses (the full range of 13 levels is offered in the 10-week semesters).
If you are unsure of which level is right for you, please take a look at the Level Guide (Numbered Levels).
For once-a-week classes or the full range of levels, see the Late Summer Conversational Japanese courses or the upcoming 10-week semester.
These courses are designed for adults aged 18 and above.
For a printer friendly version of these courses, please click here: 2024 Late Summer Japanese Courses (PDF).
Select a level to learn more.
Courses are listed by increasing difficulty/level. Please note that the letter designates a different time/date, but all sections of a level cover the same material (e.g., 1-A and 1-B cover the same material).
For tuition & registration, additional information, and textbooks & instructors, please see further down after the course list.
Please note that some courses are online via Zoom, and others are in-person at Japan Society in NYC. All times listed are New York time (ET).
ONLINE COURSES: To participate fully, you will need access to a device with internet, microphone, and camera (such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet).
IN-PERSON COURSES: In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances, a class session may need to be conducted online or on another date. By signing up for a course, you assume this risk and understand that circumstances may change. Please see full details under “How to Register.”
Course Descriptions
Japanese 1-A
ONLINE·9 classes·Mari Nakamura
Japanese Level 1 Description (All sections)
(for beginning students with no previous background in Japanese)
The course is designed to introduce elementary Japanese to students with no previous background in the language. Basic vocabulary, grammar and sentence structures will be taught in romaji (Japanese written phonetically in the Roman alphabet) so students can carry on a simple conversation. Hiragana and some introductory kanji will be introduced.
Students will be introduced to the following:- X wa Y desu.
- Question sentences
- This/that/which
- Here/there/over there/where
- Verb conjugation (present tense)
- Sentence particles
Required Textbook: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 1, 2 & 3)
1-A CLASS FULL; to be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected] or call 212-715-1269.Japanese 1-B
Mondays & Wednesdays, August 12 – September 11 (no class 9/2), 12 – 2 pm ETONLINE·9 classes·Nagi Fujie
All Level 1 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 1-A above.Japanese 1-C
Mondays & Wednesdays, August 12 – September 11 (no class 9/2), 6 – 8 pm ETIN-PERSON·9 classes·Mami Nakanishi
All Level 1 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 1-A above.
1-C CLASS FULL; to be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected] or call 212-715-1269.Japanese 1-D
Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 13 – September 10, 6 – 8 pm ETIN-PERSON·9 classes·Mami Nakanishi
All Level 1 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 1-A above.
1-D CLASS FULL; to be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected] or call 212-715-1269.Japanese 1-E
Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 13 – September 10, 12 – 2 pm ETIN-PERSON·9 classes·Mami Nakanishi
All Level 1 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 1-A above.Japanese 2-A
ONLINE·9 classes·Momoyo Kitaura
Japanese Level 2 Description (All sections)
(Prerequisite: Japanese 1 or equivalent; most importantly, students must understand how to use the particles wa, o, de, ni, and e, and be able to make sentences such as, “I eat a sandwich at a restaurant at 1 o’clock.” For a full list of grammar patterns covered in Level 1, see Level Guide (Numbered Levels). Recognition of hiragana is also expected.)
Students will continue to develop their beginners’ level language skills in basic Japanese as they begin to apply the past tense and are introduced to new words, grammar, and expressions. Recognition of hiragana is expected as less romaji will be used. Katakana and a few more kanji will be introduced.
Students will be introduced to the following:- X ga arimasu/imasu.
- Location description
- Adjectives (present and past tense)
- Suki (na)/ Kirai (na)
- shimashou ka
Required Text: Genki I, 3rd Edition (Ch. 4 & 5)Japanese 2-B
Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 13 – September 10, 12 – 2 pm ETONLINE·9 classes·Atsuko Shio
All Level 2 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 2-A above.Japanese 2-C
Mondays & Wednesdays, August 12 – September 11 (no class 9/2), 6 – 8 pm ETIN-PERSON·9 classes·Kenko Ogino
All Level 2 courses cover the same material. For course description, see Level 2-A above.Japanese 10-A (Part 4)
ONLINE·9 classes·Mari Nakamura
Japanese Level 10 Description
(Prerequisite: Level 9 or equivalent)
This class follows level 9 in the progression from the Genki II textbook, continuing a formal study of Japanese grammar. More advanced grammar, vocabulary and kanji will be introduced over several semesters. A particular emphasis will be placed on speaking practice. This course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to move up to Level 11. (See note about Level 10 progression below)
Required Text: An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese (Revised Edition), (Part 4: Lessons 13-15). See Sample here.
Please note: Level 10 is offered in 4 Parts: they can be taken in any order and each Part is separate and self-contained, e.g. taking Part 1 is not necessary before Part 2. All Parts are recommended at least once before moving to Level 11. Click here to see schedule of Level 10 Parts. If you have not taken a Level 10 course before and are hoping to work through the 4-part progression, we recommend starting during the 10-week semester and NOT this 5-week semester. (Starting during a 10-week semester will provide an easier path through this level.)
Tuition
Non-members: $330
Japan Society members: $290
Inclusive of fees, where applicable.
To purchase or renew a membership, please visit the Membership page and pay online. Or, call 212-715-1270.
How to Register
Classes fill up quickly! We recommend registering as soon as possible to secure your first choice.
Please register by Thursday, August 8, if possible. Seats may not be available after this date; please check the website for registration availability or contact the office.
New students with no previous background in Japanese should enroll in a Level 1 course (see Late Summer Japanese Level 1). Students with some background should refer to the Level Guide (Numbered Levels) or course textbooks to determine the most appropriate class. There is no placement exam. If you are still not sure of your level, it may be possible to schedule a level assessment by phone with the Senior Director. Please email [email protected] to schedule.
Registration is accepted online (preferred), by phone at (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293, or in-person (please inquire for hours).
Registrants will receive a Welcome Email and Zoom link from [email protected] on:
- the afternoon of Friday, August 9, 2024 (for classes beginning on Monday, August 12)
- the afternoon of Monday, August 12, 2024 (for classes beginning on Tuesday, August 13)
For more information, please email us at [email protected], or call (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293.
About Online Courses
Please follow your course schedule as much as possible. If you miss a class, please review any material you missed so that you do not fall behind in the course. Regular practice is important when learning a new language.
In addition, if you will miss a class, it may also be possible to arrange a make-up class in a different online or in-person section in the same semester. Ideally, this should be scheduled for the same material/class as your missed class, but please note that options may be limited. When possible, please reach out to schedule these in advance as slots are first come, first served. More information on how to schedule a make-up class will be provided in the Welcome Email.
Our classes are structured to be interactive and participatory, and you will get the most out of your classes if you can participate by both microphone and video whenever possible. We hope you will participate to whatever degree that you can, even when full engagement is not possible. Please communicate with your instructor about any needs/changes to your attendance and degree of participation (mic/video use ability, missing class, etc.).
About In-Person Courses
Japan Society strongly encourages everyone entering the building to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, including any boosters for which they are eligible. In-person students do not need to provide proof of vaccination and booster.
Masks, particularly respirator-style (KN95, N95, KF94, etc.), are strongly recommended but are no longer required. A mask can be provided at the Welcome Desk upon request.
Japan Society retains the right to cancel a class at its discretion due to inclement weather or other circumstances. In such circumstances the office will determine the best option for replacement class(es), which may be online or on another date. By signing up for this course, you assume this risk and understand that circumstances may change.
Please follow your course schedule as much as possible. If you miss a class, please review any material you missed so that you do not fall behind in the course. Regular practice is important when learning a new language.
In addition, if you will miss a class, it may also be possible to arrange a make-up class in a different online or in-person section in the same semester. Ideally, this should be scheduled for the same material/class as your missed class, but please note that options may be limited. When possible, please reach out to schedule these in advance as slots are first come, first served. More information on how to schedule a make-up class will be provided in the Welcome Email.
Our classes are structured to be interactive and participatory. Please communicate with your instructor about any needs/changes to your attendance and degree of participation.
Additional Information
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are accepted until 12 pm ET on the business day before the course begins (for Shodo, until 12 pm ET on the business day before coursework begins). The Language Center’s business days are Monday – Friday, except for most federal holidays. 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) will be refunded. Cancellations are only accepted via phone.
Japan Society also reserves the right to cancel any course 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.
We do not record these classes, and recording of these classes is prohibited. If a student misses a class, it may be possible to arrange a make-up class in the same semester, if available. More information will be provided in the Welcome Email.
If you need to switch to a different level or section after your course has begun, it may be possible pending availability and is only possible within the same semester (e.g., within the same 10-week semester, 5-week semester, weekend intensive, etc.). Please contact the office.
Required Textbooks
Please do your best to have your textbook by the first day of the course.
The following textbooks are required. A limited supply of textbooks is available for purchase at the Language Center on select days, as well as on the first day of in-person courses. 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.
Level 1 and 2 Students:
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.
Level 10 Students:
An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese (Revised Edition)
published by The Japan Times | ISBN: 978-4789013079
Price at Japan Society: $42 (limited copies)
Instructors
Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata.
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.