Language Courses
Expand your horizons by learning online at your convenience!
We teach Marugoto; it’s more than just a language program.
The JASGA Language Program offers achievement awards through the
The lifelong learning program encourages students to progress at their own pace.
Courses may be retaken as many times as needed.
Speaking and Reading Japanese Fun pace to really learn beginner Japanese and learn to type in Japanese Write and publish your own book!
ACTFL Proficiency Based Learning
Participation in our Summer Youth Academy makes you eligible for our Fall and Winter Youth Academy Courses. Plus able to receive the Global Seal of Biliteracy A1 Level Ribbon.
Youth Academy (Steps 1 - 4)
Beginner Learners (A1 Level) 10 Weeks
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Youth Academy JPN1
Instructor: Chiaki Utsunomiya
Encourage your child’s interest in Japanese culture and society through Japanese language experiences. In each session your child will enjoy reading and talking about their interests in daily life with fun and energetic Japanese teachers.
New Year Term: Step 1
Start your journey with greetings and self introductions. Discover the two basic writing systems you will need to read manga!
No prerequisite required
Suggested Companion Learning:
Hiragana Powerup Workshop (June 18, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Katakana Powerup Workshop (June 25, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Summer Youth Academy Course (June 3 - June 21) Save your child’s spot with the 3-week (30 hours) Summer Youth Academy. Students will experience using the Japanese language daily.
More Info: Marugoto has 9 topics per book. Each topic covers 2 lessons: 18 lessons and 9 topics per book level. The activity book “rikai” has five activities per lesson. So each term the learner will cover 2 topics.
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Spring Term 2024 (10-weeks)
Saturdays @ 9:30 a.m. (50 minutes)
March 30 - June 1 2024
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Member: $240 per learner
Non-Member: $250 per learner
10-week course (Spring Term)
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Japanese 1 (Steps 1 - 4)
First Year Learners (A1 Level) 10 weeks
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JPN 1
Instructor: Danielle Corban-Foy
New Year Term: Step 1
KONNICHI WA! You’ll learn familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases. Additionally, you will learn two components of the Japanese writing systems hiragana and katakana, and learn important kanji related to everyday life in Japan.
-Be able to talk about what you want to buy and where to buy it
-Be able to say your opinion about something you saw or did
-Be able to say what you did on your vacation and where you want to go next time
18 years + Class size 15 students
New students can join throughout the year.
Note: Our Introduction to Japanese program continues for 4 terms (one full year) to finish the Marugoto A1 Level. New students can join throughout the year.
New Year Term:
Be able to greet friends appropriately throughout the day
Be able to recognize and write in hiragana ひらがな
Be able to recognize and write your name in katakana カタカナ
Suggested Companion Learning:
Hiragana Powerup Workshop (June 18, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Katakana Powerup Workshop (June 25, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
More Info: Marugoto has 9 topics per book. Each topic covers 2 lessons: 18 lessons and 9 topics per book level. The activity book “rikai” has five activities per lesson. So each term the learner will cover 2 topics.
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Spring Term 2024 (10-weeks)
Thursdays @ 7:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
Marc- 28 - May 30 2024
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Member: $240 per learner
Non-Member: $250 per learner
10-week course (Spring Term)
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Japanese 2 (Steps 5 - 8)
Second Year Learners (A2-1 Level) 10 weeks
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JPN 2
Instructor: Danielle Corban-Foy
New Year Term: Step 5
This is ideal for learners who have studied Japanese for at least 1 year. The prerequisite is Hiragana, Katakana and a few basic kanji words. Here is what we will learn this course:
18 years + Class size 15 students
Prerequisite: Proficient in hiragana and katakana. Familiarity with this A1 level Kanji .
New students can join throughout the year.
Note: Japanese 2 program continues for 4 terms at the A2 Level of Marugoto. New students can join throughout the year into this rolling enrollment course.
New Year Term:
Be able to talk about your family, where they live, and what languages they use
Be able to talk about your hobbies and interests
Be able to write short comments on social media
Suggested Companion Learning:
Reading Group A
Reading Group B
Hiragana Power-Up Workshop (June 18, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Katakana Power-Up Workshop (June 25, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
More Info: Marugoto has 9 topics per book. Each topic covers 2 lessons: 18 lessons and 9 topics per book level.: 18 lessons and 9 topics per book level. The activity book “rikai” has five activities per lesson. So each term the learner will cover 2 topics.
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Spring Term 2024 (10-weeks)
Wednesdays @ 7:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
March 27 - May 29 2024
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Member: $240 per learner
Non-Member: $250 per learner
10-week course (Spring Term)
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Japanese 3 (Steps 9 - 12)
Third Year Learners (A2-2 Level) 10 weeks
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JPN 3
New Year Term: Step 9
This is ideal for learners who have studied Japanese for at least 2 years. The prerequisite is Hiragana, Katakana and basic everyday kanji words. Here is what we will learn this course:
18 years + Class size 15 students
Prerequisite: Proficient in hiragana and katakana. Familiarity of A2 level Kanji.
New students can join throughout the year.
Note: Japanese 2 program continues for 4 terms to finish the A2 Level of Marugoto. New students can join throughout the year into this rolling enrollment course. Completion of the A2 level learners receive the certification.
New Year Term:
Be able to give a self-introduction that includes personal details like your hobbies and experiences
Be able to describe someone’s clothes and physical features
Be able to say what your first impression is of something.
instructions on how to eat unique foods.
Suggested Companion Learning:
Reading Group B
Reading Group C
Hiragana Power-up Workshop (June 18, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Katakana Power-up Workshop (June 25, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
More Info: Marugoto has 9 topics per book. Each topic covers 2 lessons: 18 lessons and 9 topics per book level. The activity book “rikai” has five activities per lesson. So each term the learner will cover 2 topics.
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SpringTerm 2024 (10-weeks)
Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
March 26- May 28 2024
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Member: $240 per learner
Non-Member: $250 per learner
10-week course (Spring Term)
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Japanese 4 (Steps 13 - 16)
Fourth Year Learners (A2-B1 Level) 8 weeks
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JLPT N2
Instructor: Maeri Megumi-sensei
New Year Term
The N2 level requires the ability to theoretically understand complex sentences in newspapers and web media, as well as simple criticism, and to express opinions on general matters in Japanese.
This is a good class not only for those who are aiming to take JLPT N2, but also for those who have already achieved the level of advanced Japanese (e.g. already passed N2 or higher). It is highly recommended that you have at least JLPT N3 level Japanese because you’re expected to be familiar with about 1000 kanji and understand complex sentences such as those in newspapers, web media, short stories and the like.
We use two textbooks: with Kanzen Master, we focus on grammar (key expressions) in preparation for JLPT N2. With 新中級から上級への日本語, we read authentic texts and discuss (and write a short composition or do a short presentation if the student desires to) various topics. For instance, in Unit 6, we read an article about the former CEO of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata’s interview where he talks about Nintendo’s aspirations as well as the engine of Nintendo creativity. In the same Unit, we also look at the newspaper articles on job hunting data in Japan. In this way, we discuss “What does it mean to “work”?” for you, and in different cultural settings. There are also good exercises for vocabulary building for N2 and N1 levels in each unit.
Suggested Companion Learning:
Summer Learning Experience:
Reading Group B
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Spring Term 2024 (8-weeks)
Thursdays @ 7:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
March 28 - May 16 2024
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Member: $200 per learner
Non-Member: $210 per learner
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Japanese 5 (Steps 17 - 20)
Fifth Year Learners (B1-1 Level) 8 weeks
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JPN 5
New Year Term: Step 17
This is ideal for learners who have finished (or almost finished) Marugoto A2/B1. You’re expected to be familiar with 300+ kanji.
At this level, you can already communicate in Japanese for basic needs. The aim of this class with Marugoto B1 is to expand vocabulary that help you to express your ideas more in detail, and further develop your listening as well as speaking skills. You’ll be exposed to many colloquial expressions and this will increase what you can do in real-life communicative situations.
Contact the instructor for any questions.
New Year Term 2024:
Topics – Meeting new people, Food I recommend, favorite music
Suggested Companion Learning:
Summer Learning Experience:
Reading Group B
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Spring Term 2024
Thursdays @ 6:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
March 28 - May 16 2024
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Member: $200 per learner
Non-Member: $210 per learner
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JLPT
Advanced (N2 Level) 8 weeks
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JPN 4
Instructor: Maeri Megumi-sensei
New Year Term: Step 13
This is ideal for the learners who have studied Japanese for at least 2-3 years and have knowledge of basic grammar structures. For example, if you have completed Genki series (I & II), this class would be a good next step. In terms of Kanji, you’re expected to be familiar with 200+ kanji or Marugoto A2 level kanji.
In JPN4, we use Marugoto A2/B1 in which each chapter is topic-based rather than focusing on grammar. We’ll talk about a given topic, learning and expanding the vocabulary/expressions that are related to the topic.
For instance, in the first chapter we’ll first learn the vocabulary for watching (sports) games, such as winning or losing, how to “cheer,” how to invite others to play/go to see the game, etc. You’ll improve listening skills and learn how to make more natural conversations. In addition, through this class you learn to utilize various grammar structures that you have already studied.
If you have studied Japanese long ago and want to refresh your Japanese skills, this may also be a good class. Contact the instructor for any questions.
New Year Term 2024:
Topics – sports, looking for a house & comfort food
Suggested Companion Learning:
Reading Group C
Summer Learning Experience:
Reading Group A
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Spring Term 2024 (8-weeks)
Tuesdays @ 6:00 p.m. (50 minutes)
March 26 - May 14 2024
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Member: $200 per learner
Non-Member: $210 per learner
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Summer Youth Academy (Steps 1 - 3) 12-17 years of age
30 Hours 3-week
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JPN 1
Summer Experiences: Steps 1 - 3
Learn to speak and read Japanese confidently
Talk about Japan Anime and Manga!
Cultural Exploration Opportunities
Achievement Award through the Global Seal of Biliteracy
ACTFL Proficiency Based Learning
Ages 12 through 17
Our program uses materials developed by the Japan Foundation designed to encourage communication about oneself and the world you live in. In the JASGA Youth Academy you will learn how to introduce yourself, talk about your family and foods you like to eat. Plus you will be able to describe your home and share what you do on a typical day. In class you will discover how to read and write Kanji.
Suggested Companion Learning:
Hiragana Power-up Workshop (June 18, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
Katakana Power-up Workshop (June 25, 2024, Tuesday 6:30)
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Summer 2024
Monday thru Friday
10:00 a.m. to noon (3-weeks)
June 3 - June 21 2024
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Member: $550 per learner
Non-Member: $650 per learner
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JASGA’s 20-step system offers a gentle progression to advance your Japanese language learning…..one step at a time!
More Information
Terms: New Year | Spring | Fall | Winter
#JASGALEAP (Learn how to type in Japanese on your phone or computer)
Japanese Language Courses: Online courses, one hour a week.
We do not record online courses, and recording of online classes is prohibited.
Buy your textbooks online through our links or visit the local Kinokuniya Bookstore.
Make sure you understand the cancellation/refund/credit policies before you sign up for a class.