The Japan Foundation supports Japanese-language education overseas with the aims to enhance mutual communication between Japan and other nations, to foster cross-cultural understanding, and to form a basis for deepening other nations' understanding of Japan.

NEW JF Japanese Language Course

Let’s Experience Fun Conversation & Culture with Us!

 

The Japan Foundation, New York, in cooperation with The Nippon Club, will offer an original Japanese language and culture course, JF Japanese Language Course starting January 2012 as a part of The Nippon Club Culture Courses.

For Beginner through Intermediate Learners

Interactive and Small Classes

Enjoy Japanese Culture – manga/anime, pop music, origami (paper folding), calligraphy, chopsticks training, etc.

 

This new course is based on the Japan Foundation’s JF STANDARD FOR JAPANESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION (JF Standard), which provides a framework of levels of Japanese language proficiency through a set of sentences (“can-do” statements) that describe what a learner can do in Japanese by using what he/she has learned. It is divided into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2) based on the language proficiency levels specified by CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). For an example of the six levels of “Can-do” describing the activity of “addressing audiences, please click here.

 

New Japanese language course will also be offered by The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.

 

Registration Now Open for Winter 2012!

 

To register, please visit The Nippon Club Culture Courses, or contact culture@nipponclub.org/(212) 581-2223.

Early registration is highly recommended as classes fill up quickly or may be cancelled due to insufficient registration.

For more information regarding the content of the JF Japanese Language Course, please see Course Listing and FAQs below or contact jpcourse@jfny.org/(212) 489-0299.

 

 

Introductory Japanese (1) ~ Communication & Culture~

Objectives:

Develop the four basic skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing in Japanese. Learn Japanese culture through Japanese language – experience Japanese calligraphy, manga/anime, origami, chopsticks training, etc. Each session has a “can-do” statement allowing you to not only set goals, but also assess what you can do in Japanese after each class.

Schedule:

Thursday evening 6:30 pm-8:00 pm 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29 (10 sessions)

Tuesday afternoon 4:00 pm-5:30 pm 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31,2/7, 2/21, 2/28, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 (10 sessions)

Saturday morning 10:00 am-11:30 am 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/10, 3/24, 3/31 (10 sessions)

To register:

No previous Japanese language experience is required.

Tuition:

$300 for 10 sessions (90 min/session, total 15 hours) *Registration fee not included.

Instructor:

Ruri Hirsch

Ms. Hirsch holds an MA in Educational Leadership from Miami University and an MA in Japanese Pedagogy from Columbia University. She previously taught Japanese language at the University of Pennsylvania and Miami University. She is a certified ACTFL OPI rater.

Goal:

Upon completion of this class, successful learners will be able to:

understand and use everyday expressions

talk briefly about oneself such as schedule, favorite foods, and family

read and write hiragana and katakana

interact, ask and answer questions about personal details

 

Intermediate Japanese (1) ~Enjoy Social Interactions!~

Objectives:

For those who have completed elementary/introductory level Japanese courses (approximately 200 hours). Develop conversational skills for various social contexts, listening and understanding short dialogues and announcements, and reading advertisements, public announcements, and simple news articles in Japanese.

Schedule:

Tuesday evening 6:30 pm-8:00 pm 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 (10 sessions)

Saturday afternoon 1:30 pm-3:00 pm 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 (10 sessions)

To register:

You should be able to read and write hiragana and katakana, and recognize approximately 300 kanji.

Tuition:

$300 for 10 sessions (90 min/session, total 15 hours) *Registration fee not included.

Instructor:

Yoko Sakurai

Ms. Sakurai received her MA in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. She is accredited by the “Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language” in Japan. She taught Japanese in Tokyo from 2002 to 2006, and since 2007 she has been a Japanese lecturer at institutions in NY, including Fashion Institute of Technology, Pace University, LaGuardia Community College, and other private language schools.

Goal:

Upon completion of this class, successful learners will be able to:

interact and maintain a conversation in contexts such as asking a favor, explaining a meaning of a word, making a polite apology, and asking permission

read kanji words related to the topics above

read factual texts on subjects related to Japanese culture and society

 

All classes will be held at The Nippon Club, conveniently located in Midtown West.

 

Q1. What is “JF Standard”?

JF Standard (JF STANDARD FOR JAPANESE-LANGUAGE EDUCATION), developed by the Japan Foundation, is a tool to help think about teaching, learning, and assessment in Japanese-language education. It illustrates the proficiency in Japanese by using a set of descriptive sentences (“can-do” statements) which indicate what and how well a learner can do things in Japanese in practical settings, and the language proficiency is divided into six levels (A1, A2 – Basic User, B1, B2 – Independent User, C1, C2 – Proficient User). This concept is based on the language proficiency levels specified by CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). For more information on JF Standard, please refer to JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education 2010.

 

Q2. What are the features of the JF Japanese Language Course?

Each session is designed with “can-do” statements that help you clearly assess what you can do, what you need to learn, and what you will be able to do by using what you have learned upon completion of the class. Learning a language means experiencing its culture as well; our course incorporates a variety of cultural activities, such as calligraphy, manga/anime, origami, chopsticks training, etc. Through hands-on exercises, you will also have opportunities to learn and use Japanese in real life situations and experience Japanese culture at the same time!

 

Q3. What materials are used in the course?

Main textbook for Introductory Japanese (1) ~ Communication & Culture~: Marugoto: Japanese language and culture published by The Japan Foundation.

Main textbook for Intermediate Japanese (1) ~Enjoy Social Interactions!~: Minna no Nihongo Chuukyuu I (Intermediate Level I) published by 3A Corporation.

In addition to the main textbooks, we use various firsthand materials so that you will have more chance to learn Japanese in real life settings and be expose to Japanese culture and the latest information about Japan.

 

Q4. How large are the classes?

The maximum number of participants per class ranges from 8 – 15 people, depending on the size of the facility and course activities.

 

Q5. How do I choose the appropriate course level?

Please read course description carefully and choose one depending on your previous Japanese experience. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact jpcourse@jfny.org.

Trial classes and class observation are also available. Please contact culture@nipponclub.org/(212) 581-2223 for more information.

 

Q6. What are the registration, payment and cancellation rules and policies?

Please refer to The Nippon Club Culture Courses Registration Info or contact culture@nipponclub.org / (212) 581-2223 for more details.

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is designed to evaluate and certify the Japanese-Language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese. For more information, including application materials and instructions, please visit The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.

For more information related to Japanese-Language Education in the U.S., including events, Advocacy Kit, job opportunities, grants, useful resources, and E-learning, please visit The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.