We will offer regular courses during the winter, spring and fall terms.
JF Nihongo courses are designed in accordance with the Japan Foundation's JF Standard. It utilizes a framework of levels of Japanese language proficiency divided into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2) as detailed below. Click to view enlarged diagram. To learn more about JF Standard, see the link: JF Standard.
Our regular courses (Everyday Japanese 1, 2, and 3) are all entry-level and are designed to help learners to develop a strong foundation in the language. This series focuses on learning useful Japanese for communication in Japanese within daily life situations.
For detailed information about each course, see Course Listing.
For absolute beginners:
Start with Everyday Japanese 1 followed by Everyday Japanese 2 and 3 (Example 1).
Students are encouraged to go at their own pace and retake courses to reinforce and master concepts (Example 2).
For those who have learned Japanese before:
Start with the course matching to your proficiency. (Example 3)
Please choose your course by reading the course descriptions and taking the self-assessment test, which is downloadable from the website. Try the self-assessment tests and self-check lists for several different levels if you are not sure.
For detailed information about each course, see Course Listing.
We offer one-day workshops throughout the year where you can learn Japanese by experiencing cultural activities or focusing on a special topic related to the Japanese language, such as Japanese for Travel, or Exploring Kanji & Calligraphy.
We offer events related to the Japanese language as well. As a fun and informative conversation cafe, JF Nihongo Tea Time is where you can experience the Japanese language with native Japanese speakers. You will enjoy Japanese tea, soft drinks, and snacks while you chat with some new friends. It is a good opportunity for both beginners and advanced learners.
Kitazono was born in Tokyo, Japan and holds a degree in Linguistics and East Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s Degree in Japanese Pedagogy from Columbia University. She has more than 20 years’ experience in teaching Japanese to various age groups and Japanese language levels at high schools and colleges in Los Angeles. She also had a business career in Japan so she knows the customs and culture of Japanese companies that help her in teaching business Japanese.
"Mina-san hajimemashite (Nice to meet you, everyone)!
I’m very excited and grateful to learn Japanese with you! Learning a language never ends. The more you learn, the broader your world becomes. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with you soon!"
Keiko Appel was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Tsuru University, Japan, where she helped foreign exchange students study Japanese language and culture, and earned her Master’s degree in linguistics from Syracuse University, NY. She has experience teaching intermediate level Japanese conversation courses and elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels of Japanese at college. She also taught English in Japan at elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels to students from 4 to 70 years old in an English conversation school.
"Konnichi wa. Hello.
I am excited to work alongside you as you begin your journey with the Japanese language. I am certain it will be a worthwhile endeavor."
Don Lee received his PhD in Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Los Angeles (UCLA) and is currently a professor of Japanese and Korean at Mt. San Antonio College. He has previously taught at institutions in the Southern California region, including UCLA, Santa Monica College, Claremont McKenna College, and UCSD.
"Konnichiwa, Kato desu (Hello this is Kato). I am very excited to meet you and take you to the world of Japanese language and cultures. This is a great place for adult learners to meet, learn and grow together. So let's dive in!"
Nina Kato was born in Okinawa, Japan. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Languages (Japanese and Spanish), Master's degree in Spanish Linguistics from the University of California, Riverside, and Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the California State University, Los Angeles. For nearly 30 years, she taught Japanese to various schools (K-12 to college level) including Pace University in New York. Currently, she teaches at local colleges and universities in Los Angeles and at a Japanese American Community Center. Prior to teaching, she worked for Japanese corporations in California and New York. Through her experience, she gained extensive knowledge of Japanese corporate culture.
"Minasan, konnichiwa! (Hi, everyone!) I'm excited to share with you the Japanese language and culture and to learn from you about yours. Through our exchange, I hope we can broaden our view of the world. Let's enjoy the journey of learning Japanese together!"
Yumi Masui Reker was born in Kanagawa, Japan, and earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Soka University of America. She completed her master's degree in Japanese Linguistics and Pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining JFLA, she taught Japanese courses including elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels as well as topical reading and discussion courses at universities including New York University, Harvard University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Beloit College.
5700 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
