Japanese Class Descriptions
BEGINNING JAPANESE
The Beginning Series focuses on the development of basic speaking, reading, and writing skills. Aspects of Japanese culture will be introduced, along with linguistic structures. Students will be able to read and produce both hiragana and katakana upon completion of the series.
Please note that Beginning 1 is for students with NO previous Japanese experience. Beginning 2, Beginning 3, and up assume some familiarity with the language. Also, common kanji compounds will be introduced from the Beginning 3 class.
Course Content
Beginning Level | Content Covered |
---|---|
1 | Lessons 1-3 |
2 | Lessons 4-6 |
3 | Lessons 7-9 |
4 | Lessons 10-12 |
Sample Placement Test
PRE-INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE
The Pre-Intermediate Series is for students who have completed the Beginner series with JSNC or for those with previous Japanese language experience equivalent to the JLPT N5 level. It is required for students to read and write hiragana and katakana. Some knowledge of kanji is expected for this level (150 kanji). Students should understand grammatical items such as verb tense and aspect perfective/progressive, hypothetical/conditional statements, casual form to potential, adjective conjugation, and expressing a sequence of events/volition, etc.
Japanese is the primary language of instruction.
Course Content
Pre-Intermediate Level | Content Covered |
---|---|
1 | Lessons 13-15 |
2 | Lessons 16-18 |
3 | Lessons 19-21 |
4 | Lessons 22-23 |
INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE
*Ongoing Intermediate 5&6 will be using the “Intermediate Japanese” textbook. All new Intermediate classes are now using the “QUARTET I” textbook. Please check the textbook used for your class from registration link.
The Intermediate Series is for students who have completed Pre-Intermediate series with JSNC or for those with previous Japanese language experience equivalent to advanced JLPT N3 level. Some knowledge of kanji is expected for this level (600 kanji). Students should understand grammatical items such as verb tense and aspect perfective/progressive, hypothetical/conditional statements, casual form to potential, adjective conjugation, and expressing a sequence of events/volition, etc.
Japanese is the primary language of instruction.

The new textbook, QUARTET, will be used for new Intermediate class starts in Spring 2022.
JLPT level
N3
Course Content
Intermediate Level | Content Covered |
---|---|
1 | Lessons 1-2 |
2 | Lessons 3-4 |
3 | Lessons 5-6 |
PRE-ADVANCED JAPANESE
*Ongoing Pre-Advanced 6&4 classes will be using the “TOBIRA Gateway to Advanced Japanese” textbook. All new Pre-Advanced classes will be using the “QUARTET II” textbook. Please check the textbook used for your class from registration link.
The Pre-Advanced Series is for students who have completed Intermediate series with JSNC or for those with previous Japanese language experience equivalent to advanced JLPT N3 level. Some knowledge of kanji is expected for this level (600 kanji). Students should understand grammatical items such as verb tense and aspect perfective/progressive, hypothetical/conditional statements, casual form to potential, adjective conjugation, and expressing a sequence of events/volition, etc.
Japanese is the primary language of instruction.
Course Content
Pre-Advanced Level | Content Covered |
---|---|
1 | Lessons 7-8 |
2 | Lessons 9-10 |
3 | Lessons 11-12 |
ADVANCED JAPANESE
The Advanced Series is for students who have completed Pre-Advanced series with JSNC or for those with previous language experience equivalent to advanced JLPT N2 level. This class focuses on the development of accurate and extended discourse as well as on the expansion of kanji knowledge in the reading of printed materials such as newspaper articles. Study materials are drawn from primary Japanese sources, and the class is conducted entirely in Japanese.
Course Content
Advanced Level | Content Covered |
---|---|
1 | Lessons 1-2 |
2 | Lessons 3-4 |
3 | Lessons 5-6 |
4 | Lessons 7-8 |
5 | Lessons 9-10 |
6 | Lessons 11-12 |
7 | Lessons 13-15 |
SPECIAL ADVANCED JAPANESE

JLPT level
N2/N1
Kanji
1000 characters required
Course Content
Teaching materials and lesson content covered may vary from semester to semester.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date on upcoming Japan Society events and activities.