The approach of the Washington Academy of Languages program is to emphasize the use of authentic Japanese as it is naturally spoken and written. Speaking and listening are practiced at normal speeds in the classroom. As a result, students are able to communicate easily with native speakers. Research in the area of second language acquisition suggests that the most effective process for acquiring a language begins with listening followed by speaking, reading and, finally, writing. At Washington Academy of Languages we follow this process.
Japanese texts are used for learning reading and writing. Hiragana is introduced in level 1. Students are encouraged to read and write in hiragana from the start. Katakana, for foreign loan words, is taught in level 2. Finally, Kanji is introduced towards the end of level 2 as part of this unified system so that students are able to understand the various readings and pronunciation of each character in different contexts.
Japanese is a non-European language and is quite different from English; therefore, the time needed to master the language is longer than that for European languages. At Washington Academy of Languages, stress is placed on the quality rather than the quantity of language skills. Because of the small class size, however, students have ample opportunities to speak and ask questions in the class and are thus able to proceed quickly toward acquisition of the language.
Schedule
Registration for Winter Quarter 2024 ends December 31, 2023. Confirmation of class (or cancellation depending on enrollment) will be sent out on January 2, 2024.
If you would like a notification when a new schedule becomes available, please enter your email here.
If you see “In person” in Scheduling Notes, the class meets in person; otherwise it’s an online class via Zoom.
Class |
Instructor |
Days |
Time |
Start date |
End date |
Scheduling Notes |
| Japanese 1 | Mia Donovan | Mon | 6:30 – 8:35PM | 1/8/24 | 3/18/24 | 9 125-min classes; No class 1/15, 2/19 |
| Japanese 2 | Hideki Aikoh | Wed | 6:30 – 8:20PN | 1/10/24 | 3/13/24 | |
| Japanese 3 | Wakae MacLean | Thur | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/11/24 | 3/14/24 | |
| Japanese 5 | Hideki Aikoh | Thur | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/11/24 | 3/14/24 | In person |
| Japanese 6 | Hideki Aikoh | Tue | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/9/24 | 3/12/24 | In person |
| Japanese 8 | Wakae MacLean | Wed | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/10/24 | 3/13/24 | |
| Japanese 10 | Yuko Kozyrev | Tue | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/9/24 | 3/12/24 | |
| Japanese 16 | Mia Donovan | Sat | 10:00 – 11:50AM | 1/13/24 | 3/16/24 | |
| Japanese 19 | Hideki Aikoh | Mon | 6:30 – 8:35PM | 1/8/24 | 3/18/24 | 9 125-min classes; No class 1/15, 2/19 |
| Japanese 22 | Mia Donovan | Wed | 6:00 – 7:50PM | 1/10/24 | 3/13/24 | |
| Japanese 24 | Mitsuko Okada | Mon | 6:30 – 8:35PM | 1/8/24 | 3/18/24 | 9 125-min classes; No class 1/15, 2/19 |
| JPN ADV CONVO | Yuko Kozyrev | Wed | 6:30 – 8:20PM | 1/10/24 | 3/13/24 | |
| Japanese for Travelers | Tai Arima | Sat | 1:00 – 2:50PM | 1/13/24 | 3/16/24 |
To sign up for classes other than LVL 1, please first complete our online placement test and let the office know upon completion. Placement tests are reviewed during registration period. If you don’t see a test for the language you are interested in studying, please reach out to wal at cityu.edu We will try to arrange a phone placement with our faculty.
All classes are 18.5 hours. Tuition is $400. Without payment of tuition, your registration is received but remains incomplete. Level 1 classes must have 4 complete registrations to run; level 2+ will run on a minimum of 3 complete registrations.
If you would like a notification when a new schedule becomes available, please enter your email here.
Click here for textbook information.
If you have any questions, please contact wal at cityu.edu
Levels
Japanese 1
Japanese 2
This Japanese – Novice Low 2 course (a.k.a. Japanese 2) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Low 1” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations which focus on the students themselves and items around them. The course also reviews topics covered in the previous course. The use of English is limited. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice Low (ACTFL) or A1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 3
This Japanese – Novice Mid 1 course (a.k.a. Japanese 3) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Low 2” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations which focus on describing trips, requesting and granting permission, and giving/taking directions. The use of English is limited. The course will also reinforce topics covered in the previous course. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice Mid (ACTFL) or A1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 4
This Japanese – Novice Mid 2 course (a.k.a. Japanese 4) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Mid 1” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The course presents extensive new vocabulary, as well as specific grammatical forms and usage patterns. Topics include family, and descriptions of people. The use of English is limited. The course will also reinforce topics covered in the previous course. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice Mid (ACTFL) or A1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 5
This Japanese – Novice Mid 3 course (a.k.a. Japanese 5) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Mid 2” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The course is an expansion of the material covered in the previous four levels During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations which focus on travel and social events. The use of English is minimal. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice Mid (ACTFL) or A1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 6
This Japanese –Novice Mid 4 course (a.k.a. Japanese 6) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Mid 3” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The course is an expansion of the knowledge and skills developed in previous levels. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to vacation, injury, and illness. The use of English is minimal, and students should begin to move beyond basic functions in Japanese. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice Mid (ACTFL) or A1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 7
This Japanese –Novice High 1 course (a.k.a. Japanese 7) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice Mid 4” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to employment and giving/receiving gifts. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to use the language with increasing ease and complexity. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 8
This Japanese –Novice High 2 course (a.k.a. Japanese 8) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 1” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to making plans for a trip, and dealing with lost-and-found items. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to use the language with increasing ease and complexity. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 9
This Japanese –Novice High 3 course (a.k.a. Japanese 9) is a 10-week continuation course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 2” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays, and practice Japanese in situations related to conversations at work, hearsay, and indirect speech. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to use the language with increasing ease and complexity. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 10
This Japanese –Novice High 4 course (a.k.a. Japanese 10) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 3” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to speaking with social superiors (elders, bosses, etc.), going shopping, and returning items. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to use the language with increasing ease and complexity. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 11
This Japanese –Novice High 5 course (a.k.a. Japanese 11) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 4” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to education and burglary. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to exercise a wide range of foundational grammatical structures in a variety of situations. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 12
This Japanese –Novice High 6 course (a.k.a. Japanese 12) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 5” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. During class, students will engage in role plays and practice Japanese in situations related to departures/farewells and talking about memories. The use of English is minimal, and students should be able to exercise a wide range of foundational grammatical structures in a variety of situations for extended periods of time. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Novice High (ACTFL) or A2 (CEFR) ranges. Students who complete this course are prepared to advance to Intermediate level courses for further study incorporating collocations, idioms, and more advanced grammar.
Japanese 13
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 1 course (a.k.a. Japanese 13) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Novice High 6” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing incorporating new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: introducing oneself and others, getting to know someone, and greeting at different social levels. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 14
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 2 course (a.k.a. Japanese 14) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 1” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: Going to Japan for a year of study; communicating with teaching staff, classmates and with a homestay family. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 15
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 3 course (a.k.a. Japanese 15) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 2” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: Dealing with advisors and extra-curricular activities at a Japanese university; going to and ordering food at a restaurant. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 16
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 4 course (a.k.a. Japanese 16) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 3” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: declining an invitation appropriately; seeking a part time job on their own or assisted by campus consultant. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 17
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 5 course (a.k.a. Japanese 17) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 4” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: giving and receiving a present with appropriate manners; travelling by reserving hotels and purchasing transportation tickets. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 18
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 6 course (a.k.a. Japanese 18) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 5” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: communicating with host family members, cultural lifestyle differences, visiting the doctor, and describing symptoms. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 19
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 7 course (a.k.a. Japanese 19) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 6” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The emphasis is on integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points. Topics include: Clarifying misunderstandings of Japanese phrases as a foreigner, carrying on a conversation smoothly using the “aizuchi” technique, discussing various women’s issues in Japan and reviewing general social expectations of women. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese 20
The Japanese – Intermediate Low 8 course (a.k.a. Japanese 20) is a 10-week course on the language and culture of Japan. It is intended for learners who have completed “Japanese – Intermediate Low 7” or who demonstrate equivalent proficiency. The course covers integrated skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar points, but the emphasis is on reading comprehension. Topics include: “kawaii” cuteness culture, aspects of group society, value on conciliatory and cooperative attitudes, and the job hunting process after graduation. Motivated, diligent students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate Low (ACTFL) or B1 (CEFR) ranges.
Japanese Intermediate Conversation
The Japanese Intermediate Conversation course is a 10-week continuation course about the language and culture of Japan. This course is designed for the acquisition of intermediate level skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing as well as understanding of the culture. Students will prepare for communication in real-world situations through topics such as the transportation system, housing in Japan and so forth. The class will be conducted through interactive group activities, discussions, lectures, and assignments. Upon successful completion of this class, students can expect to finish with proficiency levels in the Intermediate (ACTFL) low to mid range.
Required Material
Doraemon No Dokodemo Dihongo. (2009). K. ; Y. Goto McCagg; Y. Tohsaku & N. Fujimoto Vergel Inahara. ISBN-13: 978-4095101347
Japanese Advanced Conversation
The Japanese Advanced Conversation course is a 10-week continuation course about the language and culture of Japan. This course aims to sharpen students’ communication skills. Students will have ample opportunities in class to express their thoughts on weekly topics. The instructor will also conduct necessary reviews of grammar points to ensure students speak both fluently and accurately.
Japanese for Travelers
This 10-week class will cover common greetings, useful vocabulary and phrases, and several essential Kanji characters that will come in handy during trips to Japan. Students with little or no background in the Japanese language will get ample opportunities to practice using basic Japanese in authentic scenarios, such as making self introductions, discussing preference, ordering food, reading subway maps, etc. The class will also introduce students to the culture and history of Japan.
Custom Program
Custom Programs may be contracted in 10-hour blocks that must be used within 5 weeks. Request a Custom Program here.
Corporate Programs
Communication is always key, especially in the world of business. Our experienced instructors are ready to come to your office with a tailored, industry-specific approach to language instruction. Program content is customized to meet the needs of individual companies.
Instruction requires a minimum of 10 hours total and a minimum of 1.5 hours per lesson. Programs are generally scheduled on weekdays. Meeting dates and times are flexible. Instruction can be delivered at corporate sites or at our downtown office.
Please contact us at 206-239-4789 or wal@cityu.edu for more information or to receive quote.
Tuition
| Class Type | Cost |
| Evening & Day Classes | $400 (effective 7/1/2019) |
| Custom Programs | $700/10 hours |
| Shared Custom Programs | $450/10 hours per person (2-3 students) |
| Specialized Programs | $750/10 hours |