Registration will open on Thursday, February 19.
We are happy finally to announce that JASM will launch its inaugural online Japanese language course. This course will meet once a week in the evening for twelve weeks and will be offered online via Zoom.
This is a pilot course offered exclusively to JASM members.
Dates: April 6 – June 22, 2026 Day: Mondays Time:
Each session includes 90 minutes of class, followed by an optional 30-minute office hour for individual questions and support.
Beginner
$350* (JASM members only)
*This pilot course is available exclusively to JASM members.
JASM wants every participant to succeed in this course. To provide additional support, we offer an optional tandem partner or volunteer support service for those who are interested. Participants may be matched with a tandem partner for mutual language practice or with a volunteer who wishes to assist learners in an informal setting. Tandem partners and volunteers will be native speakers or individuals who are fluent in the language. Tandem partners and volunteers do not provide formal instruction or tutoring. Participation in this service is completely optional and available upon request.
Genki I (3rd Edition), The Japan Times
Please prepare a small whiteboard and marker, or alternatively, paper and a thick marker (such as a Sharpie) for use during class activities.
Textbooks may be purchased through Amazon or other (online) bookstores.
This course is designed for those who have no previous knowledge of Japanese, and it aims to develop the four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing as well as culture-specific skills: Do’s and Don’ts. Based on the guidelines that the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has made, you will aim to reach the level of Novice Mid by the end of this course.
This course will cover Lessons 1 through 3 of GENKI I (refer to “Required Materials”), including both “Conversation and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing.” The following topics are covered in this course:
Meeting people for the first time,
Shopping and eating out, and
Describing activities and extending/declining invitations.
To facilitate literacy, two types of Japanese characters, Hiragana and Katakana, and 15 Chinese characters, Kanji, will be introduced. When you learn characters in class, you will show your handwritten characters to the instructor through the camera.
Respectful interactions are critical to successful professional conduct, and facial expressions are very important to avoid misinterpretation and miscommunication. It is strongly encouraged to turn on your camera throughout class to help build our classroom community.
About Instructor
Keiko Kawakami is a Senior Teaching Specialist of Japanese in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) at the University of Minnesota since 2010. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature, and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics with Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies. She has taught Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Japanese courses in higher education, and she teaches private lessons to those from children to the elderly.
Besides teaching, she enjoys translating documents and has done several works including “Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story” published in 2016 and "A Bowl Full of Peace" published in 2020 written by Caren Stelson.
She is an active member of Minnesota Council of Teachers of Japanese (MCTJ) , American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), and Saint Paul – Nagasaki Sister City Committee (SPNSCC) as well as Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM).
If the instructor knows in advance that she will be unable to teach on a regularly scheduled class date, an alternative date will be noted in the course description. Make-up classes will be held on another date mutually agreed upon by the instructor and the class.
Monday, March 23rd
JASM membership is required to register.
Individual: $50
Family: $75
Individual-Sustaining: $25/month
or more
Memberships are valid for one year from the date of payment.
Join here: https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/Join-JASM
JASM does not place textbook orders on behalf of students. Please purchase your required textbooks independently and have them ready before the first class session.
Register online at
https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/event-6554922
The class requires a minimum of 5 students and has a maximum of 10 students.
JASM’s Japanese language class is conducted via Zoom, unless otherwise specified.
Students are responsible for securing a quiet and appropriate space to participate in the full 90-minute class session. The additional 30-minute office hours is optional.
The instructor will email the Zoom link prior to the first class.
The Zoom link will remain the same throughout the term unless otherwise announced.
Classes may be recorded at the instructor’s discretion and shared only with enrolled students for a limited time of up to one month for review purpose or in case of absence. Sharing Zoom links or recorded class materials with third parties is strictly prohibited.
Students are strongly encouraged to use a computer or tablet. Mobile devices are not recommended, as they may limit Zoom functionality.
All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted by email.
By March 23, 2026: Full refund
March 24 – April 5, 2026: 50% refund
After April 6, 2026: No refunds
No refunds or credits will be issued for missed classes.(All times are Central Standard Time.)
If a class is full at the time of registration, students will be placed on a waitlist. Students will be notified if space becomes available.
Tandem partners will be matched by the JASM office. Requests for partner changes may be made up to two (2) times, subject to availability. Please contact us at jasm@mn-japan.org. Participants are responsible for arranging meeting format (in person or online), schedules, and communication directly with their tandem partner. Tandem partners and volunteers provide informal language exchange only and do not offer instruction or tutoring. JASM is not responsible for arrangements or interactions that occur outside of official class sessions.
Tuition is not prorated. Missed classes cannot be made up, and no refunds or private tutoring are provided for absences.
If a class receives fewer than 4 registrations, it will be canceled. In that case, registered students may request a full refund.
Class schedules may change due to instructor availability, holidays, or unforeseen circumstances. Any make-up classes will be scheduled in consultation with the class.
A certificate of class completion may be issued upon request for students with 60% or higher attendance.
This is an adult language program. Classes are open to individuals 18 years and older.
jasm@mn-japan.org
P.O. Box 26639
Minneapolis, MN 55426
