Japanese Language Program
JSB's Japanese Language Program helps you make real progress toward your Japanese language learning goals. Our online classes focus on practical application of the language, led by experienced instructors in a supportive community.
Why study with JSB?
✔️ Focus on real-world application: Class time is concentrated on interactive exercises that simulate real-life use of the language, so you can make progress toward your goals faster and more enjoyably.
✔️ Rigorous curriculum: You should expect to spend roughly 2 hours per week on independent preparation and homework. You'll receive personalized feedback on assignments and spend class time focused on hands-on activities that reinforce textbook learnings.
✔️ Experienced native instructors: Our instructors are native speakers of Japanese with robust teaching experience, supported by a seasoned teaching and curriculum development advisor.
✔️ Extended community: Online classes are supplemented with an optional in-person meetup each semester, and JSB offers a wide range of Japanese cultural programs to complement language study.
Fall 2026 Courses
Week of September 14 - Week of November 16
All courses meet online for 10 weeks, with one 90-minute class per week.
Registration for Fall 2026 opens July 20th.
Japanese Foundations I
This class is intended for students who are learning Japanese for the first time. We will practice simple expressions and grammar patterns that serve as the building blocks for basic conversation and learn to read the hiragana and katakana writing systems. Students will gain a solid base of knowledge to support productive continued study of Japanese.
Pre-requisites: None!
Required Texts: 1) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese; 2) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 - Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Optional Text: TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 - Hiragana/Katakana, Kanji, Reading, Writing
Day & Time: To be announced Instructor: To be announced
Beginner Japanese I - Travel
This class will build on foundational learnings by introducing vocabulary and grammar structures used to describe actions in progress, make requests, and express preferences. We will focus on practicing the language through conversation-based activities that simulate common situations students would encounter during travel. Students will develop the skills to interact effectively with locals in basic scenarios during their next trip to Japan.
Pre-requisites: Students should be confident using basic nouns, adjectives, and present and past verbs in polite form. Students should also be able to read hiragana, katakana, and approximately 50 basic kanji characters.
Required Texts: 1) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese; 2) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 - Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Optional Text: TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 - Hiragana/Katakana, Kanji, Reading, Writing
Day & Time: To be announced Instructor: To be announced
Beginner Japanese I - Media & Pop Culture
This class will build on foundational learnings by introducing vocabulary and grammar structures used to describe actions in progress, make requests, and express preferences. We will focus on examining uses of the language in Japanese film, fiction, anime, manga, and music, drawing on examples supplied by the instructor as well as students in the class. Students will gain confidence to identify and appreciate familiar language in their favorite Japanese media.
Pre-requisites: Students should be confident using basic nouns, adjectives, and present and past verbs in polite form. Students should also be able to read hiragana, katakana, and approximately 50 basic kanji characters.
Required Texts: 1) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese; 2) TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 - Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Optional Text: TOBIRA I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 - Hiragana/Katakana, Kanji, Reading, Writing
Day & Time: To be announced Instructor: To be announced
Intermediate Japanese I - Travel
This class will introduce increasingly complex grammar structures and vocabulary used to describe simultaneous and sequential actions, potential and hypothetical situations, and obligations. We will focus on practicing the language through conversation-based activities that simulate common situations students would encounter during travel. Students will gain confidence to engage more deeply with locals across a variety of scenarios during their next trip to Japan.
Pre-requisites: Students should have a strong understanding of plain form and be confident using the te-form of verbs and adjectives, making requests, using comparisons and superlatives, and stating opinions and reasons in the appropriate speech style (formal or informal). Students should be able to read hiragana, katakana, and approximately 140 kanji characters.
Required Texts: 1) TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese; 2) TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 - Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Optional Text: TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 - Kanji, Reading, Writing
Day & Time: To be announced Instructor: To be announced
Intermediate Japanese I - Media & Pop Culture
This class will introduce increasingly complex grammar structures and vocabulary used to describe simultaneous and sequential actions, potential and hypothetical situations, and obligations. We will focus on examining uses of the language in Japanese film, fiction, anime, manga, and music, drawing on examples supplied by the instructor as well as students in the class. Students will develop the skills to consume more of their favorite Japanese media in the original language.
Pre-requisites: Students should have a strong understanding of plain form and be confident using the te-form of verbs and adjectives, making requests, using comparisons and superlatives, and stating opinions and reasons in the appropriate speech style (formal or informal). Students should be able to read hiragana, katakana, and approximately 140 kanji characters.
Required Texts: 1) TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese; 2) TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 - Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Optional Text: TOBIRA II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 - Kanji, Reading, Writing
Day & Time: To be announced Instructor: To be announced
Tuition
(For one semester)
General: $450
JSB Member: $383
JSB Members also get access to member-only JSB events and discounts at Japan-related events and businesses around Boston. Student membership starts at just $25/year! See all benefits here.
Instructors
Ayako Anderson
Teaching & Curriculum Development Advisor
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Instructor
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Instructor
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Instructors
Coming soon!
Policies
Registration & Tuition:
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Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration. Payment plans are not available.
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Students must procure their own textbooks and workbooks (listed in the course description). Any supplementary materials will be provided.
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JSB Member Tuition is available to active JSB Members at the time of registration. JSB Membership is non-refundable.
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Students must be 16+ years of age at the time of registration.
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If the minimum number of students (4) for a course is not met by September 7, 2026, the course will be cancelled. Registered students will be refunded the full value or may switch to another course if available.
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Students may be permitted to change courses one time if requested before the second class, only in the case that the change does not cause either course to exceed the maximum (12) or minimum number (4) of students.
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Students who cancel their registration before September 14, 2026 will receive a 70% refund, unless their cancellation causes the course to drop below the minimum number of students (4), in which case no refund will be provided. No refunds will be provided after September 14, 2026.
Class Procedures:
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Student contact information will be shared with our instructors so they can communicate with students directly during the semester.
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No make-up class or refund of tuition will be provided in the case of a student absence.
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If no students show up for a class within the first 20 minutes, the class will be cancelled and no make-up will be provided.
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In the unlikely event that a teacher must be absent from class, they will notify students via email at least 24 hours in advance (except in case of sudden emergency) and offer a make-up class.
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All classes are held online. Students should join from a quiet environment where they can freely use their camera and microphone.
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Recording of classes is not permitted.
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Teachers will only review homework that is submitted by the deadline communicated by the teacher.
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A digital letter of completion will be issued to students with attendance of >70% following the course.