Fundamental Japanese Course is for students who are learning Japanese as a foreign language.
Includes Kinder, Fundamental A-F, Youth A-C
In our Kinder classes, we do not focus on traditional "teaching" of Japanese. At VJLS, we expose the children to fun games, activities, and a variety of Japanese cultural experiences and develop their desire to read and write Hiragana. We also value each child's individuality, nurture their creativity, and guide them to act on their own initiative.
Children can play freely and experience physical activities in our large hall.
Instruction is provided in Japanese, however, all students are welcome regardless of Japanese language ability. Classes are divided into two, with a choice of morning or afternoon classes.
Schedule | 10month (Sep - Jun) Morning Class: Sat 9am-12pm Afternoon Class: Sat 1pm-4pm |
Fees | Tuition Fee: $1,250 Registration Fee: $50 Annual Total Fee: $1,300 ($130 per month) |
Fundamental A Students will master Hiragana letters while learning very basic vocabulary, greetings, songs, and grammar through interactive activities and various kinds of audiovisual aids. The class focuses on listening and speaking more than reading and writing.
Approximate age: 6-8
For those who have passed FA (or equivalent) and wish to continue to learn more basic vocabulary and more expressions while mastering Katakana letters. The class also focuses on listening and speaking more than reading and writing.
Approximate age 7-9
Fundamental C is for those who have passed FB (or equivalent). They’ll start studying Japanese grammar more systematically with a textbook and audiovisual aids, to acquire useful sentence structures to describe themselves, their family, and their friends.
Approximate age: 8-11
Fundamental D is for those who have passed FC (or equivalent). They’ll learn more variety of sentences and expressions with textbooks and interactive activities such as discussion, role-play etc. They’ll also start learning Kanji.
Approximate age: 9-12
Fundamental E (FE) is for those who have passed FD (or equivalent). They’ll build more advanced vocabulary while learning how to connect sentences into a longer story to express their opinions in Japanese. FE students will be able to reach the passable level of N5 (JLPT, Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
Approximate age: 10-13
Fundamental F (FF) is for those who have passed FE (or equivalent).
They’ll build more advanced vocabulary while learning how to connect sentences into a longer story to express their opinions in Japanese.
Approximate age: 10-13
Schedule | 10month (Sep - Jun) Sat 9am-12pm |
Fees | Tuition Fee: $1,250 Registration Fee: $50 Annual Total Fee: $1,300 ($130 per month) |
Students will complete the elementary-level study of Japanese in Genki 1&2. The aim of this course is to develop the four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking in order to cultivate a foundation of Japanese language ability. Emphasis is placed on balancing skills in accuracy, fluency and complexity. This class has an annual end of year assessment.
Textbook: Genki 1 Lesson 1-6
By the end of this course you will be able to:
・Introduce yourself
・Order food in a restaurant
・Extend /accept/turn down invitations
・Ask and describe the location of a buildings, things, people, events
・Speak and write your background and experiences in simple sentences
・Read and write 58 kanji
Textbook: Genki 2 Lesson 7-12
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
・Describe person’s physical attributes
・Combine two and more adjectives to make a long sentence
・Speak in an informal manner to your friends
・Make a polite request
・Compare things against each other
・Express your intentions for the future
・Describe two and more activities and events you did or currently do
・Describe your past experiences
・Provide advice
・Make a guess or prediction
・Read and write 102 new kanji
Textbook: Genki 2 Lesson 13-17
This course will focus on socially appropriate communication techniques, such as using different levels of politeness and expressing appreciation.
At the end of the course you will be able to:
・Answer questions in a simple job interview
・Provide advice
・Describe give/receive something (あげる、くれる、もらう)
・Describe people’s kind acts
・Make travel plans
・Politely ask someone for a favor
・Learn and practice a more casual speech style
・Read and write 79 new Kanji
Schedule | 10month (Sep - Jun) Language Class: Sat 1pm-3pm |
Fees | Tuition Fee: $950 Registration Fee: $50 Annual Total Fee: $1,000 ($100 per month) |
Age: Youth A-C
Intermediate to advanced Japanese level is required for all Extracurricular classes except the Dance class.
A “letter” is not just a sign or character. It is a tool that can describe feelings and scenery, and that represents culture in its own form. Japanese has a lot of beautiful words, and uses three separate alphabets: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji to express culture through letters - an art in themselves. Calligraphy is to imbue letters with the meanings the words have, and the feelings you want to express, using a writing brush and ink. I feel joyful when the letters I painted with the brush speak to someone in a way that goes beyond the words. Through calligraphy, let’s learn and feel Japanese letters, words, and culture.
Have you ever seen Ghibli movies? How do you feel after watching? Did you enjoy it? Do you feel inspired? Ghibli movies actually relate to Japanese culture and reflect the country's history. When watching them, it is important to understand “why this movie is interesting” or “ what it really means”. If you get it, you will be able to enjoy more and more for sure! Let’s figure out what the hidden message is hidden in each movie.
You can be a very different person from the you you know. You can show a face no one has seen before. The stage is the place, and theatre the activity. If you want to enact this dream—let's create a play together. Watch great plays, prepare a script, and create drama. For those who prefer to create with technology such as audio and lights, there are always opportunities to get involved - that is the magic of theatre!
Schedule | 10month (Sep - Jun) Extracurricular: Sat 3:10pm-4:10pm |
Fees | Extracurricular Tuition Fee: $300 ($30 per month) |
*More information and registration for 2023-2024 coming up soon.
487 Alexander St
Vancouver, BC
V6A 1C6 Canada
Monday - Friday: 9am - 3pm
Saturday: 9am - 4pm
©2023 Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall • Registered Charity: 119281996RR0001 BC Society: S0000334
Located on the traditional, unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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