VJLS-JH
VJLS-JH

Beginner Japanese Course in Vancouver – Learn with VJLS-JH

Learn Japanese with Canada’s original Japanese school

Our Beginner Japanese Course offers an immersive, in-person learning experience designed to help learners of all ages develop their conversational skills and connect with Japanese culture.

Register by January 10 to secure your spot!

Register Now

Student holding Genki Japanese textbook in a classroom setting Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall

Why Choose our Beginner Japanese Course?

Beginner-friendly, structured learning

  • Designed specifically for adults and youth (12 and up) with limited or no previous experience.

Practical curriculum created by our expert educators

  • Our 24-week program has been designed by Kiyoko Fujii, a VJLS instructor with over 25 years of international teaching experience.

Taught by qualified Japanese instructors

  • VJLS-JH’s attentive instructors structure each lesson so that you can develop natural pronunciation, real conversational skills, and authentic expressions.

Supportive, community-based learning environment

Build confidence in your Japanese language foundation

  • Beginner Japanese teaches the essentials to confidently use Japanese in personal, cultural, and business settings. This course is made for all kinds of learners – travelers preparing for their Japan trip, professionals hoping to communicate with business clients, Japanese Canadians reconnecting to their roots, and many others.

Course Details

Duration

28 weeks (70 hours) from January 11, 2026 to July 26, 2026

Class Schedule

Sundays 10 AM – 12:30 PM

Classes are recorded on statutory holidays to accommodate for student absences

View the Beginner Japanese course calendar 

Location

Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall

487 Alexander Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Class Format

In-person, instructor-led sessions with interactive practice, group work, and cultural applications

Course Materials

Genki 1 (3rd Edition) – students can purchase the textbook ($60) and workbook ($30) from the VJLS-JH admin office or bring their own copies.

As Beginner Japanese covers Genki 1 lessons 1-6, students who complete this course will not have to purchase additional course materials if they choose to sign up for Adult B in September 2026 (covers Genki 1 lessons 7-12).

Course Fees (Tax Free)

Tuition: $160.28 monthly (7 installments from January to July) 

Fees: $58 Admin and $28 Facility Improvement Fee due upon registration

A discounted one-time payment can be made via cheque or e-transfer – details in our registration 

For a limited time, register with a friend and you’ll both receive a discount – Learn More

What You Will Learn

Beginner Japanese will cover lessons 1-6 of Genki 1 (3rd Edition) and is supplemented by instructor-led conversational learning.

By the end of the course, we’ll make sure that you can:

  • Introduce yourself and hold simple everyday conversations

  • Ask and answer practical questions

  • Understand common expressions for travel, shopping, dining, and social situations

  • Fluently write and read Hiragana and Katakana, as well as 58 Kanji characters

  • Politely extend, accept, or decline invitations and requests

  • Use proper grammar when speaking or writing in Japanese

Japanese teacher holding a Genki textbook in front of a chalkboard in a classroom Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall

About the VJLS-JH

Since opening its doors in 1906, the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall (VJLS-JH) has supported generations of learners in fulfilling their language goals. The VJLS-JH offers students an immersive and welcoming learning environment through a wide range of language classes, cultural events, and community programming.

At the VJLS-JH, we provide deeper connections than just language learning. VJLS-JH students are welcomed into a vibrant community with shared cultural and language interests.

Limited Time Offer – Refer-a-Friend & Save!

Bring a friend and have both of your $58 admin fees reimbursed!

How it works:

  1. Upon registration, a unique referral code will be sent directly to your registered email address.
  2. Share this code with friends – when someone registers for Beginner Japanese using your referral code, they will automatically have their $58 fee waived.
  3. Once you’re both registered, email Crystal Wei to have your own $58 admin fee reimbursed.
Illustration of four students studying together at a table Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall

Sign Up for the Course

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to know any Japanese before starting?

No, this class is designed for complete beginners or those wanting to relearn Japanese from the very fundamentals.

What if I miss a class?

Recordings are provided for sessions that fall on long weekends with statutory holidays.

Is there any homework?

Yes, the instructor will assign some homework to support your new language skills.

Do you offer higher-level courses?

Yes, after completing the Beginner Japanese course, students can continue learning in a classroom setting in our Adult B Japanese course, starting as early as September 2026. Private lessons are also available for students looking for more flexibility.

How do I get to your school?

By Transit:

  • 1 min walk from 004, 007, and 209 bus stops at Powell St & Jackson Ave (WB); 5 min walk from Cordova St & Dunlevy Ave (EB)

  • 5 min walk from 014, 016, 020 bus stop at Hastings St & Jackson Ave (EB & WB)

By car:

  • Paid and free street parking is available within close walking distance.

Is there a certification for completing Beginner Japanese?

While there is no official certification upon completing Beginner Japanese, the course curriculum covers the first half of N5 level Japanese learning. Students who continue to our Adult B program will learn the remaining N5 materials and are invited to take the JLPT test held twice a year at our school. The JLPT is a globally recognized Japanese language test; learn more here.

When are monthly payments made? How are they made?

Monthly payments can be made by credit card and will be withdrawn on the second day of each course month, beginning on January 2nd and ending on July 2nd.

Is there a contact number for additional questions? 

All email inquiries can be directed to Kiyoko Fujii, and phone inquiries can be made by calling the school at l 604-254-2551.