ソーテル日本学院について

About our school

ようこそソーテル日本学院へ

ソーテル日本学院は1925年11月に、坂本儀介氏がご自宅で日系人子女の日本語教育並びに日本文化の継承を目的として開かれました。後日ウエストロサンゼルスのこの地に場所を移した後もソーテルジャパンタウンを始めとした日系アメリカ人社会との協力をはかり、日系人一世二世の歴史を次の世代へとつなぐ橋渡し役として重要な役割を担っていると同時に、国際化に伴い外国語としての日本語習得を望む多くの生徒の希望に沿うことができるよう、継承語クラス、日本語学習者クラスをバランスよくそれぞれに合ったアプローチで日本語教育を進めています。

3歳児の幼稚部から18歳の高等部まで、多様化する情勢に柔軟に対応し、できる限りきめ細かい配慮を心掛けてクラスを運営しています。

節分やひな祭り、お月見など日本の季節行事や運動会や学習発表会などの行事も積極的に取り組んでいます。

日本語を学びたいと思う人はぜひ一度ソーテル日本学院に足をお運びください。

ソーテル日本学院校長

高橋美和 


Welcome to the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle! 

The Japanese Institute of Sawtelle (JIS) began in the home of Mr. Gisuke Sakamoto in November 1925 for the purpose of preserving Japanese language and culture for American and Japanese children in Southern California. After relocating to the present site in West Los Angeles. JIS has continued to cooperate with Japanese-American societies such as Sawtelle Japantown, and plays an important role connecting the histories of Issei and Nisei with future generations. We have a well-balanced approach to Japanese language acquisition that meets the needs of both students with Japanese heritage and students who want to learn Japanese as a foreign language.

From 3-year-old pre-school classes through high school, we respond flexibly to diverse situations and manage classes with the utmost care and attention. We actively celebrate traditional Japanese events such as Setsubun*, Hinamatsuri**, and moon viewing, as well as field days and various other school events and presentations.

JIS is for anyone who wishes to learn or maintain Japanese language and culture. We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely yours,
Miwa Takahashi Co-Principal

Updated March 2023


*Setsubun - directly translated as "the division of the seasons," this is the day before the beginning of spring in the old Japanese calendar, now celebrated every February 3rd by throwing beans at evil spirits.
**Hinamatsuri - Girl's Day or Doll's Day, celebrated every  March 3rd wishing for girl's health and prosperity. Traditionally Boy's Day was celebrated every May 5th.