(Updated 11/29/2022)
About the registration process:
Pre-register HERE, and if you receive an email stating that you are one of the first 10 registrants, please visit The Orchard School on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to noon to pay in person.
We can only accept personal check/cashier's check/money order payable to "Indiana Japanese Language School" ($45.00 covers for all 9 sessions).
*If you missed the start day but still want to join after the 2nd or 3rd class, the class fee will NOT be prorated but the lesson slides will be sent to you.
The instructor will email you to let you know "yes, you are one of the first 10 registrants" or "you are on the waiting list."
We unfortunately CANNOT accept checks mailed to us. If you are unable to come to the school on the registration day, please email kokusai.ijls@gmail.com to arrange another time, but please note the office hours are very limited as the IJLS faculty's main focus is to keep the K-12 students safe during covid protocols.
(As of December 2022, even the parents of the K-12 students are still not allowed to enter the building)
Because only 10 people can enroll in a class, we cannot allow one person to sign up for multiple levels during the same trimester. But you can always register for the next level at the following trimester!
We have offered Japanese classes for young students in the past. This was however discontinued because we were unable to provide the attention it deserved due to the limited resource and budget (1 instructor per academic year).
About the classes:
đź‘‘ Best: Download the free Zoom Client (app) to your laptop or desktop computer, create a log-in for Zoom and have a working webcam.
We STRONGLY recommend having a laptop or desktop computer so you can read the lesson slides. Features like breakout room and chat box is also better on the computers.
Better: Use the web browser version of Zoom on your computer via the Zoom link provided.
Last option: Install the Zoom app on your smartphone or tablet. (Not recommended)
Yes, students of Beginning Japanese 1 & 2 are responsible for obtaining a copy of the textbook before the first day of class.
You can purchase the hard copy or Kindle version on Amazon and various other bookstores.
Beginning Japanese 1: Using "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 1) Target lessons are from Lesson 1~Lesson 8.
Beginning Japanese 2: Using "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 1) Target lessons are from Lesson 9~Lesson13, and "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 2) lesson 1~4.
Beginning Japanese 3: Using "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 2) Target lesson 5~12.
Intermediate Japanese: Using "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 2) Target lessons are from Lesson 7~Lesson 12, and "Japanese from Zero!" (Book 3).
Advanced Japanese does not use a textbook.
You are not required to purchase "Kana from Zero!", but this book is a fantastic resource to help you learn/practice Hiragana & Katakana (the basic Japanese writing systems).
*All books are by George Trombley Jr. and Yukari Takenaka
Because the classes are only once a week and an hour long, students will get the most out of this experience by going through the practice activities on their own time and watching the official YouTube channel by the same authors:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOcym2c7xnBwU12Flkm5RcLlEhvURQ8TB
No homework or quizzes, BUT the instructor will encourage you to practice every day!
We unfortunately cannot provide refund or prorate for missed classes, and the Zoom recordings are only for Indiana Japanese Language School to audit the classes so we cannot share the recordings with the students.
Indiana Japanese Language School started the Japanese classes for the non-native speakers as a part of our community outreach initiative. Our goal isn't to make a profit, but to bring more people together through common interests.
Repetitive listening and speaking is crucial when learning a language, and keeping the class size small allows us to do so. We also use the breakout room feature on Zoom so you get the chance to practice reading/listening/speaking with your classmates and instructor.
The general answer is no—unless the family member (or roommate) has registered & paid for the class too. The class size is limited to 10 people to provide enough time for each student to practice during the session.