Following the tremendous success of JASM's first Japanese class, participants have enthusiastically requested a Level 2 course — and we're excited to make it happen!
If you did not attend Level 1 but have some prior experience with Japanese language study, this class may be a great fit for you. Please review the class description below to see if it aligns with your current level.
Because Level 2 builds on the foundation established in Level 1, anyone who did not attend the first class is required to complete a brief 1:1 interview with the instructor, Kawakami-sensei, before registering. During the interview, Kawakami-sensei will ask you a few questions and provide her recommendation on whether Level 2 is the right fit for you. Please note that her recommendation is advisory — even if she suggests waiting, you are still welcome to enroll if you feel confident in your readiness.
To schedule your interview, please sign up through this site. The orientation will be held on July 14th, 16th and 17th evening.
The Wednesday Level 2 registration will open to those who had the orientation on July 17th at 8PM.
Dates:
Dates: August 5 - November 25
(August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 21, 26; and November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026)
Day: Wednesdays
No Class: the week of, September 7 (Labor Day) and October 12 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day)
Time:
● Class: 6:00 – 7:30 PM CT
● Office Hour: 7:30 – 8:00 PM CT
Each session includes 90 minutes of class, followed by an optional 30-minute office hour for individual questions and support.
Beginner (Level 2)
This course is the second course in JASM's eight-level Japanese language curriculum.
Beginner (Level 1) Genki 1-3
Beginner (Level 2) Genki 4-6 ←This course
Beginner (Level 3) Genki 7-9
Beginner (Level 4) Genki 10-12
Intermediate (Level 5) Genki 13-15
Intermediate (Level 6) Genki 16-18
Intermediate (Level 7) Genki 19-21
Intermediate (Level 8) Genki 22-23
$400 (Non-members)
$350 (JASM members)
JASM wants every participant to succeed in this course. To provide additional support, we offer an optional tandem partner or volunteer support service for those who are interested. Participants may be matched with a tandem partner for mutual language practice or with a volunteer who wishes to assist learners in an informal setting. Tandem partners and volunteers will be native speakers or individuals who are fluent in the language. Tandem partners and volunteers do not provide formal instruction or tutoring. Participation in this service is completely optional and available upon request.
Required Materials
Genki I (3rd Edition), The Japan Times
All required materials, including the textbook, workbook, and a small whiteboard and marker (or paper and a thick marker), must be available from the first day of class.
Textbook and workbook may be purchased through Amazon or other (online) bookstores.
This course is designed for those who know the vocabulary, grammar points, and conjugation, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji that you can find in “Before Lesson 1 through “Lesson 3” here. It aims to develop the four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing as well as culture-specific skills: Do’s and Don’ts. Based on the guidelines that the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has made, you will aim to reach the level of Novice Mid or NoviceHigh by the end of this course.
This course will cover Lessons 4 through 6 of GENKI I (refer to “Required Materials”), including both “Conversation and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing.” The following topics are covered in this course:
1. Describing locations and things in the past,
2. Making offers and talking about travel, and
3. Making a request, asking for / giving permission, and talking about rules.
It is expected that, by the end of this course, you will have basic conversation skills in situations noted above.
To facilitate literacy, 43 Chinese characters, Kanji, will be introduced besides two types of Japanese characters, Hiragana and Katakana, and 15 characters of Kanji, which you need to know before taking this course. When you learn characters in class, you will show your handwritten characters to the instructor through the camera.
Respectful interactions are critical to successful professional conduct, and facial expressions are very important to avoid misinterpretation and miscommunication. It is strongly encouraged to turn on your camera throughout class to help build our classroom community.
About Instructor
Keiko Kawakami is Director of Japanese Language Instruction in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature, and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics with Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies. She has taught Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Japanese courses in higher education, and she teaches private lessons to those from children to the elderly.
Besides teaching, she enjoys translating documents and has done several works including “Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story” published in 2016 and "A Bowl Full of Peace" published in 2020 written by Caren Stelson.
She is an active member of Minnesota Council of Teachers of Japanese (MCTJ) , American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), and Saint Paul – Nagasaki Sister City Committee (SPNSCC) as well as Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM).
If the instructor knows in advance that she will be unable to teach on a regularly scheduled class date, an alternative date will be noted in the course description. Make-up classes will be held on another date mutually agreed upon by the instructor and the class.
Monday, July 20
Membership Requirement
JASM membership is not required to register for this course; however, we encourage participants to become members and support JASM’s mission and programs.
Individual: $50
Family: $75
Individual-Sustaining: $25/month
or more
Memberships are valid for one year from the date of payment.
Join here: https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/Join-JASM
JASM does not place textbook orders on behalf of students. Please purchase your required textbooks independently and have them ready before the first class session.
Students are expected to have both the textbook and workbook from the first day of class. Delays in obtaining course materials may affect both your learning experience and the pace of the class.
Register online at
https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/event-6554922
The class requires a minimum of 6 students and has a maximum of 10 students.
JASM’s Japanese language class is conducted via Zoom, unless otherwise specified.
Students are responsible for securing a quiet and appropriate space to participate in the full 90-minute class session. The additional 30-minute office hours is optional.
JASM will email the Zoom link prior to the first class.
The Zoom link will remain the same throughout the term unless otherwise announced.
Classes may be recorded at the instructor’s discretion and shared only with enrolled students for a limited time of up to one month for review purpose or in case of absence. Sharing Zoom links or recorded class materials with third parties is strictly prohibited.
Students are strongly encouraged to use a computer or tablet. Mobile devices are not recommended, as they may limit Zoom functionality.
All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted by email.
By July 20, 2026: Full refund
July 21 – August 2, 2026: 50% refund
After August 3, 2026: No refunds
No refunds or credits will be issued for missed classes.(All times are Central Standard Time.)
If a class is full at the time of registration, students will be placed on a waitlist. Students will be notified if space becomes available.
Tandem partners will be matched by the JASM office. Requests for partner changes may be made up to two (2) times, subject to availability. Please contact us at jasm@mn-japan.org. Participants are responsible for arranging meeting format (in person or online), schedules, and communication directly with their tandem partner. Tandem partners and volunteers provide informal language exchange only and do not offer instruction or tutoring. JASM is not responsible for arrangements or interactions that occur outside of official class sessions.
jasm@mn-japan.org
P.O. Box 26639
Minneapolis, MN 55426
