Japanese Language Courses
Explore Showa Boston's small-sized, instructor-led language classes and discover how we can assist you in achieving your language learning goals.
2025 Summer Semester Starting May 10, 6 weeks or 12 weeks Download Calendar2025 Japanese-Language Proficiency TestAug: Registration at AATJ website, Dec 7: Test dayExplore Our Summer Courses
Japanese Mastery Conversation Courses
Designed for Japanese learners of all levels. Focus on enhancing speaking skills. Speak with native college students.
6 weeks, last day June 26 in the Summer
Our 12-week Showa Japanese Mastery Courses are offered during the Spring and Fall semesters.
JLPT Prep™ Courses (N1-N5)
Ace the JLPT exam with our learning track courses covering grammar, listening, reading, and more.
12 weeks, last day Aug 10 in the Summer
Japanese Mastery Conversation Courses
6 levels, Online and In-person
Practice with Japanese students
6 weeks, 100-min class / week
$180 / course
Beginning level
Designed for complete beginners in Japanese. Learn essential conversational skills for survival, including self-introductions, greetings, and daily chats. No prior knowledge is required. Dive into our courses and start your Japanese journey with confidence!
Course JCB01
Online, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Starting May 10, Instructor: Kowata
In-person, Sunday, 1 p.m., Starting May 10, Instructor: Tamaki
Elementary level
This course aims to enhance and reinforce Elementary mid to higher-level communication skills in Japanese. Class activities also include presentations in pairs or groups.
Prerequisites: JCE01 - Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J-101(1A), J-102(1B), or equivalent. Basic hiragana and katakana skills are recommended for optimal participation in this course. JCE02: + Completing J-103(1C), or having a basic understanding of how to use the te-form of verbs.
Course JCE01
Online, Thursday, 6 p.m., Starting May 10
Instructor: Miyaki
In-person, Saturday, 1 p.m., Starting May 10
Instructor: Miyaki
Course JCE02
Online, Thursday, 7.50 p.m., Starting May 10
Instructor: Miyaki
In-person, Saturday, 2:50 p.m., Starting May 10
Instructor: Miyaki
Intermediate level
Understand short stories, news reports, articles, etc. It prepares students to conduct relevant research to discuss and study current historical events and people.
Prerequisites: Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J303(3C), or the equivalent of the JLPT N3 level, where students can understand Japanese used in everyday situations to grasp summary information. For those completing the Upper Intermediate courses (3C), or the equivalent of the JLPT N3, where students can understand Japanese used in everyday situations to grasp summary information.
Upper-Intermediate level
Enhance conversational fluency by improving the connections between sentences. Topics include expressing opinions, discussing current events, culture, and Keigo (polite language).
Prerequisite: Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J-301(3A), J-302 (3B), or equivalent of the JLPT N4/N3 level grammar and JLPT N4 Kanji. For those completing “Japanese for Busy People I and II,” or the equivalent of the JLPT N4, where students can understand basic sentences, typical expressions written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji, as well as conversations at everyday daily interactions.
Course JCUI01
Online only, Monday, 7:50 p.m., Starting May 10, Instructor: Kowata
In-person: Saturday, 1 p.m. Starting May 10, Instructor: Usui
Advanced level
Acquire natural-sounding Japanese that can be used both in informal and formal settings. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening and speaking while students are expected to be able to read simple articles, blogs, and websites.
Prerequisite: Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J-201 (2A), J-202(2B) or J-203(2C), or the equivalent to the JLPT N5 level of Grammer and Kanji. For those studying at the intermediate level or with an equivalent Japanese language proficiency, such as JLPT N5. At this level, students can read and understand basic sentences and expressions written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. They can also comprehend conversations about everyday topics and extract information from short dialogues.
Course JCI01
Online, Monday, 6 p.m., Starting May 10, Instructor: Kowata
In-person, Saturday, 9 a.m., Starting May 10, Instructor: Hattori
Master level
Develop the ability to comprehend and discuss complex and abstract writings on various topics. Students will also learn to understand orally presented materials, including coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, at a natural speed.
Prerequisites: Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J-401 (Advanced) or J-501(Master), or the equivalent of the JLPT N2 or N1, where the ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances as near-native level.
INTRODUCINGJLPT Prep Learning Tracks
Want to prepare for the JLPT exam? Introducing a three-semester JLPT Prep track, with three courses per track to ace your preparation. We provide step-by-step guidance and systematic study plans for your JLPT exam preparation. Choose to take all courses for comprehensive skill improvement or select the one you need most.
Courses in our JLPT Learning Tracks
Spring semester (Jan - May)
JLPT Foundations Course
Build a foundation by focusing on vocabulary, kanji, and grammar. Materials are not exam preparatory only.
Expand Vocabulary and Kanji
Master core grammar skills
Develop your study plan
Create or join a study group
Summer semester (May - July)
JLPT Advancement Course
Further develop and practice essential skills, especially listening, in preparation for the exam.
Improve Kanji reading skills
Practice reading/listening
Grasp exam structures
Receive a JLPT registration reminder
Fall semester (Sep - JLPT test day)
JLPT Final Prep Course
Address grammar gaps, enhance test-taking abilities, and take mock exams.
Review grammar with an emphasis on testing strategies
Repeat JLPT-Style practice
Take mock exams and build confidence
JLPT Prep™ Courses
N1-N5, Online or In-person
90-min lecture + QA / week
12-week classes
$480 / course
JLPT - N1/N2 Foundations
In-person only, 2025 Spring
JLPT Prep N1/N2 Learning Track (3 courses)
JLPT - N1 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2025 Summer
Sunday 9 a.m. Starting May 10
Instructor: Tamaki
JLPT - N2 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2025 Summer
Sunday 11 a.m. Starting May 10
Instructor: Tamaki
JLPT - N1/N2 Final Prep
Coming soon, 2025 Fall
Select one course based on the exam level you intend to take: N1 Prep or N2 Prep
JLPT Prep N3/N4 Learning Track (3 courses)
JLPT - N3/N4 Foundations
In-person only, 2025 Spring
JLPT - N3 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2025 Summer
Saturday 9 a.m. Starting May 10
Instructor: Usui
JLPT - N4 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2025 Summer
Saturday 11 a.m. Starting May 10
Instructor: Usui
JLPT - N3/N4 Final Prep
Coming soon, 2025 fall
Select one course based on the exam level you intend to take: N3 Prep or N4 Prep
JLPT Prep N5 Learning Track (2 course)
We recommend completing the Showa Mastery courses - beginning level (J-101, J-102 and J-103), or their equivalents, for better participation in this exam-oriented course.
JLPT - N5 Advancement
Online only, 2025 Summer
Now accepting registration
Tuesday 6 p.m. Starting May 10
Instructor: Asahina
JLPT - N5 Final Prep
Coming soon, 2025 Fall
Contact
Email us at showa_japanese_program@showaboston.edu
Follow us on Instagram @showa.japanese
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