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.
2024 Spring Semester 1/28/2024 - 4/20/2024 Download Calendar2024 Summer Semester5/4/2024 - 8/17/2024 Download CalendarExplore Our Summer Courses
Designed for Japanese learners of all levels, speak with native college students.
6 weeks in the Summer, focused on enhancing speaking skills.
JLPT Prep™ Courses (N1-N5)
Ace the JLPT exam with our learning track courses covering grammar, listening, reading, and more.
12 weeks in the Summer
Summer-exclusive courses feature interactive activities, games, and age-appropriate lessons for children.
6 weeks in the Summer
Our 12-week Showa Japanese Mastery Courses are offered during the Spring and Fall semesters.
Japanese Mastery Conversation Courses
6 levels, Online and In-person
Practice with Japanese students
6 weeks, 100-min class / week
$150 / 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 J-C01
Online, Thursday, 6 p.m., Starting May 23, Instructor: Miyaki
In-person, Sunday, 9 a.m., Starting May 19, 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: Completing Showa Japanese Mastery Courses J-101(1A), J-102(1B), or J-103(1C), or equivalent. Basic hiragana and katakana skills are recommended for optimal participation in this course.
Course J-C02
Online, Thursday, 7:50 p.m., Starting May 23, Instructor: Miyaki
In-person, Sunday, 11 a.m., Starting May 19, Instructor: Tamaki
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.
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.
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.
Course J-C03
Online, Monday, 6 p.m., Starting May 20, Instructor: Kowata
In-person, Sunday, 1 p.m., Starting May 19, Instructor: Tamaki
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 level, 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
$400 / course
JLPT - N1/N2 Foundations
In-person only, 2024 Spring
Saturday, 11:00 AM
Instructor: Dr. Honda
JLPT Prep N1/N2 Learning Track (3 courses)
JLPT - N1 Advancement
Now accepting registration
Hybrid, 2024 Summer
In-person period: Saturday 9 a.m. 5/4 ~ 6/22
Online period: Sunday 8 p.m. 7/7 to 8/4
JLPT - N2 Advancement
Now accepting registration
Hybrid, 2024 Summer
In-person period: Saturday 11 a.m. 5/4 ~ 6/22
Online period: Tuesday 8 p.m. 7/7 to 8/4
JLPT - N1/N2 Final Prep
Coming soon, 2024 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
Saturday, 9:00 AM
Instructor: Usui
Now accepting registration
JLPT - N3 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2024 Summer
Saturday 9 a.m. Starting May 18
Instructor: Usui
JLPT - N4 Advancement
Now accepting registration
In-person only, 2024 Summer
Saturday 11 a.m. Starting May 18
Instructor: Usui
JLPT - N3/N4 Final Prep
Coming soon, 2024 fall
Select one course based on the exam level you intend to take: N3 Prep or N4 Prep
JLPT Prep N5 Learning Track (1 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 Prep
Online only, 2024 Summer
Now accepting registration
Monday 6 p.m. Starting May 20
Instructor: Asahina
JLPT - N5 Prep
Coming soon, 2024 Fall
Japanese for Kids
In-person interactive learning
2-hour sessions + lunch / week
6-week classes
$500 / course
This course is designed specifically for kids aged 9 to 15 years old. This course offers an exciting opportunity for young learners to delve into the rich world of Japanese language, culture, and cuisine through engaging in-person sessions.
Session 1 Beginners Japanese (9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.): essential Japanese conversations, including self-introductions, greetings, survival phrases, and exploring the anime world.
Session 2 Cool Japanese Culture Experience (10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.): interactive activities like watching anime and experiencing J-pop dancing, all designed to provide an authentic and exciting "Cool Japan" immersion.
Lunch (11:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.): enjoy lunch at Showa Cafeteria (included in this course)
Special Event: All participants are invited to our annual Japanese Learning Community Party: "RE_" on June 15.
J-S01: Japanese for Kids 2024 Summer
In-person, 2024 Summer Now accepting registration
Saturday 9:30 a.m. Starting May 18
Instructor: Hattori