Japanese Language Classes

JASO runs a range of Japanese language classes on Zoom and in-person in Portland and Salem. You must be a current member to participate.

In Fall 2024, we are adjusting our offerings to 4 different tracks.

Track 1: This is our major, long-term track. We offer language for business purposes from beginner to advanced levels over Zoom. Classes cover language at work and for after-work, social situations. A variety of levels, so a variety of days, times, etc from Sept 23. Click here for registration and full details.

Track 2: This is a brand new class, in downtown Portland at the JASO office. Class is only for absolute beginners, or those with just a little self-study (Duolingo, etc). Tuesdays 5:30pm from Sept 24. Click here for registration and full details.

Track 3: This is a specialist study class for those planning to take the JLPT N3 level exam on December 1 this year, or those interested in this kind of test prep study. If you’re generally considered an “intermediate” student with around 800-1,000 kanji knowledge, this might be a good fit. Mondays 6:30pm from Sept 23. Click here for registration and full details.

Track 4: We run 2 in-person classes in downtown Salem. The first is for absolute beginners (or those with a little self-study). The second is for advanced beginners, who MUST have a solid working knowledge of both hiragana and katakana, plus basic sentence structure, in order to join. Wednesday evenings from September 25. Click here for registration and full details.

All classes are small group, meaning from 4-10 students. All are 8 weeks duration, 75-minute classes, for 10 hours total contact time. Some are in-person, some are on Zoom.

Private classes are always open for registration (link below).

Other General Information

We run 3 terms a year, all 8 weeks – winter (Jan-Mar), spring (Apr-Jun) and fall (Sept-Nov)
usually 75-minute classes (10 hours total)
A variety of beginner, improver, intermediate and pre-advanced levels
Some for business, others for travel and vacation
4 to 10 students per class
No homework, no grades, but minimum 2 hours preparation every week prior to class expected
Highly-qualified, experienced teaching pool
Textbooks or teacher’s own materials

General Information on Private Classes (always on Zoom)

For adults and high-school aged students – general, or specific purposes
On Zoom
8- or 12-class blocks, 60-minute classes
Teachers select texts and workbooks according to individual student needs
One-on-one, or semi-private (2 students, MUST be same level)
Highly-qualified, experienced teaching pool
Complete the survey to contact us: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JASOPrivateJLangClass

For adults and high-school aged students – general purposes

Class Levels

When we say Beginner, Improver, Intermediate or Advanced, what do we mean? Beginner level classes are for students who are new to Japanese, or have only a little self- or class-based study. Improver classes are for those that have studied the basics in some depth and are comfortable using creating simpler sentences. Sometimes Improvers may have studied more advanced Japanese, for a reasonable period of time (often some time ago!). Students have (or quickly re-gain) a comfort with a range of tense use and verb conjugations, but need step-by-step progression to learn, or re-learn these using textbooks. We have Lower Intermediate classes for those around N4 JLPT level, who are straddling the line into N3 level-type understanding and study. Intermediate classes are for those who understand and are comfortable using a range of conjugations, and are working on longer, more complex explanations and discussion. Might be a high JLPT N3 level. Pre-Advanced classes are aimed at those around the JLPT N2 level. Advanced classes are for those who are at or close to JLPT N1, and have typically worked/lived in Japan for a significant period of time. Complex, discussion-based.

Group Class Refund Policy

Course will run with minimum 4 students signing up. If course does not run, 100% of fees refunded. Cancellation after 7 days prior to start, no refund if your cancellation causes numbers to drop below 4 in total. 75% refund otherwise. No refund if class is full and other students have been turned away because you have changed your mind. Any refunds processed after classes start. We will communicate with you as sign-up windows close regarding number of sign-ups.

We understand business people sometimes have work commitments that cause them to miss class. Many students end up missing 1 or 2 classes because of work commitments. We price these classes affordably in order to take this into consideration. We do not give refunds because “work became busy”.

Group Class Teachers

What Our Students Say

“I had some very good success with the learning I received here through JASO in Japan, on two recent trips.  It is meeting my objectives.”
“Sensei was an excellent teacher.”
“I really like sensei’s teaching method.  It is superior to the other methods I have had.”
“I’m currently taking lessons at another school and it feels like I’m not learning as much and that the class is half asleep compared to (JASO’s) class.”
“Only speaks in Japanese (except before or after class, or in rare instances). I like this immersion experience because of the business context.”
“Sensei is a great instructor.”
“That was intense!”