Learn Japanese with Japanese friends!
At Blue House Okinawa Japanese School
Christmas Party at Blue House Okinawa 2022!
Come to our Christmas Party and meet local Japanese friends 🙂
This event is an open event.
Grab your family and friends and come join us!
First Come, First Serve! Sign Up and Save Your Spot Today!
Close to Kadena Air Base Gate 1
We’re located in a cozy house right by Sunabe Seawall.
Authentic Language Practice
Because we have both English and Japanese classes in the house, there are endless opportunities to practice with native speakers.
More Than a Language School
We are a close-knit community of English & Japanese learners. We teach each other and learn from each other.
Relaxed & Community-Centered
A great place to make friends, explore, and grow together.
Who We Are
for Japanese people who's learning English and
English speakers who's learning Japanese.
Blue House Okinawa Japanese /English Language School
Our Approach
More Speaking Practice!
with
Lessons
In the lessons, we practice Japanese with local Japanese friends who are learning English at our school.
In return, we practice English with them!
Group Projects
You'll practice what you've learned in the lessons and use it in the group projects! See if you can communicate with native Japanese speakers in Japanese!
Field Trips
As part of the group project, you'll set up the schedule with local Japanese friends and visit local places to complete the project.
Explore Okinawa with local Japanese friends and make the most of Okinawa stay 🙂
Presentation Day
Give a presentation in Japanese!
At the end of group project, we'll have a presentation day. You and your teammates will give a presentation in both Japanese and English.
Study Exchange
Run a Study Exchange with local Japanese friends and practice Japanese even more! Don't forget to help them with their English practice too.
We help each other and grow together 🙂
Making Friends
You'll make friends with local Japanese through lessons, group projects, field trips and study Exchange.
Make the most of your Okinawa stay with your Japanese friends 🙂
One of the most common challenges reported to us is how much difficulty Japanese learners have in interacting in their target language.
For example, despite perhaps years of dedicated study in Japanese, many learners feel paralyzed and defeated in interactions with native Japanese speakers.
This challenge is largely due to the fact that language-learning is multifaceted.
Proficiency requires separate yet overlapping skills, such as reading, listening, writing, cultural awareness, speaking, pronunciation, etc.
Schools often emphasize grammar, reading and writing over other aspects.
Thus, learners become discouraged and feel as if they don’t know anything after years of study, when in fact they just haven’t had sufficient practice in a particular skill to make them a balanced learner.
At Blue House Okinawa, students are given the opportunity to develop all areas of language to build towards proficiency.
We provide practical listening and speaking practice with both peer learners and native speakers.
Our goal is to build club students’ confidence and put their learning to use quickly and often.
Listening Practice
Speaking Practice
Reading Practice
Writing Practice
Study and Communicate on the Go!
Blended Learning
Instead of a traditional school environment where students passively receive information in the classroom and then practice at home, we take a Blended Learning approach to flip the classroom. This means we learn fundamental concepts outside of class (via books and online content) so that we can focus on speaking, listening, and active interaction in the classroom.
Move at Your Own Pace
Already studying Japanese?
Fantastic! We'll work with you to pick the best class for your skill level. No need to wait for a new class to start — students can join and switch classes anytime.
Just starting out?
You want to move quickly and can't get enough? Great, we'll keep you engaged with challenging content! You want to take your time and master the content before leveling-up? That's perfectly fine too! Students with both mindsets excel at Blue House. While some have moved rapidly from Beginner to Intermediate levels, many also choose to re-take classes to solidify their understanding. We encourage this! So relax and don't stress — learning Japanese should be fun, after all 🙂
FAQs
It depends on your goals. If you want to progress rapidly, you will need to devote a considerable amount of time studying, practicing, and generally exposing yourself to the language in as many ways as possible. However, if you're like most people, you are juggling various other commitments including work, family, school, etc. and you probably don't have endless time to devote to Japanese. Don't worry, that's okay! Many people have made considerable progress without studying for 10 hours a day. Ideally, we recommend finding a little bit of time every day (or even every other day) to practice — this will be much more effective than a multi-hour cram session every few weeks. And this practice doesn't necessarily mean you're sitting at a desk staring at a book. Reading road signs, playing audio flashcards while you walk the dog, watching youTube videos, and of course listening and speaking to locals are all great ways to practice! Compared to others learning Japanese around the world, living here in Okinawa, we are fortunate to be surrounded with endless opportunities to practice Japanese, so have fun with it!
According to the United States Foreign Service Institute, Japanese is considered one of the five most difficult languages for a native English speaker to learn, along with Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin), and Korean. These languages require an average of 2200 hours of dedicated practice to achieve "professional working proficiency," compared to a language like Spanish which averages about one quarter of this time. So what does this mean? Probably not a whole lot. Language learning varies a lot based on the individual, previous language experience, dedication, interest, and countless other factors. In addition, most Japanese learners don't need to achieve "professional working proficiency." Your best bet is to talk to some of our current students and ask about their experiences and progress. We think you'll find that most students are absolutely amazed at how much they have learned in a short period of time! It is incredibly rewarding when, after a few short months, you can walk out your front door and immediately apply what you've learned to your daily interactions with Japanese speakers.
No, you can join whichever class is most appropriate for your skill level. You can even join a class mid-term; no need to wait until a new class begins. To achieve the best fit, check out our course descriptions, the Japan Foundation's online assessment quiz, and of course, talk to us during your trial lesson at Blue House Okinawa. We will work with you to ensure you're placed in the best class for your skill level, which may even include sitting in on a class or two to gauge your comfort level with the material. We recommend selecting your skill level based on your speaking ability, as this is usually hardest to master.
Yes and no. We do not offer courses specifically designed to prepare you for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). While the JLPT tests students on reading and listening, it does not include writing or speaking. Our classes develop all of these skills (and more), with a particular emphasis on speaking and listening, so that you can actually use the language in a practical way. Students completing our Pre-Intermediate course should be well prepared to pass the JLPT N5.
No, we are very flexible with payments. You can pay for an entire course upfront, pay monthly, or even pay in two-week segments. For example, if you know you'll be gone on vacation or work travel for a month out of your three-month course, you can pay for the first month and then pay for the third month upon your return. However, unfortunately, we are not able to refund or make-up individual classes that you may miss after registering. Please review our school policies for further information.
Unfortunately we do not offer a military discount. However, we do offer tuition discounts up to 20% off based on your level of participation, and an additional 10% off for upfront course payment in full. Please review our school policies for more information on our discount program.
Unfortunately our school is too small to support a student visa. However, many of our classes are only two to three months long, so you can complete one on a tourist visa!
Unfortunately not.
We find that a community approach to language learning (practicing with classmates and native speakers) is most effective, and one-on-one instruction does not provide this same opportunity.
When registering for classes on our website, you can pay online or you can select the option to "pay cash on delivery" and then pay in person using either credit card or cash (Yen).
What Students Say
I remember my first class at Blue House Okinawa! I was brand new to Okinawa and the Japanese language. I was able to have basic exchanges, and it made me so happy to practice with native speakers and have such a fun community to learn in. I’m two years into studying now and am so glad I found Blue House Okinawa from the beginning — it introduced me to some of my favorite people in Okinawa and is such a special place ❤️
Ms. Sara Wray
I had spent about 8 months using online based methods to learn Japanese. Blue House Okinawa gave me the opportunity to learn Japanese face-to-face with native Japanese speakers. The language exchanges forced me to step outside of my shell and speak among our Japanese peers, which was exactly what I needed to do to gain confidence to apply my classroom learning to the real world. Most importantly, it has been an incredibly fun experience to learn Japanese while helping others to learn English!
Mr. Tom Nelson
Blue House Okinawa is my family! We are leaving island soon and Blue House Okinawa was really the best part of my Okinawa experience. It’s worth every penny. Learning Japanese at Blue House Okinawa is fun and very. I have made friends here and Monica sensei is kind and patient. My classmates are also kind. Japanese is hard and I get shy when I talk in Japanese but Blue House Okinawa helps me learning.
Ms. Janice Blanchard
I recommend Blue House Okinawa to anybody that wishes to learn Japanese. I learned that Japanese is difficult at Blue House Okinawa but students here are motivated to learn, Japanese people are kind and helpful.
Blue House Okinawa is like a family where everyone is welcomed.
Mr. Garion Hallmon
I love Blue House Okinawa. It works with my busy schedule and is extremely flexible. My favorite aspect is that you are learning Japanese and practicing alongside students who are attempting to learn English.
Mr. Renie
Learn Japanese with Japanese friends!
At Blue House Okinawa Japanese School
Japanese Classes
Beginners 1 *2 Months Course*
To start, you will learn pronunciation, counting, and lots of useful phrases and greetings.
Next, we move on to sentence structure while creating basic sentences using colors, adjectives, question words, and talking about what you like/dislike.
You’ll learn a lot of vocabulary and will be able to write the first half of the Japanese Hiragana alphabet. | Japanese From Zero! 1
Beginner 2 *2 Months Course*
You will learn how to talk about what you want/don’t want, locations, dates (days, months, years), and time.
In addition, we’ll practice asking for things, counting objects (a big topic in Japanese!), and using verbs as we learn about conjugation and the past tense.
Of course, you will learn a bunch of vocabulary and will be able to write the entire Japanese language in Hiragana by the end of the course. | Japanese From Zero! 1
Beginner 3 *2 Months Course*
Learn how to use two very important verbs (ある, いる), talk about specific objects and their locations, count living things, and gain confidence with particles and other useful grammar.
You’ll master the first half of the Katakana alphabet and learn new vocabulary in the process. | Japanese From Zero! 2
Beginner 4 *2 Months Course*
Learn about the Japanese family structure, adjectives, informal verb forms/conjugations, connecting sentences, and more key grammar concepts.
Of note, you’ll learn the very important verb する and how to use it with your growing vocabulary to form a ton of new verbs.
After you complete the course, you will be able to write the entire Katakana alphabet and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve learned in only 8 months! | Japanese From Zero! 2
Pre-Intermediate 1 *3 Months Course*
Practice talking about your family and relatives, hobbies, nature, seasons, weather, and your town while you learn related vocabulary and kanji. In addition, you will learn and practice grammar concepts includingている form, normalizing verbs/adjectives, describing when actions take place using とき, changes in states using なる (become), and connecting adjectives/verbs to form more complex sentences. | Marugoto A2-1
Pre-Intermediate 2 *3 Months Course*
Practice communicating to meet up with a friend, plan an evening out on the town, discuss food/meal plans, and share your experiences with language study and culture. You will do all this while you learn related vocabulary and kanji, and practice grammar concepts including: connecting verbs to form complex sentences, asking if something is okay, going to/wanting to/trying to do something, relative time (before/after), and the various nuances of もう/まだ (already/not yet/still). | Marugoto A2-1
Pre-Intermediate 3 *3 Months Course*
Practice talking about business trips and an office environment, health and exercise, celebrations, and your feelings while you learn related vocabulary and kanji. In addition, you will learn and practice grammar concepts including: past experiences (I have been to …), doing too much of something, doing something for the purpose of, new ways to form complex sentences, and expressing your thoughts or what you heard someone say. | Marugoto A2-1
Intermediate 1 *3 Months Course*
Practice communicating while making new friends, describing people, discussing food, nature, and travel while learning related vocabulary and kanji. You will also learn and practice grammar concepts that enable you to discuss physical characteristics of people and objects, warn against certain actions, and provide advice or suggestions in different settings (e.g. it would be better if you wore a hat). | Marugoto A2-2
Intermediate 2 *3 Months Course*
Practice talking about volunteer work, festivals/events, feelings and wishes, and shopping while you learn related vocabulary and kanji. In addition, you will learn and practice grammar concepts including: potential or uncertain actions (e.g. may be able to, might go with, etc.), and more complex uses of もう and まで. In addition, you will practice sentence structure to explain the results of actions (e.g. one must do [A] in order for [B]). | Marugoto A2-2
Intermediate 3 *3 Months Course*
Practice communicating about history, culture, the environment, life events, memories and feelings. You will do all this while you learn related vocabulary and kanji, and practice grammar concepts including: speaking of past events that affect the present, advanced explanations (e.g. try to do/try not to do), the evolution of things (e.g. I am too big/old for …), uncertain past events, and further conditional instructions and explanations. | Marugoto A2-2
Overview of Study Tools
Following our blended-learning approach, all classes incorporate a variety of study tools outside of the classroom. These include textbooks, YouTube videos and/or online learning portals associated with the books, Quizlet flashcards, and our very own Blue House Okinawa Mobile App. Our app helps to consolidate your learning materials (some linked, others hosted on the app itself), guide/track your course progress, facilitate assignments, and enable communication with your fellow students via direct messaging and group forums.
Schedule & Pricing
There is still a possibility that we may have to switch to online classes via Zoom if COVID-19 cases start rising in Okinawa.
We hope this does not happen, but we want to be prepared just in case. We recommend visiting Zoom’s website HERE to create a free account and download the Zoom Rooms software.
If we are forced to temporarily shift online, we’ll continue with the same class schedule including language exchanges.
For now, in-person classes will continue with various COVID prevention measures including social distancing, mask-wearing, sanitizing study spaces, etc.
Stay healthy and safe, and please let us know if you have any questions!
8th Anniversary Campaign!
First 30 Registrants
Get 45% Discount
Save Your Spot Today!
Regular Classes
Beginners 1
35,200 Yen/month
↓50% Off Now!
17,600 Yen/Month
- 2 Months Course
- 95 Minutes X 2 Times / Week
-
Daytime Class:
1 Nov '22 - 22 Dec '22
Tue & Thu, 12:40pm-2:15pm -
*Sold Out* Evening Class:
1 Nov '22 - 22 Dec '22
Tue & Thu, 6:30pm-8:05pm -
Daytime Class:
9 Jan '23 - 1 Mar '23
Mon & Wed, 12:40pm-2:15pm -
Evening Class:
9 Jan '23 - 1 Mar '23
Mon & Wed, 8:15pm-9:50pm - Free School Communication and Study App
-
Registration Fee: 5,500 Yen
Class Materials: 6,000 Yen
Beginners 2
35,200 Yen/Month
↓50% Off Now!
17,600 Yen/Month
- 2 Months Course
- 95 Minutes X 2 Times / Week
-
Morning Class:
31 Oct '22 - 21 Dec '22
Tue & Thu, 10:55am - 12:30pm -
Evening Class:
1 Nov '22 - 22 Dec '22
Tue & Thu, 8:15pm - 9:50pm -
Morning Class:
10 Jan '23 - 2 Mar '23
Tue & Thu, 12:40pm - 2:15pm -
Evening Class:
10 Jan '23 - 2 Mar '23
Tue & Thu, 6:30pm - 8:05pm - Free School Communication and Study App
-
Registration Fee: 5,500 Yen
Class Materials: 6,000 Yen
Beginners 3
35,200 Yen/Month
↓50% Off Now!
17,600 Yen/Month
- 2 Months Course
- 95 Minutes X 2 Times / Week
-
Morning Class:
3 Oct '22 - 24 Nov '22
Tue & Thu, 10:55am - 12:30pm -
Morning Class:
9 Jan '23 - 1 Mar '23
Mon & Wed, 10:55am - 12:30pm - Free School Communication and Study App
-
Registration Fee: 5,500 Yen
Class Materials: 5,000 Yen
Beginners 4
35,200 Yen/Month
↓50% Off Now!
17,600 Yen/Month
- 2 Months Course
- 95 Minutes X 2 Times / Week
-
Evening Class:
3 Oct '22 - 23 Nov '22
Mon & Wed, 8:15pm - 9:50pm -
Morning Class:
29 Nov '22 - 2 Feb '23
Tue & Thu, 10:55am - 12::30pm - Free School Communication and Study App
-
Registration Fee: 5,500 Yen
Class Materials: 5,000 Yen
Pre-Intermediate Classes
Pre-Intermediate
35,200 Yen/Month
↓50% Off Now!
17,600 Yen/Month
- 3 Months Course
- 95 Minutes X 2 Times / Week
-
Evening Class:
5 Sep '22 - 23 Nov '22
Mon & Wed, 6:30pm-8:05pm - Free School Communication and Study App
-
Registration Fee: 5,500 Yen
Course Materials: 3,000 Yen
Learn Japanese with Japanese friends!
At Blue House Okinawa Japanese School
School Policies
1. Class Registration & Payment
When registering for classes, you may elect to pay for the full class upfront, pay monthly, or pay in two-week increments. If paying monthly or in two-week increments, please use the Blue House Okinawa website to register for classes every month/week(s) that you plan to participate, regardless of your method of payment. This guarantees your place in class. While registering, you have the option to pay online via PayPal or you may select “pay cash on delivery,” after which you may pay in person at Blue House using cash (Yen) or credit card.
For continuing students, all tuition payments for the following month are due on the 20th of the current month, regardless of the form of payment or the date you registered. We will try to send courtesy reminders via the Blue House Okinawa App several days prior to this monthly deadline, but this is not guaranteed. Payments after the 20th will incur a 10% late fee (21st – 25th) or 20% late fee (26th – 31st).
2. Discount Program
We offer three types of discounts. First, paying for a course upfront in full entities you to a 10% off discount. Next, referring a new student to Blue House (and the student registers and pays tuition for a course) entitles you to a ¥2,700 discount on your tuition for the same month the new student enrolls. Only one referral discount is allowed per month. Finally, we offer up to a 20% off discount for active course participation — this includes class and language exchange attendance, homework completion, course feedback, etc. If you pay for a course upfront in full and subsequently achieve participation discounts, the discount(s) will be applied as a credit towards tuition for future courses.
3. Refunds
All payments are non-refundable. We unfortunately cannot offer refunds or make-ups for missed classes. Depending on the evolving COVID-19 situation, it’s possible we may have to temporarily switch to online lessons to ensure the safety of our students. In this situation tuition will not be refunded, so please keep this in mind as you register.
4. Blue House Okinawa App
Please create an account and personal profile on the Blue House Okinawa App, which is available for free download from Apple and Google app stores (search “Blue House Okinawa”). Our App is the hub for all communication between students, teachers, and staff. Because the App does not push notifications to your phone’s operating system, please monitor the App on a regular basis so you don’t miss important announcements and communications from your fellow students. In addition, the App helps to consolidate your learning materials (some linked, others hosted on the App itself), guide/track your course progress, facilitate assignments, and enable communication with your fellow students via direct messaging and group forums.
5. Access to Online Materials
Access to the Blue House Okinawa App and Blue House Quizlet is for registered, tuition-paying students. Access is granted on a monthly basis, and will be suspended if tuition is not paid. If you are taking time off from class but would like to maintain access to continue your studies, you have the option of paying a ¥1,000/month access fee.
6. Language Exchanges
Language exchange events are included in your tuition as a registered student. You are welcome to bring an individual guest to language exchange events up to three times. Anyone not currently paying tuition (e.g. former students, friends who have already attended as guests three times, etc.) can still attend language exchanges for a ¥1,500 fee per event. These policies do not apply to language exchange activities that may occur during your scheduled class time.
7. Delays, Absences, and Vacations
If you will be late for class, please send a quick message via the Blue House Okinawa App so your teacher knows to expect you. In addition, please let your teacher know in advance if you’re going to miss a class or will be gone for an extended period due to vacation, work travel, etc. Remember to register online for the month you return to save your place in class.
8. Class Cancellations
In the event of inclement weather (e.g. typhoon), school closings will be posted via the Blue House Okinawa App.
9. Special Events
Participation in special events may require administrative fees payable during sign-up and/or other activity fees (e.g. ferry, bikes, etc.) payable in cash on the day of the event.
10. Making Friends
Blue House Okinawa is a wonderful place to learn and make new friends. We encourage students to practice their new language skills together, and we offer special events to encourage intercultural learning and experiences. However, we are not a dating service and we discourage use of our school and events for that purpose. Our expectation is that students will interact respectfully and will contribute to a healthy learning environment. Not doing so may be considered grounds for dismissal.
11. Student Visas, Letters of Recommendation, and References
We are only able to provide a Letter of Verification, which will show your dates of attendance and receipts of payment.
12. Liability Release
Students agree that Blue House Okinawa, including its employees, agents, and representatives, may not be held liable for any damage or loss of personal property, or personal injury, that may occur while on Blue House property or while attending an offsite event.
13. Questions
Questions about student progress, assignments, and other class-related information should be directed to the teacher responsible for the class. Questions regarding registration, tuition, payment, and other administrative matters should be directed to the Blue House administrative staff.
How to Start
Why Can't I Speak Japanese Yet?
One of the most common challenges reported to us is how much difficulty Japanese learners have in interacting in their target language.
For example, despite perhaps years of dedicated study in Japanese, many learners feel paralyzed and defeated in interactions with native Japanese speakers.
This challenge is largely due to the fact that language-learning is multifaceted.
Proficiency requires separate yet overlapping skills, such as reading, listening, writing, cultural awareness, speaking, pronunciation, etc.
Schools often emphasize grammar, reading and writing over other aspects.
Thus, learners become discouraged and feel as if they don’t know anything after years of study, when in fact they just haven’t had sufficient practice in a particular skill to make them a balanced learner.
At Blue House Okinawa, students are given the opportunity to develop all areas of language to build towards proficiency.
We provide practical listening and speaking practice with both peer learners and native speakers.
Our goal is to build club students’ confidence and put their learning to use quickly and often.
I'm nervous about speaking in Japanese....
We’ve seen learners struggling in Japanese conversation, as sometimes they’re unsure of how to say specific words or phrases.
This is a regular concern that is easy to overcome once you become a student of Blue House Okinawa.
You can prepare for conversational success by communicating in Japanese with native speakers in our class.
These tools are most valuable because you learn
1. It is ok to make mistakes and
2. How to correct those mistakes.
You will soon find you know more than you think you do!
The more you try and do, the better you will become.
Remember that for Japanese people, English is just as hard for them, as Japanese is for you.
They appreciate your attempts to converse in their language and will try to find a way to communicate with you.
Just keep trying and you’ll do great!
More Speaking Practice
As we also have Japanese who learn English, we’re so fortunate to have this wonderful program, Language Exchange as a part of our curriculum.
In the Language Exchange, you can practice Japanese speaking with native Japanese speakers, the real Japanese people.
Here’s where the give-and-take of learning happens!
It’s student-driven and set up as a mutually-beneficial learning program.
In the Language Exchange, don’t wait for perfection to speak Japanese — start with what you can, even if it turns into charades, and let your native speaking peers guide you to accuracy!
Ask questions, share cultural insights, and provide feedback to each other while building your Japanese speaking confidence.
This Language Exchange program will let you be able to learn Japanese in a practical way and practice what you have learned right away.
You will meet some of our Japanese friends and make real connections with them to learn the Japanese culture and deepen your intercultural understanding.
It’s a fantastic way to bridge the gap between textbook learning and communicating in the real world!
Beyond Language-Learning
We pride ourselves in our focus on building the ability to learn and succeed beyond learning language.
We seek to nurture independent, lifelong learning.
Our goal is to get comfortable operating in Japanese in everyday, practical interactions.
Much of successful language learning is going beyond your comfort zone and just going for it!
As many native English speakers are coming from cultures that greatly contrast that of Japan’s, Blue House Okinawa provides ample opportunity to learn about the values, history, and influences in Japanese society.
Learn Japanese with Japanese friends!
At Blue House Okinawa Japanese School