Beginners Japanese 1 Class

Table of Contents

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition & Schedule

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Who We Are

Beyond Language Learning

A Close-Knit Multilingual Community
Join us and become part of a vibrant community where Japanese and English learners teach and learn from each other.

Authentic and Immersive Practice
Experience genuine language practice with native Japanese speakers in our Japanese class providing endless opportunities for real-world application.

Supportive and Community-Centered
Embrace a relaxed, community-oriented approach to learning. Together, we support, grow, and share joyful moments, making every step of the journey enjoyable.

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Embark on an exciting journey into the Japanese language with our Beginners Japanese 1 class!

Designed specifically for novices, this course offers a friendly introduction to the fundamentals of Japanese, including basic grammar, essential vocabulary, and common phrases.
With interactive lessons and practical exercises, you’ll start speaking Japanese from day one.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or simply want to expand your linguistic skills, our course is the perfect first step towards mastering this fascinating language.
Join us and unlock the door to new experiences with the beauty of Japanese!

After Taking This Course

After taking Beginners Japanese 1 class at Blue House Okinawa,
you’ll be able to say Japanese phrases below:

 

*What is this? / Kore wa nan desuka.
*This is chicken curry. / Kore wa chikin kare- desu.
*Do you like curry? / Kare- ga suki desuka.
*I don’t like curry. / Kare- ga suki janai desu.

*Who is it? / Dare desuka.
*She is my teacher. / Kanojo wa watashi no sensei desu.

*Which one is your car? / Anata no kuruma wa dore desuka.
*That white one is mine. / Ano shiroi kuruma ga watashi no desu.

*How old are you? / Nan sai desuka.
*I’m 27 years old. / Nijuu nana sai desu.

*Nice to meet you. / Hajime mashite.
*I’m Lisa. / Lisa to moushi masu.
*Please say it again. / Mou ichido itte kudasai.
*Please speak more slowly. / Motto yukkuri itte kudasai.

*It’s delicious. / Oishi desu.
*I want a new cell phone. / Atarashii keitai denwa ga hoshii desu.

What We Will Learn

In Beginners Japanese 1, we’ll study:

Lesson 1 – Lesson 11 on Japanese from Zero book 1

*Japanese Pronunciation Basics
*Japanese Writing System
*Writing Hiragana
*Compound Sound Basics
*Numbers
*Greetings
*Self-Introduction
*Age Counter
*Typing Japanese
*Vocabulary – Body Parts
*Vocabulary – Things in Your Room
*Japanese Sentence Structure Basics
*Making a Question
*The Question Words – What, Which, and Who
*The Topic Marker wa/は
*The Direction Marker e/へ
*Ko-So-A-Do Words
*Vocabulary – Family Members
*Vocabulary – Greetings and Farewells
*Starting Sentences with Questions Words
*How to Start a Sentence with a Question word using ga/が
*Making Words Possessive with the Particle no/の
*Showing Possession of objects using no/の
*Colors
*Colors Noun Versions and Adjective Versions
*How Japanese Adjectives Work
*Making Nouns into Adjectives using no/の
*The Particle to/と
*To Like and Dislike
*Levels of like and dislike in Japanese
*The Particle ga/が with suki/すき and kirai/きらい
*Using janai/じゃない to make things negative
*The importance of desu/です
*Other Version of janai/じゃない
*Vocabulary – Sports and Entertainment
*Vocabulary – Fruits
*Making i-Adjectives Negative
*Making Colors into Negative
*Wanting and Not Wanting
*Counting Yen
*Commas and Pausing in Japanese
*Vocabulary – Transportation

Self-Paced Method

Personalized Mastery with Self-Paced Learning

The journey to mastering Japanese becomes even more personalized with a self-paced method, combining the best of flexibility with the invaluable support of a dedicated instructor at Blue House Okinawa. This approach adapts to your rhythm, creating a learning experience tailored to your individual needs.

 

Tailored Learning Pace

A self-paced method at Blue House Okinawa empowers you to control the speed of your learning, allowing you to spend more time on challenging concepts or breeze through familiar topics. You don’t have to wait for other students, enabling you to advance more quickly. This flexibility ensures that your study of Japanese aligns with your personal learning style and daily schedule, making language acquisition a seamless part of your life rather than a disruptive obligation.

 

Accelerate Your Learning Journey

A significant benefit of the self-paced method is the ability to advance quickly through your studies. You can move forward as soon as you’re ready, making your learning experience more efficient and rewarding. Many students find that they can progress faster with a self-paced approach. By focusing on familiar topics briefly and spending more time on challenging areas, you can tailor your study sessions to your strengths and weaknesses, keeping you motivated and engaged.

 

Direct Instructor Support When Needed

While the self-paced method offers autonomy, the role of an instructor remains pivotal. Whether you need clarification on complex grammatical structures, pronunciation practice, or insights into cultural nuances, your instructor is there to provide targeted support. This blend of independence and expert guidance ensures you’re never truly alone on your path to fluency.

 

Deepened Understanding Through Flexibility

The beauty of a self-paced approach lies in the liberty to pause and dive deeply into areas of interest or difficulty. Without the pressure to keep up with a preset class pace, you can ensure that your understanding of the Japanese language is deeply rooted. This flexibility encourages a more reflective and thorough engagement with the language, leading to lasting comprehension and proficiency.

The benefits of a self-paced method supported by an instructor in the context of learning Japanese are manifold. From the flexibility that caters to individual lifestyles to the tailored learning experiences that address specific needs, this approach offers a personalized pathway to language mastery. With the added advantage of deepened understanding and enhanced motivation, learners are well-equipped to embark on a rewarding journey toward fluency in Japanese. Embrace the opportunity to learn at your pace, guided by expertise, and discover the joys of language learning tailored just for you.

Our Textbook

We believe that immersive learning, while difficult, is the most productive and useful way to learn a language; however, many students drop out of immersive programs because it is an overwhelming process initially.
For that reason, we no longer offer immersive courses at beginners’ level.

To accommodate students’ schedules and learning styles, as many of students at Blue House Okinawa work or study full-time, we’ve chosen to use a curriculum that is thorough, slow, and truly begins from ZERO.
Our textbook, Japanese From Zero!, is an innovative and integrated approach to learning Japanese developed by professional Japanese interpreter George Trombley.
It has chapter-by-chapter video supplements on YouTube, making both pre-study and review easily accessible as you move at your desired pace.

It is geared towards English-speaking learners and based on the experience of a native English speaker learning and flourishing in Japanese.
The added support provided through this curriculum and resource has led to increased longevity in pursuing Japanese language skills.

Courses are truly 100% self teachable if our resources are used, and this is particularly helpful for keeping up despite a busy work schedule, vacation, etc.
Blue House Okinawa provides the learning opportunities, guidance, and language exchanges to reinforce, encourage, and grow learners’ abilities.

beginners1-japanese-class-textbook

How to Study

1. Watch Lecture Videos on our online resources

Dive into your Japanese learning adventure with lecture videos, your on-demand classroom that fits perfectly into your busy life.
These visual tools allow you to pause, rewind, and rewatch, giving you control over your pace and making tricky concepts stick.

They’re not just about watching; they’re about engaging and preparing you for real-life conversations with native speakers.
With the flexibility to learn anytime and anywhere, these videos transform your journey into an enjoyable, effective path to fluency.

So, why wait?
Press play and let the immersive learning begin!

Example Video:

2. Lesson Activities on the Textbook

Half of your textbook is actually a workbook.
This is because we’re convinced that getting better at writing can really up your game in typing, especially when you’re chatting with your Japanese friends.
So, don’t miss out on using the workbook exercises to give both your writing and typing skills a big boost!

And hey, if you ever find yourself scratching your head over any of the lesson activities, just give your instructor a shout.
We’re all here to help you succeed and have fun along the way!

3. Flashcards and Practice on Our Online Resources 

You’re zipping through your day, and whether you’re on a coffee break or waiting in line, your phone becomes your gateway to a quick Japanese lesson.
With digital flashcards, you’re actively engaging with the language, thanks to the magic of spaced repetition.
It ensures you review words right when your brain is about to let them slip, making learning stick better.

And if you ever feel like you’re running out of cards, there’s a whole world of pre-made decks online, waiting to be explored.

Example Flashcards: 

Our Vocabulary Collections

We’ve noticed that the vocab in textbooks doesn’t always line up with the topics you’re learning about.
That’s why students at Blue House Okinawa have been asking for vocab sets that actually match the topics.

Learning vocab by topic just seems to stick better, so our teachers have been getting creative.
They’ve been putting together extra vocab sets based on what you all have asked for, pulling in words you might not even find in your textbooks.

A lot of the vocab stuff we have comes directly from student suggestions over the years. 

This has allowed us to put together collections that really get you ready to dive into real conversations about your interests in the language you’re learning, right from the start.

Our instructors at school are all about giving you a vocab that’s right for your learning level and creating these easy-to-use resources for you.

But, if you prefer sticking to the textbook order for vocab, that’s totally fine. And remember, making your own flashcards is always a great option too. 🙂


it = “sore ha”

The digital flashcards are awesome for studying, and we absolutely love them! 
But, we did run into a little problem.

Our textbooks sometimes skip over topics because, in Japanese, it’s common to drop the topic from a sentence if everyone already knows what you’re talking about. 
This threw a bit of a curveball for our students using flashcards. 

Since you need your answers and the flashcard answers to match exactly, it was tricky figuring out when to drop the topic and when to keep it in.
To keep things simple, we’ve decided to always use “それは” (sore ha) to mean “it” in sentences, even though that might not always match your textbook. 

Just a heads-up: make sure to type “それは” every time you come across “it” in the sentences.
And hey, if you prefer sticking to how the textbook does things, no worries! 

You’re more than welcome to make your own flashcards and worksheets. 
They can be super handy during Language Exchange. 😊

4. Lesson Quizzes on Online Resources

Get ready for a little victory at the end of each lesson, because that’s quiz time!
Aim for the stars and try to score 80% or higher on these quizzes.
The best part?
You can retake them as many times as you need to hit that sweet 80% mark or even go beyond.

Remember, repetition isn’t just a step in learning a new language—it’s the secret sauce!
So embrace those quizzes, and let’s see your scores soar!

 

5. Q&A Making on the Workbook

After you’ve hit 80% or more on lesson quizzes, why not take a creative leap and come up with your own questions? 
Feel free to jot them down in either Japanese Hiragana or Romaji right on the back of the lesson’s worksheets. 
These questions are perfect for sparking conversations with local Japanese friends during Language Exchanges or Study Exchanges. 

And guess what? 
Often, your Japanese friends will flip the script and ask, “How about you?” So, make sure you’re also prepped with your own answers in Japanese! 

It’s a fun way to deepen your understanding and make those language connections even stronger.

6. 1 Post & 5 Comments on Our School Social Media

You asked for more ways to practice Japanese, and guess what?
We’ve got you covered with our school social media, made for you amazing students! 🌟
Now you can flex your language muscles anytime, anywhere—whether you’re chilling at home, on your daily commute, or just scrolling through your phone with some time to spare.

Dive into our social media and you’ll find all sorts of fun ways to keep up with your Japanese studies.
Post, comment, slide into DMs, and do everything you need to boost your language skills.

Plus, you get to support our awesome local Japanese friends who are learning English, just like in our Language Exchange program at school.

Feeling a bit shy about your Japanese?
Pop into the Living Room to ask if your Japanese hits the mark, or lend a hand (and your English skills) to help local students master English with your comments and posts.

2. Nov 16, Blue House Okinawa English: Japanese School App10

7. Host a Study Exchange

Want to try out your Japanese?
Or, do you like to practice your listening and speaking?
Then, host a Study Exchange and study with local Japanese friends!

At the Study Exchange, you can:
*see if you remember what you’ve learned.
*see if your Japanese friends understand your Japanese.
*listen to native Japanese speakers’ Japanese pronunciation.
*learn how native Japanese speakers use Japanese.
*understand what your Japanese friends think, how they look at things, and how they express their feelings.
*understand Japanese culture on a deeper level.

Sounds so exciting, right?

Oh after the Study Exchange, don’t forget to post the report for your review!

Practice in Class

1. Ask Questions if There Are Any

Asking questions in class is your secret weapon for learning! 
It clears up confusion, deepens your understanding, and even helps your classmates who might be wondering the same thing. 

Plus, it shows you’re engaged and eager to learn. 
So don’t hesitate—every question is a step toward mastering the material!

 

2. Take the Performance Test with the Instructor

Taking the Japanese speaking performance test with your instructor is a golden opportunity in your language learning journey. 
It’s not just a test; it’s a chance to get personalized feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, and conversational skills. 

This experience boosts your confidence and hones your ability to speak Japanese fluently. Embrace this moment—it’s designed to highlight your strengths and guide your progress toward becoming a confident and proficient speaker.

Language Exchange May '19

3. Listening and Speaking Practice with Native Japanese Speakers in Language Exchange

It immerses you in the language’s natural rhythm, intonation, and cultural nuances, making learning authentic and engaging. 
This direct interaction boosts your listening comprehension and speaking fluency, allowing you to pick up colloquial expressions and slang. 

Moreover, it builds confidence in real-world communication and fosters a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. 
These exchanges are a crucial part of mastering the language in a way textbooks alone cannot provide.

 

4. Ask Native Japanese Speakers the Questions You Made

This immersive experience helps learners grasp nuanced pronunciations, understand colloquial expressions, and become familiar with cultural contexts, improving listening and speaking skills. 
It encourages active learning through real-time feedback, helping to correct mistakes and clarify doubts immediately. 

Engaging with natives also boosts confidence in using the language in everyday scenarios, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective. 

Overall, it’s a direct, practical approach to mastering Japanese, making it easier to think and communicate fluently in the language.

Blue House Okinawa Japanese /English School Language Exchange 6

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition & Schedule

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Our Payment Methods

At Blue House Okinawa, we provide two tailored payment options to suit various needs and learning styles across different class settings. Whether you prefer an intensive learning environment or require flexibility to accommodate a busy schedule, we have the ideal class for you. Below, we outline the key differences between our Flexible Class and Regular Class.

Flex Class (Flexible Schedule)

In the Flex Class, you can purchase as many coupons as you’d like, then book and attend lessons at your convenience.

You can:

  1. Purchase the desired number of coupons each month and use them to book ANY LESSONS YOU LIKE.
  2. Coupons are valid only for the current 4-week subscription period and cannot be carried over to the next 4-week subscription period.
  3. Book lessons online, anytime and from anywhere.
  4. Easily reschedule your lessons if needed.
  5. Start learning now!

Regular Class

In the Regular Class, your class, schedule, and tuition are fixed. This helps you build a consistent Japanese study habit.

You can:

  1. Develop a steady and consistent study routine.
  2. Attend 8 lessons per month at a lower cost compared to the Flex 8 plan.
  3. Follow a fixed class schedule, attending the same class at the same time each week.
  4. Pay a fixed tuition fee, it covers one month/term regardless of your attendance.
  5. Rescheduling or make-up lessons for missed classes are NOT AVAILABLE.
  6. Begin the class at the start of each month.

For more details, please see the information below.

Flexible Schedule Class

Discover the Ultimate Flexible Schedule Class

In today’s fast-paced world, balancing work, studies, and family commitments can be challenging. Our Flexible Schedule Class is designed for busy individuals, those traveling from afar, and anyone who prefers online learning. This hybrid class offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to tailor your education to fit your lifestyle seamlessly. You can purchase coupons and book your lessons at your convenience, making it perfect for those with busy schedules.

 

Why Choose Our Flexible Schedule Class?

 

1. Pay Only for the Lessons You Attend
Like to attend Japanese classes but can’t commit to a weekly schedule? Then our Flex Class system is perfect for you. Simply purchase coupons and book lessons as they fit your schedule. You only pay for the lessons you actually attend, ensuring there’s no wasted money!


2. Create Your Own Lesson Schedule
With the Flex Class system, you have complete control over your schedule. Whether you want to focus intensively on studying Japanese by attending multiple classes each week or prefer a lighter schedule, you can customize your learning to match your availability. This flexibility allows you to balance personal and professional commitments while continuing your studies.


3. Buy as Many Coupons as You Need
You can purchase as many coupons as you like, depending on your goals and availability. If you’d like to dedicate more time to your Japanese studies, buy more coupons. If you have a busy month, you can buy fewer. It’s entirely up to you!


4. Easy to Continue
The flexibility of our Flex Class system makes it easier to continue your learning journey without interruptions. As your schedule changes, you can adjust your lessons accordingly, ensuring consistent progress. This adaptability is ideal for those with unpredictable commitments.


5. Coupons Can Be Used for Any Class
Your Flex Class coupons can be used for any class, whether it’s a self-paced beginners Japanese class or a Japanese conversation class. For example, with 8 lessons, you can attend 4 beginner classes and 4 conversation classes—or mix and match however you like!


6. Book Lessons Anytime, Anywhere
With our easy online booking system, you can book your lessons from anywhere at any time. You can book lessons as early as 1 hour before or up to 4 weeks in advance, making it convenient for even the busiest of schedules.


7. Easily Reschedule Lessons
If you need to cancel a lesson, you can do so up to 24 hours in advance, and your coupon will be available for another booking. This flexibility ensures that even with an irregular schedule, you can continue learning without stress.


8. Start now!
No need to wait for the start of a new term. With our Flex Class, you can begin your lessons and start using our online program and resources as soon as you sign up. Whether you’re eager to start immediately or prefer to plan ahead, our system lets you jump into learning right away.


9. Switch to Regular Classes Anytime
If your schedule changes and you have more time to dedicate to your studies, switching from our Flex Class to our Regular Classes is easy and can be done online. You can also adjust your class level or add another class after completing your current one. Our system is designed to grow with you!

Flexible Schedule Class Tuition

Registration Fee 11,000 yen

Class Materials
 Japanese Conversation: 7,200 yen
 Beginners Japanese 1 & 2: 7,700 yen
 Beginners Japanese 3 & 4:  7,700 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 1: 6,600 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 2: 6,600 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 3: 6,600 yen
 JLPT Prep N5: 6,600 yen
 JLPT Prep N4: 8,800 yen
 JLPT Prep N3: 11,000 yen

*The registration fee and the class materials are required for a new student and each student.

Tuition Subscription Renewal Date
The subscription renewals monthly on the date you signed up. You can cancel the subscription at any time as needed.

Lesson Booking Policy
-You can book a lesson from 1 hour to 5 weeks before the lesson in advance.
-Your coupon will be available for use from the day your subscription renews for up to 4 weeks.
-Please note that the coupon cannot be carried over to the next 4-week subscription period.
-Coupons are displayed on the payment page and can be used by selecting them.

Lesson Cancellation Policy
-Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson:
Your coupon will be reactivated and can be used to book another lesson.
Cancellations made within 24 hours before the scheduled lesson:
Your coupon will be forfeited and cannot be used for future bookings.

Please send your instructor a message on Living Room and let him/her know when you cancel a lesson within 24 hours before the scheduled lesson.

Class Cancellation Policy

-You may cancel your class, provided the coupon hasn’t been used.
-Cancellations made within 5 days of payment: 90% refund.
-Cancellations made more than 5 days after payment: No refund.

Upon cancellation of your subscription, access to lesson booking coupons, and online materials will be discontinued.

Flexible Schedule Class Tuition
– Self-Paced Class is for Beginners Japanese 1 – 4, Pre-Intermediate Japanese 1 – 3 and JPLT Prep.
– You can purchase coupons as many as you like and book your lessons at your convenience. Choose from the following options.

  • Flex 1 ¥ 6,100

    6,100 Yen/Lesson - 1 lesson a month.

  • Flex 2 ¥ 11,000

    5,500 Yen/Lesson - 2 lessons a month.

  • Flex 3 ¥ 14,800

    4,933 Yen/Lesson - 3 lessons a month.

  • Flex 4 ¥ 18,500

    4,625 Yen/Lesson - 4 lessons a month.

  • Flex 6 ¥ 26,400

    4,400 Yen/Lesson - 6 lessons a month.

  • Flex 8 ¥ 33,400

    4,175 Yen/Lesson - 8 lessons a month.

  • Flex 10 ¥ 39,600

    3,960 Yen/Lesson - 10 lessons a month.

  • Flex 12 ¥ 46,200

    3,850Yen/Lesson - 12 lessons a month.

  • Flex 16 ¥ 59,800

    3,738 Yen/Lesson - 16 lessons a month.

Register today to save your spot!

*Display price is a price for per lesson.

How to Book a Lesson

Once you sign up for the Flex class, you can start booking your lessons as below.
Your coupon will be applied on the checkout page.

Lesson Booking Policy
– You can book a lesson from 1 hour to 5 weeks before the lesson in advance.
– Your coupon will be available for use from the day your subscription renews for up to 4 weeks.
– Please note that the coupon cannot be carried over to the next 4-week subscription period.
– Coupons are displayed on the payment page and can be used by selecting them.

Check lesson availabilities below.

How to Cancel the Lesson

After booking a lesson, you can cancel it here if needed here
*You need to be a student to access your account page.

*Lesson Booking Cancellation Policy
– Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson:
Your coupon will be reactivated and can be used to book another lesson.
– Cancellations made within 24 hours before the scheduled lesson:
Your coupon will be forfeited and cannot be used for future bookings.
– Please send your instructor a message on Living Room and let him/her know when you cancel a lesson within 24 hours before the scheduled lesson.

Regular Class

At Blue House Okinawa, we provide two tailored payment options to suit various needs and learning styles across different class settings. Whether you prefer an intensive learning environment or require flexibility to accommodate a busy schedule, we have the ideal class for you. Below, we outline the key differences between our Regular Class and Flexible Schedule Class.

Intensive Learning with a Fixed Schedule

Our Regular Class is perfect for those committed to mastering Japanese. Attend classes weekly on the same days and times, ensuring a consistent and reliable routine. Benefit from regular, focused practice, immediate feedback from experienced instructors, and interaction with dedicated peers. This structured approach helps you stay disciplined, making steady progress towards fluency.

 

Why Choose Our Regular Class?

 

1. Easy to Build Study Habits
With a fixed schedule, it’s easier to build and maintain your study habits. Attending classes on the same days and at the same times each week helps integrate learning into your routine, making it a regular part of your life.

 

2. Accelerate Your Progress
Join our Regular class and attend lessons weekly to fast-track your language learning journey. Regular attendance not only enhances your understanding of the Japanese language but also speeds up your progress, helping you achieve your goals faster and more effectively.

 

3. Improve Listening and Speaking Skills Faster
Frequent classes enhance your Japanese listening and speaking skills more quickly too. Engaging in regular conversations with native Japanese speakers and receiving direct feedback from instructors improve your practical communication abilities.

 

4. Cost-Effective
The Self-Paced Regular Class is more cost-effective compared to taking eight/four Flexible Schedule lessons. This makes it an economical choice for those looking to maximize their learning within a budget.

 

5. Switch to Flex Class Anytime!
When you sign up for a Regular Class, you have the freedom to switch to a Flex Class anytime in the future. Changing your class is easy and can be done online with just a few clicks. Enjoy the flexibility to choose the learning style that best suits your needs!

Regular Class Tuition

Registration Fee 11,000 yen

Class Materials
 Japanese Conversation: 7,200 yen
 Beginners Japanese 1 & 2: 7,700 yen
 Beginners Japanese 3 & 4:  7,700 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 1: 6,600 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 2: 6,600 yen
 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 3: 6,600 yen
 JLPT Prep N5: 6,600 yen
 JLPT Prep N4: 8,800 yen
 JLPT Prep N3: 11,000 yen

*The registration fee and the class materials are required for a new student and each student.

Regular Class
Follow a fixed class schedule, attending the same class at the same time each week.
-Pay a fixed tuition fee, it covers one month/term regardless of your attendance.
-Rescheduling or make-up lessons for missed classes are NOT available.
-Begin the class at the start of each month.

Tuition
Early Bird Discount
  The payment for the upcoming term or month by the 20th of the preceding month are eligible for a 20% early bird discount. 
2 Payment Methods
  There are two payment methods available.
  By Term: Covering a 2-month period.
  By Month: Covering a 1-month period.
Tuition Subscription Renewal Date
The subscription renews on the 20th of the preceding month. You can cancel the subscription at any time as needed.

Class Cancellation Policy 
-90% refund for cancellation greater than 7 days prior to the 1st day of class
-50% refund for cancellation 1-7 days prior to 1st day of class
-NO refunds for cancellation after the 1st day of class

Register at least 1 day prior to the 1st day of class. If a class is already in session, please wait until the next term starts to register.

2025 School Calendar

Winter

Winter Break : 20 Dec ‘24 – 6 Jan ‘25
January : 7 Jan – 30 Jan
February : 4 Feb – 27 Feb
March : 4 Mar – 27 Mar

Spring

Spring Break : 28 Mar – 7 Apr
April : 8 Apr – 1 May
May : 6 May – 29 May
June : 3 Jun – 26 Jun

Summer

Summer Break : 27 Jun – 7 Jul
July : 8 July – 31 July
August : 5 Aug – 28 Aug
September : 2 Sep – 25 Sep

Fall

Fall Break : 26 Sep – 6 Oct
October : 7 Oct – 30 Oct
November : 4 Nov – 27 Nov
December : 2 Dec – 25 Dec

Winter Break26 Dec ‘25 – 5 Jan ‘26

Self-Paced Regular Class Tuition
– Self-Paced Class is for Beginners Japanese 1 – 4, Pre-Intermediate Japanese 1 – 3 and JPLT Prep.
– This class meets twice a week.

  • By Term with Early Bird Discount ¥ 55,400

    The payment for the upcoming term by the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Term with Regular Price ¥ 66,500

    The payment for the upcoming term after the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Month with Early Bird Discount ¥ 27,700

    The payment for the upcoming month by the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Month with Regular Price ¥ 33,900

    The payment for the upcoming month after the 20th of the preceding month.

Japanese Conversation Class Tuition
– This class meet once a week.
Tuition Subscription Renewal Date
The subscription renews on the 20th of the preceding month. You can cancel the subscription at any time as needed.

  • By Term with Early Bird Discount ¥ 27,700

    The payment for the upcoming term by the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Term with Regular Price ¥ 33,900

    The payment for the upcoming term after the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Month with Early Bird Discount ¥ 15,400

    The payment for the upcoming month by the 20th of the preceding month.

  • By Month with Regular Price ¥ 18,500

    The payment for the upcoming month after the 20th of the preceding month.

Register today to save your spot!

Both the Regular Class and the Flexible Schedule Class offer unique benefits tailored to different needs. The Regular Class provides a structured environment that helps build consistent study habits, ensures faster progress, and improves practical language skills. On the other hand, the Flexible Schedule Class offers convenience and flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace, pay only for the lessons you take, and start immediately.

No matter which class you choose, you will receive high-quality instruction and support from our experienced teachers. Our goal is to provide you with the tools and resources you need to succeed in learning Japanese, whether you prefer a regular schedule or require the flexibility to fit learning into a busy life.

 

Join Us Today!

Don’t let a busy schedule or distance stop you from learning Japanese. Choose the class that best fits your needs and start your journey with us. Our flexible and regular classes are designed to accommodate your lifestyle and help you achieve your language learning goals. 

How to Start

Here are the easy steps to get you started with your Beginners Japanese 1 class.

1. Please take a moment to review our cancellation policy on the registration page.

2. Go ahead and sign up for the class.

3. Complete the online orientation. Don’t worry, we’ll send you the link automatically once you’ve registered.

4. Familiarize yourself with our student agreement and house rules.

5. Register and set up your profile on our school social media.

6. Install and set up the Japanese keyboard on your devices.

7. Introduce yourself on our school social media to connect with your classmates.

8. Once you’ve completed all the steps, drop us a message on Living Room.

We’re excited to have you join us and can’t wait to see you in class!

As we wrap up the Beginners Japanese 1 class, you’re now equipped with the essential tools to continue your journey in learning Japanese.

With a solid foundation in basic grammar, vocabulary, and phrases, you are well on your way to engaging in simple conversations and understanding the cultural nuances of Japan.

We encourage you to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Remember, every step forward is progress, and your efforts will open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Keep learning, stay curious, and enjoy the rich experience of exploring Japanese!

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition & Schedule

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Who We Are

Beyond Language Learning

A Close-Knit Multilingual Community
Join us and become part of a vibrant community where Japanese and English learners teach and learn from each other.

Authentic and Immersive Practice
Experience genuine language practice with native Japanese speakers in our Japanese class providing endless opportunities for real-world application.

Supportive and Community-Centered
Embrace a relaxed, community-oriented approach to learning. Together, we support, grow, and share joyful moments, making every step of the journey enjoyable.

Follow us on Instagram!

How to Practice Japanese on Living Room

Table of Contents

Username & Password

How to Check Your Username and Password

1. Click on the three lines or down arrow in the top menu bar.
2. Click on the arrow next to your name.

3. Click on “About”.

4. Scroll down and click on “Account”.

5. Note your registered ①User Name, ②Email so that you can log in on multiple devices (eg your phone, computer, tablet).
In order to add/change your information you must put in your ③current password.

Don’t forget to click on ④Save after adding changes.

Notifications

1. Click on “Notifications” next to Account.

2. Click on Disable e-mails to turn off all email notifications as needed.

You can see notifications on the menu bar (the bell icon) too.
Keep checking up on them and reply to them!

Profile Setup

What’s the first thing you notice when visiting another user’s profile for the first time?
Likely, it’s their name and photo.
You might hesitate to accept friend requests or respond to messages from someone with an unusual or obviously fake name, or from those without a profile picture.
The same principle applies to others.

To maintain a secure community, we encourage members to use their real names on their profiles.
If you’re uncomfortable sharing your full name, we ask that you at least display either your first or last name.

Please understand that to protect the integrity of our community, the Blue House Okinawa management team may reach out for verification if your account appears to be fraudulent.

We also recommend setting up your profile in both Japanese and English, if possible. This is because profiles only in Japanese might be challenging for Japanese speakers who are still learning the language.

Help us to know you better by writing about yourself in both languages. Share your passions, dreams, and more. Our community thrives on mutual support and sharing 🙂

1. Click on “About”.

2. Scroll down and click “Edit All”.

3. Fill out your first name, last name, gender, and birthday.

For ABOUT ME,
Write your self-introduction
in both Japanese and English.

You can write about:
your name,
where you’re from,

why you want to learn Japanese,
what would you like to do
when you speak Japanese fluently,

your dream,
your passion,
something that you love,
something that you’ve been doing for a long time,
etc…

Write the information you would like to know when you look at other members’ profile pages, or the information that makes you want to be their friends 🙂

Enjoy 🙂

4. Click Save All after editing.

5. Click on “Preferences” next to About.

6. You can choose how you’d like to display your name.

If you’d prefer not to display your birth year, then you have the option to hide it 😀

7. Make sure “Enable Chat” and “Open minimized chat” are turned on.

Profile Picture Setup

1. Click on the camera icon to Change avatar.

2. Click on “Upload new”.

3. Choose your profile picture.

4. Crop your image.

5. Click on “Confirm” after cropping.

6. Click on “Done”.

Cover Picture Setup

1. Click on “Change cover”.

2. Click on “Upload new”.

3. Choose your cover picture.

4. Click on Reposition and reposition your picture as needed.

5. Click on “Save” after repositioning.

Introduce Yourself to School!

You have your profile set up.
Now you’re ready to introduce yourself to our school.
Let’s go to Living Room and post your self-introduction!

Remember to write a post or comment in both Japanese(if possible) and English.

Sometimes, it’s hard for us to help members when they only write in one language and we can’t understand what they are trying to say.

Help us understand better by writing in both Japanese and English so that we can suggest a correction or better way to say it, if you’d like.

1. Click on “Living Room”.

On Browser:
Search “Blue House Okinawa” and open it.

OR click on the home icon.

2. Go ahead and introduce yourself and post in both Japanese and English.

Write about:
your name,
where you’re from,
why you’re learning Japanese,
what are your goals for learning Japanese,
what is your dream,
what kind of help you can offer.

3. Click on “Post”.

4. You can also add photos, audios, videos, backgrounds and polls if you’d like!

5. You can choose who sees your post under Privacy.
6. You can choose where to post under Post to.

7. You can also add an emoji to add your mood, too 🙂

8. You can tag your friend with “@”.
Type your friend’s name after @ and choose who to tag.
You need to be friends on Living Room to tag someone, so make sure you are friends with people you’d like to tag.

9. Your friend’s name turns blue once you tag them.

10. You can filter your news feed to see all the posts from community members or to just see your own posts.

Try different types of posts and have fun!

Edit Your Post

1. Click on the top right corner of the post.

2. Click on Edit Post and begin editing.
3. Click on Post and you’re all set!

Comment on a Post

1. Please comment in both Japanese and English here too.
Click on Write a comment.

2. Write a comment (in Japanese & English) and click on Post.
3. You can also comment with photos and/or GIFs.
4. Click on the 3 dots to edit your comment.
5. Click on Edit and begin editing.
6. Click on Save to finish editing.

Join Groups

Let’s practice Japanese even more!

There are different groups and topics where you can practice your Japanese easily without feeling like “I don’t know what to talk about…”

The groups are run by the management team based on a certain number of requests from members.

Let us know if you have an idea for a group.
We’ll start a new one when we have enough requests!

2. Here you can see all the existing groups.

Let’s take a look at one of the groups.
Click on the icon.

3. On the group page, you can see the information about the group and posts from other members in the group.
4. Read the top post about the group and see if you’d like to join.
Blue House Okinawa English: Japanese School App 399
5. To join the group, scroll up and click on “Join”.
6. Go back to the Groups page and see if there are other groups you’d like to join.

Once you joined the group, it’ll change from ① Join → to → ② Member, and Member means that you’re in the group.

Help Japanese Friends

Your support is invaluable here at Blue House Okinawa!
Your kindness greatly assists your Japanese friends.
If another member seeks assistance, please lend a hand when possible.
We cherish seeing members aid one another and grow together 🙂

1.Click on Living Room.

2. Browse other members’ posts and please help them learn or give them advice if you can.

It would be great if you can help them in both Japanese and English but help only in English is very helpful too!

Thank you for all your help and kindness! Additionally, if you have any suggestions, requests, or questions, please don’t hesitate to share them with us.
We’re constantly working to improve our community every day, and we’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂

Send a Message

You’d like to send a thank you message to your friends directly?

Here is how to send a message to your friends.

1. Click on Message.

2. Or click the envelope icon.

3. Click on View All.
4. Click on edit button to start a new message.

5. Select your friend and write your message.

6. Select your friend and write your message.
7. Click on Send to send the message.
8. Now, your conversation has started!
Come back and check your message box to see if you have a reply!

Send a Friend Request

Now, let’s browse the members’ profile pages and send friend requests.
1. Click on Members.

2. Let’s take a look at the members list to see if you can find someone you’d like to be friends with 🙂

3. Find one?
Click on the icon.

4. See his/her picture and their description under About.

5. Like him/her?
Send him/her message and introduce yourself a little before you send a friend request.

6. Write about:
your name,
where you’re from,
why you’re learning Japanese,
what are your goals for learning Japanese,
what kind of help you can offer,
like English conversation practice,
pronunciation practice,
etc…

And send it!

7. Now send him/her a friend request by clicking on the “Add Friend” button.

8. Go back to Members and keep looking for your new friends 🙂

After sending a friend request, it’ll change to “Cancel Request”, and it means that it’s waiting for the other member to accept your friend request.

When you guys become friends, it’ll change to “Friend”, and that means that you and the other member are now friends 😉

When you receive a friend request, 

1. You’ll receive notifications on the menu bar.

2. ① You can see the person’s profile,
you can ② refuse the friend request,
③ accept the friend request.

Go ahead and send a thank you message to your new friend after accepting their friend request and start a conversation!

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Who We Are

Beyond Language Learning

A Close-Knit Multilingual Community
Join us and become part of a vibrant community where Japanese and English learners teach and learn from each other.

Authentic and Immersive Practice
Experience genuine language practice with native Japanese speakers in our Japanese class providing endless opportunities for real-world application.

Supportive and Community-Centered
Embrace a relaxed, community-oriented approach to learning. Together, we support, grow, and share joyful moments, making every step of the journey enjoyable.

Language Exchange

Table of Contents

Who We Are

Blue House Okinawa Japanese School

Take our online placement test to find the class that best fits you.

Come and visit our school for a trial lesson!

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition & Schedule

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Follow us on Instagram!

Language Exchange

Mixing Learning with Real Connections

We’re incredibly lucky at Blue House Okinawa to host local Japanese students who are eager to learn English.
This sets the stage for our Language Exchange program, an integral part of what we offer. 

Picture this: engaging in genuine conversations with native Japanese speakers and experiencing the language as it’s truly spoken.

 

Learning Is a Two-Way Street

The Language Exchange is all about jumping in and getting involved.
It’s a student-driven, mutually beneficial setup where the real learning happens through exchange.
There’s no need to wait until your Japanese is flawless. 

Start speaking from day one, even if it means getting creative with gestures to get your point across. Your Japanese counterparts are there to help guide you towards better accuracy.

 

Engage, Ask, Share

This is your chance to dive deeper than ever before.
Ask questions, exchange cultural insights, and offer feedback.
Building your speaking confidence comes from these real, interactive experiences. 

The Language Exchange program is designed not just for you to practice Japanese, but to use it in practical, everyday situations.

 

Make Meaningful Connections

Through Language Exchange, you’ll meet and connect with our Japanese students.
These aren’t just language practice sessions; they’re opportunities to forge genuine friendships, understand the Japanese way of life, and gain insights that books alone can’t teach. 

It’s about bringing your textbook knowledge into the vibrant, real world of communication.

Blue House Okinawa Japanese:English School-Self-pacecd

Rules

Rule 1.  Use your indoor voice.

We understand that Language Exchanges are a lot of fun and you enjoy interacting with the native speakers, but keep in mind that we have some students who are hard of hearing or have a hard time speaking up.
Please keep the noise level as LOW as possible.

 

Rule 2.  Leave grammatical explanations to the instructors.

You can leave grammatical explanations to the instructors.
Try to avoid asking your Japanese friends questions about Japanese grammar (that’s what your instructors are for) and focus more on pronunciation /listening /speaking practice because your Japanese friends are not trained Japanese instructor.
Speaking Japanese fluently doesn’t mean they can teach how Japanese grammar works in English.

Also , trying to explain English grammar in English to the Japanese native speakers will only waste time and not benefit anyone because they won’t understand it.
When explaining something to the Japanese native speakers, please use VERY SIMPLE English!

 

Rule 3.  Show and Tell.

Bring your phone (or tablet) to class.
If you feel like saying something in English / Japanese is difficult, feel free to look up pictures or videos to try and help the others understand what you’re trying to say.

We recommend NOT use translating apps, as sometimes the translation comes out entirely wrong or doesn’t make sense.
Try using actual photos and SHOW them what you are trying to say.

Example: We had a student talk about the movie “Frozen” so they looked up the word “frozen” in Japanese.
The translator showed the word “kouru”, literally meaning “to freeze” and showed that to the native speaker.
They couldn’t understand AT ALL because the Japanese movie title is “Anna and the Snow Queen”.

So, a lot of times the literal translation to some words and expressions can be VERY different.

 

Rule 4.  When in doubt, ASK!

You can usually tell by your partner’s facial expression if they can understand you or not…but if you are not sure, ASK!
Sometimes they’ll nod and say they understand but they actually don’t. lol

So ask again and if they say they understand, ask them to explain.

Blue House Okinawa Japanese:English School-Anytime, Anywhere

How to do Langage Exchange

You will choose one of the following steps to practice during Language Exchange.

 

Step 1: Pronunciation Practice

Read aloud or have your partner read aloud the Japanese vocabulary /phrases on the worksheets and repeat after them. Practice matching your pronunciation to theirs. 

 

Step 2: Quiz

Have your partner call out random numbers on the Japanese script Worksheet.
Recite the corresponding Japanese word / phrase of the number your partner called out on the English script worksheet and see how many of them you can get right.

Please circle the numbers that your partner gets right on their worksheets.

 

Step 3: Q&A Making

Make your own questions and answers on the back of the worksheet with your partner.
Try to use vocabulary /phrases you’ve learned in the lesson (or in previous lessons).

 

Step 4: Q&A Check

Have your partner check your Japanese grammar on the questions you created on the back of the worksheet.

 

Step 5: Conversation using Make Your Own! Q&A

Look at your Make Your Own Questions Conversation Sheet and ask your partner your own questions. See if they can understand your Japanese and if you can understand your partner’s answers.

 

Step 6: Free Conversation

If your partners’ speaking level is on par with yours, you can have free conversation. 

Blue House Okinawa Japanese / English School - Language Exchange in 8

Feeling Nervous About Speaking Japanese?

It’s pretty common to see folks hesitating to jump into a Japanese conversation.
Maybe you’re not quite sure how to get a particular word or phrase out right.
We get it, and honestly, it’s a hurdle you can clear pretty quickly once you’re part of the Blue House Okinawa family.

 

Speaking Practice Tips

Here, you’ll get plenty of chances to flex your conversational muscles through our Language Exchanges with native speakers.
These sessions are goldmines because they teach you two crucial things:

  1. Making mistakes is totally fine – actually, it’s part of the learning process!
  2. You’ll learn how to fix those slip-ups on the fly.

 

Remember,
You might be surprised to discover you know way more than you give yourself credit for.
The key is to keep trying and putting what you’ve learned into practice.
The more you do it, the smoother it’ll get.

And hey, remember this: Japanese folks find English just as tricky as you find Japanese.
They totally get the effort you’re making and will appreciate your attempts to chat in their language.
So flash that smile and dive in – you’re going to do awesome!

Who We Are

Blue House Okinawa Japanese School

Take our online placement test to find the class that best fits you.

Come and visit our school for a trial lesson!

Japanese Classes

Curriculum

Tuition & Schedule

FAQs

Japanese Learning Tips

Follow us on Instagram!