Courses & Programs
- The NC Japan Center seeks to foster a greater understanding of Japan in North Carolina through language and other programs. Our non-credit Japanese language courses are open to the public (high school age students and above); and all classes are currently being offered via a “hybrid” model – some class levels will meet face-to-face, and other class levels will meet online (Zoom Meetings). In the unlikely event that the NC State campus goes into lock-down again, ALL class levels will meet online. In this case, NO refunds will be issued for face-to-face class levels transitioning to an online format.
- All programs cost $250 for the general public, and $230 for NC State University-affiliated persons (current employees of NC State, those whose parents/guardians are current employees at NC State, and those whose children are current, enrolled students at NC State). All class payments must be made through the NC Japan Center eStore (there is a 3% convenience charge). As a policy, the NC Japan Center does not offer refunds, though extreme circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Class registrations/payments on the NC Japan Center eStore are restricted to registration periods. Registration for the Summer 2023 semester will start on Monday, April 3, 2023 and end on Friday, April 21, 2023.
- We strongly encourage those participating in face-to-face classes (students and instructors) to wear masks at the Spring Hill House. We also strongly recommend and encourage everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot(s).
For any questions regarding NC Japan Center Japanese language courses, please contact Program Coordinator Reiko Chosokabe, at rckerns@ncsu.edu .
*Please do not use a Yahoo email address for registration of ANYTHING connected to the NC Japan Center, including email communications. We often do not receive Yahoo email address registrations and communications correctly from individuals!*
Register HERE for Summer 2023 (open on April 3, 2023)!
- We use Genki, a highly acclaimed and best-selling textbook used at NC State University, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, and many other colleges. Often considered the gold standard of Japanese language instruction, Genki’s easy-to-follow grammar explanations help students develop Japanese skills at their own pace.
- We ask all students taking courses utilizing the Genki textbooks (I or II) to also purchase the accompanying Genki workbook (I or II). These are often sold bundled together with their textbook counterparts on online shopping portals such as Amazon and eBay, and are also found in bookstores like Kinokuniya and of course the NC State Bookstores (Wolfpack Outfitters).
- Students in youth courses will have a smooth transition to college Japanese courses. Those interested in manga and anime can develop basic skills to understand Japanese spoken by their favorite characters.
- We also offer courses to prepare students for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, or JLPT. JLPT certificates serve as acknowledgement of qualification and offer various advantages, such as preferential consideration for employment at Japanese companies, and other companies with connections to Japan.
- Adult 1-a: Thursdays – Face to Face : (May 4 – August 10, 6:30-8:30PM)
- Adult 1-b: Tuesdays– Online: (May 2 – August 15, 6:30-8:30 PM)
- * No class July 4
*For those new to the Japanese language. Introduces hiragana, katakana, and 15 kanji, basic grammar and vocabulary, question sentences, verb conjugation, present tense, greetings, time/age, shopping. Textbook and Workbook: Genki I, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. Lessons 1-3. ISBN: 978-4-7890-1730-5
- Adult 2-a: Mondays – Face to Face: (May 1- August 14, 6:30-8:30PM)
- * No class May 29
- Adult 2-b: Mondays – Online: (May 1 – August 14, 6:30-8:30PM)
- * No class May 29
*Introduces additional grammar and vocabulary, and 57 new kanji. The grammar includes past tense, adjectives, counting, “te”-form and joining sentences, counter units. Textbook and Workbook: Genki I, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. Lessons 4-7. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5
- Adult 3-a: Wednesdays– Face to Face: (May 3 – August 9 , 6:30-8:30PM)
- Adult 3-b: Thursdays – Online: (May 4 – August 10, 6:30-8:30 PM)
*Introduces additional grammar, vocabulary, 59 new kanji, past tense short forms, qualifying nouns with verbs and adjectives, comparisons between items, colors, and public transportation. Textbook and Workbook: Genki I, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. Lessons 8-11. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5
- Adult 4-a: Thursdays – Face to Face: (May 4 – August 10, 6:30-8:30 PM)
- Adult 4-b: Tuesdays – Online (May 2 – August 15, 6:30-8:30PM)
- * No class July 4
*Introduces additional grammar, vocabulary, and 64 new kanji. The grammar includes potential verbs, volitional form, using sentences to qualify nouns, superlative, and additional predicate patterns. Textbook and Workbook: Genki I & Genki ll, Third Edition published by The Japan Times. Lessons 12-15. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5 and 978-4-7890-1732-9 , respectively.
- Adult 5: Mondays – Online: (May 1 – August 14, 6:30-8:30PM)
*No class May 29
*Introduces additional grammar and vocabulary, 63 new kanji, transitivity pairs, honorific verbs, and giving respectful advice. Textbook and Workbook: Genki II, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. Lessons 16-19. ISBN 978-4-7890-1732-9
- Adult 6: Wednesdays – Online: (May 3 – August 9 , 6:30-8:30PM)
*Introduces additional grammar, vocabulary, 61 new kanji, passive sentences, causative sentences, and causative-passive sentences. Textbook and Workbook: Genki II, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. Lessons 20-23. ISBN 978-4-7890-1732-9
- Intermediate Japanese: Wednesdays – Online: (May 3 – August 9, 6:30-8:30PM)
*This course is designed for those who have completed Genki II and hope to achieve an intermediate command of Japanese. Three lessons from the textbook will be covered during this semester (L1-L3), which aim to:
L1: read and write about famous people, introduce oneself orally and have small talk
L2: read and write emails and letters, ask and thank orally
L3: read and write about places and make reservations on the phone, as well as asking questions about the menu at the restaurant and order.
*Textbook:４技能でひろがる中級日本語 カルテット 2 / Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills published by The Japan Times (Lessons 1-3): ISBN 978-4-7890-1695-7
*Workbook: Workbook for Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills published by The Japan Times. (Lessons 1-3) ISBN 978-4-7890-1696-4
- Advanced Japanese: Thursdays – Online: (May 4 – August 10, 6:30-8:30PM)
*This course is designed for those who have completed Genki II and Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese. There will be discussions on the reading materials as well as writing summaries and answering comprehension questions. This semester we will begin with Chapter 6 of the textbook.
*Textbook上級学習者向け日本語教材 日本文化を読む (公財)京都日本語教育センター著者：西原純子・井上真理・吉田道子 発行所：アルク ISBN 978-4-7574-1473-0
- JLPT N3: Wednesdays – Online: (May 3 – August 9 , 6:30-8:30PM)
*This course is for the students who aim to take JLPT N3 in December of 2023, and also for the students who have completed the textbooks “Genki I and II “ and would like to continue into an intermediate level study. We will be using the textbook “Quartet I” and will cover chapters 3 and 4. We will also use the textbook 新完全マスターN3.
*Textbook:４技能でひろがる中級日本語 カルテット1, Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1695-7
*Workbook: Workbook for Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1696-4
*Textbook : 新完全マスター文法N3- ISBN 978-4-88319-610-4
- JLPT N2: Mondays – Online: (May 1 – August 14, 6:30-8:30PM)
*No class May 29
*Designed to improve comprehensive Japanese language skills that can be utilized in everyday life situations and prepare students for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2. We will be using the textbook “Quartet II” and will cover chapters 9 and 10.
*Textbook: ４技能でひろがる中級日本語 カルテットII/Quartet II: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1745-9
*Workbook: Workbook for Quartet II : Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1746-6
* Textbook : 新完全マスター文法N2- ISBN 978-4-88319-565-7
- JLPT N1: Tuesdays – Online: (May 2 – August 15, 6:30-8:30 PM)
*No class July 4
*Designed to improve comprehensive Japanese language skills that can be utilized in everyday life situations and prepare students for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N1, which is the highest level of the JLPT. This course is appropriate for those who have passed the JLPT N2 or have equivalent proficiency.
*Textbooks: 新完全マスター文法 N1. ISBN 978-4-88319-564-0 ,* N1聞く聴解, ISBN 978-4-89689-484-4
Monbusho Scholarship Program:
Japan’s Ministry of Education also provides scholarships for undergraduate study of the Japanese language and culture, as well as graduate research in a variety of fields. North Carolina scholars can obtain additional information and application materials from the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta:
http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/
Japan-America Student Conference:
Each year, nearly 80 students from Japan and the United States unite in a student-managed 30-day forum, to discuss a wide variety of topics that are important to both nations. The conference alternates between being held in the U.S. and Japan, every year.
The JET Program:
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites college graduates to live and work in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (“ALTs”) in elementary, middle and secondary schools. The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (“JET Program”) requires no prior Japanese language experience, and contracts begin with a commitment of one year. Upon satisfactory completion of the initial, one-year contract, JET participants can provisionally extend their contracts up to a maximum of five years. Applicants who already speak Japanese with some fluency may also be assigned as Coordinators for International Relations (“CIRs”), assisting local governments.
National Science Foundation Summer Programs in Japan and Korea:
The U.S. National Science Foundation and Monbusho cooperate in a variety of research, study and teaching exchange opportunities. Support is available in all NSF areas, including natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences and economics.
The North Carolina Japan Center has applications and descriptive materials available, and maintains a cordial relationship with the NSF programs.