• 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 courses are currently being offered online via Zoom, while some courses are also offered in-person. 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 $280 for the general public, and $250 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 2026 semester will start soon..

For any questions regarding NC Japan Center Japanese language courses, please contact the Japan Center at ncjapan-center@ncsu.edu

*NOTE: Please do not use a Yahoo email address for any purposes, including registration and email communications, connected to the NC Japan Center. We often have failed to receive Yahoo email address registrations and communications correctly from individuals

(Link inactive outside of registration window)

• 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).
• Pre-college students 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.

(Link inactive outside of registration window)

Most classes meet once per week for 15 weeks between May 11 – August 20
*Exact dates vary by class. See class schedule details below.

• Adult 1 Classes
  The Adult 1 course is for those new to the Japanese language. It introduces hiragana, katakana, 15 kanji, basic grammar and vocabulary, question sentences, verb conjugation, present tense, greetings, time/age, and shopping phrases.
  
  *Textbook and Workbook: Genki I, Third Edition, published by The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4-7890-1730-5 Lessons 1-3.
  
  • Adult 1-a: Mondays – In Person: May 11 – Aug 17, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    **NOTE** This class will meet at the NC Japan Center.
    
  • Adult 1-b: Mondays – Online: May 11 – Aug 17, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    
  • Adult 1-c: Wednesdays – In Person: May 13 – Aug 19, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    **NOTE** This class will meet on NC State University’s Centennial Campus. Exact classroom information will be communicated by your instructor prior to your first class.

• Adult 2 Classes
  Adult 2 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. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5 Lessons 4-7.
  
  • Adult 2-a: Tuesdays – In Person: May 12 – Aug 18, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    **NOTE** This class will meet at the NC Japan Center.
    
  • Adult 2-b: Tuesdays – Online: May 12 – Aug 18, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    
  • Adult 2-c: Thursdays – In Person: May 14 – Aug 20, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    **NOTE** This class will meet on NC State University’s Centennial Campus. Exact classroom information will be communicated by your instructor prior to your first class.
    
• Adult 3 Classes
  Adult 3 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. ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5 Lessons 8-11.
  
  • Adult 3-a: Wednesdays – In Person: May 14 – Aug 20, 4:15p.m. – 6:15p.m.
    
  • Adult 3-b: Mondays – Online: May 11 – Aug 17, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    

• Adult 4 Classes
  Adult 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, Third Edition published by The Japan Times, ISBN 978-4-7890-1730-5
  *Textbook and Workbook: Genki ll, Third Edition published by The Japan Times, ISBN 978-4-7890-1732-9 Lessons 12-15
  
  • Adult 4-a: Thursdays – In Person: May 13 – Aug 19, 4:15p.m. – 6:15p.m.
  • Adult 4-b: Tuesdays – Online: May 12 – Aug 18, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    
• Adult 5 Classes
  Adult 5 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. ISBN 978-4-7890-1732-9 Lessons 16-19. ISBN 978-4-7890-1733-6
  
  • Adult 5: Tuesdays – Online: May 12 – Aug 18, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    
• Adult 6 Classes
  Adult 6 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. ISBN 978-4-7890-173 Lessons 20-23.
  
  • Adult 6: Wednesdays – Online: May 13 – Aug 19, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    
• Intermediate Classes
  • Intermediate Japanese 1: Tuesdays – Online: May 12 – Aug 18, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    This course is designed for those who have completed Genki II and hope to achieve the intermediate level 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 verbally, and have small talk
    >>L2: read and write emails and letters, ask and thank verbally
    >>L3: read and write about places and make reservations on the phone, as well as ask questions about restaurant menus and order.
    Speaking, listening, and conversation skills are also focused upon.
    
    *Textbook: Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills (４技能でひろがる中級日本語 カルテット 1) published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1695-7 Lessons 1-3
    *Workbook: Workbook for Quartet I: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills published by The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4-7890-1696-4
    
  • Intermediate Japanese 2: Wednesdays – Online:
    May 13 – Aug 19, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    This course is for the students who have completed “Quartet” lessons 1-3″ and would like to continue with an intermediate level study. This course covers “Quartet” lessons 4-6″
    
    *Textbook:４技能で広がる中級日本語カルテット１、Quartet I Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Languages 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. (Lessons 4-6) ISBN 978-4-7890-1696-4
    
• Japanese Language Proficiency Test Preparation Classes
  • JLPT N2: Wednesdays – Online: May 6 – Aug 26, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.
    ** MODIFIED SCHEDULE**
    First class on May 6, last class on Aug 26.
    No classes on May 13 and May 20.
    
    This course is 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.
    
    *Textbook : 新完全マスター文法N2- ISBN 978-4-88319-565-7
    *Workbook: 新にほんご５００問 N2 ISBN 978-4-87217-942-2
    *Workbook: N2 聞く聴解 ISBN 978-4-89689-475-2
    
  • JLPT N1: Mondays – Online: May 4 – Aug 24, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    ** MODIFIED SCHEDULE**
    First class on May 4, last class on Aug 24.
    No classes on May 11 and May 18.
    
    This course is 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.
    
    *Textbook : 新完全マスター文法N1- ISBN 978-4-88319-564-0
    *Workbook: 新にほんご５００問 N1 ISBN 978-4-87217-943-9
    *Workbook: N1 聞く聴解 ISBN978-4-89689-484-4

(Link inactive outside of registration window)

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.