Let's Learn Together
共に学びましょう
CHECK OUT OUR SCHOOL YEAR ACTIVITIES!
1年の学校行事をご覧になってください！
SKGOJapanese - A Resource to Support Japanese Language Learning!
Check out a new comprehensive learning tool developed by our JLS volunteers Shingo Morita and Keigo Morita. Their new website skgojapanese.com hosts a variety of tools and games aimed to help a wide range of Japanese language learners. To visit their website, click the button below!
2026 to 2027 JLS School Year
for Children & Adults
September 12, 2026-June 19, 2027
**REGISTRATION is Open**
for Children & Adults
September 12, 2026-June 19, 2027
**REGISTRATION is Open**
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CHILDREN'S CLASSES
子供のクラス Class textbook can be purchased on the first day of class
(On-site) Nyumon: This first year class introduces the students to everyday greetings, vocabulary, and writing in Hiragana. (On-site) Primary: This is the next progression following the Nyumon class. The objective will include more vocabulary, reading, writing and grammar skills, basic conversational skills, as well as Katakana and Kanji. (On-site) Intermediate 1 & 2: Grammar, reading and writing of Kanji is the focus of this class. Students will practice speaking about obligations, hobbies, and experiences. Students will also learn to exchange opinions, predictions, and explain about situations that they may encounter on an everyday basis. (On-site) Advanced 1 & 2: In addition to learning more grammar and Kanji, students will continue to improve their reading as well as their conversational skills that can assist them when traveling and in other practical areas. CLASS SCHEDULE: Saturday - Children’s In-Person Class: Nyumon - 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM Primary - 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM Intermediate 1 & 2 - 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM Advanced 1 & 2 - 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM Age: 5-17 (Must be 5 years old by September 1st.) Mandatory Activity Fee $100 per student (one time payment at registration for in person class) Children & Adults Tuition
Due the first of each month 1 Month 1 Student $100/month 2+ Students $190/month 5 Months 1 Student $460 2+ Students $874 10 Months 1 Student $900 2+ Students $1710 |
ADULT ONLINE CLASSES
アダルトオンラインクラス ONLINE ADULT BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES
Students in the Beginner class will learn to make simple sentences such as “X is Y” and “there is X”, while focusing on the basic use of verbs, adjectives, and particles. Textbook and workbook used in the Beginner class is Genki 1, 3rd Edition. Intermediate students will aim to describe events and to express ideas and opinions using the grammar introduced in the Genki 2, 3rd Edition textbook. Both classes will also learn hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji. Students can purchase either textbooks and workbooks online or at a local Japanese bookstore. CLASS SCHEDULE: Saturday - Adult Online Class: Beginner Class: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Intermediate Class: 12:05 PM to 1:05 PM 
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR to Come
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*Please note that students may not stay enrolled in the classes that they had signed up for. Student placements will be determined by the initial assessment and teacher's evaluation in the first month of school. Thank you for your understanding.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (310) 324-6611 ext 109
PAYMENT METHODS
(Venmo NOT Accepted)
1. PayPal (Complete the online form and you will be automatically taken to PayPal at checkout. Do NOT refresh your page)
2. Check (Please make out to GVJCI and memo "JLS." and mail or drop off to our GVJCI Office, 1964 W 162nd St, Gardena, CA 90247)
Note: By clicking on the yellow 'Pay Now' buttons below, you will be taken to our PayPal page, however, a PayPal account is not needed to make a payment. You can pay with your debit/credit card.
(Venmo NOT Accepted)
1. PayPal (Complete the online form and you will be automatically taken to PayPal at checkout. Do NOT refresh your page)
2. Check (Please make out to GVJCI and memo "JLS." and mail or drop off to our GVJCI Office, 1964 W 162nd St, Gardena, CA 90247)
Note: By clicking on the yellow 'Pay Now' buttons below, you will be taken to our PayPal page, however, a PayPal account is not needed to make a payment. You can pay with your debit/credit card.
ENTER CUSTOM JLS TUITION PAYMENT BELOW for 2025/2026 Fall School Year Only |
MONTHLY/MULTIPLE MONTH JLS TUITION PAYMENTS BELOW for 2025/2026 Fall School Year Only |
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For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (310) 324-6611 ext 109
2026 JLS Summer Session for Adults & Children: ***Registration is Closed**
2026 JLS Summer Session On-Site
for Children Ages 5-8 (New Students Only)
July 11- August 1, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
for Children Ages 5-8 (New Students Only)
July 11- August 1, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
Students will be introduced to Japanese culture, as well as events and activities that take place during the summer. They will learn basic words and expressions—such as greetings, colors, and the names of foods and animals—through various craft activities, songs, storytelling, and games. Students will also learn simple sentences to express themselves and describe everyday actions, such as things they eat and drink.
2026 JLS Summer Session Online
Adult Beginner* and Intermediate Speaking Practice Class
July 11- August 1, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
Adult Beginner* and Intermediate Speaking Practice Class
July 11- August 1, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
Beginner Class: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM *Note Adult Beginner Class is Full, additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist
Intermediate Class: 12:05 PM to 1:05 PM
(Class times may be subject to change)
This course is designed for beginner and intermediate Japanese learners. This session focuses on speaking, providing students with the opportunity to actively practice Japanese conversation. Participants will receive guidance on proper verbiage and sentence structure to enhance their communication skills. Speaking correctly is essential for effectively conveying your thoughts and ideas in a meaningful way. It also plays a key role in having enjoyable and successful conversations.
1 Student $100; 2+ Students $190
PAYMENT:
We accept PayPal or credit card. NO VENMO.
In order to secure your spot, please complete the forms AND pay for the tuition fee.
Intermediate Class: 12:05 PM to 1:05 PM
(Class times may be subject to change)
This course is designed for beginner and intermediate Japanese learners. This session focuses on speaking, providing students with the opportunity to actively practice Japanese conversation. Participants will receive guidance on proper verbiage and sentence structure to enhance their communication skills. Speaking correctly is essential for effectively conveying your thoughts and ideas in a meaningful way. It also plays a key role in having enjoyable and successful conversations.
1 Student $100; 2+ Students $190
PAYMENT:
We accept PayPal or credit card. NO VENMO.
In order to secure your spot, please complete the forms AND pay for the tuition fee.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (310) 324-6611 ext 109
GVJCI JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S 2026 MESSAGE
My name is Naoko Tran, and I have taught the Nyumon Class for seven years. I am honored to begin my new position as Principal this April, 2026, and I am excited about the many learning experiences and adventures ahead with everyone.
We are fortunate to have wonderful teachers, staff members, Parent Group (PG), parents, and families who continuously support our school. I would like to introduce our dedicated teachers: Ms. Masumi Sasaki, Ms. Mayumi Fuchino, Ms. Chiaki Suzuki, and Ms. Stephanie Ajifu as our in-person Children’s Class teachers, and Ms. Aki Izumi as our online Adult Class teacher.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our former principal, Ms. Judy Kawazoe. Ms. Kawazoe introduced innovative teaching approaches to our school and made many positive contributions. We planned last year’s Summer School together, and I would like to briefly share highlights of our classes and activities.
Last summer, we offered two in-person Children’s Classes and one High School Japanese Class. Ms. Ajifu and I taught the in-person Children’s Classes, and Ms. Suzuki taught the High School Japanese Class.
In my summer class, students were introduced to basic daily vocabulary and greetings, along with fun seasonal activities such as making teru teru bozu, creating origami crafts, singing and dancing to Japanese children’s songs, celebrating Tanabata, coloring Japanese obake (ghosts), and playing suikawari using a balloon watermelon and bat.
In Ms. Ajifu’s class, students learned foundational elements of the language, including hiragana characters, basic greetings, and simple self-introductions. In addition to language instruction, the class emphasized cultural immersion and experiential learning through engaging activities such as singing seasonal songs and making origami, helping students deepen their understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.
Ms. Suzuki prepared well-organized lessons for students interested in taking Japanese when they enroll in high school. Students learned essential vocabulary and sentence structures to give them a strong start in their future Japanese studies.
On the final day of Summer School, all the students gathered in one room to learn how to make onigiri. They had the opportunity to prepare and taste their own creations. After this fun and delicious activity, students experienced traditional Japanese Summer Festival games. They learned how to “purchase” festival items using Japanese faux coins and enjoyed participating in various games. We concluded the session by dancing Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese summer dance.
Many members of the PG group, as well as parent and student volunteers, helped us host these wonderful events. We hope that Summer School created joyful memories and deepened students’ interest in the Japanese language and culture.
We are planning another exciting Summer School this year, and registration is now open. We hope many students will join us to experience and enjoy learning this new language and culture!
Naoko Tran
Principal, GVJCI Japanese Language School
We are fortunate to have wonderful teachers, staff members, Parent Group (PG), parents, and families who continuously support our school. I would like to introduce our dedicated teachers: Ms. Masumi Sasaki, Ms. Mayumi Fuchino, Ms. Chiaki Suzuki, and Ms. Stephanie Ajifu as our in-person Children’s Class teachers, and Ms. Aki Izumi as our online Adult Class teacher.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our former principal, Ms. Judy Kawazoe. Ms. Kawazoe introduced innovative teaching approaches to our school and made many positive contributions. We planned last year’s Summer School together, and I would like to briefly share highlights of our classes and activities.
Last summer, we offered two in-person Children’s Classes and one High School Japanese Class. Ms. Ajifu and I taught the in-person Children’s Classes, and Ms. Suzuki taught the High School Japanese Class.
In my summer class, students were introduced to basic daily vocabulary and greetings, along with fun seasonal activities such as making teru teru bozu, creating origami crafts, singing and dancing to Japanese children’s songs, celebrating Tanabata, coloring Japanese obake (ghosts), and playing suikawari using a balloon watermelon and bat.
In Ms. Ajifu’s class, students learned foundational elements of the language, including hiragana characters, basic greetings, and simple self-introductions. In addition to language instruction, the class emphasized cultural immersion and experiential learning through engaging activities such as singing seasonal songs and making origami, helping students deepen their understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.
Ms. Suzuki prepared well-organized lessons for students interested in taking Japanese when they enroll in high school. Students learned essential vocabulary and sentence structures to give them a strong start in their future Japanese studies.
On the final day of Summer School, all the students gathered in one room to learn how to make onigiri. They had the opportunity to prepare and taste their own creations. After this fun and delicious activity, students experienced traditional Japanese Summer Festival games. They learned how to “purchase” festival items using Japanese faux coins and enjoyed participating in various games. We concluded the session by dancing Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese summer dance.
Many members of the PG group, as well as parent and student volunteers, helped us host these wonderful events. We hope that Summer School created joyful memories and deepened students’ interest in the Japanese language and culture.
We are planning another exciting Summer School this year, and registration is now open. We hope many students will join us to experience and enjoy learning this new language and culture!
Naoko Tran
Principal, GVJCI Japanese Language School
ABOUT US
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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY/非差別的ポリシーの告知
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational and admissions policies or programs.
ガーデナ平原日本文化会館は人種、肌の色、国籍または民族を問わず、学校で生徒が一般に認められている、又は利用できるすべての権利、特権、プログラム、及び活動を認めています。教育および入学のポリシーまたはプログラムの管理において、人種、肌の色、国籍または民族に基づいて差別しません。
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational and admissions policies or programs.
ガーデナ平原日本文化会館は人種、肌の色、国籍または民族を問わず、学校で生徒が一般に認められている、又は利用できるすべての権利、特権、プログラム、及び活動を認めています。教育および入学のポリシーまたはプログラムの管理において、人種、肌の色、国籍または民族に基づいて差別しません。
