310-324-6611
GVJCI
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  • Organizations
    • Boy Scout Troop 683
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  • Seniors
    • Bento Program
    • Smartphone/Tablet Class
    • Tomo No Kai Membership & Classes
    • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
    • Meditation & More Class
  • Events/Programs
    • Japanese Language School >
      • JLS Graduates
    • Upcoming Programs & Classes
    • Elemental Funk Concert
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2024
    • GVJCI Scholarship
    • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
      • Camper Registration
      • Counselor Registration
      • Activities
      • Testimonials
      • Camp Supporters
      • FAQ
      • Gaman Experience 2025
    • Past Events >
      • Car Show Pinewood Derby 2025
      • Matsuri 2025
      • Izakaya 2025
  • Organizations
    • Boy Scout Troop 683
    • Boy Scout Troop 719
    • Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
    • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
    • Gardena JCI Kendo
    • Gardena Judo Club
    • Gardena Kendo
    • Gardena Naginata
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Luna Sol Yoga
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Na Pua O Kapo
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Southern CA Kyudo Renmei
    • Yuujou Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Purchase a 2026 Calendar Ad
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • 2026 GVJCI Raffle Drawing & Year End Appeal
    • Become a Bento Buddy
    • Donate Your Car
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
  • Reserve our Facilities
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Resources & Newsletters
    • Testimonies/PR
    • Blog >
      • Blog Terms of Use
      • Want to write for us?

Japanese language school
​
日本語学校

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!
Visit SKGOjapanese.com

2025 to 2026 JLS School Year
for Children & Adults

   September 6, 2025-June 13, 2026 

**REGISTRATION CLOSED**
CHILDREN'S CLASSES
​子供のクラス
Children's In-Person Class Registration & Payment
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.
​

The Nyumon class (ages 5–7) has reached full capacity. If you would like your child to be placed on the waitlist, please complete the waitlist form using the button above.
​
(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
Adult On-line Class Registration & Payment
ONLINE ADULT BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES

The Adult Online Class has reached full capacity. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please complete the waitlist form using the button above.
​

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
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2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Click Here for Calendar
*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, y
ou 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

JLS Tuition Monthly Payment Options

2025 Summer School

Registration **Closed**
​
PLEASE NOTE: ENROLLMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
ONLINE 4-Week Summer Courses

ON-SITE 4-Week Summer Courses 

Children‘s Classes (Ages 5 to 13)  
Saturdays:   July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2   

​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, names of foods, and animals, through various craft activities, songs, storytelling, and games.   

High School Japanese Class Level 1 (Ages 13-18)
Saturdays:   July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2
​This class is for 8th graders/incoming Freshmen who are planning to take Japanese Language Class, Level 1, in the High School this fall as a Head Start. This course offers the following lessons:  Greeting, Self-introduction, Number/Name of the Months/Time, Hiragana, Desu-Verb sentence, Masu-Verb (action verb) sentence and simple Kanji.
Children’s Online Classes (Ages 10-17)
Fridays:  July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1
This class will emphasize conversational Japanese.  Each lesson will have a theme, and students will learn new words and grammar. They will start each class with new vocabulary and grammar points. The main focus is speaking, so students will spend most of the class practicing conversations using what they learned. Weekly topics and grammar will be introduced based on what the group needs. No experience is needed. Students will also join fun culture workshops.

Adult Online Classes (Ages 18 and up)  
Saturdays:   July 12, 19, 26,  August 2     
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.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (310) 324-6611 ext 109

GVJCI JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S 2025 MESSAGE

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GVJCI Japanese Language School is one of the essential programs within the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI), offering a comprehensive and engaging learning environment for learners of all ages who are interested in the Japanese language and culture.  Through immersive and interactive instruction that integrates both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, students acquire essential skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while developing cultural fluency through meaningful hands-on activities that bring the language to life.  

What makes our school unique is the inclusive and welcoming environment, where children of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and proficiency levels are invited to attend. We believe that diversity strengthens the learning experience while fostering cross-cultural understanding and respect.  Throughout the year, our Children’s in-person classes catered to children ages 5 through 17-year-olds offer a variety of cultural events and seasonal celebrations, including field trips, Undokai (Sports Day), Oshogatsu Celebration (New Year’s Celebration), seasonal celebrations, and Bunka Sai (Cultural Festival).  Meanwhile, our Online Adults Class for ages 18 and up provides intensive beginning and intermediate-level instruction that promote speaking and listening skills through role playing and active participation. By utilizing the Genki Textbook series, students also build confidence in reading and writing with assigned homework to practice in the workbooks. 
​

We are honored to have a team of experienced Sensei, Naoko Tran, Stephanie Ajifu, Mayumi Fuchino, Masumi Sasaki, Chiaki Suzuki, and Aki Izumi, a dedicated Parent Group Committee led by President Miki Gilmour, and generous high school and adult volunteers whose collective efforts foster a welcoming community and enable us to deliver both high-quality language instruction and cultural experiences.  We look forward to building new friendships and celebrating the Japanese heritage with our community.

With Sincere Kansha, 
​Judy Kawazoe
Principal, GVJCI Japanese Language School


ABOUT US
私たちについて

Originally established in 1912 as the Moneta Gakuen, the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute Japanese Language School has been providing classes to students who are learning Japanese as a foreign language.  Both adult and children's classes are taught.
​

Students have the opportunity to learn about various Japanese cultural activities throughout the year including the New Year's Celebration, Mochitsuki (traditional rice cake pounding), Undokai (sports day and picnic event), Girl's Day, Children's Day, GVJCI Matsuri, and much more!

1912年ムネタ学園として設立され、ガーデナ平原日本文化会館は日本語を外国語として学んでいる学生にクラスを提供しています。

1年を通して、新年のお祝い、餅つき、運動会、こどもの日、GVJCI祭りや様々な日本の文化を体験する機会があります。
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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。
COME VISIT US!


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Would you like to get in contact with us? Donate, volunteer, or just have an idea for  an event/program?  Leave us a message, and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!
連絡を取り合いませんか? 寄付、ボランティア、またはイベントやプログラムの提案? 
​メッセージを残して下さい。できるだけ迅速にご連絡します。
CONTACT US
[email protected]    
(310) 324-6611     
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
​1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247 
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​A space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. 日系の経験と文化に関わり、共有し、受け入れる空間
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