310-324-6611
GVJCI
  • 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
    • Showa Alley 2026
    • GVJCI Scholarships
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2026
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Past Events >
      • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
        • Camper Registration
        • Counselor Registration
        • Activities
        • Testimonials
        • Camp Supporters
        • FAQ
        • Gaman Experience 2025
      • Car Show 2026
      • Izakaya 2026
      • Matsuri 2026
      • Elemental Funk Concert
  • Organizations
    • Aikido
    • 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
    • Ikebana Class
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Luna Sol Yoga
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Na Pua O Kapo
    • Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko LA
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay API Rainbow Connections
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Southern CA Kyudo Renmei
    • Yuujou Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Become a Bento Buddy
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • 2027 GVJCI Raffle Drawing & Year End Appeal
    • Donate Your Car
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
    • Purchase a 2027 Calendar Ad
  • 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?
  • 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
    • Showa Alley 2026
    • GVJCI Scholarships
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2026
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Past Events >
      • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
        • Camper Registration
        • Counselor Registration
        • Activities
        • Testimonials
        • Camp Supporters
        • FAQ
        • Gaman Experience 2025
      • Car Show 2026
      • Izakaya 2026
      • Matsuri 2026
      • Elemental Funk Concert
  • Organizations
    • Aikido
    • 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
    • Ikebana Class
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Luna Sol Yoga
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Na Pua O Kapo
    • Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko LA
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay API Rainbow Connections
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Southern CA Kyudo Renmei
    • Yuujou Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Become a Bento Buddy
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • 2027 GVJCI Raffle Drawing & Year End Appeal
    • Donate Your Car
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
    • Purchase a 2027 Calendar Ad
  • 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

2026 to 2027 JLS School Year
for Children & Adults

   September 12, 2026-June 19, 2027 

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:  
NOTE: AS of August 10, 2026 the Nyumon class is FULL. Please call the GVJCI office to be added to the wait list. 310-324-6611.

​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.


Graduation Prep: This class reviews and reinforces all materials and instruction covered throughout students' previous years of study. Continued development and refinement of the conversational skills they have acquired will be emphasized and encouraged, with instruction conducted primarily in Japanese.
​
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.) 

We will accept new beginner students ages 5 to 10 years old.
Students who are 11 years or older (middle or high school aged) will be enrolled in the Intermediate Class. Prior Japanese language knowledge is required. Please either provide proof of prior Japanese language experience or a placement test can be given.


Mandatory Activity Fee $100 per student (one time payment at registration for in person class)
​Children & Adults Tuition
Tuition discounts are available for multiple students in one household (see below)
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
​
NOTE: AS of August 31, 2026 the online Adult Beginner class is FULL. Please call the GVJCI office to be added to the wait list. 310-324-6611.

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
Picture
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 
Click Here for Calendar
*Please note: Student placements will be determined by an initial assessment and teacher's evaluation in the first month of school, which might lead to moving students to another class level. 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 

MONTHLY/MULTIPLE MONTH JLS TUITION 

JLS Tuition Monthly Payment Options
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (310) 324-6611 ext 109

GVJCI JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S 2026 MESSAGE

Picture
The 2025–2026 school year at GVJCI Japanese Language School successfully came to an end on June 13 with our closing ceremony, where all of the students celebrated their hard work together with their teachers and families. All of the teachers and I are truly grateful for the support we received from parents, families, Parent Group, GVJCI staff members, volunteers, substitute teachers, and everyone else who helped make this school year such a success.

During our New Year celebration in January, our wonderful Parent Group Committee organized a Mochitsuki event, and many parents, family members, and GVJCI staff members came to support us. The students learned how to make mochi and greatly enjoyed pounding it. GVJCI Program Manager Ms. Stephanie Mayeda also organized fun activities and crafts for Setsubun in February, Girls’ Day in March, and Children’s Day in May.

In April, we had the wonderful opportunity to watch Kendo and Naginata demonstrations, and the students even had a chance to learn some basic movements and techniques. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Lawrence Hada and Mr. Juan Hernandez for providing this special opportunity.

April was also a very eventful month, as we were fortunate to hold a fundraising event with Shin Sen Gumi. Thanks to everyone’s support, the fundraiser was a huge success, and we were able to raise funds for future school activities.

Our Parent Group Committee supported every cultural and school event throughout the year, and I would especially like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Miki Gilmour, Ms. Seiko Kussman, Ms. Lianna Kushi, Ms. Amy Kushigemachi, Ms. Megan D. Baca, and Ms. Milli Moto.

It is with sadness that we announce this year will be Stephanie-sensei’s final year with us. She joined us at the end of the previous school year, taught a very enjoyable summer class last year, and taught the Primary A class during this academic year. She is a wonderful teacher with positive energy who always puts her students first. She is also thoughtful, supportive, and a great team player. We will truly miss her.

We also have happy news to share: we welcomed Ms. Yuko Myint as the Nyumon Class teacher as I stepped into the principal role. Yuko-sensei is a kind, friendly, and highly experienced teacher. The Nyumon students already love her and enjoy her class very much. She is passionate about teaching, always puts her students first, and prepares engaging lessons each week. She also cares deeply about parents and families and communicates closely with them.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the year. We could not have had such a successful year without your kindness, encouragement, and continued support.
​

Naoko Tran
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。
Picture

​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!


ABOUT US
BLOG
BOARD & STAFF
CAREERS
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
RESOURCES
TESTIMONIES
​


UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL
​
RESERVE OUR FACILITIES
​VOLUNTEER

​
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 
Picture
​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
Proudly powered by Weebly