Japanese Fundamentals 4
Course Description
This course is the final part of the Fundamentals series, designed for beginning to lower-intermediate learners. Serving as a Soshuhen 総集編 — a summary, consolidation, and practical application of what students have learned in Fundamentals 1, 2, and 3 — the course uses lessons from Starter, Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan (Japan Foundation) to revisit key elements of the Japanese language. Topics include talking about hobbies, making plans and invitations, sharing event details (when and where), and sharing past experiences. Students will strengthen their foundation through structured review and build confidence using Japanese in both speaking and writing. While completion of Fundamentals 3 is recommended, it is not required. However, prior knowledge of hiragana and katakana is necessary to join.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Independently create simple noun, adjective, and verb sentences in both present/future and past tense using basic particles.
- Practice and use essential particles: か、は、が、を、も、と、で、に、の.
- Ask and answer questions about their hobbies and favorite activities.
- Share information about events, including when and where, and ask/answer whether someone is attending.
- Express availability and handle invitations (both inviting and responding).
- Talk about what they usually do on their days off.
Tuition
Member: $180
Non-member: $230
Membership Bundle*: $210 (Save $15!)
*JASDFW regular individual/family membership + Tuition
Registration
Offered in Fall (Sept-November)
- Thursday, April 9th – June 4th
- Registration will open in February, 2026
- 8 sessions
- Instructor: Ikuko Fujiwara
- Wednesdays, February 4th – March 25th
- 12:00pm – 1:10pm CST
- 8 sessions - Make-up Date: April 1st
- Instructor: Mariko Nijo
- Wednesdays, February 4th – March 25th
- 7:00pm – 8:10pm CST
- 8 sessions - Make-up Date: April 1st
- Instructor: Mariko Nijo
- Mondays, February 23rd – April 13th
- 7:00pm – 8:10pm CST
- 8 sessions - Make-up Date: April 20th
- Instructor: Izumi Sakurada
* The make-up day is only applicable if a class is canceled during the session. If no cancellations occur, the course will conclude on the scheduled date.
While completing Fundamentals 1–3 is highly recommended before joining Fundamentals 4, it is not required. However, students should have basic foundational skills, with some assistance as needed. Specifically, students should:
- Be able to read and write the 46 basic hiragana characters (ideally katakana as well).
- Be able to create simple sentences using です (noun and adjective sentences).
- Be able to create basic verb ます sentences to describe daily activities, future plans, and past events.
- Be familiar with the following particles: か、は、が、を、も、と.
- Have learned basic adjective structures (い-adjectives vs. な-adjectives, and basic conjugation).
- Understand and use demonstrative pronouns:
これ・それ・あれ and この・その・あの. - Be able to count from 1 to 100 in Japanese.
- Understand the basic difference between plain form and polite form.
- Be able to ask and answer common beginner-level questions, such as:
- これはなんですか。
- どこにすんでいますか。
- しゅっしんはどこですか。
- おしごとはなんですか。
- そのしごとはどんなおしごとですか。
- かぞくはなんにんですか。
- なにがすきですか。
- このひとはだれですか。
- まいあさなにをしますか。
- あしたなにをしますか。
- きのうなにをしましたか。
Our Language Program Policy outlines guidelines regarding refunds, cancellations, minor student participation, and related program policies. All participants must review the policy prior to registration.
Language Workshops
Instructors
Ikuko Fujiwara
Her academic and professional background spans Japanese language education, TESOL, and Composition, beginning with a Master’s degree in TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As the Japanese Language Programs Manager at the Japan-America Society, she leads the program’s curriculum development, mentors instructors, and serves as a primary instructor herself. Originally from Japan, she brings both cultural and linguistic expertise to her teaching. In addition to Japanese, she has taught ESOL and college composition at various institutions in the United States. She is committed to creating inclusive learning spaces that foster cross-cultural understanding and empower students through language.
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