Kana Fundamentals
Improving Pronunciation and Reading Skills
Course Description & Objectives
This workshop (designed for learners aged 16 and older) will help you not only master Hiragana, but also read and pronounce Japanese with confidence. We’ll start with the basics of the Kana system—its history, how Hiragana and Katakana work, why they’re essential for both writing and speaking, and how to build strong pronunciation habits from the start.
Using Tadoku (the extensive reading method) as a key output practice, the instructor will guide you in developing reading fluency and self-study strategies you can keep using beyond the workshop. By the end of the course, you will be able to read beginner-level Japanese readers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your pronunciation, this class will help you build a strong, lasting foundation for your Japanese journey.
*Japanese Kana system: a writing system that uses two syllabaries, hiragana, and katakana, to represent the sounds of the Japanese language.
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom. Attendees must have a device with audio and video capabilities, as well as an internet connection. The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth reserves the right to cancel the workshop if it does not meet the minimum attendance number. Please contact us at ikuko@jasdfw.org if you have questions about this workshop and language classes.
Japanese Language Program
Tuition
Member: $100
Non-member: $120
Registration
- Mondays, January 12 – February 9
- 7:00 PM – 8:10 PM CST
- 4 sessions - No class on January 19
- Instructor: Izumi Sakurada
- Wednesdays, February 4th – March 25th
- 12:00pm – 1:10pm CST
- 8 sessions - Make-up Date: April 1st
- Instructor: Mariko Nijo
By the end of the workshop, students will be able to:
- Summarize the history of the Japanese writing system
- Recognize the difference between Kanij, Hiragana, and Katakana
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic functions of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana
- Explore the full Kana system, including Hiragana, Katakana, and their variations.
- Read and write the 46 basic Hiragana
- Pronounce Hiragana characters accurately, with attention to pitch accent and vowel sounds
- Build familiarity with the Kana system through targeted reading practice.
- Read beginner-level Japanese readers with growing confidence
Japanese Language Program Policy
Updated May 13th 2025
General Class/Program Policy
1. All classes will be conducted via Zoom. Attendees must have a device with audio and video capabilities, as well as an internet connection.
2. All Japanese Fundamentals classes and workshops will be recorded, and students will have access to the recording for a limited period.
3. Sharing of any Zoom Meeting information or recorded videos with third parties is not allowed. Students must use their registered names as the usernames when joining each session. Attendance will be taken for each lesson.
4. Classes are designed for students 16 years and older. Please contact the language program manager before registering if the student interested is younger than 16 years.
5. Each class will have a minimum of 5 students & a maximum of 15 students. JASDFW reserves the right to cancel the class if it does not meet the minimum attendance number.
6. For a class that uses a textbook, students will be provided with textbook information to order online on their own. They are expected to have it ready before the first day of class. 7. Occasionally we are required to replace an instructor or change the schedule. While we try to avoid these changes, we reserve the right to make them as needed.
8. Students should check their spam or junk email folders to avoid missing any confirmations or emails from the instructor.
9. Student contact information collected from the registration process may be given to the instructor of the class for teaching and/or emergency purposes.
10. Please keep receipt of tuition payment when registering online.
Lesson Cancellations
11. Lessons will be rescheduled when JASDFW cancels a lesson due to teacher emergencies or other unforeseen and nature related circumstances. A tornado warning in the Dallas area, power outages and loss of internet connections have led to lesson cancellations in the past.
12. If a lesson is canceled, the schedule typically shifts by a week pushing the last day of class later. However, the teacher and students may come to an agreement to meet on another day of the same week or twice in another week.
13. If no students are present in a particular lesson for no apparent reason, the session will not be canceled or rescheduled. The instructor will record the lesson and the recording link will be sent to the students the following day.
Course Cancellation/Refunds
14. If we cancel a course due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances, students already registered will be notified via email and receive a full refund.
15. Course cancellations due to low enrollments will be determined no later than 3 days before the starting date.
16. Cancellation Refunds:
• Cancellations made at least 7 days before a class starting date will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations from 7 days to 1 day (24 hours) before a class starts will receive a 75 % refund.
• Refunds will not be granted for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start of a class. After that, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Please email the language program manager to request tuition refunds.
• Notwithstanding the above policy, JASDFW reserves the right to grant refunds contrary to this policy on a case-by-case basis.
Certification
17. Students may request a certificate of completion by emailing to the language program manager at the end of each term. To qualify for a certificate of completion, students need to attend 6 or more live sessions and complete at least 6 assignments during the session.
18. Completing our classes is different from passing the Japan Language Proficiency Test or any other test of Japanese skills.
Class Recording and Copyright Policy
19.
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