Language Workshop: Japanese for Travelers

Course Description & Objectives

This interactive workshop is designed for travelers to Japan who want practical travel tips and essential Japanese expressions. The workshop consists of four sessions, each covering a range of useful travel-related topics, while giving you the chance to practice key phrases in Japanese. You can register for individual sessions or sign up for all four at a discounted rate. No prior knowledge of hiragana, katakana, or kanji is required. See below for detailed descriptions of each session.

Japanese Language Program

Tuition

Per session

Member: $35

Non-member: $40

All four Sessions

Member: $120

Non-member: $140

Registration Per Session

Part 1: Preparing for Your Trip – Language and Essentials Before Departure

In this session, you’ll get a head start on preparing for your trip to Japan. We’ll cover practical information such as Japan’s climate, culture, and currency, along with essential travel items and helpful online tools. The goal is to help you feel confident and organized before you leave.
Language lessons include: Self-introductions, basic greetings, counting, and multifunctional expressions to use in various situations.

Part 2: You’ve Arrived! – Navigating Airports, Transportation, and First Impressions

This session will guide you through your first few hours after arriving in Japan, from stepping off the plane to getting to your destination. We’ll cover what to expect at Japanese airports, essential transportation tips, and general etiquette to help you feel comfortable as you begin your journey.
Language lessons include: Forming basic “X is Y” sentences, using demonstrative pronouns, purchasing tickets, and other helpful travel expressions.

Part 3: Dining and Getting Around – Essential Travel Etiquette (Part 1)

Now that you’re exploring Japan, it’s important to understand the cultural etiquette around dining and getting around. This session will focus on polite dining behavior, ordering food, and asking for directions. You’ll also receive tips for finding great local dining spots, driving in Japan and carrying large luggages.
Language lessons include: Essential dining phrases, ordering food, politely declining offers, and a review of multifunctional expressions.

Part 4: Staying in Ryokans/Onsens and Visiting Homes – Essential Travel Etiquette (Part 2)

This session will dive deeper into Japanese culture by exploring etiquette related to staying in Ryokans (traditional inns), visiting Onsens (hot springs), and entering Japanese homes. Understanding these customs will help you navigate social situations with confidence and show respect for local traditions.
Language lessons include: Responding to “thank you,” understanding tipping in Japan, and useful expressions for visiting Japanese homes.

* 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。

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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