Online Complete Beginner Japanese Thursday 6:00pm - 7:00pm PST (July 23rd to August 27th) The class size is 3-6 students per class. Instructor: Elsiemae

🇯🇵 Complete Beginner Japanese – Online Class

For learners in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose & the Bay Area

📅 Course Dates

This class will meet from July 23rd to August 27th

Format: Online, small group (3–6 students)
Schedule: Weekly live classes

👥 Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Japanese. If you have never studied Japanese before—or know only a few words or phrases—this class will guide you step by step from the very beginning. You’ll build a strong foundation in a supportive, friendly environment that makes Japanese feel approachable and enjoyable.

If you’re based in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, or elsewhere in the Bay Area, this is a wonderful opportunity to begin learning Japanese in a small group with personalized attention.

📖 What You’ll Learn

In this course, students will develop a foundation in spoken and written Japanese. You’ll learn to:

• Pronounce Japanese clearly and naturally

• Read and write your first essential Hiragana characters

• Understand the basics of Japanese sentence structure

• Use common greetings and everyday expressions

• Introduce yourself and share simple personal information

• Ask and answer basic questions

• Build confidence speaking Japanese in practical, everyday situations

• Gain an introduction to Japanese culture and communication style

🌍 Themes and Topics Include

• Greetings and polite expressions

• Introducing yourself and others

• Talking about nationality, language, and occupation

• Numbers, dates, and time

• Daily routines and simple activities

• Ordering food and drinks

• Shopping and asking simple questions

• Basic etiquette and cultural norms in Japan

💬 What to Expect

Each class includes:

• Live, interactive instruction with an experienced teacher

• Clear explanations of pronunciation, grammar, and sentence patterns

• Guided speaking practice in pairs and small groups

• Step-by-step introduction to reading and writing Hiragana

• Cultural insights to support real-world communication

• Light, manageable homework to reinforce learning between classes

✅ By the End of the Course, You’ll Be Able To:

• Read and write a first set of Hiragana characters

• Use basic Japanese greetings and everyday expressions with confidence

• Introduce yourself and ask simple questions

• Understand and produce basic sentence patterns

• Participate in short, simple conversations in Japanese

• Feel prepared to continue into a Japanese Low Beginner course

👩‍🏫 About the Instructor

Elsiemae is a bilingual Japanese and English instructor with a strong academic and teaching background. She holds a Master’s degree in Japanese literature and a Bachelor’s degree in English literature from Portland State University, where she also taught Japanese as a graduate teaching assistant. She has taught and tutored Japanese in both the U.S. and Japan, including experience with university students, U.S. military personnel, and community learners. Her teaching style is fun, supportive, and culturally immersive, helping students build practical communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

🏫 About the School

This course is offered by Polyglottist Language Academy, based in Berkeley and serving students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area—including Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and beyond—with both in-person and online language classes. Our small-group format allows students to receive personalized attention while building real confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.