LANGUAGE CLASSES

Ages 5-18 Saturday Classes

Let’s create a foundation for learning Japanese
and understanding Japanese culture.

Kinmon Gakuen, located in San Francisco’s Japantown, is a prestigious school founded in 1911. We offer classes from beginner to advanced levels, tailored to your child’s age and Japanese proficiency. Please consider joining us.

At Kinmon Gakuen, we provide an opportunity to nurture your children’s Japanese language skills and deepen their understanding of Japanese culture through education. We invite you to our Open House, starting on August 19th, by appointment only. During the event, our staff will explain our educational approach to parents in detail.

Families considering enrollment are encouraged to participate. The Open House will be guided by the school principal. If you are interested in becoming a teacher or a volunteer, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

For inquiries regarding enrollment and the Open House, please email us at kinmonSF@hotmail.com. To apply for enrollment, click the link below for the registration form, fill it out, and send it via email.

Application Click here for the registration form

We accept payment by check only. Please write the student’s name in the Memo section of the check and mail it to the address below:

Kinmon Gakuen

2031 Bush St, San Francisco CA 94115

Saturday Program Calendar
Fall AUG 19 2023 – JAN 6 2024

Spring JAN 13 2024 – MAY 18 2024

Jan 14, 21, 28

Feb 4, 11, 18, 25

Mar 4, 11, 18, 25

Apr 1, 15, 22, 29

Aug 19, 26

Sep 9, 16, 23, 30

Oct 7, 14, 21, 28

Nov 4, 11, 18

Dec 2, 9, 16

Jan 6, 13, 20, 27

Feb 3, 10, 17, 24

Mar 2, 9, 16, 23

Apr 6, 13, 20, 27

May. 4, 11, 18

May 6, 13, 20

Click here for the registration form

Beginning 1

In Beginning I, no previous knowledge about Japanese is required. Students learn some basic verbs and simple phrases including how to read and write Hiragana [i.e., the cursive form of the Japanese syllabary]. The school provides an environment where students are encouraged to be creative by using visual arts, such as music and art, to support their Japanese language studies.

Textbooks: Yasahī Nihongo (Introductory Japanese), Hiragana

Beginning 2

In Beginning II, students learn all the basics, including how to read and write Hiragana [i.e., the cursive form of the Japanese syllabary]and Katakana [i.e., the square form of the Japanese syllabary]. They are also introduced to Japanese manners and etiquette. The school continues to use creative arts and music to support their Japanese language studies. The students master all Hiragana and Katakana at the completion of this level.

Textbook: Ohisama

Intermediate

The Intermediate class is designed for students who can proficiently read and write Hiragana [i.e., the cursive form of the Japanese syllabary]and Katakana [i.e., the square form of the Japanese syllabary]and have already mastered basic expressions. students learn more complex expressions to develop their writing and conversation skills.

Textbook: Kodomo no Nihongo(1)

Pre-Advanced

In Pre-Advanced, class sessions are held mostly in Japanese. Students expand their comprehension capacity and increase their vocabulary to improve their conversation skills. They also learn Kanji [i.e., Chinese characters used in the writing of Japanese], while mastering everyday conversation and being introduced to formal conversation.

Textbooks: Kodomo no Nihongo(2)

Advanced

In Advanced, students further improve their comprehension skills and increase their vocabulary and Kanji knowledge. They are expected to express opinions in Japanese and have highly structured discussions with their classmates.

Textbook: Genki

*In addition to registration and tuition fees, each student must purchase a textbook (cost depends on the class level and book being used).

*Enrollment in the middle of a semester is possible. Please schedule an appointment with us, so that we can determine what course might be best for your child.