Language, Arts & Humanities

The focus of the course is on conversation. In this regard, students will study formal, casual, and respectful spoken Japanese language, and gain the oral ability to explain and describe topics related to general and interests as an advanced speaker.…

An introduction to the basic structure of the Japanese language, including proper pronunciation, grammar, basic vocabulary, and simple everyday conversation. In addition to formal language instruction, classes include presentations of some of the cultural aspects of Japan and conversation practice…

Course participants will study Japanese expressions and structures that are useful in everyday conversation. In addition to formal language instruction, classes include presentations of some of the cultural aspects of Japan and conversation practice with native Japanese speakers. Elementary 2…

Course participants will study Japanese expressions and structures that are useful in everyday conversation. In addition to formal language instruction, classes include presentations of some of the cultural aspects of Japan and conversation practice with native Japanese speakers. Elementary 3…

Intermediate 1 will provide a smooth transition between the beginning to the intermediate Japanese language course levels. Intermediate 1 students will finish Japanese for Busy People, Romanized Version Volume I (3rd revised edition) and start with Japanese for Busy People,…

The Intermediate courses are for students who want to continue their study of the Japanese language, to expand their knowledge and skills with the focus on speaking skills. Students will learn more elaborate sentence structures and expressions and will be…

Intermediate 3 builds on what students learned in Intermediate 2 to expand their vocabulary and expressions so that they can form more complicated sentences. In addition to formal language instruction, classes include some Japanese culture study and conversation practice with…

This class focuses on increasing students’ conversation skills.  Students will study major grammatical components not covered in the previous levels, conversational phrases, and onomatopoeias.  In addition, we will have listening practice, reading practice and some culture studies. It also includes…

“The truth about stories is that that’s all we are." - Thomas King. This highly interactive course will consider the difference between short fiction (the short story) and short creative nonfiction, asking how culture, language, surroundings, and perceptions influence our…

This unit will introduce students to the concept of language endangerment: what is an endangered language, and how is endangerment measured? What causes languages to become endangered, or even to fall silent? What’s the definition of an “Indigenous language” or…

Welcome to the study of Japanese kanji! Although it’s true one cannot learn kanji overnight, you will discover in this course that the journey of learning them can be fun and meaningful. This course is suitable for learners who have…

This unit will highlight language diversity across the Pacific, and some of the issues affecting Indigenous languages across the region in the last three centuries. In this week, we will explore the close connections between language, knowledge of land and…

This unit will explore the complex, playful, and fascinating ways that language shapes our identities, our social roles, and our ways of seeing the world - and how language endangerment in Africa has affected, or been affected by, these factors.…

This unit will highlight the vast language diversity of Asia, and explore the many different pressures leading to language endangerment in Indigenous communities. We’ll learn about some of the policy issues affecting Indigenous language communities in Asia, including which languages…

This unit will spotlight the languages of Turtle Island (North America), and how language is interwoven with physical and mental health, societal well-being, and Indigenous resurgence. We’ll learn about the many innovative ways Indigenous communities in North America are reclaiming…

Why are half of the world’s 7,000 languages currently falling silent – or being silenced? And why is it so much more important than just losing words or grammar? These modules will explore how languages become endangered; how global language…

For many students learning Japanese, learning Hiragana and Katakana on their own is the first major challenge. It is often overwhelming and sometimes discouraging. This course is dedicated to the learning of Hiragana and Katakana. Students can focus on the…

May 21 - June 25, 2023  (6 sessions) Sundays 1:00pm-2:30pm Cost = $66 Experience Okinawan culture through dance in this introductory class. Participants will learn selected dances from the Okinawan classical & folk traditions. No experience necessary & no performance…

In the final unit, we’ll take a tour of the many ways global Indigenous language communities are working to revitalize, reclaim, promote, and advocate for their languages - and the successes (and challenges) emerging from the global language revitalization movement.