If you are an adult and work with Japanese colleagues or you’re planning a future business trip to Japan, our Japanese Language Classes for Business on Zoom helps prepare you.
We cover business situations in all classes, and also conversation after work and getting to know each other.
Our Philosophy: Class is intense! We’re busy working professionals and come to class to study. We demand that you learn by preparing for class beforehand, then we practice and expand in class. Then review again at home. Expect up to 2 hours preparation each week!
Class study at JASO is a benefit of membership, so you or your company must be a current JASO member to participate. All membership details at www.jaso.org.
Group Class Information
Small group classes run 8 weeks total, 75-minute classes (10 hrs contact time)
Maximum 10 students. Minimum 4 needed for class to run.
Classes held online through Zoom or Google Meet (Teacher’s choice).
Week 1 starts from Monday September 22, Week 8 finishes November 14, with the following week in case emergency make-up needed due to unavoidable teacher cancellation.
NEW FOR FALL 2025 - Only available to ALL group class students regardless of level - that's you if you sign up here - an additional, optional, NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, our LANGUAGE IS CULTURE CORNER. On Zoom, sensei Natsuko Llewellyn takes us through 4 Cultural Components of Japanese Language, on Mondays at 6:30-7pm as follows:
September 29 - Meeting People for the First Time October 13 - Concepts of the In-Group and the Out-Group October 27 - Hierarchy and Speech Style when Addressing People November 10 - Variations of Thank You and Sorry
If you'd like to opt in, just select the option button as you sign up for your language course.
Technology
It is the student’s responsibility to use an up-to-date operating system, camera, headphones and microphone to ensure you can engage effectively and responsibly in the classroom. Quality connectivity is also the student’s responsibility, not the instructor’s. The instructor will try to make a reasonable effort in case of a student’s connectivity trouble. However, the instructor will not pause, halt or interrupt class in a way that overly impacts other students.
Process
Sign-up online. Select your class. Pay the fee.
We make every effort to ensure you are placed correctly and we will check on new students. We do reserve the right to move you after first class. We also want you to talk to us if you think you need to move.
We communicate using Dropbox. Once assigned to a class, you’ll receive notification that you are added to this class Dropbox folder. Inside this folder is course textbook, welcome letter, meeting codes to enter class, and class preparation.
Find a quiet space for class, so as not to disrupt others.
You are always expected to prepare for class in advance. Instructors place class preparation notes in Dropbox several days prior to class. You will receive notification from Dropbox when materials are placed there – you’ll need to set up your Notifications, so keep checking anyway.
Our Levels Structure
Beginner level classes are for students who are new to Japanese, or have only a little self- or class-based study. Plan to start at Beginner 1 even if Beginner 2 or 3 seems more suitable. If you do NOT have a reasonable understanding of the ーて verb form, do NOT sign up for Beginner 6 or beyond.
Choose your level by signing up. If you’re new, we’ll contact you to check your level before class starts.
Our Classes
Beginner 1
Instructor: Kayo Niimi Day & Time: Thursday 5:45-7pm
Description: Students will be introduced to concepts around working at a Japanese company including introductions, basic situational cultural expressions and language, pronunciation, and the building blocks of starting to speak.
Students are expected to have very little knowledge of the language. Textbook provided.
Beginner 2
Instructor: Charlotte Benedict Day & Time: Tuesday 6:45-8pm
Students should have completed Beginner 1. Textbook provided.
Beginner 6
Instructor: Yoko Matsui Day & Time: Thursday 5:30-6:45pm
If you have a solid understanding of hiragana and katakana, and a basic but imperfect grasp of numbers, time, directions, greetings, adjectives, plus present and past tenses, this is a good place to enter the course. The -て verb form is introduced during this course. Ideally, students should have completed Beginner 5. Textbook provided.
Beginner 8
Instructor: Shoko Parker Day & Time: Wednesday 5:30-6:45pm
If you have a solid understanding of hiragana and katakana, and excellent recall of numbers, time, directions, greetings, and adjectives, plus present and past tenses, and some understanding of the -て verb form, this is a good place to enter the course. Ideally, students should have completed Beginner 7. Textbook provided.
Our teachers are highly qualified and experienced language teaching professionals. You can read about them HERE.
Refund Policy Course will run with minimum 4 students signing up. If course does not run, 100% of fees refunded. Cancellation after September 15, no refund if your cancellation causes numbers to drop below 4 in total. 50% refund otherwise. Refund processed after classes start. We will communicate with you as sign-up windows close regarding number of sign-ups.
We understand business people sometimes have work commitments that cause them to miss class. Many students end up missing 1 or 2 classes because of work commitments. We price these classes affordably to take this into consideration. We do not give refunds because “work became busy”.
Join us as we open up our textbooks and practice Japanese together in conversation based around traveling and vacationing in Japan. We have 2 in-person classes this term. Term runs for 8 weeks with 75-minute classes, from Tuesday September 23 to November 11. Ito-sensei is a well-qualified, experienced Japanese language instructor.
Class TV1 is for absolute beginners (or those with a little self-study only). You have not had the opportunity to speak out loud or practice any study with others or a teacher. You don't recognize the hiragana or katakana alphabets. This class takes place Tuesdays in-person at our office in downtown Portland from 5:30-6:45pm.
We will study Chapters 1 & 2 of the Genki 1 - 3rd edition textbook and workbook.
Class TV2 is for improving beginners. You must have completed our TV1 Course, or if not, be prepared to show that you recognize and can say words written in both hiragana and katakana with some speed and confidence, before class starts. You have some ability to speak simple sentences out loud, with confidence. This class takes place Tuesdays in-person at our office in downtown Portland from 7-8:15pm.
We will study Chapters 3 & 4 of the Genki 1 - 3rd edition textbook and workbook.
Note: additional costs - JASO Membership (from $33/yr) https://jaso.org/individual-membership, Genki 1 3rd edition textbook and workbook (around $65). You must purchase membership AND textbook AND workbook in advance of first class.
Refund Policy
Course will run with minimum 4 students signing up. 10 maximum. If course does not run, 100% of fees refunded. Cancellation after September 15, no refund if your cancellation causes numbers to drop below 4 in total. 50% refund otherwise. Refund processed after classes start. We will communicate with you as sign-up windows close regarding number of sign-ups.
Call 503-552-8813 if you are NOT 18+ and plan to register for class. We understand business people sometimes have work commitments that cause them to miss class. Many students end up missing 1 or 2 classes because of work commitments. We price these classes affordably to take this into consideration. We do not give refunds because “work became busy”.
Join us and let's study and practice Japanese together in conversation, led by Hiromi Lathrop. Hiromi is a qualified Japanese language instructor with over 11 years teaching experience. These classes are in-person, in downtown Salem on Wednesdays from September 24 to November 12, 8 weeks, 75-minute classes, 10 hours contact time.
Class TV1 is for absolute beginners - You may have done a little Duolingo or looked online, or even bought a book. But you've never studied in a formal, consistent manner before. You aren't able to express basic structures.
We will study Chapters 1 & 2 of Genki 1 textbook. Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:45pm.
Class TV3 is for improving beginners especially those who have studied TV1 and TV2 with us. If you are new with us, you should have an understanding of present and past tenses, time, frequency, counting, subject and object markers, and a very solid recognition and reproduction of hiragana and katakana. If you do NOT have all these skills, opt for TV1.
We will study Chapters 5 & 6 of the Genki 1 - 3rd edition textbook and workbook. Wednesdays 7-8:15pm.
NEW FOR FALL 2025 - Only available to ALL group class students regardless of level - that's you if you sign up here - an additional, optional, NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, our LANGUAGE IS CULTURE CORNER. On Zoom, Sensei Natsuko Llewellyn takes us through 4 Cultural Components of Japanese Language, on Mondays at 6:30-7pm as follows:
Course will run with minimum 4 students signing up. If course does not run, 100% of fees refunded. Cancellation after September 15, no refund if your cancellation causes numbers to drop below 4 in total. 50% refund otherwise. Refund processed after classes start. We will communicate with you as sign-up windows close regarding number of sign-ups.
Call 503-552-8813 if you are NOT 18+ and want to register. We understand business people sometimes have work commitments that cause them to miss class. Many students end up missing 1 or 2 classes because of work commitments. We price these classes affordably to take this into consideration. We do not give refunds because “work became busy”.
We’re back again for Fall 2025 and determined to cheer even louder than before for Hina Sugita, Japan's star midfielder at the Portland Thorns.
Join us as community gathers together in Section 216 of Providence Park in downtown Portland to cheer Hina at the game on Saturday October 4th at 7pm versus Bay FC. This event belongs to us all equally - so let's cheer loudly for Hina together!
We’ll have flags to wave and taiko drums to beat – adults and children all very welcome to create a party atmosphere. Enjoy making a sign with your kids and bring that also – if you wish. Bring the whole family and enjoy watching the Thorns and Hina in action! We are holding 200 seats for the game. Get yours today because we usually sell out.
As you register, select one community group that you wish to sit with, or simply "I don't mind." In general, we try to place people according to when they sign up (earlier = lower in section 216), but also, we have 12 or more community groups and placing groups together takes a higher priority.
Click here and click on “216” for your game seat view. For full details on how to make a banner and the venue Guest Guide, click here. Please review carefully – Providence Park has several important rules regarding bags, no paper tickets, no smoking, no cash payments, water bottles for children, tickets for children aged 3 or more, and so on. A reminder, the Thorns only do paperless tickets, so you'll need to download the SeatGeek app onto your phone and create an account.
Tickets are just $32 each. You must register here and pay by 5pm Tuesday September 23rd. Each ticket purchased includes a $5 donation to Oya no Kai, the fantastic parent group that fundraises to help pay for activities in the Japanese Language Immersion Program in the Portland Public School system.
Your e-tickets will be sent to you during the week prior to the game. No cancellations or refunds.
*we wish we could, but we can't guarantee Hina starts the game.
Join us for a fascinating dive into the new reality of uncertain economic, political and business worlds; and how this plays out between the US and Japan. Dr. Hiroyuki Ito, Professor of Economics at Portland State University, takes us on a journey into new territories as he ponders critical questions for our relationship.
We live in an age of profound uncertainty. For nearly 80 years after World War II, the United States played a central role in building and sustaining the global system and its institutions. Now, the US has shifted toward reshaping the world order. This change has heightened uncertainty in both geopolitics and economics for even its closest allies, including Japan. President Trump has raised tariffs on imports worldwide, affecting Japanese products such as semiconductors, automobiles, oranges, and beef. In response, the Japanese government has been compelled to significantly increase foreign direct investment.
At the core of this policy lies two key beliefs: first, that trade deficits weaken national wealth; and second, that a strong manufacturing sector is essential to a country’s strength. From this perspective, countries like Japan, with persistent current account surpluses and a competitive manufacturing base, must bear increased tariffs to reduce imbalances and ensure a fairer distribution of national wealth. Many of these US claims echo trade tensions between the U.S. and Japan in the 1980s.
What has been the impact of the President's policies on Japan? Might his approach also hinder Japan’s recovery from its more than two decades of economic stagnation? What role does (un)predictability play? Does changing leadership on the Japanese side cause any complications?
Join for this can't miss Business Speaker Series event with our infamous sushi and beverages networking session afterwards. An engaging and thought-provoking evening and great networking opportunity.
Full Program 5:30pm Check-In opens, Networking 6pm Program starts, Welcome 6:10pm Speaker presentation begins 6:40pm Open Q&A Session begins 7pm Presentation closes, Networking opens, Food and beverages available 8:45pm Event closes
Welcome to JASO! We are so glad to have you in our community.
Have you joined recently and looking to learn more about JASO's activities? Or thinking of becoming a member? Please join us on Wednesday, November 12th for a crash course on everything JASO and chat with our dedicated board members, volunteer committee members, and staff about how you can be more involved. Learn about how to get the most out of your membership with us. Registration is free of charge. Refreshments included.
Our New Member Orientation is for:
Parking information available here.
BUSINESS SPEAKERS | CULTURAL EVENTS | CROSS-CULTURAL WORKSHOPS | VISITING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP | OREGON-TOYAMA | YOUNG PROFESSIONALS | GOLF | LANGUAGE CLASSES | HELPING HIGH SCHOOLS | AND COLLEGES | CONNECTING COMMUNITY | DELEGATIONS | VOLUNTEERING
Japan-America Society of Oregon503.552.8811 | info@jaso.org | 900 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite #1810, Portland, Oregon 97204 © 2024 Japan-America Society of Oregon
