Last year JASO members Tim & Denise Wilson from Denison Wines, and community members Stephen & Stephanie Lanning, each won a pair of plane tickets for a trip to Japan through our Golden Ticket Raffles courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
Click on REGISTER to purchase NOW and we'll write your name on one Raffle Ticket for each $40 purchase you make. This is not to win 1 round-trip ticket. This is to win A PAIR OF ROUND-TRIP TICKETS!
With our thanks to Delta Air Lines.
Only 250 raffle tickets total will be available, and we'll pull the winning Golden Ticket from a bowl at our Annual Gala at The Redd on Salmon at 831 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214, on Thursday June 5. You do not have to be present to win.
If you're thinking of a trip to Japan right now, here's the perfect opportunity to get TWO ROUND-TRIP TICKETS for just one $40 raffle ticket.
Plus, you're doing a good thing and supporting JASO in our work at the same time. The seats are main cabin, current value is $4,540.
You must be 18 or over, and an Oregon resident to be eligible to win.
You do not have to be a JASO member to participate.
Full details below:
Rules: Transportation is valid on Delta Air Lines and booking certificate expires one year from date of issue. Redemption details will be emailed to the winner. Tickets must be used together. This raffle is open only to Oregon residents who are 18 years old or older. If you are not in Oregon or are under the age of 18, you are not eligible to purchase a raffle ticket, to be entered into the drawing, and to claim the prize (Note Washington State residents are NOT eligible). If the ticket of an ineligible entrant is drawn, JASO will continue the drawing until the ticket of an eligible entrant is selected. Purchaser does not have to be present to win. Winner will be contacted at the Gala, or shortly afterwards.
Agreement:The winner will sign an affidavit of eligibility and publicity/liability release and a publicity/liability release from the travel companion of each travel prize winner, which documents will include adequate provisions that (1) grant Delta the right to use the name, likeness, voice, and biography of the winner (and travel companion) for promotional purposes, and (2) release Delta and its affiliated companies from and against any and all liability arising from the use of the prize awarded to the winner or otherwise in connection with the Contest.
By registering here and purchasing one or more tickets you agree to be bound by the above terms and conditions.
富山県（又は富山県出身）の大学生や短大生の皆さん、オレゴン州の大学生とオンライン上で英語と日本で交流してみませんか。このイベントはオレゴン州の大学に通い、日本語を学習している学生たちが日本語でスピーチをするコンテストです。今年で29回目となり、優勝者は富山県を訪問します。富山県の大学生のみなさん、そして、Oregon-Toyama Connectionのみなさんも大歓迎です。
アメリカ西海岸は4月19日、土曜日、午後４時からZoom開始
日本時間は4月20日、日曜日、午前８時からZoom開始となります。
富山カップサイト
是非ご参加ください。
We are welcoming observers from Toyama Prefecture and Oregon. Look forward to seeing you. Speech Contest is sponsored by the Toyama Prefectural Government in celebration of the Toyama-Oregon Sister State affiliation. 1996 marked the first Toyama Cup, commemorating the 5th year anniversary of the friendship between the peoples of Oregon and Toyama. Next Year will mark the 35th Anniversary of the Toyama-Oregon Sister State relationship.
The Toyama Cup is open to any student studying Japanese at a college or university in the State of Oregon and SW Washington. Contestants are judged on general Japanese language ability, speech content and presentation. Contestants compete in two divisions: Each contestant will give a 3-5 minute speech followed by a question in Japanese by one of our judges. There will be a networking time as well.
More information about Toyama Cup is here.
If you are an adult and work with Japanese colleagues or you’re planning a future trip to Japan for business, our group Japanese Language Classes for Business on Zoom will help.
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 use the immersion method – don’t expect to hear much English once class has started. We demand that you learn by preparing for class beforehand, then we practice and expand in the classroom setting. 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 April 21, Week 8 finishes Friday June 13, with the following week in case emergency make-up needed due to unavoidable teacher cancellation.
If your class is held on Mondays, please note NO class on Memorial Day, class added on Monday June 16.
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: Wednesday 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: Rieko Shimada Day & Time: Wednesday 5:30-6:45pm
Students should have completed Beginner 1. Textbook provided.
Beginner 3
Instructor: Kana Ito Day & Time: Monday 6-7:15pm
Students should have completed Beginner 2. Textbook provided.
Beginner 5
Instructor: Tetsuko Sugawara Day & Time: Tuesday 6-7:15pm
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 4. Textbook provided.
Beginner 7
Instructor: Shoko Parker Day & Time: Tuesday 6-7:15pm
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 6. 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 April 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 April 22 to June 10. 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. (4/8 update - only 4 spaces remain!)
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 April 13, 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.
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 April 23 to June 11, 8 weeks, 75-minute classes, 10 hours contact time.
Class TV2 is for improving beginners - for those who studied last term, or who have a reasonable understanding, recognition and recall hiragana and katakana. You have probably done some study in a group setting before, or perhaps significant self-study, but aren't able to express a range of basic structures without support. Note this class is not for ABSOLUTE beginners. To reiterate, you should be able to recognize hiragana and many katakana characters (albeit not perfectly) BEFORE class starts. If you're not sure, this class is not for you.
We will study Chapters 3 & 4 of Genki 1 textbook. Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:45pm.
Class TV3 is also 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.
We will study Chapters 5 & 6 of the Genki 1 - 3rd edition textbook and workbook. Wednesdays 7-8:15pm.
Course will run with minimum 4 students signing up. If course does not run, 100% of fees refunded. Cancellation after April 13, 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’re back again for 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 218 of Providence Park in downtown Portland to cheer Hina at the game on Sunday April 27th at 1pm versus Racing Louisville. 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 over 250 seats for the game. Get yours today because we always 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 218), but also, we have 12 or more community groups and placing groups together takes a higher priority.
Click here and click on “218” 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 $27.50 each. You must register here and pay by 5pm Friday April 18th. 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.
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 Thursday, May 1st 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. Refreshments included.
Our New Member Orientation is for:
Parking information available here.
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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
