WIN TWO ROUND-TRIP, MAIN CABIN TICKETS FROM PORTLAND TO JAPAN!
ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD. SORRY YOU HAVE MISSED THIS OPPORTUNITY. GET INVOLVED WITH JASO NOW, JOIN AS A MEMBER, AND BE AMONG THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT A SIMILAR OPPORTUNITY LATER THIS YEAR! JOIN HERE.
REGISTER HERE TO WIN and we'll write your name on one Raffle Ticket for each $30 donation you make.
Only 200 tickets total will be sold, and we'll pull the winning Golden Ticket from a bowl at our Annual Gala on May 23rd. 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 $30 raffle ticket.
Plus, you're doing a good thing and supporting JASO in our work at the same time. The current value of these tickets is $4,320.
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. Open to ALL.
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. 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. Winning ticket will be drawn at JASO Annual Gala on May 23rd, 2024. 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 the following day.
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.
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 on Zoom will help.
We cover business situations even at the beginner levels, but also conversation after work and getting to know each other.
At more advanced levels we study articles or videos on current affairs and hot topics in Japan.
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! More advanced levels may include a presentation element.
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 22, Week 8 finishes Monday June 10, with following week in case emergency make-up needed due to unavoidable teacher cancellation.
Note: If you have a Monday class, note that class is NOT held on Memorial Day.
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 (beginner levels only), welcome letter, meeting codes to enter class, and class preparation. For some higher-level courses, you are required to purchase a textbook separately.
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.
Improver classes are for those that have studied the basics, and sometimes more advanced Japanese, for a reasonable period of time (often some time ago!). Students have (or quickly re-gain) a comfort with a range of tense use and verb conjugations, but need step-by-step progression to learn, or re-learn these using textbooks.
Lower Intermediate classes are bridging the gap to full intermediate student. It is still textbook-based.
Intermediate classes are for those who understand and are comfortable using a range of conjugations, and are working on longer, more complex explanations and discussion. Often at approximate JLPT N3 level.
Pre-Advanced classes are for those who are at or close to JLPT N2 and have often worked/lived in Japan for a significant period of time. More complex, discussion-based classes.
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 FULL - Closed
Instructor: Kayo Niimi Day & Time: Monday 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: Kana Ito Day & Time: Tuesday 5:30-6:45pm
Students should have completed Beginner 1. Textbook provided.
Beginner 3
Instructor: Kana Ito Day & Time: Wednesday 5:30-6:45pm
Students should have completed Beginner 2. Textbook provided.
Beginner 4
Instructor: Shoko Parker Day & Time: Tuesday 7:15-8:30pm
Students should have completed Beginner 3. Textbook provided.
Improver 1
Instructor: Natsuko Llewellyn Day & Time: Thursday 7:30-8:45pm
Description: Students who attend already recognize and use basic verb forms - past, present continuous, present perfect, –te form, and modals ( can, should, must, don’t have to, and so on). This class will use the textbook Basic Japanese for Expats Book 2, plus supplementary review, expansion, and reading materials provided by the teacher. ALL materials will be provided. However, students are highly encouraged to purchase the course text in advance.
Lower Intermediate 2
Instructor: Tetsuko Sugawara Day & Time: Thursday 7:30-8:45pm
This class will use the textbook Marugoto Intermediate Book 1 (B1). Students must purchase the course text in advance. Students can purchase the online version through Kindle or Google Play, or the hard copy at Amazon HERE. Additional audio and other materials available HERE.
Intermediate
Instructor: Shoko Parker Day & Time: Tuesday 5:45-7pm
Description: Students are expected to be strive to verbally express ideas in a variety of tenses, link more than one idea in a sentence, and know a minimum of 500+ kanji. Students are on or around JLPT N3, or Japanese 300 college level. All materials provided by teacher.
Pre-Advanced
Instructor: Ikuyo Suzuki Day & Time: Monday 6:30-7:45pm
Description: This class studies a 45-60-minute video each week on a contemporary business or cultural topic. Students are expected to be able to verbally express ideas in a variety of tenses, strive for more complex sentence structures, and know a minimum of 1,000+ kanji. Students are typically on or working towards JLPT N2 level. All materials provided by the teacher. Previous recent class example HERE.
Our Teachers 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”.
We have closed registration as class has filled before the deadline. We hope you can join us next time in September for fall term.
Join us as we open up our textbooks and practice Japanese together in conversation, led by Hiromi Lathrop. Hiromi is a qualified Japanese language instructor with over 10 years teaching experience, mainly in Los Angeles. Prior to that, Hiromi worked in Japan at several businesses.
Hiromi is looking forward to working together with students at different levels, helping you understand and express yourself in Japanese!
Class 1 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.
We will start from Chapter 1 of the Genki 1 - 3rd edition textbook and workbook. Wednesdays 5:45-7pm.
Class 2 is for improving beginners - you have probably done some study in a group setting before, or perhaps significant self-study, but aren't comfortable freely expressing a range of basic structures in an unsupported environment. Note this class is not for ABSOLUTE beginners. You should be able to recognize hiragana and many katakana characters (albeit not perfectly) BEFORE class starts.
We will cover parts of Chapters 5, 6 & 7 of Genki 1 textbook. Wednesdays 7:15-8:30pm.
Note: additional costs - JASO Membership (from $33/yr) https://jaso.org/individual-membership, Genki 1 3rd edition textbook and workbook (around $65)
Shodo is one of the oldest traditional art forms in Japan, initially used as a means of communication. Today, the art of calligraphy includes individual expression with meditative qualities, used to evoke wisdom as seen in Zen practices.
At this workshop using all natural materials, Sora aims for students to look inward within themselves for inspiration.
Join us in experiencing the depth and beauty of shodo through community connection.
This event is open to all women of any heritage, and any skill level - complete beginners are especially encouraged. All materials are provided. Attendees must be current JASO members, and may bring a maximum of one guest. There are only 20 seats available, and they will fill quickly. Your seat is not secured until payment completes. We’d be thrilled for you to join the group to network nearby after the workshop, if you are available.
No refunds, unless we fill your place from the waitlist.
JASO is community. This year we're thinking holistically; we want to give you a chance to learn more about the wider Japan community here in our home. We've invited some of the other incredible Japan-related organizations to showcase their work at our Gala. We also have a new strategic plan being implemented, expressed through the six threads of focus in the Gala logo, plus a range of new communications initiatives.
Our networking-focused Gala format enables you to connect widely - you can walk and greet, stop and chat, or sit a while longer and talk. Enjoy a delicious selection of Japanese fusion foods and full hosted bar. Start new relationships and build current ones by joining colleagues, seeing friends, bringing clients, and creating new connections. Plus every attendee receives a voucher with great discounts to shop at the employee store from our friends at Columbia Sportswear.
Your chance to win: Details announced shortly! Courtesy of Delta Air Lines, during the evening we have raffle tickets to sell, with the Golden Ticket winning 2 main cabin round-trip tickets to Japan from PDX! We only have 200 tickets, and the value of the flights is $4,320.
Our Gala is also our General Meeting, so you can meet our new and returning Board members in-person.
The Gala is our main fundraiser for the year. Your sponsorship or ticket purchase brings vital outcomes that impact our home region of Oregon and Southwest Washington, building the current and future relationship with Japan in all six areas of our work. Sign up for our Gala today to do good, have fun, learn about our wider community, and support JASO.
We’re very excited for the 20024 Portland Thorns season! Several of the Thorns top players – including Japanese international midfielder Hina Sugita – have signed new contracts with the club.
Join us as community gathers together in Section 218 of Providence Park in downtown Portland to cheer Hina at the game on Saturday June 8th versus the North Carolina Courage. The Courage were a strong team last season – the game should be close and exciting. Kick-off is at 7pm!
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! Tickets always sell quickly.
As you register, select the community group (Shokookai, Oya no Kai, JASO, JACL, etc) that you wish to sit together with. In addition, you can choose to make a separate donation that goes into JASO’s Notohanto Recovery Fund if you wish.
Click here and type in “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. Because of this, you will also need to download the SeatGeek app onto your phone.
Tickets are just $27 each. You must register here and pay by 5pm Monday June 3. Your e-tickets will be sent to you later that week. No cancellations or refunds.
*we wish we could, but we can't guarantee Hina starts the game. BUT - good news! - the Courage also have two Japanese players on their roster, so we should get Japan action at all times!
Registration is NOW OPEN.
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
