Japanese for Nikkei - Beginner Waitlist

- JAPANESE FOR NIKKEI -

Reconnect with Your Roots Through Language

Join the waitlist for our beginner-friendly Japanese course series made especially for Nikkei learners.

Be the first to know when enrollment opens, and start your journey toward rediscovering your language and heritage!

Which course are you most interested in?

Level 1Level 2Level 3Not Sure Yet/All Courses

プライバシーポリシーを確認し、同意します。| I agree to the GDPR Terms & Conditions

"It's low stress and high reward, but most of all it's fun!"

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Level 1, 2022

"[Japanese for Nikkei] transformed my relationship with the Japanese language!"

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Level 2, 2023

Japanese for Nikkei: Heritage Language for Beginners is an online course series designed for adults of Japanese ancestry who want to (re)connect with the Japanese language and culture.

No experience needed - just curiosity, heritage, and heart.

What you'll learn

Level 1 – Start your journey with confidence

Learn how to introduce yourself, share personal details, and talk about daily life using formal Japanese.
Practice essential situations like shopping, ordering food, and asking for directions.
Build your foundation in hiragana, katakana, and simple verb conjugation while deepening pride in your heritage.

Level 2 – Take your next steps

Expand your communication skills to express likes, dislikes, and reasons for your choices.
Gain confidence using both past and present tenses in formal and informal speech styles.
Begin reading basic kanji and continue developing your connection to Japanese culture and language.

Level 3 – Express yourself naturally

Learn to talk about your hopes, make suggestions, and share more nuanced thoughts in Japanese.
Strengthen your sentence-building skills using more complex grammar and natural phrasing.
Communicate smoothly in both casual and polite contexts while reading more kanji with ease.

"For us Nikkei, it can be incredibly difficult and discouraging to take a Japanese class, but Japanese for Nikkei is the perfect environment for us to feel welcome and accept ourselves as we are!"

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Level 3, 2022

Ready to (re)connect with your roots through language?

Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for our beginner-level Japanese language courses made by and for the Nikkei community.

Which course are you most interested in?

Level 1Level 2Level 3Not Sure Yet/All Courses

プライバシーポリシーを確認し、同意します。| I agree to the GDPR Terms & Conditions

Whether this is your first step or your return to the language, you are welcome in this space.

We can't wait to learn with you!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are these classes for?

These classes are for Nikkei adults who don't speak Japanese and want to reconnect with their roots through language.

We use "Nikkei (日系)" as an inclusive term for people of Japanese ancestry — including those from multiracial, multicultural, and diasporic backgrounds.

Do I need to know Japanese before joining?

Not at all! Level 1 starts from the beginning. Some students may know some words already, but no prior study is required.

When will registration start?

Registration opens in a few weeks. Join the waitlist and you'll be the first to receive updates, special discounts, and more!

How often are classes?

Classes are held twice a week (online) for 8 weeks. Each class is 1 hour long, for a total of 16 hours of live class time.

What happens if I can't attend live?

Every class will be recorded so you can go back and watch the replays of any lesson you'd like — whether you were present or absent!