For those of you who want to learn Japanese at a Japanese language school in Boston! For those of you who are looking for the best language school for your friends, family as well and loved ones!
Besides, you might be confused to find the right Japanese language school in the city of Boston. You may have found some information, but not enough details. If you want to get the most comprehensive information about Japanese language schools in Boston.
Therefore, in this article, we have summarized all the important and comprehensive information about Japanese language schools in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Not only that, but we have also added information that can help you to find a Japanese tutor in Boston. Okay, let’s get started!
Read also:
The Ultimate Guide on How to Apply for the JLPT USA
5 Most Popular Places to Learn Japanese in Philadelphia
5 Best & Most Popular Japanese Language Schools in Houston
Contents
About the Greater City of Boston
Founded in 1630, Boston is well-known as a historic and the greatest educational city in the United States.
Being one of the oldest metropolitan cities in America, Boston is a worldwide pioneer in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology as it also has the oldest subway system in the Western Hemisphere of the United States.
Boston is additionally the 24th most populous city in the United States, with a population of approximately 694,000 (July 2022). About 55,000 of them are foreign residents. [1]
Nowadays, Boston has become an important port and manufacturing center. It is also home to 2 of the world’s top universities, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and Harvard University as well, making it a world center of education and culture. In addition, Boston’s businesses and institutions have been ranked among the top in the world.
In 1635, Harvard University was first established in the greater city of Boston. It’s true that the Boston area’s greatest asset is the presence of a world-class university with more than 50 campuses and a magnet for many students from all over the world.
In learning Japanese, you can easily get lessons from several credible institutions that offer Japanese language learning programs in Boston. And here we summarize the 7 Best Japanese Language Schools in Boston for you. Please check the following!
6 Most Popular Japanese Language Schools in Boston, USA
(1) Showa Boston Institute
The Showa Boston Institute is part of Showa Women’s University in Tokyo. Over 30 years, it has helped thousands of people in and around Boston grow more connected to the Japanese language, people, and culture. The school has the largest population of USA students studying Japanese in Boston. “The Intercultural Exchange is the Spirit of the Showa Boston Institute”
The institute offers 2 classes: Japanese Course and JLPT Preparatory Courses N3, N4 & N5, and you can check out the best-recommended books for JLPT N3, N4 and N5.
Whether your goal is building Japanese language proficiency or growing more culturally connected to Japan, Showa Boston might be the right place that open the golden opportunity for you to dive into Japanese culture.
Address: 420 Pond Street, Boston, MA 02130
Recruitment term: Fall Semester from September and Summer as TBA
Number of instructors: 6 (Japanese native, full-time)
Capacity: limited to 10 students each class
(2) Japanese Language School of Greater Boston
The school was built in June 1975 in the suburbs of Boston. Quite uniquely, the Japanese Language School of Greater Boston is only held on Saturdays for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students and also Japanese as a Second Language.
Using the facilities of Medford High School, there are now over 800 students studying Japanese here. In addition to educating, nurturing, and strengthening the Japanese language of Japanese children living in Boston and the surrounding area, the school also welcomes children from various countries to study Japanese culture and language.
In addition to Japanese language, arithmetic, Japanese history, Japanese culture, and arts are also taught here. Not only learning the Japanese language and culture, the children can also spend their free time on Saturdays and meet other Japanese friends.
For those of you who are looking for the best Japanese language and culture school for your child or family, we would definitely recommend you contact this school.
Address: Medford High School, 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155
Recruitment term: April and September
Number of instructors: –
Capacity: max 8 students/class
(3) North Shore Japanese Language Education and Services (NSJ)
Are you looking for a Japanese language school that has hybrid classes (face-to-face and online simultaneously)?
Are you also looking for a Japanese language school that specializes in calligraphy, and conversation, and teaches unique Japanese culture such as origami (paper folding) as well as many others?
NSJ (North Shore Japanese Language Education and Services) is the school you are looking for. The school has different types of programs and classes as below:
| 1. Classes for children and teenagers with meetings once a week. |
| 2. Intensive language classes for 2 weeks (Monday – Thursday). |
| 3. Conversation class for people who already know how to speak Japanese. |
| 4. Advanced to intermediate beginner reading and writing classes. |
| 5. A class for Japanese I beginners which is a new program. |
| 6. Business class and internship program in Japan. |
Along with other unique classes such as cooking class, origami, Japanese manner, calligraphy class and many others.
Address: 30 Federal Street Units 2D and 2E Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Recruitment term: Please contact 1 (978) 998-9683 or 1 (978) 998-9683
Number of instructors: –
Capacity: –
(4) Japanese Language Class Boston
JLC teaches Japanese exclusively by only allowing 3-8 students per class taught by Japanese-speaking instructors. JLC also specializes in class hours where the classes are held after main work hours or held on weekends, making it very suitable for workers.
The programs are very diverse, ranging from beginner classes, intermediate classes, advanced classes, conversation classes, Japanese cultural events, weekend classes, private lessons, and proficiency tests,
The good news is that before choosing the right program, you can measure your ability level and consult with the teachers of this school.
Address: 10 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109
Recruitment term: July and September
Number of instructors: 7 (Japanese native full-time educators)
Capacity: max 8 students in each class
(5) Japan Society of Boston
Japan Society of Boston (JSB), is a non-profit organization with the aim of strengthening cultural and economic ties as well as providing active exchanges between Japan. Rather than that, language is needed as a bridge close relations between the two countries. Therefore, JSB provides Japanese language education services as well in Boston. The organization intends to enhance your confidence in Japanese while building community connections.
This organization provides the native Japanese teachers while you can connect the class from anywhere by joining the online teaching as well as actively joining the community.
Their programs are group lessons that provide Introductory, beginner, intermediate, advanced as well and advanced Japanese fiction programs.
Address: 50 Milk Street 16F, Boston, MA 02109
Recruitment term: every summer (April) and fall semester (September)
Number of instructors: 9 language instructors
Capacity: min 4 students and max 8 students
(6) Japanese Courses at Boston University (Summer Term)
If you live close to Boston University, or you are a student at Boston University, then enrolling in a Japanese language class offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, a renowned university in Boston, could be the right move.
In the first semester, you will learn the basics of spoken and written Japanese and there are also written exercises. Then, in the second semester, you can deepen the basics you have learned in the first semester with oral and written exercises.
For those of you who love Japanese culture and movies, then you must take a special course on learning modern Japanese culture through cinema. There, you can learn about Japanese culture, and great Japanese directors, and explore various other cinematic aspects.
Address: 200 Riverway, Suite 114, Boston, MA 02215
Recruitment term: summer
Number of instructors: 9 language instructors
Capacity: min 4 students and max 8 students
Japanese Language Schools in Boston for Youth and Adults
Most people can learn Japanese starting from a young age. However, some Japanese language schools may not admit adult learners. To help you find which schools accept adult students, we have prepared a list for you to review.
(1) Showa Boston Institute
Adults or older students may enroll in Showa Boston Institute’s Japanese language courses, but the school requires that they apply and be accompanied by a parent, sibling, or friend of high school age or older.
(2) Japanese Language School of Greater Boston
This school welcomes students of all ages, but the maximum age limit for enrollment is 18 years old.
(3) North Shore Japanese Language Education and Services (NSJ)
Just like Showa Boston Institute, this school only allows students who are 18 or younger.
(4) Japan Society of Boston
The Japan Society of Boston is a non-profit organization that welcomes adult students who want to learn Japanese. It’s clear that this community is accepting of those who want to further their language education.
(5) Japanese Courses at Boston University (Summer Term)
This Boston University program is designed for teens and adults. It includes opportunities to learn Japanese directly in Japan through international college and high school programs.
Japanese Language School in Boston for Kids
The longstanding diplomatic relations between the USA and Japan have resulted in many Japanese professionals living and working in Boston and across the United States. Consequently, Japanese professionals – regardless of their length of stay – seek to ensure that their children’s education upholds Japanese cultural standards.
As a result, Japanese language schools catering to children have become a necessity. Here are some Japanese language schools in Boston that we recommend specifically for children.
(1) Japanese Language School of Greater Boston
This school focuses on teaching Japanese language and culture to children starting at age 4-5. For ages 6-12, students learn the Japanese language and mathematics. For ages 12-15, they further their math knowledge with an emphasis on Japanese math terms and comparisons to US measurements.
(2) Japan Society of Boston
This community offers a unique program for kids to learn about Japanese culture, hiragana, and katakana, and make handicrafts. No prior knowledge of Japan is necessary for participation in this class, but a minimum of 2 registrants is required to hold it.
(3) Boston SAKURA Kids
The founders established this online class due to the COVID-19 situation. Since children, especially those of Japanese descent, could not leave their homes, they were worried about depriving them of an authentic Japanese educational approach. Therefore, the online class ensures that they do not miss out on education.
Thus, Boston SAKURA Kids provides online learning media for learning English and Japanese language and culture through interactive virtual activities that promote understanding, diversity, and cultural appreciation through storytelling, physical activities, and age-appropriate games.
(4) Boston Higashi School
The Boston Higashi School has a very noble goal of helping children with autism spectrum disorders by applying the Daily Life Therapy®[2] methodology developed by Dr. Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo by incorporating almost all major aspects of education, such as academics, art, music, and technology.
The Boston Higashi School has a very noble goal of social education. The school accepts students from children to teenagers between the ages of 3-22 years old.
Free Japanese Language Schools in Boston
Few schools offer complimentary Japanese language classes, and our research indicates that only The Japan Society of Boston provides this service. Please feel free to share any information regarding additional schools that offer free Japanese language courses, as this would be of great value to others.
The Japan Society of Boston
The Japan Society of Boston is a non-profit organization with a multi-national board of directors. This organization aims to provide Japanese language programs for those who love Japanese or want to make connections by joining a community of fellow members.
Because it is non-profit, this organization is free to join, but unfortunately, since the time this information was written, the Japan Society of Boston has no longer continued its Japanese language program.
But, if you want to continue learning Japanese, it is still possible with a private Japanese language classification system of 2-4 people by contacting the email operations@japansocietyboston.org.
How to Find the Best Japanese Tutors in Boston?
If you want more intensive, online, and private classes, then you can also search for available tutors for you through several platforms such as Preply, Amazing Talker, Superprof, Takelessons, and various other online platforms.
Our Website also provides recommendations on the best places and tutors for you to learn Japanese comfortably in Boston. Please follow along and don’t miss our updates here.
Conclusion
To wrap this article all up, there you have it, some information about one of the best cities and most famous cities in the US, Boston as well as Japanese language schools in Boston.
Have you ever joined or attended classes held by the schools we mentioned above? Please share your experience in the comment section below. See you in the next article.
References
[1] Boston’s People and Economy. The Official Website of the City of Boston. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
[2] The Daily Life Therapy. The Official Website of Boston Higashi School. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
