Hello Japan! Language & Culture
Intermediate
Building on the basics, this course takes students deeper into Japanese grammar and sentence structure while developing real conversational fluency. Through dialogue, role-play, and cultural context, learners will move beyond textbook phrases to express ideas and navigate everyday situations with confidence. By the end, students will hold conversations more naturally and connect with Japanese culture on a more meaningful level.
Theme of the month:
August
Theme: Bon Season / Hanabi Taikai
Goal: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to describe Obon customs, talk about festival activities, and use basic verbs to express daily actions
September
Theme: Undōkai (Sports Day) in Japan
Goal: Read about Undōkai, explore sports vocabulary, and practice expressing skill levels, with emphasis on reading aloud and conversing about personal strengths in sports
October – December Recommended Level: JLPT N4 or equivalent
Prerequisite: Students should be comfortable reading hiragana and katakana. Basic knowledge of common kanji is recommended, as class materials include authentic Japanese words and short readings. This intermediate course is designed for students who already know basic Japanese and want to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and vocabulary through Japanese culture and reallife communication. Rather than focusing on grammar explanations, each lesson emphasizes: • Expanding practical vocabulary • Reading short passages and authentic materials • Building conversational confidence • Learning natural Japanese expressions • Discussing Japanese culture and traditions
October 11 — Otsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival)
Theme: Japanese Autumn Traditions Learn about Otsukimi (Moon Viewing Festival) through a short reading and cultural discussion. Students will explore the history and customs of moon viewing, seasonal foods such as tsukimi dango, and the importance of autumn in Japanese culture.
November 29 — Shichi-Go-San & Seijin-shiki
Theme: Japanese Life Events and Traditions
Explore two important milestones in Japanese culture: Shichi-Go-San, the traditional celebration of children's growth, and Seijin-shiki, Japan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Students will also learn about the differences between Shinto shrines (神社) and Buddhist temples (お寺) while discussing Japanese customs and family traditions.
December 3 — Japanese Music & NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen
Theme: Music, Entertainment, and Japanese Culture
Discover Japanese music from the 1970s to today through NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, Japan's famous New Year's Eve music program. Students will learn vocabulary related to music, entertainment, and personal preferences while discussing favorite artists and songs.
Location: Education Center
Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm
JFGM Member: $30 | Non-member $45
*Admission is included in the ticket. This class is non-refundable 7 days before the event.
Meet the Instructor
Atsuko Nakamura (Molly) is a multilingual Japanese language instructor from Osaka, Japan, currently based in San Diego, California.
She is certified to teach both English (elementary, middle and high school) and Japanese as a foreign language. With international experience in Singapore, Hong Kong, Italy, and Thailand, she brings a global and culturally rich perspective to her teaching. In Bangkok, she taught Japanese to Thai spouses of Japanese nationals and provided private lessons to international students.
In Tokyo, she worked as an Airport Meet-and-Greet Escort Guide, assisting Italian travelers during airport–hotel transfers while sharing cultural insights. She also completed a tourism volunteer guide training program in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Atsuko creates a warm, supportive learning environment where students can enjoy both the Japanese language and culture. She speaks Japanese, English, Italian, Cantonese, and Thai.