Thursdays
January 29 – March 19, 2026
(January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19)
8 weeks (12 class hours)
Thursdays 1.5 hours
8-9:30 pm Eastern; 7-8:30pm Central, 6-7:30pm Mountain, 5-6:30pm Pacific

Instructor: Tamaki
Location: Online via Zoom
Level: Beginner
Age: Adults 18+
Class Size: Minimum 3 students; Maximum 6 students

Materials Needed: All material will be provided.

What can I expect to learn?
This is a beginner level class appropriate for those with no experience in Japanese. The class will introduce you to the basics of the Japanese language and ease you into the concepts and culture. Most new concepts will initially be explained in English to make sure students understand. As students gain more knowledge of Japanese and progress to higher class levels, English use will decrease, and Japanese use will increase as appropriate. If you’re interested in a more immersive class that is taught mostly in Japanese, check out our class Immersive Japanese 101 for Adults.

By the end of this course, you should be comfortable with the following:
Introductions, greetings/farewells, asking for and talking about basic information and questions, talking about schedules, talking about your day or things you did in the past or will do in the future, talking about price and asking the cost of things, talking about weather, Hiragana/Katakana for writing and reading names, any grammar related to above topics. Depending on how quickly the class moves you may be able to cover some additional material including: expressing gratitude and feelings, inviting someone, and making suggestions.

Cost: $225

Payments options are as follows:
Pay in full today: $225
Hold your spot and pay the rest by January 25, 2026: $250 ($50 deposit now. Remaining $200 paid by January 25, 2026).

Payment is accepted by credit card, Venmo, Zelle, and Paypal.

Tiballi-sensei has been very kind and I appreciate the time she takes on Sundays to have open class sessions for those who have questions.

Previous student in japanese 101

This class gives students a very basic knowledge of Japanese they would use should they be in a pinch. It also gave a foundation from which students can learn more Japanese and kana. Ms. Tamaki is easy to understand and is good at answering questions.

PREVIOUS STUDENT IN JAPANESE 101

about the instructor

Tamaki is a native Japanese speaker originally from Japan.She has a BA of Language and culture from Osaka University of Foreign Studies, a BA in Developmental Psychology from Kobe University, and a MA in Russian and Developmental Psychology from Kobe University. She also holds a certification in Teaching Japanese as a Second Language.

Tamaki worked as an adjunct professor at colleges and a university teaching classes related to developmental psychology, psychology of development disability, and child speech and language development. She also worked as a counselor to parents of children with special needs. Tamaki also spent several years teaching Russian classes at the Russia Association of Hyogo. After moving to the United States several years ago, she began teaching Japanese language classes for college students at Lewis University in Illinois and Japanese classes for adults in the continuing education program of the College of DuPage.

Tamaki continues her work with Lewis University and the College of DuPage by teaching online Japanese classes while offering private tutoring on the side via Zoom and Skype.