Class Descriptions

OCG classes are organized flexibly, which allows us to teach children of all backgrounds in the Japanese language. We divide our classes into two tracks:

  • Japanese as a Heritage Language (JHL):for students who regularly hear and speak Japanese in their home environments
  • Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL): for students with less background in Japanese. Some JFL students may speak and hear some Japanese at home, while others have limited exposure

The difference between JHL and JFL students is a subtle one. Both tracks teach all of the core language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The pace of the JHL classes may be faster, however, especially when it comes to kanji and writing.

We also hold classes for High School students who have little or no Japanese language background. Students in all tracks cover all of the core language skills.

Our Saturday Schedule:

  • 1st period: 9:00 - 9:45
  • 2nd period: 9:55 - 10:40
  • 3rd period: 11:00 - 11:45
  • 4th period: 11:45 - 12:30
children learning colors through art

Mikan Club and Kindergarten

Our youngest learners are taught in two age groups.  The Mikan Club is for potty trained children aged 4 and older. Our Kindergarten class is for children aged 5 and 6. 

In Mikan Club and Kindergarten, children learn simple Japanese through songs, puppets, story time, crafts, and learning colors and shapes, simple kanji and hiragana. 

JHL classroom

1st - 12th Grade

Our primary school division is for students in 1st through 6th grade, after which students continue into our junior high and senior high school division. All classes are separated into JHL and JFL tracks, and emphasize immersive and experiential learning.

High School beginner class

High School and Adult Beginners

OCG also offers classes for High School students who have only recently started learning Japanese. These courses focus on practical language skills. Most of our High School students can use our classes to receive foreign language credit at their local High Schools.

Cultural Classes

We occasionally offer a class in the art of flower arranging (Ikebana), taught by a highly ranked instructor of the Ikenobo school, Sumiyo Ogawa.