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Osaka castle and a female student

Winter 2025 Japan Short-Term Study Abroad

Jan 19 - Feb 15, 2025

Winter 2025 Japan Short-Term Study Abroad
Japanese scroll
Japanese elements in drawing
Japanese students in a Japanese classroom
Origami crane and flowers
Students at the Japanese club booth
Japanese club booth at the Join-A-Club campus event.

Japanese

Why Learn Japanese?

Japanese is spoken by more than 130 million people, mainly in Japan, but also by Japanese emigrant communities around the world. It is distinguished by a complex system of honorifics reflecting the hierarchical nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular vocabulary to indicate the relative status of speaker, listener, and the person mentioned in conversation. The earliest record of Japanese is in a Chinese document from 252 A.D. A vast number of words were borrowed from Chinese or created from Chinese models over at least 1,500 years. Since the late 19th century, Japanese has borrowed a considerable number of words from Indo-European languages, primarily English.

Here are three compelling reasons to learn Japanese:

1. Access to a Leading Global Economy and Innovation Hub:
Japan is the third-largest economy in the world and a leader in industries like technology, automotive, robotics, and entertainment. Proficiency in Japanese can open doors to career opportunities in multinational companies, international trade, and cutting-edge research and development, providing a competitive advantage in the global job market.

2. Deep Cultural Enrichment:
Learning Japanese offers a gateway to understanding Japan's rich cultural heritage, including its literature, art, cinema, and traditional practices like tea ceremonies and martial arts. It also enhances the experience of Japanese pop culture, such as anime, manga, and video games, allowing students to engage more deeply with these global phenomena.

3. Study and Work Opportunities in Japan:
Japan offers a range of scholarships and exchange programs for international students, making it an attractive destination for study abroad experiences. Proficiency in Japanese increases the likelihood of securing these opportunities and helps students immerse themselves more fully in the local culture, building valuable connections and gaining firsthand experience in a unique and dynamic environment.

Mt. SAC offers beginning and intermediate, university-transferable Japanese language courses that include both verbal and written learning, taught by native speakers in both English and Japanese.

Course Offerings

Japanese (JAPN)

Faculty

Photos Name Phone Email
Keiko Tsurumi Keiko Tsurumi (Program coordinator) 909-274-4581 ktsurumi@mtsac.edu
Don Lee Don Lee 909-274-6344 dlee264@mtsac.edu
Natsuyo Higuchi as mascot Natsuyo Higuchi   nhiguchi@mtsac.edu
Emi Okubo as mascot Emi Okubo   eokubo@mtsac.edu
Saori Tauchi Saori Tauchi   stauchi@mtsac.edu
Keiko Appel Keiko Appel   kappel@mtsac.edu
Yuki Minekawa Yuki Minekawa   yminekawa@mtsac.edu
Shana Brenish as mascot Shana Brenish   sbrenish1@mtsac.edu
Mayumi Hiraku (Hu) as mascot Mayumi Hiraku (Hu)   mhu32@mtsac.edu
Michie Higuchi Jones Michie Higuchi Jones   mjones150@mtsac.edu

 

Fall 2024 Japanese Tutoring Schedule

 September - December, 2024  All sessions are drop-in tutoring; appointments are not needed.

On Campus Tutoring
Days Times Location Tutor
Monday & Wednesday 12:00-1:00pm Bldg. 66-201 Troy
Monday & Wednesday 2:15-3:15pm Bldg. 77-1040 Sabrina
Tuesday & Thursday 2:15-3:15pm Bldg. 26A-3871 Sabrina
Thursday 3:15-4:15pm Bldg. 77-1070 Troy
Online Tutoring: ASAC Zoom
Days Times Link Tutor
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday  1:00-4:00pm ASAC Online Tutoring Madison