Learn Japanese This Year—For FREE!

Have you ever dreamt of traveling to Japan for the first time and ordering dinner from a ramen shop, navigating the famous public transport system using basic grammar, or simply understanding common phrases you hear in your favorite anime? Learning Japanese may seem intimidating at first, but it doesn't have to be!

The Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission (BTSCC) is excited to invite learners of all levels to join our FREE monthly virtual Japanese lessons, held via Google Classroom and Google Meet until December 2026.

Whether you're starting with your very first こんにちは (konnichiwa) or looking to brush up on conversational skills before your trip to Japan, these lessons are designed to be inclusive, practical, and fun! Our classes focus on real-world, cultural scenarios rather than vocabulary lists, helping you build confidence in the fundamentals one lesson at a time. Lesson topics are modular, so if life gets busy and you miss a class, you can easily jump back in without feeling left behind, and all materials remain available through Google Classroom until the end of the year!

Why Join?

Our virtual classroom offers more than just language lessons--it's a chance to connect with others who share an interest in Japan, its culture, and its language. Through Google Classroom, you'll have access to lesson materials and resources, making it easy to review what you've learned between sessions. Classes meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00–7:50 PM (EST), making it a simple fit into your schedule.

These lessons are perfect for:

• Complete beginners curious about Japanese

• Travelers preparing for a future trip to Japan

• Anime, manga, and gaming fans who want to understand more of the language

• Students interested in Japanese culture or future exchange opportunities

• Lifelong learners looking for a new challenge

Learn From an Experienced & Passionate Teacher

Each lesson is taught by Aki-sensei, an experienced educator with more than five years of teaching experience and over a decade of Japanese language and cultural study. As a former participant in the BTSCC Student Exchange Program, Aki brings both academic knowledge and personal experience to every lesson, creating an encouraging environment where students can ask questions, practice speaking, and enjoy the learning process.

The Best Time to Start Is NOW!

One of the biggest obstacles to learning a language is simply getting started. That's why these classes are completely FREE and open to everyone, regardless of previous experience. You don't need expensive software or years of study—just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

By joining the Google Classroom, you'll become part of a community of learners in and around the Lehigh Valley exploring Japanese language and culture together until the holidays.

So why not make this the year you finally take the plunge and begin your journey?

日本語を話しましょう！ Let's speak Japanese!

Join the BTSCC Google Classroom today and reserve your spot for the next free virtual lesson. We can't wait to learn with you!