At Renison University College, you can take the leap and build connections to a worldwide community of Japanese language and culture enthusiasts!
Whether you are building on a newly sparked interest or want to develop a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and tradition, Renison's credit-free Japanese language and culture courses are the perfect place to start.
Spring 2025
Registration Opens the week of February 3, 2025
Fall 2025
Registration Opens the week of July 1, 2025
PLEASE NOTE:
These courses arenot available for UW degree credit. Our courses are designed for adults. Students must be a minimum age of 15 to register and participate in a Community and Professional Education Course. If a student is between the ages of 15 and 17, a parent or guardian is required to complete and submit a consent form.
Spring 2025 Course offerings (JL)
| Course code and title | ٲٱ | Day and time |
|---|---|---|
|
JL 110 Conversational Japanese 1 -In-person Course code: JL 110 This is an introductory course for students who have little to no knowledge of Japanese. In this course, studentslearn not only how to greet or introduce themselves in Japanese, but also how to shop (e.g. asking for prices, choosing your item) and simple ways to ask for directions. |
CANCELLED |
|
|
Conversational Japanese 2-In-person Course code:JL 120 This course is designed for those who have some knowledge of the Japanese language, but less confidence in speaking. The coursefocuses on pronunciation and developing useful expressions for real-life situations. |
CANCELLED |
|
|
Conversational Japanese 3-In-person Course code:JL 210 The focus of this course is to produce simple statements and questions using basic grammar structures and pronunciation guidelines. By the end of this course, studentswill be able to carry out simple everyday communication in Japanese.The kanji writing system isalsointroduced. |
May 29 to July 31, 2025 | Thursdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm ET |
|
Integrated Japanese 4-Virtual Online Classes Course code:JL 225 Building on Japanese knowledge and skills acquired previously, students will continue to develop integrated skills by learninggrammatical structures and increased vocabulary. This course focuses on building language skills for social activities in various settings. Approximately 50+basickanjicharacters will be introduced. The textbook for this course is: Japanese for Busy People II (4th edition). |
CANCELLED |
|
|
Expressing Characters and Words through Japanese Calligraphy (5 classes) - Virtual Online Classes Course code:JL 119 This course exploresthe calligraphy art form while teachingfundamental brush techniques.Studentslearn to appreciate the history and insight of characters and words through lectures by a renowned Japanese calligraphy artist. This course is open to students in the novice through advanced levels of calligraphy and native or non-native Japanese-language speakers. |
5 sessions: May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25 |
Wednesdays 7:30pm to 9:00pm ET |
For more information, please contact:cape@uwaterloo.ca
PLEASE NOTE:language classes, JL 110, JL 120, and JL 210 will be held in-person at Renison University Collegeat the time listed above. JL119 and JL 215 will be held online synchronously (LIVE) at the times stated above.
COURSE MATERIALS
JL 110 -
Option #1:Japanese for Busy People Book 1: Romanized: Revised 4th Edition Kodansha USA; 4th edition (September 20, 2022) [ISBN-13 :978-1568366197] - This version of the textbook is recommended for those who haven't learned any Japanese characters before.
Option #2:Japanese for Busy People Book 1: Kana: Revised 4th Edition Kodansha USA; Bilingual edition (May 31, 2022) [ISBN-13 :978-1568366203] - This version of the textbook is recommended for those who are comfortable reading hiragana characters or if one prefers to learn Japanese by reading hiragana characters from the very beginning.
The 4th edition is the latest version of "Japanese for Busy People." You can obtain your textbook through Amazon.ca. There is also a Kindle edition available. Please purchase your books before you come to class.
JL 120 -
Option #1:Japanese for Busy People Book 1: Romanized: Revised 4th Edition Kodansha USA; 4th edition (September 20, 2022) [ISBN-13 :978-1568366197]
Option #2:Japanese for Busy People Book 1: Kana: Revised 4th Edition Kodansha USA; Bilingual edition (May 31, 2022) [ISBN-13 :978-1568366203]
The 4th edition is the latest version of "Japanese for Busy People." You can obtain your textbook through Amazon.ca. There is also a Kindle edition available.
JL210 -
The Association for Japanese-Language Teaching (2022). Japanese for busy people II, Revised 4th Edition. Kodansha USA. (ISBN: 9781568366272)
JL 215-
Japanese for Busy People Book 2: Revised 4th EditionKodansha USA; 4th edition (March 28, 2023) [ISBN-13:978-1568366272] There is also a Kindle edition available.
JL 119 -
Students are required to prepare their own calligraphy tools. If you are a first timer of calligraphy, please find any blushes and ink at home first to see how Japanese calligraphy is. Later, if you wish to buy calligraphy tools, you can find them online store such as Amazon.jp, or consult with your instructor.
Spring 2025 Registration
Regular Registration OPENS the week of February 3, 2025
Regular Registration Deadline: 9am ET Monday, May 12, 2025
LATE Registration continues until 11:59am ET Friday, June 6, 2025
Fall 2025 Registration
Regular Registration OPENS the week of July 1, 2025
Regular Registration Deadline: 9am ET Monday, September 8, 2025
LATE Registration continues until 11:59am ET Friday, October 3, 2025
Certificate policy for Japanese courses
Tuition Fees & Cancellation, Withdrawal & Refund policy (JL)
Fees
Tuition:$290.00 CAD(credit-free language and culture courses) + HST; $150.00 CAD(5-weekcalligraphy course) + HST
NOTE:As of March 2023, Renison continuing education’s administrative fee has been incorporated into the total tuition price as listed above and will be charged to all registrants.
One-on-One Tutoring:$500.00 CAD (10-hours of private tutoring one-on-one)+ HST
For more information please contact:cape@uwaterloo.ca.
Cancellation, Withdrawal, and Refund Policy
-
The administrative fee of $15.00 CAD is non-refundable unless the course is cancelled.
-
If a course is cancelled, the tuition fee (inclusive of the administrative fee) will be refunded to students in full.
-
Students cannot defer their payments.
*The administrativefee appliesto all students regardless of whether theyhave previously taken a Renison continuing education and/or Renison non-credit course previously.
-
Students may withdraw from a course up until 9am ET the Monday before the week classes begin for a full tuition refund, not inclusive of the $15.00 CAD non-refundable administrative fee.
-
Students may be refunded 80% of their tuition, not inclusive of the $15.00 CAD non-refundable administrative fee after the originally posted registration deadline (the Monday before the first week of classes),up until 9am ET the day before the second class. After this date, refunds will not be issued.
-
NOTE: registration deadlines may be extended at the discretion of CE staff; the refund and cancelation policy applies to the originally posted registration deadline (9am ET the Monday before the week classes begin).
Requests to withdraw should be sent in writing over e-mail tocape@uwaterloo.ca
Registration deadline:
9am ET the Monday before the week classes begin
-- SPRING 2025 TERM -- before 9am ET Monday, May 12, 2025
80% refund deadline: 9am ET the day before the second class
– SPRING 2025 TERM –
Tuesday classes =
Class 1 is Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Class 2 is Tuesday, June 3, 2025
80% refund deadline = before Monday, June 2, 2025 9am ET
Wednesday classes =
Class 1 is Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Class 2 is Wednesday, June 4, 2025
80% refund deadline = before Tuesday, June 3, 2025 9am ET
Thursday classes =
Class 1 is Thursday, May 29, 2025
Class 2 is Thursday, June 5, 2025
80% refund deadline = before Wednesday, June 4, 2025 9am ET
How to register & How to pay (JL)
How to register
Registrations must be submitted through our student portal. Follow these steps to register for a continuing education course:
- Visit thepage in portal.
- Select‘Dٲ’next to your course of interest.
- Select‘Dٲ’next to the course session you want to register for (if there are no course sessions listed, dates have not yet been confirmed for upcoming classes; please check back later).
- Select‘Add to Cart’; if you are not signed in to or signed up for an account, you will be prompted to do so now.
- Once in your shopping cart, select‘Checkout’.
You will receive confirmation of your registration through e-mail to the e-mail address attached to your account. For questions about your course, please contactcape@uwaterloo.ca.
If you run into issues with registration, signing in/up, or have questions about portal, please contactrenison.sace@uwaterloo.ca.
How to pay
Upon checkout in our student portal (seeHow to registerfor further instructions), you will be prompted to pay via online credit card payment.
NOTE:alternative payment options may be available, please contactcape@uwaterloo.cafor more information.
Course Descriptions (JL)
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): Fall, Winter Spring
This course is designed for those who have some knowledge of the Japanese language, but less confidence in speaking. The coursefocuses on pronunciation and developing useful expressions for real-life situations.
Course code: JL120
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): Fall, Winter Spring
Integrated Japanese 4
Building on Japanese knowledge and skills acquired previously, students will continue to develop integrated skills by learninggrammatical structures and increased vocabulary. This course focuses on building language skills forsocial activities in various settings. Approximately 50+basickanjicharacters will be introduced.
Expressing Words and Characters through Japanese Calligraphy
This course exploresthe calligraphy art form while teachingfundamental brush techniques.Studentslearn to appreciate the history and insight of characters and words through lectures by a renowned Japanese calligraphy artist.
This course is open to students in the novice through advanced levels of calligraphy and native or non-native Japanese-language speakers.
Course code: JL119
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): Fall, Winter Spring
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered
The focus of this course is to produce simple statements and questions using basic grammar structures and pronunciation guidelines. By the end of this course, studentswill be able to carry out simple everyday communication in Japanese.The kanji writing system isalsointroduced.
Course code: JL210
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered
In this course, students continue to develop their language skills with an increased emphasis on spoken Japanese. They work on improving grammatical accuracy and vocabulary development while acquiring more knowledge ofJapanese culture. The Kanji writing system is further explored with the introduction of 100 additional Kanji.
Course code: JL220
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered
The focus of this course is to further enhance vocabulary and expressions. Closer attention is paid to subtleties that are unique to the Japanese language.
Course code: JL230
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered
In order to address socio-linguistic aspects of the Japanese language, honorific and humble expressions as well as the concept of "uchi (inside)"and "soto (outside)" are introduced. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to deal with conversations in formal settings. Students also learn ways to describe events from different perspectives. By taking the sixth non-credit conversational Japanese course, students will have learned the fundamentals of Japanese grammar.
Course code: JL 240
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered
Learning Japanese through Manga
Aimed at developing studentsunderstanding of colloquial Japanese, this course is designed to expose students to authentic materials, especially Manga. Students learnnew expressions while reviewing grammatical points of elementary Japanese to enhance theirprevious knowledge and integrate it intoreal-lifecontexts.
Prerequisite: Conversational Japanese Level 4 (JL220), or equivalent.
Course code: JL235
Term Offered(subject to change without notice): not currently offered