About
Japanese Language School Summer Session introduces students to Japanese culture and summer events through craft activities, songs, storytelling, and games. Students learn basic words and expressions such as greetings, colors, and the names of foods and animals, and also learn simple sentences to express themselves and describe everyday actions like things they eat and drink.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: July 11–August 1, 2026, with Saturday children’s in-person classes from 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM and Saturday online adult beginner and intermediate speaking practice classes from 11:00 AM to 1:05 PM
• Price: 2026 online adult beginner and intermediate speaking practice class: 1 student $100; 2+ students $190; school-year children and adult tuition options from $100/month for 1 student, with multi-month and multi-student pricing, plus a one-time $100 mandatory activity fee per student for in-person classes
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI), which runs the Japanese Language School Summer Session, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. GVJCI has been providing classes, services, and programs for seniors, non-senior adults, and youth in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for over 50 years and offers over 40 programs and classes annually for seniors, youth, young adults, and Japanese-speakers. GVJCI describes itself as a hidden gem and emphasizes values including collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, learning, kansha (gratitude), and respect.
GVJCI provides youth and educational programs and is described as providing essential services and programs to the South Bay community and as vital to Gardena and the surrounding cities. Community members note that GVJCI supports Gardena/Torrance organizations and citizens and serves the Japanese community. One supporter, Ken I., states that the GVJCI provides services and programs that are vital to Gardena and surrounding cities, and another, Koji K., states that the organization serves the Japanese community. Kristine Dennehy from the Cal State Fullerton History Department shares that she uses GVJCI updates and newsletters as resources so students can see how their study of history connects to current activities of community organizations.
For children, GVJCI offers classes that progress from Nyumon to Primary, Intermediate 1 and 2, and Advanced 1 and 2, with focuses that include greetings, vocabulary, hiragana, katakana, kanji, grammar, reading, writing, and conversational skills. For adults, the online beginner and intermediate classes use the Genki 1 and Genki 2 (3rd Edition) textbooks and include learning hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji, with a focus on speaking and guidance on proper verbiage and sentence structure. Class textbooks for children’s in-person classes can be purchased on the first day of class on-site, and students in adult online classes can purchase textbooks and workbooks online or at a local Japanese bookstore. Payment for tuition can be made by PayPal or credit card, Venmo is not accepted, and enrollment is confirmed once payment is received.
Last updated July 9, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: July 11–August 1, 2026, with Saturday children’s in-person classes from 9:00 AM to 12:35 PM and Saturday online adult beginner and intermediate speaking practice classes from 11:00 AM to 1:05 PM
• Price: 2026 online adult beginner and intermediate speaking practice class: 1 student $100; 2+ students $190; school-year children and adult tuition options from $100/month for 1 student, with multi-month and multi-student pricing, plus a one-time $100 mandatory activity fee per student for in-person classes
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI), which runs the Japanese Language School Summer Session, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. GVJCI has been providing classes, services, and programs for seniors, non-senior adults, and youth in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for over 50 years and offers over 40 programs and classes annually for seniors, youth, young adults, and Japanese-speakers. GVJCI describes itself as a hidden gem and emphasizes values including collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, learning, kansha (gratitude), and respect.
GVJCI provides youth and educational programs and is described as providing essential services and programs to the South Bay community and as vital to Gardena and the surrounding cities. Community members note that GVJCI supports Gardena/Torrance organizations and citizens and serves the Japanese community. One supporter, Ken I., states that the GVJCI provides services and programs that are vital to Gardena and surrounding cities, and another, Koji K., states that the organization serves the Japanese community. Kristine Dennehy from the Cal State Fullerton History Department shares that she uses GVJCI updates and newsletters as resources so students can see how their study of history connects to current activities of community organizations.
For children, GVJCI offers classes that progress from Nyumon to Primary, Intermediate 1 and 2, and Advanced 1 and 2, with focuses that include greetings, vocabulary, hiragana, katakana, kanji, grammar, reading, writing, and conversational skills. For adults, the online beginner and intermediate classes use the Genki 1 and Genki 2 (3rd Edition) textbooks and include learning hiragana, katakana, and simple kanji, with a focus on speaking and guidance on proper verbiage and sentence structure. Class textbooks for children’s in-person classes can be purchased on the first day of class on-site, and students in adult online classes can purchase textbooks and workbooks online or at a local Japanese bookstore. Payment for tuition can be made by PayPal or credit card, Venmo is not accepted, and enrollment is confirmed once payment is received.
Last updated July 9, 2026.
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