Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
Big Kids summer classes are for students in 3rd-6th grade who are learning Japanese for the first time or continuing their studies.
Big Kids Class Offerings, Fall 2025
Big Kids Beginner I – Online
Tuesday Time slot, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Central Time) or Wednesday Time slot, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Central Time)
This class is for students in 3rd-5th grade who are continuing to learn Japanese. Students learn Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and simple sentence structure. They will also learn to identify and read the Japanese alphabets of Hiragana. Class is taught both in English and in Japanese.
Format: Online (Google Meet)
Class Dates – Tuesdays: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16 (No class on 10/14, 10/28, 11/25)
Class Dates – Wednesdays: 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 (No class on 10/15, 10/29, 11/26)
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Yuki Kotake
Fees: $300 for Members and $420 for Non-members
Big Kids Beginner I – In Person
Saturdays, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm (Central Time)
This class is for students in 3rd-5th grade who are continuing to learn Japanese. Students learn Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and simple sentence structure. They will also learn to identify and read the Japanese alphabets of Hiragana. Class is taught both in English and in Japanese.
Format: In Person at JASC (5700 N. Lincoln Ave)
Class Dates – 9/13, 20, 27, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20
(No class on: 10/4, 11/1, 11/22, 11/29)
Class size: 8 students maximum
Instructor: Tomoko Hanna
Fees: $300 for Members and $420 for Non-members
Big Kids Beginner II – Online
Thursday Time slot, 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm (Central Time) or Friday Time slot, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Central Time)
This class is for students in 3rd-5th grade who are continuing to learn Japanese. Students learn Japanese vocabulary, phrases, and simple sentence structure. They will also learn to identify and read the Japanese alphabets of Hiragana. Class is taught both in English and in Japanese.
Format: Online (Google Meet)
Class Dates – Thursdays: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
(No class on 10/30, 11/20, 11/27)
Class Dates – Fridays: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19
(No class on 10/31, 11/21, 11/28)
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Tomoko Hanna
Fees: $300 for Members and $420 for Non-members
Big Kids Intermediate – Online
Tuesdays, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Central Time)
This class’s level is Beginner’s 2 to Intermediate. Ideally, they can read/write Hiragana and some Katakana, and have some knowledge of Kanji.
Format: Online
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16
(No class on 9/30, 10/28, 11/25)
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Aiko Brodecki
Fees: $300 for Members and $420 for Non-members
Big Kids Advanced – Online
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Central Time)
Format: Online
Class Dates: 9/10, 9/17, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
(No class on 9/24, 10/22, 11/26)
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Kaoru Fairbanks
Fees: $300 for Members and $420 for Non-members
Mid-session registration may be possible.
Please contact Tomoko Hanna, Donguri Kai Coordinator, dongurikai@jasc-chicago.org to inquire about registering your child.
Meet Our Teachers
Tomoko Hanna (ハンナ朋子)
I have been teaching English and Japanese to adults and children since 1995. As a mother of two who speaks the two languages, I deeply understand the need for bilingual education in the U.S. Currently, I sub Tampopo class, and teach Baby Tampopo class and Japanese program at Banner Preschool.
Yuki Kotake (小竹由起)
Kaoru Fairbanks (フェアバンクス馨)
Bio coming soon!
