Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
Donguri Kai – Big Kids Classes
For students in 3rd – 5th grade who are learning Japanese for the first time or who are continuing their studies.
Big Kids Class Offerings, Winter 2026
Big Kids Beginner I – Online
Tuesday Time slot, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Central Time) or Wednesday Time slot, 6:30 pm – 7:30 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 – Tuesdays: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 (No class on 2/17)
Class Dates – Wednesdays: 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 (No class on 2/18)
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Yuki Kotake
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Big Kids Beginner I – In Person
Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 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: In Person at JASC (5700 N. Lincoln Ave)
Class Dates – 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14
Class size: 8 students maximum
Instructor: Tomoko Hanna
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Big Kids Beginner II – Online
Thursdays, 4:15 pm – 5:15 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 and Katakana. They will work on building vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar with verb conjugations, adjectives, Wh** Questions, and more. Class is taught both in English and in Japanese.
Format: Online (Google Meet)
Class Dates – Thursdays: 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/3, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Tomoko Hanna
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Big Kids Intermediate – Online
Offered on Tuesdays and Fridays – same class one different days with different teachers – only register for one of the two classes.
Tuesdays, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Central Time)
This new class is intended for students who speak Japanese at home. Students have high conversation skill level and class will be taught completely in Japanese. This class will develop stronger reading and writing skills for rounding out student’s fluency to all aspects of language study.
Format: Online
Class Dates: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Aiko Brodecki
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Fridays, 4:30 pm – 5:30 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: 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13
Class size: 6 students maximum
Instructor: Tomoko Hanna
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Big Kids Intermediate – In-Person
Saturdays, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm (Central Time)
Format: In Person at JASC (5700 N. Lincoln Ave)
Class Dates – 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14
Class size: 8 students maximum
Instructor: Aiko Brodecki
Fees: $225 for Members and $315 for Non-members
Please contact Tomoko Hanna, Donguri Kai Coordinator, dongurikai@jasc-chicago.org to inquire about registering your child.
Registration is now closed. For class availability, please contact Tomoko Hanna at dongurikai@jasc-chicago.org
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)
