Where: Oriental Institute (see map, location 39 http://www.ox.ac.uk/aboutoxford/maps/depts.shtml )

When: Starting from 2nd Week (22nd October) every Thursday of term, 6pm to 7pm. Please note the institute is usually locked after 5pm but the warden at the door should let you in if this is the case.

Cost: FREE!! This class is open to all members of OUJS.

Just turn up and let us know if you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Then you can join the appropriate group to learn the Japanese language.

It will be difficult for this class to be all things to all people, but we shall try our best to accommodate all levels. The ideas below are some of our own, but this is not a formal taught class and so the format will largely be decided by the wishes of the group. There is no harm in writing things down so you don't forget them, so feel free to bring pen and paper along. Absolute beginners will not be expected to know the Japanese writing system: if we write things down to show you they will be in roman letters to start with, although it is hoped that we will be able to teach you some basic Japanese writing (hiragana) over time

Absolute Beginners ("the curious")

In a small group with a native speaker (fluent in English as well as Japanese) or with a Japanese undergraduate, you will learn some basic phrases for everyday communication in Japanese, gradually increasing vocabulary and learning to construct sentences of your own. This might require some persistence, however!

Intermediate (some formal teaching before or perhaps spent some time in Japan)

Practice Japanese conversation and grammar with a native speaker - please have some ideas about what to talk about. Those who have not experienced Japan may want to discuss issues about living in or visiting Japan, and perhaps the differences between Britain and Japan. Articles etc, in English or Japanese, may help provide ideas for conversation, although this is not a reading class.

Advanced Level

Come along and chat to others with advanced level Japanese. It may again be helpful to have some kind of material to provide a topic for conversation.

If you are Japanese and would like to help out with the running of the classes (CV points to be gained here!) please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We look forward to seeing lots of you there!

Language Exchange and Weekly Pub Meet

Alternatively, starting this year, if you are looking for something a little more informal, then we usually meet up in the pub on Thursday evenings at 7:15pm. This provides a great opportunity to:

• Practice your Japanese (or English if you are Japanese!) in a more relaxed environment
• Find a language exchange partner!
• Find out more about our language classes
• ...or just meet the committee and other OUJS members for a drink!
  

Where: Royal Oak Pub, Woodstock Road

When: Every Thursday of full term, meeting from 7:15pm

Cost: Free, and open to all – members and non-members alike

Directions to the Oriental Institute / Pub Meet

To get to the Oriental Institute:

From the South - head up Cornmarket and past Debenhams on your left. At the traffic lights turn left, with the Randolph and Oxford Playhouse theatre on your left. Cross the road and turn right down St. John Street, then right into Pusey Lane (a small, cobbled street). The road bends round to the left, and the entrance to the Oriental Institute will be on your right up the steps.

From the North - head down St. Giles past Little Clarendon St, and take the next right, Pusey St. Then take the next left into Pusey Lane, and the Institute is at the far end of this road, about 100m down, on your left.