Fresno Betsuin Japanese Language School The school is currently structured with 2 class levels: beginning and intermediate.
Mission Statement
The Japanese Language and Cultural School is for children ages 5 and older to learn basic conversational Japanese, reading and writing in Hiragana, and to promote and appreciate the Japanese culture. The FBJLCS seeks to incorporate Japanese language and culture into a unique educational experience which fosters academic excellence, ethnic pride/awareness, creativity and cultural
competence for today’s multicultural society. The school is of non-profit status and employs 3 teachers. We are also members of the California Association of Japanese Language and School, Inc. School is in session during the traditional school year (September-May) and meets each Saturday morning from 9-11am observing major holidays. Tuition includes a monthly calligraphy (sumi-e) class on the first Saturday of each month. The school not only focuses on the Japanese language instruction but has expanded to promote Japanese culture with a monthly cultural activity which may invite guests to demonstrate their expertise and by taking field trips throughout the year. Previous guests have demonstrated Japanese cooking, doll-making, music, origami, bonsai, and crafts. Field trips have included visits to the Sherman Lee Institute at the Clark Center, Fresno Art and Metropolitan Museum, Kogetsu-Do to name a few. The school sponsors a one day out of town field trip if funding is available. Past trips have included the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum, San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, Monterey Bay Aquarium and San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Two years ago, due to our fund raising efforts, our school was able to make a donation to the Norther Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to provide aid to the citizens and survivors of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese Language school has been very fortunate to have received donations for our scholarship funds. The Kichibei Ito Scholarship Fund was set up to reward graduating students after six or more years of attendance. Other scholarships are rewarded to students who have completed four consecutive years of 90% attendance. Goals for the upcoming years include participating in more community sponsored events and to promote positive exposure to increase interest and enrollment.
