Japanese Language Club South Africa

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こんにちは

Welcome to the Japanese Language Club of
South Africa

Join Our Community

3 Great Reasons To Join

Learn Japanese with friends

We offer Japanese classes taught by Japanese native speakers with qualifications in teaching Japanese to students who don’t speak Japanese as a first language. We also offer events, resources, and language exchange opportunities.

Experience Japanese culture

We love to share and enjoy Japanese culture on our social media, at our dinners at the best Japanese restaurants in SA, at our events and through the events of our partners and key institutions like the Japanese Embassy of South Africa.

Find new opportunities between SA and Japan

We offer full-courses in Japanese through our partner Human Academy, for those who wish to travel, study and live in Japan. We also offer Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese translation and interpretation, as well as market research services.

Our approach

We are South Africa’s first official Japanese Language Club, founded in 2020. The JLCSA currently has over 600 members, based in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.

We aim to create a space for those who are learning Japanese to meet and socialise, to enable access to resources, to create new opportunities for learning Japanese and about Japanese culture.

We hope to provide South African and Japanese people with as many bridges as possible.

About Us

Courses

Find new opportunities between SA and Japan.

Membership

Become a member and earn points. Enjoy member only events and other benefits.

Events

From language exchanges to cultural events to movie nights – we do it all! Please join us to have a lot of fun and make amazing new friends!

Articles

We publish short and long articles in Japanese and English on topics relating to both Japan and South Africa.

Our Japanese Courses

  • Basics – Hiragana and Katakana
  • Beginner N5 Class
  • Beginner+ N4 Class
  • Individual Classes
  • Kids Japanese Course (from ages 9-12)

Lessons are excellent, offered at a great pace and easy to follow. I have learnt so much in such a short time I highly recommend the lessons.

I appreciate the cultural explanations and examples from the teacher's personal life to explain certain grammar conventions.

So kind and supportive. They make trying even when not certain feel accepted and encouraged.

Excellent authentic learning.

友達

Our Friendly Team

Emma Ruiters

Emma Ruiters

Director & Founder
Director of the JLCSA since January 2020. MSc Japanese Studies at the University of Oxford. JLPT N2 holder, and N1-ronin. Former JET-programme in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido. Also have an MSc in Development Economics from SOAS, University of London. I am a digital economist by trade and love to find connections between Japan and South Africa.
Owen Ishii

Owen Ishii

Social Media and Comms Manager
I am Japanese-American and an avid collector of Japanese antiques, artwork, stamps, and postcards. I began studying Japanese in my undergrad, spending a year abroad in Tokyo, and am currently studying for the JLPT N1. I also hold an MSc in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford where I researched the digitalisation of Shinto shrines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Louis-François du Toit

Louis-François du Toit

Web Administrator
Been studying Japanese since 2017. I went to Japan in 2019 and was the most amazing experience. I have been working towards moving to Japan. I am currently busy studying TEFL BA Degree.
Kendal Conradie

Kendal Conradie

Translator
A Japanese/English translator of South African origin, I am a native English speaker holding a JLPT N1 certificate. I learned Japanese from a native speaker in Cape Town for 7½ years before living in Japan for 5, where I learned from many while teaching English. I also majored in German and General linguistics at Stellenbosch University, and will always enjoy learning languages.
Precious Molobye

Precious Molobye

Organiser
Hi, my name is Precious Molobye. I am a nomad who secretly likes stability, and I have lived in Tokyo, Japan for 5 years through the JET Program. I am also a member of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Japan (SACCJ).
My educational background is in International Relations and Political Science from the University of the Witwatersrand. I am passionate about travel, and content creation. I found out that I love bridging South Africa and Japan through many avenues. I enjoy anything with Matcha and am currently planning my next trip to Japan!
In my spare time, I am the host of the South Africans Abroad YouTube Show!
Meso Qhobela

Meso Qhobela

Media Manager
Hi everyone, I'm Meso! I'm a marketing professional with a genuine passion for Japanese culture, and I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Japanese Language Club here in South Africa. I'm a self-confessed otaku – anime, manga, you name it, I love it! My work in marketing often has a strong visual focus, and as an artist myself, I'm always drawn to creative expression. Looking forward to connecting with everyone in the JLCSA community and exploring all things Japanese!
Hiromi Spinola

Hiromi Spinola

Head Teacher
Hiromi grew up in Machida, Tokyo. After finishing her BA degree in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language, she taught in Taiwan for 4 years. She has lived and taught Japanese in SA since 2004. She lives in Pretoria with her SA husband and two daughters. She loves sports and music, watching soccer games and playing many instruments such as piano, pipe organ, clarinet and ukulele.
Mami Sugawara

Mami Sugawara

Teacher
Hello! I was primarily school teacher from Japan, I spent nearly two years teaching mathematics in Namibia last year. Currently, I'm taking Honors degree in Mathematics Education at the University of Pretoria. I love learning about other cultures through making friends and I'm always eager to have nice conversations! I’m looking forward to seeing you and having fun time together!
Chie Yamamoto

Chie Yamamoto

Teacher
Hi everyone! I’m Chie Yamamoto from Kyoto, Japan. I have been yoga and pilates instructor more than 16 years in Japan, Bali, Germany and South Africa. Correctly moved to Bloemfontein from Potchefstroom.

I like traveling, music, salsa, anime, comics, all asian food. I am very exciting to meet new people and share our experiences in here! Looking forward to see you and let’s have fun learning together!

South Africa’s first official Japanese Language Club

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