Japanese Classes Melbourne for Adults
Learn Japanese in Melbourne with Native Japanese Teachers
Looking for Japanese classes in Melbourne? Nunawading Japanese School has been teaching Japanese to adult learners in Melbourne since 2013.
Our 80-minute weekly Japanese classes are designed for adults who want to learn to speak, read, write and understand Japanese, with a strong emphasis on practical conversation.
Classes are taught by native Japanese teachers from our school in Nunawading, Melbourne, with the option to attend onsite or online. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have studied Japanese before, you’ll follow our structured curriculum and gradually build the confidence to use Japanese in real conversations.
With small classes of 4–8 students, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to speak Japanese while learning alongside other adults who share an interest in Japan.
- $51 Per Week -
(*Your monthly fees provides student access to: Weekly Classes, Course Materials, Homework Correction/Admin and Access to our Online Study Portal)
WHAT TO EXPECT IN CLASS
- Small class size (4-8 students)
- Learn to read, write and speak
- Big focus on speaking in class
- Bilingual (native) Japanese teachers
- Unique school curriculum
- Teachers live/teach from Melbourne
ENROLMENT INCLUDES
- 80 min group classes
- Course materials
- Corrected homework
- Study Portal Access (see below)
- Monthly Enrolment
- Onsite or Online
Why Learn Japanese at Nunawading Japanese School?
Established in Melbourne since 2013
More than a decade of experience teaching Japanese to adult learners.
Small Japanese Classes
Classes are generally limited to 4–8 students, giving everyone opportunities to participate and speak.
Native Japanese Teachers in Melbourne
Learn from bilingual Japanese teachers who live and teach locally in Melbourne.
Our Own Structured Curriculum
Follow a clear learning pathway developed and refined through years of teaching Australian adults.
Speaking-Focused Classes
You’ll actively use the Japanese you’re learning rather than only studying grammar from a textbook.
Onsite + Live Online
Attend our Nunawading classrooms or join your Melbourne class live online.
Online Study Portal
Continue learning between classes using videos, audio vocabulary flashcards, quizzes and resources designed specifically around your course.
(STUDENT FORM)
(PRIOR KNOWLEDGE)
Our Japanese Course & Curriculum
Our Japanese classes follow a structured curriculum developed by Nunawading Japanese School. Students progress through clearly defined levels, beginning with foundational Japanese and gradually developing more complex grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and conversation skills.
Complete beginners start by learning essential sentence structures, vocabulary and hiragana while speaking Japanese from their first lessons. As students progress, katakana and kanji are introduced alongside increasingly natural conversation.
Our curriculum is designed around practical communication rather than simply memorising textbook content. Students regularly revisit previously learned Japanese and use it in new conversations.
Beginner 1 (Chapters 1–10)
Beginner 2 (Chapters 11–20)
Beginner 3 (Chapters 21–30)
Beginner 4 – Pre Inter (Chapters 31–40)
Inter 1, 2 ,3 Course
Advanced Course
NJS Online Study Portal
As well as your weekly Japanese classes, enrolled students get FREE ACCESS to our online study portal. We’ve developed an online learning platform that includes vocabulary flashcards with audio, teacher videos, class content summary with explanations, quizzes and more to help students study.
The best part is it’s inline with our school’s unique curriculum and only available at Nunawading Japanese School.
Posted on Google Alan PánucoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I compared similar schools but found nothing like this one. Relationship between quality and price is great but nothing can beats their professionalism and such amazing way of teaching, and constant support that makes you look forward to the next class and crave for more learning. Five stars is not enough for this amazing team and now almost six years after i started attending lessons I’m still convinced there’s no other place like this. Senseis make you participate and constantly support and encourage you to keep learning and practicing. End of the year Christmas event is such an amazing time to catch up with classmates and have a bit of culture and understanding of what Japan has to offer. Keep up the great job, team, all sensei are amazing!Posted on Google Thushan JayasingheTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. There is no better way to learn Japanese than with NJS! I've been learning since 2023 and it has been the most enjoyable and rewarding time. Vaughan & Miyuki-sensei are amazing as well as all our other sensei. I was hesitant with online learning, however it's very convenient and you can still interact with everyone in class. I look forward to learning more and more Japanese each week.Posted on Google Jason JiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Having been a student at Nunawading Japanese School for just over a year and a half, I can happily recommend it to anyone who is keen on learning Japanese! Before joining the school, I had been self-studying for a few months, but I was looking for a place where I could actually use the language in a fun and engaging environment. Nunawading Japanese School definitely provides that. The teachers rotate weekly, and each of them brings their own personality and experience to the class, which keeps the lessons fresh and interesting. They’re all very supportive and patient, and always encourage students to participate and practice speaking. The classes are lively, and it is motivating to learn alongside classmates who are just as enthusiastic about studying Japanese. The small class sizes also mean that everyone has plenty of opportunities to speak and interact during lessons. As someone who plans to continue my studies in Japan, studying here has been an important step in building both my confidence and foundation in the language. Overall, it has been a very enjoyable and rewarding learning experience!Posted on Google Zach TehTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I loved studying here! i studied here for 1 year doing beginner 1 classes and i had so much fun. i made close connections with all my classmates and the teachers were super supportive and made every class interesting and fun! I will definitely come back and study here again one day!Posted on Google Claire LewisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This school is everything I want in a class. Taught by native Japanese speakers, it feels like you get all the best parts of being in a school in Japan. The group aspect is awesome too, as you can sometimes go on a bit of a tangent, and there's loads of speaking practise! It's really a well thought out learning schedule and really what I was missing with my self studyPosted on Google Jo MundyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is hands down the best Japanese school in Melbourne! I've been a student at Nunawading Japanese School for just over a year now, and it's been such a great experience. I always look forward to my classes - mostly because the teachers are amazing. They are really engaging and encouraging. せんせいたち、ありがとうございます!Posted on Google Arun AshokTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been a student at Nunawading Japanese School for over a year now, and it is honestly one of the highlights of my week. Like many others, I joined after visiting Japan and realising that having even a basic understanding of the language would help me connect more deeply with the locals. The courses are thoughtfully structured, making it easy for anyone to pick up the fundamentals quickly. The teachers are native Japanese speakers who bring the language to life in engaging and creative ways, and they are consistently patient, supportive, and considerate. The classes are broken into small groups. As a bonus, the school has a wonderful community atmosphere. You get to meet great classmates who share the same interest in learning Japanese or exchanging experiences about Japan. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is just getting started, has some basic Japanese skills, or is looking to further develop their fluency. Japan is my favourite country, and attending the school feels like experiencing a little piece of Japan each week while still being in Melbourne.Posted on Google Vinna CheaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had the pleasure of learning at Nunawading Japanese School for the last 5 months and already noticing fast progress. The in-person classes are engaging, fun and genuinely motivating with helpful native-speaking teachers and like-minded adult students who help create a supportive environment that encourages continual learning and improvement. I was casually learning from Duolingo which is great for basics but it doesn't compare to practicing through real conversations and interactions. I've since completed the B1 level course recently and happy to be continuing onto B2 level. I highly recommend in-person classes at Nunawading and excited to practice everything I've learned for my next trip to Japan.Posted on Google Claire O'GareyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I started learning at Nunawading Japanese School in February 2025, after my third trip to Japan. Prior to starting, I tried self teaching but I wanted a face-to-face learning environment to help with my understanding and confidence with speaking with native Japanese speakers. Joining Nunawading Japanese School has been the best decision yet!!! I have learnt so much already, with each lesson made fun and interesting plus getting to meet new likeminded people! The teachers are so friendly, welcoming and passionate about teaching Japanese. Cannot wait to progress further in my Japanese language skills at Nunawading Japanese School for many more years!!!Posted on Google Daniel SchickerlingTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been attending Nunawading Japanese School for the past year, and what a difference it has made. Like many other students, I'd dabbled in self‑guided learning for a long time, but I could never seem to stick with it. Bits and pieces would stay with me, but progress was slow. After a year at Nunawading Japanese School and completing B1, the improvement has been huge. Fluent? Not yet — but on my last holiday to Japan I was able to have simple conversations and read both Hiragana and Katakana, which was more than enough proof of how far I’ve come. All the teachers are native Japanese speakers from all over Japan, so you get great exposure to the Tokyo dialect as well as the occasional word from different regional dialects, which is always interesting. The teachers are very friendly and patient, and if you don’t understand something at first, they’ll take the time to help you get a proper grasp of it. I’m looking forward to continuing my studies, and I would recommend Nunawading Japanese School to anyone who wants to accelerate their Japanese language learning. As an added bonus, it also helps build confidence in public speaking, which has been a pleasant surprise.
Unique Teaching Style & Curriculum
Over the years we've developed Japanese classes that are perfect for beginners through to intermediate. Japanese classes are conducted in 'native' Japanese with English (for beginners). This way you fully understand what you're being taught helping you learn Japanese.
Melbourne based 'native' Japanese teachers
Our Japanese lessons teaching method is one of a kind. We have developed a very unique way of of teaching Japanese to English speaking students since 2013. With a combination of English and native Japanese, learning Japanese is much easier and creates a fun class environment for students.
See How Our Students Learn to Speak Japanese
B2 LEVEL VIDEO
Who Are Our Melbourne Japanese Classes For?
Our Japanese classes in Melbourne are designed specifically for adult learners. Students come to Nunawading Japanese School for many different reasons, but they all share an interest in learning Japanese and connecting more closely with Japan.
Some students are preparing for a holiday and want to communicate more confidently while travelling. Others have Japanese partners, friends or family and want to participate more naturally in conversations.
We also teach adults who use Japanese for work, regularly travel to Japan, are considering living or working in Japan, or simply want to learn the language because of their interest in Japanese culture, food and travel.
Whatever your reason for learning, our classes focus on giving you the confidence to actually use the Japanese you learn.
Japanese Classes for Complete Beginners
You don’t need any previous Japanese experience to join our beginner Japanese classes in Melbourne.
Many of our students arrive at their first lesson knowing little or no Japanese. Our beginner course starts from the foundations and gradually develops your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
There’s also no need to learn hiragana before starting. We’ll introduce Japanese writing step-by-step as you progress through the course.
Most importantly, you’ll begin speaking and using Japanese from the beginning, rather than spending months studying grammar before having an opportunity to communicate.
Already Studied Japanese?
If you’ve previously studied Japanese at school, university, another language school, with a private tutor or through self-study, you may not need to start again from the beginning.
We offer a complimentary Japanese level check to help determine the most suitable class for your current ability.
We’ll consider your existing grammar and vocabulary knowledge, but we’ll also look at how comfortably you can understand and use Japanese in conversation. This helps us place you into a class that matches both your knowledge and practical communication ability.
Learn Japanese with Other Adults in Melbourne
One of the biggest advantages of joining a group class is learning alongside other adults who share your interest in Japan.
Our Japanese classes generally have 4–8 students, keeping groups small enough for everyone to participate, ask questions and regularly practise speaking Japanese.
Learning with different classmates also helps you become more comfortable using Japanese with different people, rather than only communicating with your teacher.
Over the years, we’ve also seen many friendships develop between students who originally met in class. For many of our students, attending Japanese class becomes an enjoyable part of their week and an opportunity to connect with a wider Melbourne community of people who love Japan.
Whether you’re learning Japanese for travel, family, work, living in Japan or simply for yourself, our goal is to help you develop practical Japanese and the confidence to use it.
A Melbourne Community for People Who Love Japan
Learning Japanese is easier when you’re surrounded by people who share your interests. Our students regularly form friendships with classmates and practise Japanese together outside class.
We also organise school and cultural events throughout the year, giving students additional opportunities to experience Japanese culture and meet other members of our school community.
Japanese Classes in Nunawading, Melbourne
Our Japanese language school is located in Nunawading in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, at 8-10 Wood Street, close to Nunawading Station.
Students attend our classes from across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including Blackburn, Box Hill, Mitcham, Ringwood, Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Burwood and surrounding areas.
Students who can’t attend onsite can join selected classes live online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Classes in Melbourne
Can complete beginners join your Japanese classes?
Yes. Our beginner Japanese classes are designed for adults with little or no previous Japanese experience. You don’t need to know hiragana, katakana or any Japanese before your first class.
Our structured beginner course introduces Japanese step-by-step, while giving students opportunities to start speaking and using the language from the beginning.
How much do Japanese classes cost?
Our Japanese group classes are $51 per week, with enrolment paid monthly. Your enrolment includes your weekly 80-minute class as well as access to our online study portal and course resources to support your learning between classes.
There are no long-term contracts, making it easy to continue learning at a pace that suits your circumstances.
How long is each Japanese class?
Our regular Japanese group classes run for 80 minutes each week. Lessons combine speaking, listening, vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing as students progress through our structured curriculum.
Students also have access to study materials between lessons, so learning doesn’t stop when the weekly class finishes.
How many students are in each Japanese class?
Our Japanese group classes generally have 4–8 adult students. We believe smaller groups create a better environment for learning a language because students have more opportunities to participate and speak Japanese.
Students practise not only with their teacher but also with different classmates, helping them become more confident communicating with different people.
Are your Japanese teachers native speakers?
Yes. Our Japanese classes are taught by native Japanese-speaking teachers who live and teach locally in Melbourne.
All teachers follow Nunawading Japanese School’s structured curriculum and teaching methodology. We provide teacher training and ongoing support to maintain a consistent learning experience as students progress through different levels and teachers.
Do you teach hiragana, katakana and kanji?
Yes. Hiragana, katakana and kanji are gradually introduced as part of our Japanese curriculum. Complete beginners don’t need to learn the Japanese writing systems before joining.
We introduce reading and writing alongside speaking, listening, vocabulary and grammar so students can develop a balanced understanding of Japanese.
Do your classes focus on speaking Japanese?
Yes. Speaking is an important part of every Japanese class at Nunawading Japanese School. We want students to be able to use what they learn rather than simply memorise vocabulary and grammar.
Our teaching approach encourages students to participate actively, answer questions and use previously learned Japanese in conversation. As students progress, teachers gradually increase the amount of Japanese used in class.
Can I join if I have studied Japanese before?
Yes. Students with previous Japanese experience can complete a complimentary level check before joining a class. This helps us determine where your existing knowledge fits within the Nunawading Japanese School curriculum.
We consider your grammar, vocabulary and overall understanding, as well as your ability to actually use Japanese in conversation. We’ll then recommend a class at an appropriate level.
Are Japanese classes available online?
Yes. We offer live online access to selected Japanese classes as well as onsite classes at our school in Nunawading, Melbourne.
Our online classes are live lessons with a teacher rather than pre-recorded courses. Students can therefore participate, ask questions and practise speaking Japanese during their lesson.
Students also receive access to our online study portal for additional learning and revision between classes.
Where is Nunawading Japanese School located?
Nunawading Japanese School is located at 8–10 Wood Street, Nunawading, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Our location makes us convenient for students living and working throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including Nunawading, Blackburn, Mitcham, Box Hill, Ringwood, Doncaster, Burwood and surrounding areas.
For students who cannot regularly attend our Melbourne classrooms, selected classes can also be joined live online.
How long does it take to learn conversational Japanese?
How quickly you learn conversational Japanese depends on your study consistency, practice and the level of conversation you want to achieve. There isn’t one fixed amount of time that applies to every student.
At Nunawading Japanese School, students begin using Japanese from the early stages of our beginner course and gradually build their vocabulary, grammar and speaking ability as they progress.
Regular attendance and reviewing your Japanese between classes can make a significant difference. Our goal isn’t to promise that you’ll become fluent within a certain number of months, but to provide a structured pathway that steadily develops practical communication skills.
Do you teach Japanese to adults or children?
Nunawading Japanese School specialises in Japanese classes for adults. Our curriculum, teaching style, class environment and learning materials have been developed specifically with adult learners in mind.
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and learn Japanese for travel, relationships and family, work, living in Japan, personal interest and a genuine love of Japanese language and culture.
What levels of Japanese classes do you offer?
We offer Japanese classes from complete beginner through to intermediate level. Students progress through our structured curriculum as their speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar develop.
Complete beginners can start from the beginning, while students who have previously studied Japanese can complete a complimentary level check so we can recommend an appropriate class.
What makes Nunawading Japanese School different?
Nunawading Japanese School is an established Melbourne Japanese language school specialising in teaching adults. We have been teaching Japanese in Melbourne since 2013 and have developed our own structured curriculum and teaching methodology over many years.
Our approach combines small group classes, native Japanese teachers, practical speaking opportunities, structured progression and online study resources.
Most importantly, we want students to enjoy coming to class. Learning Japanese takes time, so we believe creating a friendly and engaging environment is an important part of helping students continue learning.
