After a long summer break, a new semester is finally beginning at Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, our Japanese language school in Hawaii!
In Japan, the school year begins in April, and Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu follows the same academic calendar, with April through March as one full school year. That means our second semester begins on August 1, after the summer break.
After taking time to rest and recharge over the summer, our students are ready to return to class. This semester, we will continue helping each child strengthen their Japanese skills step by step while making learning enjoyable and meaningful.
The Second Semester Begins in August
At Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, the school year that begins in April is divided into two main learning periods, with summer break in between.
The second semester is an important time for students to strengthen what they have already learned while also taking on more advanced challenges such as kanji, reading comprehension, and writing.
Our goal is not simply for children to be able to “speak Japanese.” We want them to develop the ability to read in Japanese, understand what they read, think in Japanese, and express their own ideas in their own words.
The second semester also brings several exciting events that our students look forward to every year.
1. Registration Is Open for the Second Kanken Exam of the School Year
Registration is now open for the second Japan Kanji Aptitude Test, or Kanken, of the 2026 school year.
Kanken is a great opportunity for students to measure the kanji skills they have developed through their regular Japanese classes and to stay motivated in their studies.
Having a clear goal such as, “I want to pass this level next,” can make daily kanji practice more meaningful and rewarding.
The upcoming exam schedule is:
Exam Date: Friday, November 6, 2026 Start Time: 4:00 PM Registration Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
Students who would like to take the exam should complete their registration by the deadline.
For children learning Japanese in Hawaii, Kanken can be an especially valuable way to track progress and build confidence in reading and writing Japanese.
2. Online Exchange Event with HOPPA Preschool in Japan
Another exciting event this semester is our annual online cultural exchange with HOPPA Preschool in Japan.
This year’s sessions are scheduled for:
September 15, 2026 October 1, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM–4:30 PM
During these special online lessons, children at Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu connect with students at HOPPA Preschool in Japan and enjoy games, conversations, and interactive activities together.
The children are encouraged to communicate using both Japanese and English, giving them a chance to experience language in a way that is different from their regular classroom lessons.
They may find themselves thinking:
“I want to tell my friends in Japan about this!” or
“Let me try saying it in English!”
That natural desire to communicate helps turn language learning into real interaction.
These online exchange lessons are held two to three times each year as part of the Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu curriculum and have become one of our most popular annual activities.
More Than Learning Japanese: Giving Children Opportunities to Use It
At Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, we believe that learning Japanese is about more than studying kanji and completing language arts assignments.
We also place great importance on giving children opportunities to actually use Japanese to connect with other people.
A word learned in a textbook becomes much more meaningful when a child uses it in a conversation, a game, or an online exchange with friends in Japan.
Over time, these experiences can transform Japanese from something children simply “study” into a language that truly feels like their own.
As the second semester begins in August, we will continue creating learning experiences that make children think:
“I did it!” and “I want to try more!”
By supporting each child at their own pace, we hope to help them grow in confidence while building stronger Japanese language skills.
Join Our Japanese Classes in Hawaii This Semester
Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu is also accepting new students for the second semester.
If you are looking for a Japanese language school for children in Hawaii, are interested in bilingual education, or would like your child to strengthen their reading, writing, and communication skills in Japanese, we would be happy to hear from you.
Let’s enjoy learning Japanese together in the new semester!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions about Japanese classes, Kanken, our online exchange programs, or enrollment.