Across the country, people are looking for Japanese learning opportunities available throughout Australia. As one of our closest neighbours, and with a large population of Japanese expats, it makes sense for us to master this language. And that's besides the cognitive and professional benefits learning a second language delivers. Here, we show you where you can learn Japanese in Brisbane.
Opportunities to Learn Japanese in Brisbane
- The University of Queensland and Griffith University each offer Japanese learning programs
- Technical and Further Education (TAFE) schools give learners a path to university language studies
- Dedicated Japanese language schools: Lapont Language Centre, GoGo Japanese and others
- Franchise language schools: Listen & Learn, Language Trainers and others
- Social events: Japanese festivals, Meetups, library events and more
Learn Japanese Brisbane: University Courses
If you are presently or will soon be enrolled in a Queensland-based university degree, then consider taking Japanese classes at your institution to improve your speaking and writing.
The Humanities faculty presents Japanese learning opportunities at Sydney area universities. By contrast, the University of Queensland boasts a School of Languages and Cultures. That should give you an idea of how complete these courses are.
This university offers courses from Japanese 1 all the way to Japanese 8 (absolute beginner to advanced). As you advance through the curriculum, you'll study cultural and historical aspects of Japanese history and society.
Following their degree plan, students interested in select aspects of Japanese culture may take targeted courses in Japanese literature, popular culture, and translation.
Learners also have the opportunity to study in Japan, thanks to Queensland's exchange programs.
Griffith University also offers degree plans with a Japanese major. Like Queensland, you don't have to know Japanese to take these courses. However, unlike the other university, your Japanese language studies will be in addition to another field of study - Business, Law or Science.
Here's how these two schools' programs compare:
The University of Queensland
- a 3-year program (part-time available)
- minimum 70 ATAR
- no prior Japanese knowledge needed
- 6 degree plans to choose from, including 2 Honours plans
Griffith University
- a 3-year program (part-time available)
- minimum 66 ATAR
- no prior Japanese knowledge needed
- 10 degree plans to choose from
Study Japanese With TAFE
If you enrolled in TAFE as opposed to university, TAFE Queensland also offers Japanese 1 for beginners at campuses in both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. This short course offers pathways to James Cook University, Griffith University and the University of Queensland, amongst others.
Start your Japanese learning journey at TAFE Queensland in Gold Coast and you could soon find yourself learning Japanese at one of Queensland and Australia’s premier Universities.
The Brisbane Japanese Language and Culture School
Dedicated language school teachers are typically native speakers and have a lot of experience teaching their language. They are adept at communicating their language's concepts so students can grasp them. This school offers four different courses:
🌐www.brisbanejapaneseschool.com/
📍Unit 5/468 Enoggera Rd, Alderley QLD 4051
Lapont Language School
This school is great because it uses an immersive, communicative method to teach languages. The school's Japanese teachers are all native speakers. You'll find several outlets across the city; all situated in convenient locations so that any student in Brisbane can access their classes.
Lapont keeps their class sizes small; no more than 6 students. That way, everyone gets plenty of speaking practice during each lesson.
🌐www.lapont.com/
📍116 Adelaide Street, IH International House Bld, Brisbane City QLD 4000
📞+617 5538 9768
GoGo Japanese School
This school is much smaller and less established than the first two mentioned in this article. In fact, it's a lot like a Canberra Japanese school. Brisbane's GoGo Japanese School has blossomed from its opening in 2017, into a community of passionate Japanese teachers and students. The school is located right near Taringa station, west of the Central Business District (CBD).
🌐Find GoGo Japanese on Facebook
📍1F/20 Pike Ave, Taringa QLD 4068
📞+04 0503 7082
Japanese Brisbane
Japanese learning centres in Melbourne abound thanks to the thriving Japanese expat community that lives there. Brisbane also has many Japanese residents, though far fewer than, say, from China (according to our latest census). Still, our Japanese population is keen to share their culture - through festivals and foods, and through language teaching.
Japanese Brisbane exemplifies this idea. All of this school's teachers are native Japanese speakers with classroom experience. They're as happy to introduce absolute beginners to their language as they are to help advanced speakers polish their Japanese skills.
🌐www.japanesebrisbane.com.au/
📍Suite 4C Level 4/144 Adelaide St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
📞+614 0659 5459
Unlike many Japanese language schools, Japanese Brisbane offers a 'study abroad' plan at nine different locations in Japan. You may then grow this opportunity into finding permanent work in your chosen Japanese province.
Learn Japanese Online
People who live in relatively remote regions like Darwin, who want to study Japanese, typically find their best opportunities to do so online. For Brisbanites with no time to rush off to class, the same is true.
Studying Japanese online offers several benefits, not the least of which is lower costs. When a learning centre doesn't have to pay for teaching facilities, they don't have to charge students as much for lessons.
Also, learners can choose a teacher from anywhere in the world. They're not limited to local options (though that doesn't help to support your local economy😟).
Online Japanese lessons allow you to record your sessions so you can listen to what your teacher said while you're doing homework once class is over. Also, digital learning tools are more plentiful.
However, some students (and teachers) feel that online learning is soulless. It doesn't allow for a solid relationship between mentor and pupil, and that's a valid concern. So, these online Japanese language learning platforms do their best to find workarounds.
Note that each of these language learning centres has an office in Brisbane. However, the bulk of their business takes place online so they've dedicated the bulk of their resources to those platforms' utilities and teaching to focus on those efforts.
Events to Practice Speaking Japanese
Did you know that August is Japan Month? Across Queensland, 2025 events to celebrate the occasion are in the final planning stages. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Japanese Cultural Day at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens has been cancelled. Still, we have many events to look forward to.
People learning Japanese in Perth do not have such an array of events to look forward to. They rely on social groups for language exchange, something you, too, might consider.
Practice Speaking Japanese with Language Exchange
Wouldn't it be great to have a directory of people who share your interests? Who would like to get together for conversation and maybe something to eat or drink?
That is exactly what My Language Exchange offers. This dedicated Brisbane platform helps connect people who are learning Japanese and want to practise their language skills outside of class. Unlike crowded Meetups that one person organises, this website gives language learners space to build a profile.
Once registered, you can create your profile and then, take a look around to find other Japanese speakers. You can read about potential conversation partners' interests, language levels and where in Brisbane they are. When you find a likely language exchange friend, you can arrange to meet.
From Brisbane to Adelaide, Japanese language learners all yearn for someone to practise speaking with. A large group with each person competing for speaking time isn't always the best, particularly if you're not confident about your language skills yet. This pared-down method of meeting Japanese speakers is the perfect solution to meet conversation partners.
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