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Tokyo
Intercultural Institute of Japan
Our short-term course starts every Monday and can be taken weekly basis. Complete beginner course starts every first Monday of the month. The lesson is intensive, 4 hours a day and 5 days a week, Monday to Friday. Class size is 5 to 10 persons.Tuition fee : JPY 19,500 / week
Registration fee : JPY 20,000
Location: 1 min. walk from Subway Iidabashi Station [Learn more...]
Academy of Language Arts( ALA Japanese Language School)
At ALA we offer over ten levels of Intensive/Part-time course. Our curriculum places great emphasis on developing communication skills. To that end we use materials from everyday life to practice Japanese, such as newspapers, novels, and TV Dramas etc.Open Evening course for beginners!
Location: 5min. walk from JR/Subway Iidabashi St. [Learn more...]
TOKYO CENTRAL JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Located in a conveniently accessible part of Tokyo, just one minute's walk from Yoyogi Station, and within walking distance of Shinjuku and Harajuku stations. Take your pick of courses from an everyday intensive course, to business course or a private lesson to improve your Japanese skills.We are now accepting applications for January course, and also available "Winter Special Intensive Course” ( Period : Dec. 15 to Jan. 9, Tuition fee : JPY35,000 ). Anybody can study Japanese, irrespective of age or nationality.
[ Now accepting applications for January course ]
- Regular Course
- Business Japanese Course
- Saturday or Night Intensive Course
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ARC Academy
Intensive, part-time, private and other courses are available for various purposes. Students from over 40 countries make good progress through conversation-based practice.Locations: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama. [Learn more...]
Aichi
Osaka
Fukuoka
Learning Japanese
GaijinPot Tips for Learning Japanese
First let me say that I'm not trying to write a linguistic thesis here, just stating some feelings and observations that I've got after having lived and learned Japanese...
Tip #1: Hit it hard, hit it early.
Based on my observance of foreigners in Japan, I've noted that generally the people who are working hard and making progress with the language in the first year are generally the ones who are quite fluent after a couple of years. On the other hand, poor speakers after one year generally seem to be not very fluent even after five or ten years. Why? Not sure.
Tip #2: Don't psyche yourself out.
Is learning Japanese difficult? No! If you listen to most Japanese, they'll have you convinced that their language is the only one in the world that simply can not be learned by aliens. Japanese has only 5 vowel sounds. "a" "i" "u" "e" "o". Think simple and you'll win! Also, Japanese grammar is not so complex (just different). However, your level will plateau and even deteriorate if you don't constantly challenge yourself to learn, specifically, to read the language.
Tip #3: Read, read, read
I firmly believe that in the early stages it is much more important to listen than to read so you don't start off with the wrong sounds in your head; however at more intermediate/advanced levels you should really turn to the books. It is not that reading is only a valuable skill in and of itself, but also because through print you will come into contact with a wealth of vocabulary that you will rarely or never hear. Why? Generally people use only a fraction of their vocabulary when speaking (their active language), while the depth of the language exists below the surface (their passive language). Learning to read will help you expand your vocabulary and round your total knowledge of Japanese.
It's no secret that learning to read is difficult. But start small and work your way up. Start, for example, by reading a single article on a topic you are interested for as long as it takes (however, I actually think that periods of deep study are more beneficial than lots of little bits). Stick with it because the most important tip for learning Japanese is...
Tip #4: Keep at it.
What is the secret to learning Japanese? The secret? There is a famous Japanese proverb that says it all - KEIZOKU HA CHIKARA NARI, or "Perseverence is power", and this is very true when applied to studying Japanese. Time spent at your desk memorizing grammar, vocabulary and Kanji flash cards continuously from the day you start studying is the only way to truly succeed. As adults, the language cannot be learned by "osmosis". Unfortunately, just being in the country isn't enough for most people to pick up the language. If you really want to have the edge on other foreigners it is highly recommended that you compliment your daily Japanese communication with school lessons. Japan's infatuation with the English language is a formidable enemy to the student of Japanese (people will want to practice their English with you instead of the other way around), but always keep in mind that at crucial times (especially for business) mastery of the Japanese language can be key.
Tip #5: Don't become a fossil.
Actually going to throw in one of the few linguistics words I know: fossilization. Bad for dinos, bad for you. Fossilization basically means that despite continued contact with the language you experience a plateau, or in some cases, a decrease in your linguistic ability. Fossilization describes the phenomenon where a speaker after two years, doesn't progress much from four.
What makes us fossils? I think it is probably either because of a lack of motivation at either a conscious or subconscious level because we somehow feel we have "learned enough" in the environments we find ourselves in. Prime candidates for early fossilization are people who use Japanese in a limited context: e.g. the one-partner speaker who learns their partner's vocabulary and syntax (and their partner learns how to understand the speaker's more-or-less comprehensible Japanese), or the bar meister who can exchange pleasantries and short anecdotes with their Japanese friends, but can't function well in other situations (e.g. business contexts).
The key to not becoming a fossil is perhaps to lead a more dynamic life - push yourself at of your comfortable environment so you learn to speak, read, and write in varied contexts.
One last word of advice.
Just remember, your ability to learn Japanese does not depend on the number of books, CDs, and other paraphernalia you pick up at Maruzen. The bottom line is this: The language can only be learned through blood, sweat and tears. Yes, it's a long, hard path, but the benefits make it worth the effort.
Where should I learn Japanese?
Standard Japanese is taught in all schools. The Tokyo dialect is the standard dialect in Japan so when you talk to people in Tokyo you have a good chance of not picking up any unusual expressions. The Osaka area (Kansai) is an interesting dialect where you'll pick up a lot of interesting expressions that might make Japanese laugh (imagine a foreigner speaking with the strongest regional accent in your country). In general though, we have found it useful to learn standard Japanese and then have the choice to use the local dialect's peculiar expressions or intonation as you desire.
Is it better to learn Japanese in a big city or a small town?
It really depends on your own motivation. You can go a whole day in a big or small town and not speak a word of Japanese. In a smaller city there are probably fewer distractions but you might be treated as a novelty item and not taken seriously. In a big city you might find that all your class mates are English speakers and you end up making only foreign friends who you speak only English with! Basically, it will depend on you. If you really try hard, you will probably succeed in either situation, so it comes down to the question, "Do you like living in a big city or small town?" Choose the one that best suits you.
Should I study at a University or a language school?
At a University you'll make a lot of Japanese friends and contacts that may help you in your future. But the motivation of your peers to learn Japanese may not be as intense as those of a language school where the students are studying specifically because they want to enter a Japanese University. Also, the University courses are much more expensive than language schools but the University comes with many different clubs and activities that are great language/culture learning environments.
Are there any scholarships available for studying Japanese?
Yes. Not only does the Japanese Ministry of Education (MONBUSHO) dish out scholarships but each institution usually has scholarships available. There are also private scholarships.
How do I apply for a Japanese Government (MONBUSHO) scholarship?
The Association for International Education Japan has a comprehensive guide to scholarships provided by the Japanese government, local governments and private foundations. Generally speaking, more scholarships can be applied for from within your own country than when you arrive in Japan. The number of scholarships awarded to your country depends on the reciprocal arrangement your country has with the Japanese Government. Conditions and limitations vary from country to country. You'll find there are similar conditions applied to other kinds of scholarships as well. Conditions for other types of scholarships can become quite specific, for example, a scholarship awarded to a student who is a certain age, nationality, gender who is studying at a specific University in Japan who is in a certain course in a specific year!
Can I work with a student visa?
Usually you can, but you have to get special work permission from the immigration office in your city and you can only work a specified number of hours a week.
Learning Japanese: Other Sources
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