Learn Japanese - Schools and Courses in Japan

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Learn Japanese in Okazaki, Japan

Our students enjoy living in the historic castle town of Okazaki, in central Japan. Part of an extensive metropolitan area comprising more than 7 million people, Okazaki City is now a satellite city of Nagoya and forms parts of Japan's affluent manufacturing belt comprising Toyota, Okazaki, Gamagori and Toyohashi cities. It is a boom town, one of the fastest growing cities in Japan.

Okazaki is ideally placed to enable you to easily visit nearly ALL of the most famous places in Japan. Centrally located between Tokyo and Osaka & convenient to both, halfway between Shizuoka and the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, with easy access to Ise, the mountains and winter resorts of Nagano and Gifu and inland towns such as Takayama. The city also played a key role in the history of Japan as the birthplace and key stronghold of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868.

The population of Okazaki City is only 370,000, and while it is growing very quickly, the local area around our Japanese school in Okazaki, Japan still has a small town feel because the city is spread out, with low housing density, tree lined streets, numerous parks and large shopping malls.

Local firms include Toyota Motor, Mitsubishi, Sony and Makita Power Tools. Okazaki City is also host to prestigious national research institutes as well as a range of R&D centers, laboratories and universities. Unemployment is always lower than the national average, and with fewer language students than larger cities to compete with, part-time jobs are usually easier to find than in Tokyo.

Although it is a very modern city, in Okazaki you can also visit dozens of historic temples and shrines, participate in the festivals and explore the castle and town by bicycle or on foot. Not only did the city benefit from the patronage of the Tokugawa shoguns, but with its castle and important bridge it was also a strategically important post town (the 38th) on the ancient Tokaido highway linking Edo (now Tokyo) with the imperial capital in Kyoto. Unlike many Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Osaka that were almost completely destroyed during WWII, many of the buildings and heritage sites have been preserved.

For students, Okazaki City is safer, cheaper and quieter than crowded cities like Tokyo or Osaka, and more suited to learn Japanese and gain a taste of the traditional Japan. Okazaki is a low-cost city. It is very important for students that rents are less than half that of equivalent accommodation in Tokyo and this is reflected in everything from the cost and spaciousness of our accommodation to groceries, entertainment and of course our tuition fees. One look at our programs will quickly dispel any notion that studying in Japan has to be expensive. There is absolutely no need to spend Tokyo or Osaka prices or the burden of commuting fares and time in order to study Japanese in Japan.

Japanese Courses in Okazaki, Japan - Fees

Accommodation Fees

Our Japanese School in Okazaki City, Japan

Our Japanese school in Okazaki, Japan is a non-profit, specialist center for Japanese studies.

Established in 1919, the center teaches Japanese, Japanese linguistics, and modern Japanese culture to international students. Whether you choose to study on campus or via distance learning, for a short duration intensive course, a graduate diploma, or even an educational holiday, the center can offer you affordable, high quality and flexible programs and support.

The center has the most advanced internet and information technology of any Japanese course provider in Japan.

The highest quality Japanese language school in Japan, our school is an independent, selective, non-profit teaching and research center. APJLE accredited, we provide an innovative, international, and professional learning community for Japan Studies and Japanese Language Studies

Our Japanese Courses in Okazaki City, Japan

Our school offers 3 awards for students who complete ACJS programs. These are the Course Certificate, the Graduate Certificate and the Graduate Diploma. The course certificate is issued to all students completing an ACJS program, the Graduate Diploma is the highest level award.

Minimum Eligibility requirements for Graduate Certificate:

• You need to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. (Please note that you do not need an undergraduate degree to enroll for a course certificate. For details please read the minimum entry requirements.)
• You need to complete all admissions requirements for your course or program.
• You need to maintain an attendance rate of 95% or higher for all classes/all days for each course attended.
• You are required to complete all coursework, exams and essays for each course attended.
• You are to have no outstanding tuition, accommodation, financial assistance loan repayments or other fees at the end of module or course attended.

Graduation Requirements:

• To qualify for the Graduate Certificate, a student must complete 24 credit points and must satisfy the following conditions.
• A maximum of 8 credit points may be transferred from other institutes/universities after placement testing/reference - these credit points will be classified as Academic.
• A minimum of 18 credit points must be for academic programs (more about this...)
• A minimum of 18 credit points must be ACJS/OCJS programs (more about this...)
• A maximum of 6 credit points from extension programs (more about this...)
• An essay and presentation

Academic Intensive Japanese Program (AIJP)

The curriculum and intensive schedule is designed to prepare students for professional careers requiring advanced levels of Japanese and for successful entry into Japanese language undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is about 20% more intense than most accredited programs offered in Japan.

The Academic Intensive Japanese Program (AIJP) has established itself as one of Japan 's leading and more flexible Japanese language programs. The program has a strong emphasis on preparing academic skills such as good reading and writing proficiency in Japanese, fluency in Japanese conversation and good listening skills. The curriculum stresses correct grammatical use as well as successful preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

It should be noted that most participants in the AIJP do not actually plan to attend a Japanese university, college or graduate school; however, they prefer a more academically oriented course of study. Many such students go on to work in Japan or use their Japanese language skills in their work abroad. Grammar is a major focus. It is a key objective of the program that you will be able to read university level texts/materials in the Japanese language and be able to write, express and communicate using precise and correct grammar. AIJP offers an intensive schedule with more classes than those offered by program providers in other Japanese institutes and universities. (The APJLE regulations only require 800 classes per year for accreditation.)

Please note that compared to most academic programs offered in Japan, the AIJP does place greater emphasis on effective communication - particularly listening and speaking skills, and with the advantage of options including Japanese computing to make the transition to Japanese workplaces or academia easier.

In each Academic year there are 4 start dates. The program offers not just intensity, but flexibility, with more classes and through the elective classes a greater degree of customization to your needs than any other APJLE accredited program.

Advanced Japanese Studies Program (AJSP)

An intensive but flexible program for learners who already have JLPT Level 2 proficiency, a recognized equivalent level or higher. The advanced curriculum and intensive schedule (up to 24 classes per week including 4 electives) is designed to prepare students for professional careers requiring advanced levels of Japanese and for successful entry into Japanese language undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Advanced Japanese Studies Program (AJSP) is one of the few programs in Japan designed for advanced learners of the Japanese language. The curriculum particularly stresses reading and oral proficiency and students commencing the program with Level 2 Proficiency are expected to reach JLPT Level 1 well before the program conclusion. Students commencing with a level higher than JLPT Level 2 are expected to reach very high levels of proficiency.

In each Academic year there are 4 start dates. The program offers not just intensity, but flexibility, with more classes and greater customization than any other APJLE accredited program.

AJSP offers an intensive schedule with more classes than those offered by program providers in other Japanese institutes and universities. (The APJLE regulations only require 800 classes per year for accreditation.)

Ultra-Intensive Japanese Studies

The Acceleration Program is an ultra-intensive academically oriented program for students who want rapid language acquisition. In Format 1, group classes are taught from beginner to advanced levels using the AIJP/AJSP curriculum. Options A & B at Beginner level, Option C to advanced. In Format 2, group classes are taught from beginner to intermediate levels using the SILAC curriculum. Options A & B at Beginner level, Option C to intermediate. All classes use the direct method (i.e. Japanese is the language of instruction).

The program covers all skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking with an emphasis on grammar, correct use and pronunciation. The program is delivered in either standard or seminar format so that composite classes are unnecessary. Considerable preparation is required and with the small class sizes there is maximum interaction between students and faculty.

In each Academic year there are 4 start dates for Format 1, and 26 start dates for Format 2. Additional program customization through the elective courses and CALL seminars and/or private instruction.

This is the most intensive schedule offered in Japan by a high quality accredited institute.

Ultra-intensive, but also ultra-flexible: If you have a student visa then you can change from the AIJP to Acceleration and vice-versa at the end of each 3 month quarter. For example you can start in April with Acceleration, rapidly increase your proficiency level for 3 months, change to the AIJP for the summer quarter and mix your studies with weekend travel or a part-time job, and then switch back to Acceleration as you prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December. No other institute or university offers this flexibility.

Japanese Courses in Okazaki City, Japan - Accommodation

Students can choose various combinations of Student Housing. It is possible to move from one option to another. All prices are in the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage. Accommodation options are booked automatically when you complete your program application and are confirmed by email or written letter as preferred.

Housing notice from Admissions - Especially during peak periods, it may be necessary for our housing office to place you in either a hotel or apartment for 1 or 2 nights before you enter your main accommodation. This is because of the need to ensure that all of the facilities have been cleaned properly after the previous student(s) leave. In all cases there is of course no extra charge - it is simply to ensure that a high standard of accommodation can be maintained.

Please note: All prices are quoted in Japanese Yen. For the equivalent in your currency, please visit www.xe.com/ucc.