Learn Japanese in Fukuoka Japan: Teaching
Hiragana Alphabet
All ability levels are accepted, from complete beginners to very advanced.
However please note we need students to memorize the HIRAGANA alphabet prior to arrival.
It should only take you a couple of days – the college asks that you can read it, not be able to write the letters.
Japanese Teachers
All teachers are fluent in English and, obviously, Japanese.
They are all Japanese nationals, who are professionally qualified to teach Japanese as a foreign language. They are graduates of a rigorous 420-hour Japanese teacher training course at recognized schools. The length and content of this course was originally specified by the Japanese Ministry of Education but has now become the standard qualification for professional Japanese language teachers. It is equivalent to a university minor, and the result is a very an extremely high level of teaching.
Japanese Course Students
Students come from all over the world, most are beginner to intermediate level learners, some are advanced.
Teenage Programme: Students are 14yrs+
Long Term Programme: Students are 18yrs+ (and require a Student Visa to attend)
Group Course Structure
The core Japanese Language course consists of two 50-minute grammar classes and two 50-minute conversation classes each day.
In general, you will study new grammar each afternoon, do related homework that night, then practice your new skills in the application class the next morning. English explanations will be given where necessary (and comparisons between the two grammar methods will be made, which is particularly useful at lower ability levels). Practical application of the language is encouraged to aid vocabulary retention and real-life fluency. Topical materials are used; news, TV, movies in class to illustrate a point (and engage student interest) and local shops are used (with their permission!) for planned language activity sessions.
Sample Timetable
Below is a sample schedule for a student taking the Japanese course.
The specific time of lessons may differ depending on class level and season, and your schedule may also differ from week to week.
Please note that it is now common for the school to offer afternoon classes, as well as morning classes.
*Sample schedule only. Actual schedule may differ.
| Morning classes | 09.30 – 10.20 hrs + 10.25 – 11.15 hrs |
11.25 – 12.15 hrs + 12.20 – 13.10 hrs |
| OR | ||
| Afternoon classes | 14.05 – 14.55 hrs + 15.00 – 15.55 hrs |
16.00 – 16.50 hrs + 16.55 – 17.45 hrs |
| Monday | Level check test, orientation | Grammar class |
| Tuesday | 4-skills application class | Grammar class |
| Wednesday | 4-skills application class | Grammar class |
| Thursday | 4-skills application class | Grammar class |
| Friday | 4-skills application class | Grammar class |
Class levels and progress structure
> VIEW CLASS LEVELS AND PROGRESS CHART
Total time from Beginner to Advanced level: Approximately 60 weeks
