International Schools in Japan - Special Advertising Section

Japan, Inc., Jan, 2003 by Stuart Braun

Language Schools

Living, working and studying in Japan also means learning the language, and there are a myriad of institutions that can help. But finding the right one will depend on time, budget and previous ability. For most working people the important thing will be flexibility. In this regard, Ell Language School offers varied schedules for taking classes (i.e. students can choose their own class schedules), and has 14 convenient domestic branches in addition to international ownership branches in England, Australia, Vietnam and Korea. If a person moves to another country, he or she can change the school location while remaining enrolled. In addition, all teachers follow the same teaching methodology, called 'Image Lesson,' so that students are able to learn under the same teaching systems at any school location.

Elsewhere, the Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute (SNG) offers what it calls a "guaranteed path" to Japanese language ability from basic conversation to university level. SNG is one of only 17 Japanese language schools in all of Japan that is certified by the Japanese Ministry of Education to prepare foreign learners of Japanese for entrance into Japanese universities. "Our school focuses on getting our students speaking and understanding conversational Japanese quickly in order to give them the skills they need to survive in Japan," says Eric Bray of SNG's English Operations.

Those with busy lifestyles who want to learn Japanese fast might be asking a lot, but SNG say it's possible. "Using a rapid drilling approach, we familiarize students with even relatively complex grammar from the outset. Due to our unique approach to Japanese grammar, which makes grammar easy to understand for anyone by giving each part of speech a shape and color our students are given the confidence they need to start conversations with native speakers and really learn Japanese," says Bray. Similar to Eli's 'Image Lesson,' SNG's Japanese teaching methodology does not labor over strict vocabulary, but promotes "fun, fast learning and easy understanding through continuous conversations between teachers and students or among students."

At Evergreen Language School, the emphasis is on small, intensive classes so students can progress quickly to business level Japanese, and ultimately, can become eligible for a cultural visa. With students from all over the world studying Japanese at the school, a particular effort is made to give individual, custom-tailored attention, notes Evergreen teacher, Motoko Ogawa. "In proportionately small classes, students will study progressively and teachers will get to know each student individually." Another Evergreen teacher, Mikako Arai, agrees. "Our school is not a large school, so students and teachers are very close and study hard together."

Evergreen has created a thorough teaching program focused around a one-month intensive course. But they also offer a range of part-time programs like these typically offered at other Japanese language schools, including a two days-a-week course, private lessons, lessons at companies or private homes, and a Japanese Language Proficiency Test Preparation Course (September-November). Evergreen also offers Pre-College courses for college and vocational school entrants. According to Evergreen, many students proceed to colleges or professional schools or acquire good positions in Japanese companies and embassies.