Are you thinking of studying the Japanese language in Japan? It is certainly the best option for learning Japanese, but also the most expensive. The cost of living in Japan is very expensive and courses at private language school don’t come cheap. If you are saving up for a extended stay to attend a Japanese language school make sure you do plenty of research to find a school that can meet your learning needs.
I have put together a list of Japanese schools that I recommend you consider.
Meguro Learning Center (MLC)
Location: Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Meguro Learning Center provides Japanese lessons for English speakers with a focus on daily conversation, business Japanese, and lessons for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. The teachers at MLC have all graduated from a standardized, 420-hour Japanese teaching program and also have taken 11-months of MLC’s own in-house teaching program. MLC has been operating since 1990 and has the reputation of being one of the best Japanese language schools in Tokyo.
Website: http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/
Yamasa Institute
Location: Okazaki City, Okazaki
Yamasa Institute is an independent, non-profit teaching and research center under the governance of the Hattori Foundation. They provide an innovative, international, and professional learning community for Japan Studies and Japanese Language Studies. If you are keen on mastering Japanese then this is school I would recommend.Yamasa Institute courses include the most intensive accredited programs in Japan. They offer unmatched facilities, flexibility and choice – and as a non-profit organization, provide all of our programs as affordably as possible. Amazingly, tuition fees of the Yamasa Institute have not been increased since 1999! I recommend that you sign up for there newsletter at their website.
Website: http://www.yamasa.org/index.html
Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS)
Location: Fukuoka City, Kyushu
One of only two Japanese language schools in the world that are currently accredited by the International Association of Language Centres, Genki Japanese and Culture School is an internationally acclaimed communicational Japanese language school that offers short-term study courses. The school is all about learning the Japanese language and culture in a relaxed and friendly environment. Nominated by popular vote in both 2009 and 2010 as one of the world’s top language schools, this could be the school for you.
Website: http://www.genkijacs.com/
International Institute of Japan
Location: Akihabara
Established in 19977, the Intercultural Institute of Japan offers both long term (up to two years) and short term courses to meet the needs of individuals wishing to study Japanese. The school also offers an intensive business course. A 10-week, five-day-per-week intensive course for business persons, company trainees, and individuals wishing to obtain jobs in Japan. They are also one of very few schools that offer a homestay program for students.
Website:http://www.incul.com/eng/index.html
If you are serious about studying in Japan make sure you hunt around to find a school that will meet your needs. Studying and living in Japan was a life changing experience for me. I had many great adventures and established some great friendships. Make sure you make the most of your investment by having clear learning goals to help you decide what school to study at in Japan. More importantly, explore the country, make friends and try to understand and respect the Japanese culture while you live there.
