Master Japanese in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The Tokyo metropolitan area, including the city, some of its suburbs and the surrounding areas, is home to approximately 12 million people. This vibrant and lively city is one of the world's main economic centers. Home to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo is a city full of contrasts where the old city blends its ancient character with modern day Japan.
World Link Education's Japanese Language & Culture Immersion Programs in Tokyo are designed to provide total language immersion. Students who are new to Japanese learn effective communication skills quickly; advanced students learn how to express themselves at an abstract level. To provide the most comprehensive curriculum, total programs combine core language classes with language and culture workshops, and language exchange with native Japanese speakers.
This immersion program has an integrated curriculum, providing students with the chance to learn much more than just the fundamentals of Japanese grammar. We teach students how to integrate into Japanese society, and how to interact with Japanese people in both casual and formal situations. By combining our language lessons with the study of Japanese culture and traditions, students can become familiar with the 'real' Japan.
Students study at the Academy of Japanese Language and Culture accredited by The Association for Promotion of Japanese Language Education. The academy is located right in the heart of Tokyo's city center, Chiyoda District. It is close to Tokyo's main business and financial district. It is close to universities and known for its numerous bookstores and retail offerings. It is conveniently located a minutes walk to nearby train stations such as Jimbo-cho, Kudanshita and Suidobashi Stations. A 15-minute train ride will take you to other major areas of Tokyo city such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Ikebukuro.
- Total immersion in the Japanese language
- Native Japanese teachers who have degrees and years of experience teaching Japanese as a foreign language
- Total Beginner to Advanced classes are available
- Small classes averaging 15 - 20 students
- Study in July, August, October, November, December, January or February
- Free guided tours, excursions, and activities on afternoons and weekends
- Language exchange program provides interaction with Japanese students
- Immersion with native Japanese speakers in sporting and social activities
- Free airport arrival transfer
The Japanese Language & Culture Immersion Programs are designed to immerse participants in Japanese through class instruction, language exchange with native speakers, language workshops, sightseeing excursions, and numerous activities. This program integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening with the development of grammatical skills and vocabulary for communicative proficiency. These programs are ideal for students who would like to learn Japanese in the relatively short period of time. The overall aim of the program is to ensure that participants not only learn the language but also experience the Japanese way of life. Host Family accommodation is included.
The Language & Culture programs consist of core Language Classes, workshops and activities with Native Japanese Speakers. The immersion program has an integrated curriculum designed to allow participants to progress rapidly and gain fluency in the language. Students are taught valuable information regarding modern day Japanese culture and society aimed at improving their linguistic and communicative skills. The curriculum is designed based on the needs of each proficiency level and the program duration. Modern teaching methods focus on instilling linguistic, practical, and cultural aspects of the language as well as the Japanese way of life. Classwork using everyday topics and interactive teaching methods ensure that participants achieve the goals of each proficiency level and progress rapidly.
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Language & Culture Programs |
Duration |
Dates 2008 |
|
Winter Program |
January |
3 weeks* |
Jan 5 – Jan 26 |
|
February |
3 weeks* |
Jan 26 – Feb 16 |
|
January & February |
5 weeks* |
Jan 5 – Feb 9 |
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Spring Program |
April |
4 weeks* |
Mar 29 - Apr 26 |
| Summer Program**** |
July |
4 weeks* |
Jul 5 – Aug 2 |
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August |
3 weeks** |
Aug 2 - Aug 23 |
|
August |
3 weeks*** |
Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
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July & August |
7 weeks**** |
Jul 5 – Aug 23 |
* Includes a 1-2 day guided excursion.
** Includes trip to Kyoto & Nara.
*** Includes trip to Hokkaido.
****Summer Programs Application Fee is US$200. Due to peak season, we recommend students apply and enroll as early as possible.
1) Core Language Classes
Language classes integrate all aspects of Japanese including reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary. Accelerated teaching methods allow participants at lower proficiency levels to acquire the language skills needed for effective communication in a short period of time, and advanced students to gain expression proficiency at an abstract level. Topics studied include everyday situations, as well as Japanese culture, society, and history. Listening and speaking skills are emphasized to enable participants to attain communicative proficiency.
The curriculum is based on the needs of each proficiency level (please see Placement Test and Proficiency Levels below) and designed to allow participants to progress rapidly and gain language fluency. Modern teaching methods focus on instilling linguistic, practical, communicative, and cultural aspects of the language, as well as the Japanese way of life. Class work focuses on developing oral expression, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing, and grammar. Up-to-date materials are used to introduce modern day Japan, its social and economic life, culture, history, and literature.
Class Times: 9.10am to 12.40pm or 1.30pm to 5pm Monday to Friday
2) Language Exchange Partners Program
Getting to know locals is an integral part of this program. It provides language and cultural interaction between participants and Japanese students, marking the beginning of many lasting friendships. The program provides the perfect opportunity to practice the language and encourages cultural and social exchange. Participants schedule to meet with one another at their convenience.
3) Language & Culture Workshops
Designed to provide further immersion in the language and culture and encourage active use of Japanese, a comprehensive curriculum of workshops is offered. These workshops encourage active participation, which deepens participants' vocabulary and speaking proficiency, and further provides the opportunity to learn different aspects of Japanese culture. Examples of workshops include calligraphy, cooking, kimono wearing, and sumo performances.
This unique program aims to immerse participants in the Japanese language, culture and way of life by combining Japanese language classes, workshops and language exchange with the following free additional Total Program features.
- Activities with Native Japanese Speakers
Free social, cultural and sports activities are regularly held with Japanese students throughout the program to encourage the use of the Japanese language and cultural exchange. The calendar of activities varies and may include cooking, bowling, swimming, festival celebrations, and skiing.
- Guided Tours
Free half day or full day tours are held on weekends to allow students to discover the city's major historical and cultural attractions, including the Imperial Palace, Hakone, and Nikko. Visits such as watching a Sumo performace or Koto recital, and entertainment centers such as Universal Studio, Fujikyu Highland, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Tokyo Disneyland and Odaiba are also organized. Places visited vary according to the program intake. Excursions to other cities such as Kyoto and Osaka are available at additional cost.
- Social Activities
A wide range of activities is organized throughout the program including bowling, karaoke, ski trip, climbing Mount Fuji, and farewell evening.
Teachers are native Japanese, and are highly qualified and experienced in teaching Japanese. They hold a degree in teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language. Up-to-date, carefully selected materials are used in class, giving participants valuable information on modern-day Japanese culture and society while at the same time developing their language and communication skills.
Our onsite Academic Counselors fluent in English, Japanese and Korean are available to provide continuous counseling and assistance.
For credit transfers, participants should contact the study abroad advisor or Japanese Language department at their home college or university. Details of the program's total class hours; curriculum and duration should be given. World Link's program advisors are available for further information and, if required, can contact the study abroad advisor or relevant person.
There are 7 main proficiency levels. The Language & Culture Programs are designed for students of Total Beginner to Advanced levels of Japanese. First, participants are placed according to the proficiency level they indicate on the application form. At the start of the program, non-beginners take a written and oral placement test. Second placements are made according to the results of the placement tests.
Level 1: Total Beginner
Level 2: Elementary
Level 3: High Elementary
Level 4: Intermediate
Level 5: High Intermediate
Level 6: Advanced
Level 7: High Advanced
- Total Beginner
This level is for those who have never learned Japanese or who have learned a few words but cannot express themselves in complete sentences. Classes focus on introducing basic vocabulary, grammar, sentence structures, and simple texts. Participants will be taught Hiragana and Katakana writing systems. Oral exercises and drills ensure that participants learn from the start the correct pronunciation and intonation.
- Elementary
This level is for those who have learned Japanese, have a grasp of simple sentence structures, and have learned basic grammar systematically. Classes focus on building Japanese vocabulary, sentence structures and grammar using simple everyday topics. Written skills in Hiragana and Katakana are taught using exercises that include composing simple letters, short essays, and reports. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants learn correct pronunciation and intonation. At the end of this level, students are expected to have mastered basic speaking and listening comprehension skills, a solid grasp of basic grammar, be able to recognize and produce approximately 100 Hiragana / Katakana / Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 800 words.
- High Elementary
This level is for those who are able to engage in simple daily conversation. Class work includes topics on Japanese culture and society and participants are encouraged to converse on daily topics and express themselves using elementary sentence structures. Students will also practice the basic conventions of social interaction with native Japanese, including formal and informal styles. Oral exercises include using the phone. Writing exercises include reports and essays of a 200-word limit using verbal skills such as expressing likes and dislikes, describing abilities and asking about locations. At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to recognize and produce approximately 300 Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 1500 words.
- Intermediate
This level is for those who are able to converse on everyday topics. Classes improve grammar and vocabulary, which enable participants to express themselves functionally in different contexts. Class topics on Japanese culture and civilization, and literature build vocabulary and provide a greater awareness of Japanese culture and society. Emphasis is placed on participants' writing, oral expression, and listening comprehension skills. Intermediate grammar is taught. Exercises to improve writing, speaking, and grammatical skills include writing reports, letters, narratives, and essays. At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to recognize and produce approximately 600 Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 3000 words.
- High Intermediate
This level is for those who are able to converse on general topics. Classes focus on developing skills to understand complex sentences in writing and reading. Conversational exercises teach participants to recount articles in a comparatively fluent and complete manner. Participants are able to converse on particular topics and express themselves using more complicated sentence structures. Classes focus on increasing the level of grammar and vocabulary with the aim of enabling participants to express themselves functionally in different contexts. At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to recognize and produce approximately 1000 Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 6000 words.
- Advanced
Participants attending these classes can discuss general topics, raise complex questions, and express their opinions clearly using correct pronunciation. Participants attending these classes are able to read and understand articles from technical journals and newspapers. Classes focus on complex grammar and the use of idioms. The curriculum is focused on enabling participants to master the language and expressing themselves in a proficient manner at an abstract level. Participants are taught advanced Japanese and language norms. Class work focuses on perfecting oral expression and writing skills and developing a global perspective of Japanese culture. At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to recognize and produce approximately 1500 Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 8000 words.
- High Advanced
This level is for those who posses a high command of the Japanese language and culture and are able to converse fluently and effectively using appropriate expressions and language norms. Classes focus on preparation for Japanese proficiency test and Japanese university entrance examinations. Class work includes conducting research in Japanese, and practice in writing advanced reports and essays at a university level. At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to pass university entrance examinations and recognize and produce approximately 2000 Kanji in context and have a vocabulary of approximately 10000 words.
Host Family
This option is the ideal way to learn more about the Japanese way of life and to practice your conversation skills. All our host families are carefully interviewed by our Home stay Coordinator, and they are regularly visited to ensure high standards are maintained. Families have been selected on the basis of them having expressed an interest in sharing their culture with international students. Half Board (breakfast & dinner) is provided from Monday to Friday and Full Board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) on weekends. Rooms generally contain bed or futon, desk, chair, and air-conditioning. For the privacy and comfort of students all rooms are single.
Residence
Live in a single room in an international residence. Each room is furnished with a bed, desk, chair, and air-conditioning. Single private rooms are provided with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Meals are not provided. International Residences have various leisure and recreational facilities, such as table tennis, pool table and common lounge (with internet access). Double shared room is available for two students applying together and studying for the same duration. A deposit is required to be paid to the landlord on arrival. It is returned provided there are no damages. *Students staying at the Residence should arrive between 9am and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday, in order to pick up their keys during office hours. Students arriving outside these times must provide for their own accommodation until keys can be picked up.
Total Program students are greeted at the airport by onsite staff and accompanied to their Host Family accommodation. The following important details are required at least 3 weeks before your arrival:
Arrival date, Arrival time, Arrival place, Bus/Train/Flight Number, Airline/Bus Company, Place of departure
An emergency number is provided in the Welcome Pack for any last minute arrival delays. Participants are met at their arrival point and accompanied to their Host Family accommodation.
Classes will not be held on the following holidays in 2007:
Public Holidays: Jan 1, 8; Feb 11,12; Mar 21; Apr 29, 30; May 3, 4, 5; Jul
16; Sep 17, 23, 24; Oct 8; Nov 3, 23; Dec 23.
Participants from the USA, Australia, UK, and the European Union studying for less than 90 days do not need a visa to enter Japan. Participants from all other countries should consult with their local Japanese consulate or click here.
Visa support documents if required are provided at no additional cost for Total Program students. For Tuition Only students, applicable visa charges will apply. Note that the provision of visa support documents is subject to Japanese Consulate and Embassy requirements.
For students who require a visa, please contact admission@wle-japan.com
For peace of mind, Total Program fees include Emergency Travel and Medical Insurance. StudentCare Insurance covers emergency medical and dental treatment, pro-rata return of program fee in case of curtailment, personal liability, and more. Participants are insured for the duration of the program.
For terms and conditions and further information, click here
Participants must be between the ages of 15 and 60 (with exceptions), and be in good health. For exceptions, please contact WLE or email info@wle-japan.com
Apply early before Application deadline. Application deadline is 52 days before the start of the program. Enrollment deadline is 45 days before the start of the program. The Summer Programs Application Fee is US$200. Due to peak season we recommend students apply as early as possible to reserve a placement. If you are unable to meet the deadlines, please contact WLE. Applications may be faxed and sent to the nearest WLE office.
For the How To Apply Guide, click here
For the Application Form, click here
For the Host Family Questionnaire, click here
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wle-australia.com, worldlinkedu.com, wle-korea.com, wle-germany.com
Global World Link Partners:
mystudyadvisor.com, wle.co.jp, wle.co.kr, wle.se, worldlink-education.de, abroadspanish.com, study-in-china.com, abuks.com, wushuacademy.com,
ac-madrid.com, ac-marbella.com, ac-salamanca.com, aclc-cn.com,
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