All SILAC lessons are communication skills based Japanese classes. The program includes testing and revision classes. The classes require preparation time and private study. You will need to prepare for classes and submit homework tasks. All SILAC students also have free access to the online resources being produced for Yamasa's distance learning project (the OCJS) as they are published.

In addition students can choose to participate in an optional culture program that is paid for separately. During the summer you may need to reserve a place in the culture program. The cost of the activity will differ each week. For details of the culture program schedule for SILAC students, please contact Admissions.

Classes are taught via the direct method. The fastest way to learn Japanese is to be taught in Japanese and hear nothing else. Japanese is the language of instruction, however all of the texts at elementary level also have supporting translations and grammatical notes available in a range of foreign languages and other multilingual aids. You will be able to prepare your lessons in advance so that you can understand the Japanese language only lessons. The program concentrates on communication skills - learning to speak and understand Japanese.

Please note that even though SILAC programs are short courses, Romaji - the Roman alphabet - is not used in instruction. From the initial lessons, you will be reading and writing exclusively in Japanese. This is for a number of reasons including; (a) the highly multinational nature of the student body, (b) the fact that use of Romaji oftens retards correct pronunication and (c) you will not be using Romaji later when you put your Japanese to use - so it makes sense to learn real Japanese from the outset. For more information please browse through the levels and curriculum section.

The program has an emphasis on improving listening and speaking skills, although you will also learn to read in Japanese. At the elementary level you do not need to be able to read Kanji as all of the texts have "furigana" (the reading of each kanji indicated with small hiragana - see the curriculum section). You can of course study the Kanji and learning aids and faculty assistance is available throughout. From intermediate level you will need to study Kanji. Bringing a good kanji dictionary is helpful. Correct grammar use is a major focus. It is a key objective of the program that you will be able to communicate using precise and correct grammar.

As a result a large number of classes are discussion based classes interacting with both Yamasa faculty and your fellow students. In the intermediate classes, where students already have a grammar base to build upon, faculty focus on correcting errors and keeping the communication skill level rising. Your mistakes are always corrected. This is why lesson preparation and homework is so important. There is a lot of time allocated to debates, role-plays, and conversational fluency, so it is essential that you prepare all lessons and complete homework otherwise lack of preparation will prevent you from making the most of your opportunities.