Students entering the AIJP classes are graded via a placement test and placement interview at the beginning of each quarter. The testing is very extensive. This ensures that faculty can place you in a class with students who have attained a similar score in the placement test and are of similar ability. You should not find yourself in a class too easy or too difficult. The placement test measures all skills including listening. It is possible to change classes after consultation and re-assessment with your academic advisor. In addition to our regular classes, private or semi-private (2-4 students) classes are usually also available on demand.

As a general rule the program is usually taught with 15 levels, though in some cases there are more classes than levels as we do not break our maximum class size rule under any circumstances. Classes are usually offered at the following levels.

Absolute beginner (foundation)
Beginner levels
Upper Beginner levels
Lower Intermediate levels
Intermediate levels
Upper Intermediate levels
Pre-Advanced (JLPT2) level

Advanced - AJSP

There are usually a minimum of 15 different levels of proficiency, though in the Autumn and Winter quarters it isn't unusual to have up to 17 levels. The maximum class size is 15. The year round average class size is 10.7 (in 1999 it was 12.4 students, each year - the average class size falls gradually slightly as the overall program expands). If there are 16 students or more at the same level, the class is divided into 2 classes for the duration of the quarter. There are no composite level classes.

The AIJP employs a rolling curriculum. At present the curriculum is divided into the following broad sections. Foundation classes commence from zero Japanese, Pre-advanced classes usually reach Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 (JLPT2) by the end of a quarter. Students of proficiency levels higher than JLPT2 automatically transfer to the Advanced Japanese Studies Program. There is no requirement to re-apply - the transfer is automatic.

Yamasa uses the placement testing procedure to separate the class levels, each of which then proceeds along the curriculum. For example one class will usually commence the foundation level during the early stages of each quarter, while no classes would normally be at the pre-advanced level until mid way through a quarter.

Each student can to some extent customise the content of the curriculum by choosing 4 elective classes. The electives change each academic quarter (for example preparation classes for levels 2 and 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test are usually offered from the summer quarter) and there are usually more electives on offer in the fall and winter quarters when the program is at peak enrolment. If you are a beginner, faculty members will assist with your selection of electives. As a general rule it is best to choose electives that concentrate upon improving weaknesses in you skills set. A copy of the electives being taught during the current academic quarter is available at the link below (in Japanese / excel format):
http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/sentaku.xls