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S.I.L.A.C. - Class Formats
Absolute Beginner to Upper Beginner: For these levels (ie zero through to Level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test), the program is being offered in a 23 class per week format with each class being a minimum of 50 minutes duration.
Each level has a minimum of 1 class, and no composite level classes (ie classes where students of different
levels of proficiency are put into the same class) are used. This ensures faster learning and more challenging classes as your classmates will be of similar level.
Standard format: Each level is taught 23 classes per week, with a maximum class size of 15 students - 5 students less than the maximum class size recommended by
the regulating body, the APJLE. In the peak periods of June-September and January-February, the average class size is 11. In the off-peak and shoulder seasons the average class size is usually less than 6. Classes start at 9.00am and finish at 2.30pm from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays the classes are from 9.00am to 11.50am.
Parallel levels: If the number of students at the same level of proficiency is 16 or more at the beginning of any module, the level is automatically split into two classes, each of
which will proceed at the same pace. Naturally, if there were 31 students at the same level of proficiency the level would be split into 3 classes. This ensures that the maximum class size is
never exceeded. As far as we know Yamasa is the only Institute in Japan using this system.
Customizations: The SILAC classes are group based classes and as such it is difficult to customize the curriculum. The faculty/student ratio is the best in Japan and you will be able
to receive personal attention for any learning needs, but for those who require greater customization, the various options including Option A (private lessons, Computer Aided Language Learning, or combinations thereof) of SILAC Plus are also worth investigating.
For absolute beginner to upper beginner the standard weekly schedule would resemble something similar to the following. Please note that the schedule below is only a sample and would not apply across all classes.
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Class
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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09:00 - 09:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Revision
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Holiday
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Holiday
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10:00 - 10:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Reading
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Holiday
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Holiday
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11:00 - 11:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Conversation
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Holiday
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Holiday
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12:40 - 13:30
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Conversation
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Listening
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Conversation
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Listening
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SILAC Plus
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Holiday
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Holiday
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13:40 - 14:30
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Listening
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Conversation
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Listening
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Conversation
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SILAC Plus
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Holiday
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Holiday
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14:40 - 17:30
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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Holiday
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Holiday
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Lower Intermediate to Upper Intermediate: For these levels (ie from Level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test to Level 2),
the program is being offered in 2 formats for a total of 23 classes per week. As with all Yamasa classes, the minimum class length is 50 minutes duration.
Each level has a minimum of 1 class, and no composite level classes (ie classes where students of different
levels of proficiency are put into the same class) are used. This ensures faster learning and more challenging classes as your classmates will be of similar level.
Standard format: Each level is taught in this format for 15 classes per week, with a maximum class size of 12 students - 8 students less than the maximum class size recommended by
the regulating body, the APJLE. In the peak periods of June-September and January-February, the average class size is 6. In the off-peak and shoulder seasons the average class size is
usually less than 4. Standard format classes start at 9.00am and finish at 11.50pm from Mondays to Fridays.
Nihongo Cafe format: Each level is taught in this format for 8 classes per week, with a maximum class size of 4 students per teacher.
In the peak periods of June-September and January-February, the average class size is 3. In the off-peak and shoulder seasons the average class size is
usually 2 students per level. Nihongo Cafe classes start at 12.00 noon and finish at 13.40pm from Mondays to Thursday, and includes lunch with the teacher(s). Vegetarians and other students with
special dietary requirements (allergies, halal, kosher etc) can be catered for.
Parallel levels: If the number of students at the same level of proficiency is 7 or more at the beginning of any module, the Nihongo Cafe class
is automatically split into two classes, each of
which will proceed at the same pace. Naturally, if there were 14 students at the same level of proficiency the level would be split into 3 classes. This ensures that the maximum class size is
never exceeded for this format.
Customizations: As with the beginner level classes, we are able to provide extensive customization via SILAC Plus. Please note that for Intermediate Level students,
the Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) seminars in Option A are usually a little too easy unless your focus is on review. An online test can be taken to determine whether your current level
of Japanese is beginner or intermediate by Yamasa's definitions.
For lower intermediate to upper intermediate levels the standard weekly schedule would resemble something similar to the following. Please note that the schedule below is only a sample and would
not apply across all classes.
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Class
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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09:00 - 09:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Revision
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Holiday
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Holiday
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10:00 - 10:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Reading
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Holiday
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Holiday
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11:00 - 11:50
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Grammar
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Conversation
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Holiday
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Holiday
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12:00 - 13:40
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Nihongo Cafe
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Nihongo Cafe
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Nihongo Cafe
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Nihongo Cafe
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SILAC Plus
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Holiday
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Holiday
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14:40 - 17:30
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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SILAC Plus
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Holiday
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Holiday
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Class Formats
C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S
