The University Japanese Program uses the facilities in Aoi Hall and Fuji Hall (classrooms, theater, function rooms) on Yamasa's Aichi Center campus in Okazaki, as well as the facilities of the Kurashi-no-gakkou, a non-profit sister school of the Institute located nearby (about 3 minutes walk). Close to your classrooms there is the rest area on the ground floor (includes vending machines, piano, recreation space), the student bar (Zig Zag) and student cafe (Kitsutsuki - "Woodpecker") and the radio station. Sports Square, which includes our indoor tennis/futsal court and other facilities (basketball, table tennis), is a 2 minute walk away between the Aichi Center campus and the Kurashi-no-gakkou campus.

Small Group Language Class Component:

Aoi Hall will host the classes, using the CALL laboratories and the Distance Learning Theater on the ground floor, and language classrooms on the second floor. All classrooms and laboratories have air-conditioning, walls with glass wool fiber sound insulation, six 100 volt 2 prong electrical outlets (power points) as well as wireless internet access. During language classroom instruction, the maximum number of students per class is 8 students, and the teaching team is usually 4 instructors. Interactive whiteboards and advanced teaching aids are in use.

Private Tutorial Component:

Each week you will have a 50 minute private class with your academic advisor. This advisor will be the same instructor throughout the program, and will be able to assist you with your progess by identifying strengths and weaknesses. Each advisor is a specialist teacher of Japanese as a Foreign Language, has a degree at Masters level or above, as well as a minimum of 3 years teaching experience including a minimum of 1 year teaching at university level outside Japan (the average is usually 5 years). All private classrooms have air-conditioning, walls with glass wool fiber sound insulation, a minimum of two 100 volt 2 prong electrical outlets (power points) as well as wireless internet access.

Semi-Private Class Component:

Each week you will have two 50 minute semi-private classes with an instructor, a teaching assistant, and up to 4 of your classmates. These classes will usually take place in Fuji Hall.

Computer Aided Language Learning Laboratory Component:

This component includes the writing workshops, Kanji Clinic, listening and comprehension exercises. You will learn how to type in Japanese and use the software, to which you will have access for 12 months to assist with language skill retention. All instructors are specialist teachers of Japanese as a Foreign Language and have degrees at Masters level or above, as well as a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. The CALL laboratories use good quality PC's and headphones, and each individual work station has partitions so that you are not distracted by lateral movements made by other students. In the CALL laboratories, there are never more than 5 students in the same lab, all are air-conditioned.

Field Trip Component:

During the field trips we also use various destinations as part of the learning environment. These include Okazaki and Toyota (Toyota Motor Corporation HQ, workshops of master craftsmen), Tokyo, and/or areas of Kyoto & Nagano Prefectures. The objective is to assist you with putting language into context, gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between culture and modern contemporary Japanese, and to see and experience parts of Japan that are often inaccessible by public transport or without private introduction. All transport and accommodation is included, is air conditioned, and you will be accompanied by teachers and specialist staff.

Catered lunch component:

One 3 days during the program, you will have lunch with your teachers in the Kurumi cafe restaurant, a new cafe that incorporates an early 20th century kura and overlooks the Japanese garden of the Kurashi-no-gakkou campus. All of the food is organically grown and most is locally sourced. This provides you with the opportunity to converse in a less formal environment, provide and obtain feedback, and also enjoy extra conversation practise and the opportunity to ask questions you may have about Japan, the language and the culture. The student:teacher ratio during lunch does not exceed 4:1, and is usually less. Lunch is also included during the first field trip (Monozukuri).

Culture Class component:

The University Japanese Program is primarily a very intensive language acquisition course, however on Friday afternoons there will be some additional classes and events available at the Kurashi-no-gakkou, making good use of the excellent teaching facilities available. The base of the campus is a Taisho period Japanese style mansion renovated to provide classes space including the tatami mat rooms used for classes. These range from formal classes such as Kitsuke (kimono), Ikebana (Ohana) and Shoudo (calligraphy), the dance studio (Kabuki), and very modern studio kitchen (Japanese Cooking classes, Japanese sake appreciation). The complex includes a Japanese tea house. We will also incorporate cultural components into our regular Friday afternoon BBQ parties with musicians such as Wadaiko drummers, shamisen and other music events. The blessing of our Mikoshi shrine will involve a Shinto ceremony followed by sake tasting.

Other Support

1) Student Services and the Housing Office are available to support all out-of-classroom requirements including health care assistance etc.

2) The program staff are also able to provide or organize: