Please note that compared to most academic programs offered in Japan, the AIJP does place greater emphasis on effective communication - particularly listening and speaking skills, and with the advantage of options including Japanese computing to make the transition to Japanese workplaces or academia easier.

(Note: This file is long and contains all of the information relevant to the AIJP. Readers interested in applying are advised to print or copy the file for further reference.)

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The AIJP is available in 3-month quarters for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months. It is virtually the only academic program in this country offering this sort of flexibility - you can choose which quarter to commence or graduate in. The AIJP is taught at all levels from absolute beginner to advanced intermediate (Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2) students. Yamasa's faculty members work as a team to provide considerable variety, although one faculty member will be designated as your academic advisor. All of the teachers are native speaking, fully qualified and highly experienced professional teachers of Japanese as a foreign language. Before assuming positions in the AIJP teaching team, all of the faculty are required to have considerable experience in teaching Japanese as a second language. Yamasa's faculty is one of the most experienced in Japan. In addition to many years of experience, virtually all of the AIJP faculty have overseas teaching experience and a world outlook considered unusual in Japan.

Classes are taught via the direct method only. The fastest way to learn Japanese is to be taught in Japanese and hear nothing else. While Japanese is the language of instruction, all of the texts at elementary level also have supporting translations and grammatical notes available in a range of foreign languages including English, Chinese, French, Korean and Spanish as well as other multilingual aids. Students enrolling for 2 or more quarters will soon be using Japanese as their lingua franca.

Please note that Romaji is not used in instruction - at all. 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.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

There are 4 quarters (terms) per year. The AIJP commences in January, April, July and October. Please ensure that you read through the visa information carefully.

From April 2000 to March 2001, there are 213 program days involving 985 program hours (an increase of 18 compared to 1999-2000). There are 23 classes per week. The maximum class size is 15, the average class size is 12.4 and varies a little depending on the time of year. This maintains the AIJP as one of the more intensive programs in the country, and yet retains the same low at-cost tuition rates.

Each standard week includes 20 core classes and 3 electives. The electives vary slightly from quarter to quarter but usually include additional Kanji classes, Japanese language software (word-processing, spreadsheets and making homepages in Japanese), history, Japanese culture amongst others. Students aiming for placement into national universities usually take Mathematics, English and World History. An optional culture program is also available on Friday afternoons.

NOTE 1: *"Program Hours" are usually defined as classes - each class is a minimum of 50 minutes.
NOTE 2: **"Other" includes time spent in essential tasks such as placement testing, speech contests etc. Please note that while these are not formal lessons they are integral to the program.

Classes start at 9.00am and finish at 2.30pm from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays classes are from 9.00am to 11.50pm. Each class period is of 50 minutes duration. An average weekly schedule would resemble something similar to the following:

The above schedule is only a sample and would not apply across all classes. The strong focus on grammar gradually reduces as students master the essentials. At each level the curriculum differs in emphasis. In addition as grammar classes are taught in Japanese, they also include opportunities to practise both writing and speaking. Yamasa's teaching teams use an interactive style - rote learning has no place in the curriculum.

The 23 contact classes does not include self-learning or preparation time. In addition, all students enrolling in the AIJP should be able to learn to use Japanese language software and send/receive email in Japanese during their FIRST quarter. (A "name"@yamasa.org email address is supplied free on request) The objective is to further improve the suitability of using the AIJP as a springboard to employment or further studies.

PROGRAM DATES

*Japan has a large number of public holidays. The dates listed in the "Holidays" are public holidays occurring on weekdays. The only exception is the 1 week break in August (the Obon festival). As all weekends are holidays they have not been listed.

AIJP students are required to arrive in Okazaki at least 1 day prior to commencement. If you are travelling across 6 time zones or more (ie there is a time difference of 6 hours or more between your location and Japan) then we advise you to arrive 2 days early. AIJP students can move into accommodation up to 3 days prior to commencement and stay for 3 days after without additional charge. If you arrive 4 days or earlier then you will need to pay the additional accommodation fees outlined in the housing fee schedule in the "Student Accommodation" file that can be accessed from the center homepage. Students who need to arrive earlier than 3 days prior to the program commencement should also inform Admissions as early as possible. Students arriving at Nagoya International Airport can arrange to be met by our free pickup service. Students arriving by train can be met at Okazaki Station. For more information please read the Location file in the center homepage.

PROGRAM COST

The low cost location, non-profit status and long-term financial support provided by the Hattori Foundation enables Yamasa to provide the AIJP at cost price to international students.

Application Fees:

NOTE 1: *For student visa information, please read carefully through the visa requirements section (Light graphics).
NOTE 2: There is no application fee if you are enrolling for 1 quarter only, or if you do not require a student visa.
NOTE 3: The application fee covers most of the costs incurred by Yamasa in obtaining the visa. However even if processing your visa incurs costs well in excess of 21000 yen, you will NOT be required to make additional payments.
NOTE 4: Students requiring a student visa are usually required to enrol for a minimum of 2 quarters (6 months). If your university or other scheduling requirements are such that you need to enroll for longer than 1 quarter but are not able to enroll for a full two quarters then please contact Mr Declan Murphy (Director of the International Office) at Admissions as soon as possible and explain your situation.

Currency Conversion

Tuition fees:

Information regarding deposits:

NOTE 1: If you are applying for a student visa then you only need to pay the application fee of 21000 yen. You do not need to pay a deposit. You do not need to pay any tuition until after your certificate of eligibility (see visa information section below) has been confirmed.
NOTE 2: If you DO NOT need a student visa then you will need to pay for your tuition (1 quarter - 226012 yen) at least 35 days prior to commencement. Many students prefer to secure their position in the program several months in advance via a 25000 yen deposit, and then pay for the rest of the tuition 35 days before the program commences. The deposit is not an application fee and so if you confirm your place via a deposit, then you only need to pay a further 201,012 yen to complete your enrolment.

PROGRAM LOCATION

All AIJP classes are conducted at Yamasa's Okazaki campus. AIJP Classes are usually conducted in the Yamasa II building - just 7 minutes walk from JR Okazaki Station. For more information please read the Campus Guide file in the center homepage.

You will enjoy living in the historic castle town of Okazaki, located in Aichi Prefecture in Central Japan. Okazaki is just 30 minutes from the city of Nagoya. The castle was the birthplace and initial stronghold of the greatest 'shogun' Tokugawa Ieyasu (born 1542), the founder of modern Japan. With a population of 330,000, it is a prosperous town with modern hi-tech industries that has also maintained its traditions and festivals and has many heritage sites, old temples and shrines including Hozoji - now more than 1200 years old.

Prices here are much less than Tokyo, Osaka or that of tourist traps like Kyoto, (rent for example is actually less than half that of Tokyo), the cost of living is therefore lower. According to surveys of our students, their average cost of living is just 50000-55000 yen per month. Public transport is good, bicycles probably the best and easiest mode of transportation.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The AIJP is an academic program and students need to have a high level of motivation to learn Japanese as well as the necessary academic aptitude. Most AIJP students are graduates or have some university or college background, however because the program is also used as a stepping stone into a Japanese university, a tertiary background is not currently set as a minimum entry requirement.

As a minimum:

1) Applicants must have a minimum of 12 years of full-time education in their native country or have a diploma equivalent to a Japanese senior high school diploma.

2) Applicants must have academic abilities equal to or higher than that of the average Japanese high school graduate.

3) As a general rule students need to be 18 years and over. (For the student visa you must be at least 18) There is no upper age limit.

It is not a pre-requisite but it is helpful if you have some experience of studying Japanese or a foreign language before.

Citizens of certain countries will need to find guarantors. Please check the Visa Requirements section in the center homepage to see if this applies to you.

LEVELS AVAILABLE

Students entering the AIJP classes are graded via a placement test and placement interview at the beginning of each quarter. 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. Private or small classes can be scheduled flexibly.

Classes are usually offered at the following levels. There are usually 6 different levels of proficiency. The maximum class size is 15. The average class size is 12.4 students.

The AIJP employs a rolling curriculum. At present the curriculum is divided into the following broad sections. Foundation, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Pre-advanced. 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 need to transfer to the Advanced Japanese Studies Program.

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.

FACILITIES

As noted in the Location section, the classes will be usually be conducted in the Yamasa II building. This modern 5 story building is fully air-conditioned and apart from the lobby on the ground floor, is a smoke-free zone.

The computer laboratory has full internet access through Yamasa's LAN. All students have free web access and can send and receive personal electronic mail. Students bringing laptops should be able to connect directly to the LAN through jacks provided specifically for student use. For more details regarding internet connectivity please read through the connectivity file in the center homepage.

All AIJP students have the opportunity to learn how to use Japanese language software. You will have the opportunity to use Japanese software and send/receive Japanese language email.

All classrooms and amenities are large and western style. Yamasa allocates more space per student than nearly any accredited institution in the country. The extra space means that instead of sitting in chairs with writing flaps attached to the arm of the chair - every AIJP student has a wide desk perfect for spreading dictionaries and study aids in front of them for easy reference. This extra space is assisted by the policy of having at maximum class size of 15, which is 5 students less than the standard required by the regulating body for Japanese language education in Japan - the APJLE.

The offices of your academic advisors are also located in the same building so that you can easily consult faculty outside class hours.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

At present the following accommodation options are available to AIJP students:

i. Studio Apartments

Yamasa Villa I,
Yamasa Villa III, IV,
Residence U,
Residence K

ii. Dormitory

Yamasa Student Village,
Yamasa Villa 2

iii. Host Family

Homestay Program

For full details please visit the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage.

Students can choose various combinations of Student Housing. It is possible to move from one option to another. All prices are in the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage. Accommodation options are booked automatically when you complete your program application and are confirmed by email or written letter as preferred.

VISA INFORMATION

Please note that students enrolling in the AIJP for more than 6 months will usually need a student visa (shugakusei). The student visa is available from April or October (only). The exceptions include working holiday visa holders, students with Japanese ancestry, cultural activities visa, work visa etc. Please note that if you begin on a tourist visa and then transfer to the student visa you DO NOT need to leave the country. However, the usual application deadlines will still apply.

If you are on a work visa or working holiday visa you can transfer to the student visa at any time, and DO NOT need to leave the country, provided you can prove adequate funds, education background etc.

Citizens of certain countries will need to find guarantors. The visa requirements section in the center homepage has further detail and appropriate links to the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs sites.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Once you have read everything on this page, especially the sections below, have checked your status re guarantors, chosen your preferred accommodation options, schedule and so on, you will need to apply as follows.

In the Online Catalog you will find an icon called How to Apply. Please click on that icon and follow the directions given.

For students applying for the student visa, please understand that in Japan the visa process is a little bureaucratic. You will be sent an application kit - usually by courier or registered post. There is a considerable list of required documentation - however if you follow the detailed instructions in the application kit you will have no difficulty in securing your visa. So far, all of the students who have applied using the kit have received their visas successfully. Students are advised to APPLY EARLY.

If you are applying for a homestay - please note that the program application should be made AT LEAST 2 months in advance. For students requiring a student visa, there is no requirement to submit program fees until the visa is officially confirmed. However students who DO NOT require the visa are advised that the homestay search does not commence until Yamasa can confirm that tuition fees have been remitted. As homestays can be difficult to obtain sometimes, please send proof of tuition payment as soon as possible.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION

(1) For students requiring a student visa: (If you DO NOT need a student visa please scroll down)

After you complete the documents included in the application kit, you must deliver it either to The Yamasa Institute or one of our offices abroad by mail, courier or hand delivery. The Student Services and visa specialists will start screening when the application fee (21,000 yen tax included) has been received. Due to the heavy screening and translating costs required in obtaining the visa for you, we regret that the application fee cannot be refunded.

Deadline 1:
General Applicants - The application MUST be received by June 20 for October commencement, and December 20 for April commencement.

Deadline 2:
Fast-track Applicants - In some circumstances, it MAY be possible to extend the deadline for 1 month. These circumstances are determined not by Yamasa but by the Immigration Bureau. If the following criteria are met, then the application may be received by July 20 for October commencement, and January 20 for April commencement:

If you believe you meet the criteria for fast-track application please contact contact Admissions to make certain that your application can be accepted. Please also note that places in the program may be limited, early application is usually advised.

SCREENING FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING STUDENT VISAS :

Once your application fee is verified, we can screen your application. The screening is done on the basis of the documents submitted with the application kit. An interview is usually required for applicants who are already in Japan. After screening, we will notify you of the result and then submit your documents to the Immigration Bureau for application for a CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. After inspection, and if there is no problem, the Immigration Bureau will issue the CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. YAMASA will inform you of the outcome (approval or refusal). The frustrating part of the application is that the Bureau will not inform Yamasa of the result of the application until late August/early September in the case of October commencement, and until late February/early March in the case of April commencement.

1. You will then be asked to remit a minimum of 1 quarter (3 months) of tuition fees. If you remit 1 year's worth of tuition, you will receive a discount of 50,000 yen.
2. Yamasa's Admissions Office will then be able to send you the CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY and LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
3.You then need to take this letter with your passport to the nearest Japanese diplomatic office to receive your visa stamp.
4. You are then able to enter Japan.

The rest of the enrollment procedure is completed upon arriving in Okazaki.

(2) For students who DO NOT require a student visa:

After you complete the Online Application, you will need to submit 4 passport photographs by mail or 1 by email. We request that you complete the application at least 42 days (6 weeks) prior to commencement. If as you read this you realize that the deadline has passed, please contact Mr. Declan Murphy (Director of the International Office) at Admissions immediately to see if a vacancy remains or if cancellations will give you the opportunity to take up a place.

Once your application and photos have been received and confirmed, Yamasa will require you to confirm your place either by making a deposit of 25000 yen or by transfering the program fee. If you confirm the place via a deposit, please remit the balance at least 35 days (5 weeks) prior to commencement. Only after the tuition has been paid are we able to issue a letter LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE - this is the letter that you show Immigration as you enter the country, or if you need to apply for a tourist visa, then its the letter you show to the embassy or consular officials.

PAYMENT METHOD

Payment of Application Fees OR Deposits (21000 yen for the Application fee, 25000 yen for a deposit) and Tuition fees is usually done by Bank Transfer. If the bank fees for a transfer are excessive, another option is to post or courier an International Money Order or Bank Check. It is possible to pay accommodation fees and subsequent tuition fees by credit card (Master/Visa) after you arrive in Japan, it is only the initial payment that needs to be done by bank transfer. More information and Yamasa's bank account details can be accessed from the "How to Pay Fees" icon in the Online Program Catalog.

Yamasa will confirm all remittances.

We hope that you can join us and study Japanese in one of Japan's leading programs. If you have any inquiries please contact "AIJP Admissions" at Admissions

Please send any postal mail to:

The Yamasa Institute
1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi, Okazaki-shi,
Aichi-ken Japan 444-0832

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