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AIJP - Academic Intensive Japanese Program

Intended Audience

AIJP class AIJP takes in a range of students from a variety of Japanese levels and cultural backgrounds. We accept students who range from beginner to advanced level (meaning a level commensurate with working in a Japanese company or working in a Japanese University).
AIJP is ideal for those who can make a long term commitment to their Japanese studies and is recommended for students who are committed to extending their Japanese ability beyond everyday conversation (e.g. the weather, ordering in a restaurant) as well as for those who wish to graduate from Japanese tertiary institutions.
AIJP students may use this course as a stepping stone to:

  • Help them find a job in Japan or in a company where Japanese is predominantly used.
  • Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 or 2.
  • Give them the foundation to eventually study at a Japanese university or vocational college.

Why AIJP?

When we consider taking on any field of study, including Japanese, we usually have a number of reasons for doing so. In the case of Japanese, some reasons may include:

  • Studying as a hobby.
  • Studying to maintain basic communication with family and friends.
  • Studying to understand a certain part of Japanese culture such as manga.

AIJP course Others may study Japanese as they see a bigger role for it in their day to day lives. They may choose to be long term residents of Japan or they may deal with Japanese clients in the course of their employment. For those who fit the above description, a course of study that is measured in weeks rather than months may be insufficient to achieve their goals.
YAMASA’s AIJP course is geared towards those who have the time and commitment to achieve the latter set of goals. As the course can last from 3 months to 2 years, you can be guaranteed that the opportunities you will be given will set you in good stead to achieve the long term goals that you have set yourself.

YAMASA’s AIJP course prides itself on its:

  • Emphasis on individual learning needs/goals: Borrowing from Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and Fleming’s VARK modalities, we are conscious of the many different ways people process information. Recognizing this reality is doubly important when one is dealing with a student population as diverse as ours. As such, our curriculum has been designed to insure that your individual learning style is catered for.
    This emphasis on the individual is best represented in the provision of our elective classes. By focusing on what students want to achieve, we are able to set out a program of learning that will allow you to realize your goals.

  • Maximum class sizes of fifteen: Due to the cap on class sizes, it can be guaranteed that you will not get lost in the shuffle and that your needs on both an educational and personal front will be appropriately catered for.

  • Diversity of learning environments: In addition to providing a fresh range of teaching styles, AIJP insures that you will not be ‘cooped up’ in the same classroom for hours on end. As mentioned earlier, our emphasis on flexibility and diversity guarantees that you will not only be studying within YAMASA but you will also be moving about outside the classroom in order to experience what colloquial Japanese sounds like. An example of this might include conducting group interviews with members of the local community in locations outside school grounds).

  • Access to online learning portals: Thanks to YAMASA’s unique Online Centre for Japanese Learning as well as our online Kanji dictionary, you will have access to additional learning materials that are innovative, engaging and cutting edge. Through these learning portals, you will be able to further enrich the knowledge that you have acquired in class at home via your PC or hand held tablet.

  • AIJP course Exposure to practical Japanese via hands on content: As part of YAMASA’s AIJP course, you will be given the chance to practice the language that you have acquired in real world situations. By harnessing the relationships that we have built with local businesses in the area, you will be have access to opportunities where you can hone your Japanese prowess beyond the classroom.
    By witnessing this slice of Japanese society up close, you will be able to better grasp the values and mores that make this special culture tick. Through this understanding, you will be also able to attain a greater ability to navigate the social landscape of Japan.

Content

Class Framework

AIJP students are divided into 6 different ability levels (as decided by the results of a placement test that students will sit upon admission)

Course Class JLPT level
AIJP Beginner 1 (A1)
Beginner 2 (A2-1)
Beginner 3 (A2-2) N2
Intermediate 1 (B1-1)
Intermediate 2 (B1-2) N1
Upper Intermediate (B2)

Class Timetable

 
Period Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
1 9:00 - 9:50 Lesson
2 10:00 - 10:50
3 11:00 - 11:50
11:50 - 12:40
Lunch Break
4 12:40 - 13:30 Lesson

Periods 1 through 4 focus on the four key competencies of language learning: reading, writing, speaking and listening. These are run in rotation to insure that the learning needs of all students are met.

Note:

  • All classes run for 50 minutes with a ten minute break between classes.
  • Tests are supplied, both written and multiple choice, to insure that you know where you are at in terms of your learning.

"Four skills" classes

These classes focusing on four skills are incorporated in the curriculum from B1-1 to B2 class (from intermediate to upper intermediate class) to improve Japanese ability by learning skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. This class has four hours a week and 10 weeks a semester.

In addition, there are comprehensive classes designed to unite the acquired four skills. In the comprehensive class, you will decide a theme by yourself and make a presentation using acquired skills. This opportunity will enable you to increase confidence in your Japanese ability.

The beginner classes from A1 to A2-2 class also have lessons in which you can show your learning outcomes by making full use of the four skills you have acquired.

 
Class Contents
A1 - A2-2 You will learn Japanese used in daily life and be able to express yourself and the things around you. Also, you will acquire Japanese ability to deal with problems and to achieve your purpose.
B1-1 You will develop ability to understand and express facts and opinions. You will be able to understand the contents more accurately and quickly guessing the contexts without using a dictionary. Also, you will obtain ability to explain your opinion and situation by speaking or by writing.
B1-2 You will improve your comprehension level to correspond to Japanese expressions of various styles. Also, you will develop ability to explain facts and opinions on the basis of information, and then you will be able to apply the ability to various situations.
B2You will be able to understand and guess newspaper articles and novels in Japanese. You will develop ability to explain the facts and opinions logically and gain communication skills to convey your feelings. Also, by writing essays, stories and reports based on materials, you will acquire advanced Japanese language skills.

Start Dates

Course length From 3 months to 2 years broken into 3 month quarters.
Course dates
Start and End Dates
(year/month/day)
2023/10/04 - 2023/12/15
2024/01/10 - 2024/03/22
2024/04/10 - 2024/06/21
2024/07/10 - 2024/09/25
2024/10/09 - 2024/12/20
2025/01/08 - 2025/03/21
Note: Students who wish to enroll in the course using a student visa will have to lodge the necessary paperwork during the following dates:

  • April Quarter Application Period: September to end of October
  • July Quarter Application Period: January to end of February
  • October Quarter Application Period: March to end of April
  • January Quarter Application Period: July to end of August
Days Monday through Friday.
Classes per term You will take a total of 207 classes every term.
Class times Classes start at 9:00 and finish at 13:30 with a 50 minute break in between.
Class length 50 minutes

Tuition Fees

Pay by January 31, 2024 to take advantage of the current fees and the following discounts that are available to all students enrolling or re-enrolling in YAMASA!
  • Returning students enrolling in this course are eligible for a 20% discount on their initial payment of fees.
  • Students with a Working Holiday Visa or a JET Programme Visa are able to receive a 10% discount on their initial payment of fees.
  • For those students who complete all of their enrollment by the periods indicated below, the following discounts are available.
    • 16 weeks prior to start: 10% Discount
    • 12 weeks prior to start: 5% Discount
  • For students who have JLPT N2, a 10% discount is awarded to the initial payment of fees. (Certificate must be provided. This discount will be applied when a certificate is received by 17:00 of the previous business day before your starting date even after payment. The certificate is acceptable only in PDF format or as the original.)
  • All the discounts above end on March 31st, 2024.
  • Students who have paid one year’s tuition up front are eligible for a 10% discount.

Note:

  • The discounts can be claimed one at a time only and cannot be claimed in unison with other eligible discounts.
  • The discounts also do not apply to extra optional courses/lessons.

Tuition Fees (¥) for each term: 1 Term(3 Months) until March 31, 2024
Study Duration Tuition Fees(1 Term) Tuition Fees Total
1st Term ¥261,800 ¥261,800
2nd Term ¥224,400 ¥486,200
3rd Term ¥180,400 ¥666,600
4th Term ¥180,400 ¥847,000
5th Term ¥180,400 ¥1,027,400
6th Term ¥180,400 ¥1,207,800
7th Term ¥180,400 ¥1,388,200
8th Term ¥180,400 ¥1,568,600
  • Fees do not include the cost of textbooks(It is possible to purchase after you have entered your class)
  • The cost of applying for a Student Visa is ¥30,250

Tuition Fees (¥) for each term: 1 Term(3 Months) from April 1, 2024
Study Duration Tuition Fees(1 Term) Tuition Fees Total
Initial Fee ¥122,400
1st Term ¥208,750 ¥331,150
2nd Term ¥208,750 ¥539,900
3rd Term ¥208,750 ¥748,650
4th Term ¥208,750 ¥957,400
5th Term ¥208,750 ¥1,166,150
6th Term ¥208,750 ¥1,374,900
7th Term ¥208,750 ¥1,583,650
8th Term ¥208,750 ¥1,792,400
  • The initial fee includes the enrollment fee and facility fees. Textbooks are provided.
  • Application fee for student visa is 33,000 yen.
  • Enrollment fee will be exempted in case of re-enrollment.(The enrollment fee is 85,000 yen of the initial fee.)
  • If you pay for one year or more in a lump sum, you will receive a 10% discount.

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Visa Information

The kind of visa that students coming from overseas will need to apply for largely depends on how long they wish to study for. Please refer to the table below to find out the visa that best suits your situation.

Note: Students who wish to enroll in the course using a student visa will have to lodge the necessary paperwork during the following dates:

  • April Quarter Application Period: September to end of October
  • July Quarter Application Period: January to end of February
  • October Quarter Application Period: March to end of April
  • January Quarter Application Period: July to end of August

I want to
study for
The type of visa you should get is a
Up to
90 days
Short term stay visa* (one term) or working holiday visa
Please make sure to contact your local Japanese consulate/embassy to see what requirements are needed for either one of these visas as these visas are divided into 15, 30 and 90 day categories depending on the type of passport you have.
More than
90 days
Student visa
From June 2023, our application has been replaced by a online application. Those who wish to apply to study at Yamasa  Institute must first understand the following in advance and also prepare the required documents. The application is divided into three parts. Please read this explanation carefully.
  • For each part, there are documents to be attached in PDF format.
  • Documents to be attached in PDF format must be in English or Japanese.
  • The original documents to be attached in PDF format should be sent to us depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant. Of the original documents, we will not be able to return any except for the diploma of the last school attended.
  • For all parts, some countries may require additional documents not listed.
  • For documents issued by public institutions, banks, etc., please prepare documents issued within 6 months from the date of application if outside Japan, or within 3 months if in Japan.
Part 1
This is the part where you will enter your name, address, history of Japanese language study, etc. Please prepare documents that prove your Japanese language study.
  • Please prepare a photo for your ID taken within the last 3 months. The photo will be used for the ID card "ZAIRYU-CARD" issued by the government upon your arrival in Japan. The photo must be 4 cm (H) x 3 cm (W), above the chest, with no background, and without glasses or hat.
  • If you have a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, please have documents to prove your Japanese language study, if any. If not, no problem.
  • If you have graduated from a junior college, vocational school, or high school, please be sure to have documents to prove your Japanese language study.
  • If you studied Japanese at a Japanese language school, please have a certificate of Japanese language study issued by the school.
  • If you have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 or equivalent, please have your passport ready.
  • If you studied at a private school or with a private tutor, please contact the school separately.
Part 2
Here you will enter your employment and educational history up to the present.
  • Please have your diploma from your last school attended.
Part 3
In this part you will be required to enter your passport information and financial information.
  • Please prepare a valid passport, a bank statement issued within the current period, and if you are employed, a current employment certificate issued within the current period.
  • If you are paying for expenses for someone other than yourself, please have documents to show your relationship to the person who is paying for your expenses. (e.g.) Birth certificate, marriage certificate, certificate of residence, etc. issued by the due date.
  • If you are claiming an expense payer other than yourself as your relative, only a relative by marriage up to the third degree or a blood relative up to the sixth degree can be recognized as your relative. Please also provide a bank balance certificate and proof of employment issued within the time frame of the relative.
  • If your bank deposit balance is less than 1,800,000 yen, your application will be denied. In addition, your course of study will be determined by the results of the Yamasa Online Japanese Proficiency Test, and the minimum bank deposit balance required will depend on that course of study.
    Course Duration Minimum Bank Deposit Balance
    1 year ¥1,800,000
    1.3 years ¥2,200,000
    1.6 years ¥2,600,000
    1.9 years ¥3,000,000
    2 years ¥3,500,000
  • If you plan to receive a scholarship from a vocational school, company, or other organization, please inquire separately.

Note: In 2014, the Japanese government granted exemptions to a group of 67 countries in regards to applying for short term visas; meaning that residents of these countries are better able to enter Japan.
For further information regarding whether or not you qualify for any of the two visas listed above or if you currently hold or will apply for a different type of visa to those listed above, please contact the admissions department at YAMASA via e-mail at admissions@yamasa.org or via telephone at 81 (0)564-55-8111.

Application

Congratulations! By choosing to study at YAMASA, you have taken the first step towards improving your Japanese language skills!
The next step that you will need to take is to start the application process.

Questions

Please feel free to contact us via e-mail at admissions@yamasa.org or to call us on +81 (0)564-55-8111.
We aim to reply to all inquiries within 24 hours (excluding Japanese Public Holidays).