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Why YAMASA?

The advantages of studying at Yamasa

1) Smaller class sizes

The accreditation body (APJLE) requires a maximum class size of 20 students. However at Yamasa we believe that 20 is too many for quality language study. At Yamasa the maximum class size is 15 students. The year round average is just under 10 students per class. This ensures that there is not only better student/teacher interaction, but that the difference in language proficiency between students in each class is significantly less than in other schools.

2) Intensive

We offer higher levels of intensity. Yamasa offers more classes per week and more classes per year (900-1050 depending on the program instead of the usual 800-820) than any other school. We offer more classes and more intensity because our students know that the opportunity to study in Japan may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and they want to be sure they will achieve fluency.

3) Professional Faculty

Only the best teachers and instructors join our faculty. All of our academic staff are highly experienced and fully qualified teachers of Japanese as a second language. Many of our staff have also taught Japanese abroad, either on Yamasa academic exchanges around the world or prior to their joining Yamasa. Supporting the students and academic staff is a multi-lingual and highly experienced administration able to make your life easier from enrolment to graduation.

4) Teaching Teams

Yamasa uses an unusual format known as team teaching - with teams of 4-5 faculty members per class. It ensures that you receive a variety of teaching styles.

5) Academic Advisors

Every single student at Yamasa receives individual attention from a designated academic advisor. This means that as you progress through your studies you always have one faculty member advising you who has a very detailed knowledge of your needs and aspirations.

6) Homestay Program

We provide homestays and home visit opportunities to increase your conversational fluency and cultural understanding. The lower price of land in Okazaki results in larger houses than in Tokyo or Osaka. Not only are higher quality homestays easier to obtain but also Yamasa invests a lot of energy into the Homestay program. The homestays give you not only the opportunity to practice your language skills and intimately experience the culture, it also provides a priceless chance to communicate across cultures and make long lasting friendships.

7) A Wide Selection of YAMASA Owned Accommodation

Guaranteed, at low cost, and within walking distance of the campus. A low cost/low stress lifestyle unequalled by any other school. Students (especially with families) who come to Japan generally find obtaining good convenient housing a real headache. Most students cannot afford high rents and end up living in substandard housing and have long train or subway commutes. Many institutions rely heavily on private vendors for accomodation. By comparison Yamasa has its own (not leased) student housing within easy walking distance of the campus. Every student who enrolls in Yamasa is guaranteed appropriate, safe, affordable student housing.

8) Genuinely International Student Body

Student mix graph Many Japanese educational institutions aim to be, many claim to be, however very few are. Yamasa is one of the few schools with an admissions policy that emphasizes the importance of a diverse student intake - and perhaps the only one that consistently maintains it. Diversity is essential for successful language training.

Yamasa students come from all over the world. Japanese is usually the only medium they can communicate to each other in. It is more than just the language of instruction - it rapidly becomes the language of communication. The result is a dynamic group of people from many different cultural backgrounds, with very different experiences and outlooks - but all seeking to discover both Japan and themselves in an unusually stimulating academic environment.

9) High University Placement Rate

All of our courses are academically oriented. The Yamasa programs stress all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Rapid progress in the language encourages students to make the most of their developing fluency. You will soon find yourself rigorously preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Every year, many of our students seeking University or College positions are successful. Many universities accept Yamasa graduates on our recommendation.

10) Accredited

The Japanese Government has assessed and authorized Yamasa to be the only Institute in the Mikawa region with the appropriate programs, systems, curriculum and facilities required for quality Japanese language education. Yamasa was a founding member of the regulating body: The Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education.

11) Lower Expenses

The Institute is non-profit and its high quality courses are delivered at cost. The fact is that there is no need whatsoever to pay Tokyo rents or Osaka prices in order to study in Japan. Located conveniently in the historic central part of Japan, YAMASA and Okazaki offer not only quality but also affordability.

For quality - no other school matches Yamasa.