The AIJP Short-Term / Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program offers classes for students at levels ranging from beginners (A1) who have just started learning Japanese to advanced learners (B2) who can use Japanese effectively in real situations such as university studies or employment.
This course is designed for students who come to Japan from overseas and wish to learn the Japanese necessary for living and working in Japan. Students study Japanese comprehensively through the four language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—while also learning the basics of Japanese customs and manners. The program is suitable for students from both kanji-based and non-kanji language backgrounds.
This course aims to develop practical, usable Japanese and is suitable for students such as the following:
- Those who want to acquire Japanese language skills in order to work in Japan.
- Those who want to work for a Japanese company in their home country.
- Those who want to work for a company that does business with Japanese companies.
*Applicants with a student visa should apply for the 2-Year Program.
*The study period can be chosen from 3 months to 1 year and 9 months, within the period of stay permitted by the student’s visa.
Why Choose the AIJP / Japanese Language and Culture Research Course (2-Year Program)?
People who want to learn Japanese have different goals. For example:
- Those who are interested in Japanese society and culture and would like to learn Japanese as well.
- Those who want to study Japanese thoroughly so they can use it for work, university, or vocational school.
The AIJP Short-Term / Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program at YAMASA is designed to meet the different learning goals of each student. It also takes into account the diverse native languages of students from many countries, incorporating thoughtful teaching methods and extensive experience into the classes.
International Friends, Japanese as the Common Language
Since its establishment in 1992, YAMASA has welcomed students from approximately 100 countries. In the AIJP Short-Term / Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program, students come from many regions including the United States, Europe, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, creating a truly multinational classroom environment.
The common language used when communicating with classmates is Japanese. Not only during class but also outside the classroom, students use Japanese while interacting with others and experiencing new cultures, which naturally helps improve their Japanese language skills.
Small Classes and Sufficient Instruction Time
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japanese language schools may have up to 20 students per class. At YAMASA, however, classes are typically kept to an average of fewer than 15 students. Smaller class sizes provide students with many opportunities to speak and actively participate.
MEXT regulations also require 45 minutes per class period and 760 class periods per year, which equals more than 570 hours of instruction annually. In the AIJP Short-Term / Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program, each class period is 50 minutes, with 828 class periods per year. This results in approximately 690 hours of instruction annually—about 1.2 times the required amount.
This extended study time makes it possible for students to develop practical, usable Japanese skills.
Goals of Learning Japanese
Is the goal of learning Japanese to be able to use it at a university or vocational school, or to use it in the workplace? YAMASA has introduced an evaluation system developed in cooperation with local companies, based on the CEFR and the Japanese Language Education Reference Framework.
Based on the results of this evaluation, we provide classes and guidance designed to help students develop practical, usable Japanese skills.
We strive to provide lessons that match each student’s individual learning style and learning goals.
According to psychologist Gardner, known for the theory of multiple intelligences, and education theorist Fleming, who proposed the VARK (Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinesthetic) model, people use a variety of perceptual approaches when acquiring knowledge. This concept is also highly valued at YAMASA.
At YAMASA, we offer a variety of learning styles, including not only textbooks but also audio materials, video, hands-on experiences, and online learning. In addition, the curriculum includes a range of elective classes so that each student can further deepen the areas they most want to study according to their individual learning goals.
Improve Your Skills by Using Japanese in Real Situations
In addition to offering diverse learning styles, YAMASA provides opportunities for students to use Japanese in real-life situations. With the cooperation of the Hattori Group, which supports the institute, students can experience conversations with Japanese people in various workplaces. Students also visit the local community around the school to conduct interview activities with local residents using the Japanese they have learned.
Experiencing real, living Japanese not only helps students gain confidence in using the language but also encourages further motivation to continue improving their Japanese skills.
Online Learning System
At YAMASA, we have also introduced our own online Japanese learning systems, such as the “Online Kanji Dictionary.” By visiting this system, you will see that it provides innovative learning materials closely linked with classroom lessons. By using this learning system from your PC or tablet at home, you can further expand your knowledge of Japanese.
Deepen Your Understanding of Japan through Cultural Experiences and Excursions
Participants in the AIJP course can join optional Japanese cultural experience classes and weekend excursions organized by YAMASA (additional fees apply). The Japanese language is closely connected with Japan’s climate, history, and traditional culture. Experiencing and learning about these aspects is important for gaining a deeper understanding of both Japan and the Japanese language.
Okazaki City, where YAMASA is located, is a city rich in history and culture. In addition, famous destinations such as Kyoto, Ise, and Takayama—known for their unique traditions and cultural heritage—are close enough for day trips. While studying Jap
Level and Study Duration
| Course | Class | Time | Level（JLPT） | ||||
| AIJP Short-Term Japanese Language and Culture Research Program | Beginner 1（A2.1） | 3 months | N5 | N4 | |||
| Beginner 2（A2.2） | 3 months | ||||||
| Intermediate 1（B1.1） | 3 months | N3 | |||||
| Intermediate 2（B1.2） | 3 months | N2 | |||||
| Upper-intermediate 1（B2.1） | 6 months | ||||||
| Upper-intermediate 2（B2.2） | 6 months | N1 | |||||
*In the Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program, the starting class is determined by the result of a placement test taken at the time of enrollment. Students begin from the Beginner 1 (A2.1) class.
Subjects and Curriculum of the Japanese Language Program
| Subject | Content |
| Kanji | Study the origins of kanji, the meanings and sounds of their components, and the reading and writing of vocabulary and sentences using kanji. Practice is tailored to each student’s goals and progress. (This subject is taught up to the A2.2 level; from B1.1 onward, it is conducted as self-study.) |
| Vocabulary | Learn and use the vocabulary needed for personal topics, everyday situations, and social issues. |
| Grammar | Learn and use the grammar necessary to construct simple and complex sentences about personal topics, everyday situations, and social issues, and to convey nuances effectively. |
| Reading | Read texts about personal topics, everyday situations, and events occurring in Japanese society. Students confirm their understanding in pairs and summarize the content. |
| Listening | Listen to conversations, news reports, and discussions about personal topics, everyday situations, and events occurring in Japanese society. Students reproduce what they have understood in pairs. Even if unfamiliar words appear in the conversation, they learn to infer their meaning from the surrounding context. |
| Speaking (Interaction) | Practice interaction on personal topics, everyday situations, and social issues, while learning the communication strategies and sociolinguistic skills needed for effective communication. Through practice, students develop the ability to move from situations where they cannot communicate or are not understood to situations where they can communicate clearly and successfully. |
| Writing | Write about events and personal opinions related to personal topics, everyday situations, and social issues. Students organize their ideas using tools such as mind maps and matrices. |
| Speaking (Presentation) | Give a monologue about events and personal opinions related to personal topics, everyday situations, and social issues. Students also check whether what the speaker intends to convey matches what the listener has understood. |
| Integrated Skills | Give presentations on social topics of personal interest or events actually occurring in Japanese society, followed by a question-and-answer session. (Conducted from the B1.1 level onward.) |
| Self-Directed Learning Support | After the start of the semester, students set their self-study goals for the term and create a “Goal Sheet.” Based on this, they develop a study plan. At the end of the semester, they review whether their goals have been achieved and analyze the results. |
Tuition Fees for the AIJP Short-Term / Japanese Language and Culture Research Short-Term Program
The study period can be chosen from 3 months to 1 year and 9 months.
| Semester Total | Admission Fee | Tuition Fee | Facilities Fee | Textbook Fee (*) | Total |
| 1 Semester | ¥85,000 | ¥209,040 | ¥4,400 | ¥8,800 | ¥307,240 |
| 2 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥418,080 | ¥8,800 | ¥17,600 | ¥529,480 |
| 3 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥627,120 | ¥13,200 | ¥26,400 | ¥751,720 |
| 4 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥836,160 | ¥17,600 | ¥35,200 | ¥973,960 |
| 5 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥1,045,200 | ¥22,000 | ¥44,000 | ¥1,196,200 |
| 6 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥1,254,240 | ¥26,400 | ¥52,800 | ¥1,418,440 |
| 7 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥1,463,280 | ¥30,800 | ¥61,600 | ¥1,640,680 |
| 8 Semesters | ¥85,000 | ¥1,672,320 | ¥35,200 | ¥70,400 | ¥1,862,920 |
(*) The materials fee is subject to tax, and the amount shown includes consumption tax.
- The application screening fee is JPY 16,500.
- In the case of re-enrollment, the admission fee is waived (the admission fee is JPY 85,000 as part of the initial costs).
- Tuition fees can be paid on a per-semester basis.
- If the tuition for one year or more is paid in a lump sum, a 10% discount will be applied.
Course Schedule
| Period | Course Start Dates | Application Period |
|---|---|---|
| April Term | April – June | From mid-December of the previous year to mid-February (16 to 8 weeks before the start of the term) |
| July Term | July – September | From mid-March to mid-May (16 to 8 weeks before the start of the term) |
| October Term | October – December | From mid-June to mid-August (16 to 8 weeks before the start of the term) |
| January Term | January – March | From mid-September to mid-November of the previous year (16 to 8 weeks before the start of the term) |
*For the actual application period, please refer to the Information Disclosure page.
*Applications are accepted from 16 weeks to 8 weeks before the start of the course.
Class Hours
| Class Days | Monday to Friday |
| Total Classes per Semester | The total number of classes in one semester (three months) is 207 class periods. |
| Daily Class Start and End Times | Classes start at 9:00 and end at 13:30. The lunch break is 50 minutes. |
| Class Hours | 50 minutes |
Each class is 50 minutes long, and there is a 10-minute break between classes.
| Period | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 – 9:50 | Class Lessons | ||||
| 2 | 10:00 – 10:50 | |||||
| 3 | 11:00 – 11:50 | |||||
| 11:50 – 12:40 | Lunch Break | |||||
| 4 | 12:40 – 13:30 | Class Lessons | ||||
From the first to the fourth period, students study the four language skills in a balanced way in order to effectively improve their Japanese. The four skills are reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In class, students develop these abilities through repeated practice and active participation.