Frequently asked questions
The following is a list of typical questions asked by people who are contemplating enrolling at our school.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at jli-info@nichibei.ac.jp. For an answer to a given question, click the question.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at jli-info@nichibei.ac.jp. For an answer to a given question, click the question.
About the school
- What is the Japanese Language Institute?
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- The Japanese Language Institute (JLI) was founded in 1967.
- Its parent body is the International Education Center (IEC, founded in 1948).
- In addition to the JLI, the IEC runs Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin (founded in 1945) to provide English education to the public as part of its educational services.
- As part of its international and cross-cultural undertakings, the IEC organizes such events as the annual International Speech Contest in Japanese (since 1960) and the Japan-America Student Conference (since 1934).
About the instructors
- What are the instructors like?
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- They are professional teachers with long experience in Japanese education and a seasoned method of teaching Japanese.
- Some have authored and published Japanese language textbooks.
- What language will be used in class?
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- As a matter of principle, classes will be conducted in Japanese. In the basic level classes, English is occasionally used.
- The instructors will speak easy-to-follow Japanese in explanation and exercise so as to accommodate the students’ respective levels.
- The basic level classes will use a lot of materials written in Japanese and English, whereas the intermediate and advanced levels will primarily use materials written in Japanese only.
About the programs
- What programs are offered?
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In response to students’ needs, we offer the following programs.
- Classes meet five times a week, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- You will learn business and practical Japanese in an intensive and comprehensive way, from basic to advanced levels.
- Putting a stress on the acquisition of communication skills such as conversational fluency, the program also works on developing the students’ reading and writing abilities.
- Depending on the student’s learning plan and visa, we offer the 2-year General Course (form 6 months to 2 years, student visa required) and the Short-term Course (enroll and renew every 3-month term).
- Classes meet once or twice a week at the students’ convenience.
- They are offered early mornings, afternoons, evenings and Saturdays.
- From basic to highly-advanced, we offer a variety of classes, e.g., daily conversation, business talks, JLPT preparations, and current Japanese.
- We provide customized lessons according to the students’ objectives, plans, needs and time frames.
- Can I take lessons online?
- Yes, you may take lessons online except for the General Course.
- Can I take the lessons in my office?
- We send instructors to client sites for corporate-wide group lessons and private lessons. In such a case, there is a ¥1,200 surcharge for traveling per session (within the 23 wards of Tokyo).
- Will the JLI find me a fellow student if I prefer a semi-private lesson?
- We are sorry but we do not provide such a service.
About the classes
- Is there a class for someone who has no background in Japanese?
- Yes, we offer classes for absolute beginners in all the programs--Regular, Part-time and Private Lessons.
- I don’t know how to read hiragana or katakana. Would I still be qualified to join a class?
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- The basic level classes in the Regular Program cover hiragana and katakana.
- In the Part-time Program, you may be admitted to a class above the basic level, depending on your Japanese conversational skills.
- Will I have to take a test?
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- For the Regular Program, you will have to take a placement test at admission. In addition, you will take a term-end test at the end of each academic term, on the result of which your next level will be determined. Besides the term-end test, there will be periodic tests in grammar, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, kanji, and so on.
- For the Part-time Program, the instructor will conduct a level-check interview prior to determining your class.
- Is there going to be homework?
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- In the Regular Program, there will be homework almost every day. Should you find yourself unable to complete it due to your heavy workload, consult your instructor.
- In the Part-time Program, there will also be some amount of homework so as to reinforce what has been covered in class.
- How will I study kanji?
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- In the basic level classes in the Regular Program, you will learn each new kanji in the classroom and practice reading and writing.
- In the Part-time Program, you will teach yourself at home as a matter of principle.
- I am planning to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Will I be able to prepare for it in class?
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- In the Regular Program, since the focus is on the development of your conversational skills of listening and speaking, it will be slightly different from preparations for the JLPT.
- The Part-time Program offers JLPT prep classes for N1 and N2.
- I’m not sure which class to take in the Part-time Program.
- A seasoned instructor will suggest a class appropriate for your study objective and level on the basis of a level-check interview. Upon request, he/she will offer advice on the most effective method of learning.
About the students
- What type of people study at the JLI?
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- Most of the students, across the programs, are adults, having already completed formal education.
- They come from all walks of life: business persons, company trainees, family members of expats, spouses of Japanese nationals, researchers of Japanese culture, and so on.
- Age-wise, they range from the early 20s to the 50s. In terms of gender, approximately half are male and half female.
- Where do they come from?
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- They come evenly from Europe/North America, East Asia and other parts of the world, thus striking a good balance of geographical distribution.
- The classrooms serve as a forum for cross-cultural communication and interface of diverse sectors and age groups.
* The student constitution slightly varies, depending on the term. - Will I have opportunities to interact with Japanese folks other than the school instructors?
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- The Regular Program conducts an outing several times a year. The class goes out to museums, life safety learning centers, Japanese gardens, factories, etc., where the students can actually use the Japanese they have studied.
- The JLI’s sister school in the same building--Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin--has a number of Japanese students studying English. There will be opportunities to interact with them.
About the number of students per class
- How many students per class?
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- The Regular Program: The maximum capacity per class is 14. On average, a class has about 10 students.
- The Part-time Program: Conversation classes have 2-8 students each. JLPT preparation classes have up to 18 students each
About tuition
- How much will it cost me?
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- Selection & Placement Fee: ¥30,000 (one-time, at the time of admission) * Not applicable to short-term courses.
- Admission Fee: ¥40,000 (one-time, at the time of admission)
- Tuition：¥219,000/term (3 months)
- Teaching Materials： ¥4,000- ¥10,000/term (depending on the class)
- Tuition： Approximately ¥54,000-¥81,000/term (No admission fee)
- Teaching Materials： Depending on the class (The textbooks will be used over multiple terms.)
- For both private and semi-private lessons, the tuition will depend on the hours and place.
- What if I wish to join a class in the middle of the term?
- You pay for the number of class sessions you will attend.
- Can I use a credit card?
- We accept SAISON CARD, UC, VISA, Mastercard at our office. For online payment, we accept VISA and Mastercard only.
Access
- Where is the school located?
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- The JLI is at the center of Tokyo in Shinjuku Ward where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office is.
- The Yotsuya area, where the school is, hosts Sophia University and the State Guest House.
- It is a convenient and quiet quarter where residences and shops coexist.
- What is the nearest train station?
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It is a 3-minute walk from Yotsuya Station on the JR Chuo-Sobu Line or Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi and Namboku Lines.
About application procedures
- What documents will I need for admission?
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- In the Regular Program, the application procedures and required documents vary from course to course. Those wishing to study for 9 months (3 terms) or longer shall look up the “2-year General Course” section; others shall look up “Short-term Course”
- You will submit the application form for Part-time Program and Private lessons after taking a free consultaion to check your level and the class is fixied.
Click here to make a reservation for consultation.
- Will I be able to apply for a student visa?
- If you plan to study for 1 year (4 terms) or longer in the Regular Program, you will be eligible to apply for a student visa. When your application is authorized, the JLI will then apply for your Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau on your behalf.
- Will I be able to join in the middle of the term?
- Yes, both the Regular and the Part-time Programs accept students in midstream, barring classes that have already reached maximum capacity. In such a case, you pay for the number of class sessions you will actually take.
- My work schedule has unexpectedly changed. Will I be able to change my program or course and continue studying at the JLI?
- We will transfer you to another class commensurate with the level and content of your class. You will pay the balance if the new class has a higher tuition.
