Saturday, May 8, 2010

What is a good language-school in Japan where I can learn Japanese

What is a good language-school in Japan where I can learn Japanese?
In terms of price, how good the course is, etc. The duration of stay is about 6 months. Any ideas?
Languages - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You'll often find Google is much better than Y!A when it comes to stuff like this http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=japanese+language+schools+in+japan&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq= ;p If you need to find one closer to you then change "japan" to whatever prefecture you're staying at. I spent last summer there as part of a exchange student program, I saw a whole lot of English teaching courses, but never once did I ever seen what you're describing. Although I'm pretty sure that if I needed one a local American Embossy could always point me in a good direction. Go down to Asia here and look through the Japanese ones to find one closest to you. http://www.usembassy.gov/ Click on that and you'll find MANY helpful links on the side for students studying abroad and non-Japanese speakers in Japan.
2 :
Take your pick from here: http://www.wa-pedia.com/language/japanese_schools.shtml Here's an idea of prices. http://www.lsmaru.co.jp/english/fee.html Good luck.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

When does school in Japan start

When does school in Japan start?
Do they start in September, like the majority of the schools in the U.S do? Or do they start earlier, like in the summer time?
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I think they start in September!!!!!!!! =) You didn't specify: Language schools, High schools, etc...what type of Japanese school are you looking for????????
2 :
Schools in Japan start in April and end in February. Their schedule is quite different than that in the US. For high school students most still go to school in the summer for a few hours and even have homework! However, if you are speaking of American or Canadian schools in Japan I am not sure. I was a teacher at a Japanese high school for three years.
3 :
Schools in Japan start the year in early April, and end it in late March. My daughter goes to school in Japan, at the local elementary school, and last March her last day was the 24th of March, and she started the new school year on the 6th of April. This is pretty standard ... see here; http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/calendar/march/springbreak.html (My daughter's school must have had the end of year celebrations a day earlier than this site mentions!!) Japanese schools DO have a 6 week summer holiday though - Thursday (20th of July) was their last day, and they go back on the 1st of September...! There are a few homework clubs though, my daughter will be going to school for a couple of hours each day next week for pool, weather permitting, and 1 hour of group maths homework work!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Wanting to visit a school in Japan

Wanting to visit a school in Japan?
I teach 6th grade science and in June I will be visiting Japan. I would like to visit a school in Tokyo, but I am not sure the route I should take to making a visit possible. Does anyone have an idea or even better a person to contact? Thank you!
Japan - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Japanese schools are not open to tourists. Basically, such visit is not possible. The only case is when schools have a sports festival or cultural festival. But it's only a few times an year for each school. If it's OK to visit any school, you can visit college campuses because they are relatively open. You can just walk into one.
2 :
You need a certain official letter of introduction and the reservation. It seems quite difficult without any guarantor who is Japanese. Japan is not your home country. The board of education of each ward office in Tokyo would be one of right places to be asked. I don't think they speak any language out of Japanese though.
3 :
I don't know how but I've visited an elementary school in Japan. we sat through one class and talked a bit to the kids also. So I'm sure it's possible I just don't know how to do it.
4 :
My suggestion is to network: find a university in your area that has an exchange program with a Japanese University, have them contact someone in Japan with your request, they will then look for a school in their area here in Japan that will accommodate you. Now that they have started English education in elementary school, your visit could help add a bit of reality to their program. You should make a request to spend a typical day at school and perhaps bring an activity to share with the children. The teachers usually eat with the children, either with a home-prepared lunch or a school lunch, so find out if you need to bring your own lunch. If you strike out with this idea, contact me privately and I will look for you- I live in Tokyo, not far from Shinjuku and I have good contacts at my office.