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Entry Requirements

Students must have completed twelve years of education at the pre-college level and must obtain any necessary student visas to take this course in order to participate in the program. (Exceptions are sometimes made for those who have entered the country with other kinds of immigration visas.)

Class Description

Excellent instructors and experienced staff provide guidance and education for students from various backgrounds with a variety of different goals. Each term period is three months and when students finish a term, they start new classes in a higher level. Emphasizing that language is closely tied to cultural aspects of life, students also learn about Japanese culture and social matters. The YWCA aims to offer high level Japanese language instruction along with solid international exchange programs.

Beginners classes (6 months) Students learn the basis of the language by studying pronunciation, grammar, hiragana and katakana (Japanese phonetic alphabets) and 400 basic Kanji (Chinese characters). Students are trained in the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. After completing this course, students will have gained the ability to use spoken Japanese in daily conversation.

Intermediate classes (one year) This course places an emphasis on learning sentence patterns, Kanji characters and further synthesis of all four basic language skills. Furthermore, the courses focus on expanding vocabulary and enhancing the ability to read and converse effectively while improving composition and the overall comprehension of the Japanese language. Special assistance is available for those who wish to apply to Japanese universities.

The elective classes (6 months) In this class, students learn to read and understand words and expressions, as well as higher level kanji used on a daily basis. This class is geared towards students who can or want to speak fluent Japanese, read the daily newspaper, and read and write essays and reports. Guidance for higher education (graduate school, university, or vocational college) is also available. The class offers preparation for the highest level (Level 1) of the Japanese language proficiency test.

Excellent teaching

Instructors in Japanese Language Course are specialists who have finished the JFL courses at YWCA. They are not only experienced, but are knowledgeable in special fields of Japanese language. Kobe YWCA students can receive careful guidance from professional teachers. Scholarships A variety of scholarships are offered by the Monbushou (Ministry of Education), the Hyogo Prefectural government, International and Exchange Organization and Kobe YWCA.*
*Note: Students cannot receive a scholarship during their first six months of study. During this time each student's academic performance and ability is evaluated.

Applying to Japanese universities

Close individual guidance and trial interview sessions are available for those students who wish to apply to Japanese universities.

Student visa

Students who are taking Japanese language courses must obtain appropriate student visas. As a vocational college, students will receive benefits equivalent to that of university students such as a student discount on monthly commuter rail and / or bus passes and national health insurance.

A Special course:

Japanese Language Courses for Foreigners

The Japanese Language Intensive Course The intensive courses last between 10 and 13 weeks. The intensive course beginning in April / October consists of a beginner's class which covers the basis of the language and the intermediate / advanced classes to meet the needs of a variety of students at higher levels. Classes aim to promote all-around communication ability (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The course is recommended to university students, working people and short-term visitors.

For success in the Japanese Language Proficiency test Starting in August It is important to earn high scores in the grammar and kanji sections in order to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency test. Experienced teachers will assist you in preparing for the test. Private / semi-private courses Classes can be arranged according to needs, level, and schedule. Classes geared towards individual curriculum enable students to progress at their own pace.


Japanese Language Classes for Induction Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, we arrange Japanese language classes for companies, organizations and schools. (For example, company classes may concentrate on teaching technical Japanese words). The program is flexible in order to meet the special purposes of the students. In addition, special seminar classes by our Japanese instructors are also available.



Contact Kobe YWCA College for further information.
e-mai:college@kobe.ywca.or.jp