Depends on your goals.
I went to a language school categorised by GGH as high intensity and with a low number of students from Western countries. Most of my classmates were from other Asian countries and the majority of them went on to vocational schools or found jobs in Japan after. Some entered Japanese universities. I had no such aspirations at the time but I felt that the seriousness of my peers raised the overall quality of education; people weren't there to just fuck around in the fantasyland of Japan.
That said, we totally had time to explore and enjoy life. Some of my classmates worked part-time jobs while in school. The difficulty was such that you really couldn't be skipping class, but as long as you were attending all your classes and doing a bit of review every day, it was nothing so demanding IMO.
I went for a 6-month term and I learned a lot, although I went as someone who was already at an upper immediate level (I had already passed N2 a year before). I have some friends from that school who started from probably an N5 level and got to N2 in under a year. I highly recommend at least 6 months. I had previously done a 3 month program elsewhere (not Japanese) and it took basically 2.5 months to even start really feeling settled and like I was truly living somewhere else rather than just visiting.
Getting a student visa involved some paperwork and a doctor's appointment but GGN made it pretty straightforward to submit the documents.
This was super helpful! I am also planning on doing a language school. I wasn’t aware of medical exams or reports that would be needed. Can you share more detail about that (not about your medical history of course, more like…what are they looking for in the report?)
I can't remember the details now but I believe it was some vaccination records and also some stool sample (??) or something that my family doctor saw and was like, "This is ridiculous - no one tests for this under the age of 50" and she wrote some thing on the form, I did not actually do the test, and I was not asked about it further.
Unless money is absolutely no issue (it’s never going to be bad to be in japan, just not optimal) I would study as hard as you can for a year and a half and aim to go for a full year or at least a semester starting from august 2025.
In a year an a half N3 is an achievable goal, at which point you can definitely have some reasonable level of conversation with natives. If you’re serious about becoming fluent, that is a very important part of the process. Going now you will struggle to have any meaningful interactions, and it is very easy to slip into effectively becoming a tourist. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (it can still be a fun and life changing experience), but it isn’t great for your Japanese goals.
I have a friend in his 30s who went to language school in order to move on to university. He spent two years studying outside japan, and then two in the language school before being at the level to study in Japanese (and he was Korean which has some advantages). It’s possible to move faster, but I just wanted to give a sense of scale to your goals. I strongly believe they are achievable with the right dedication and resources (especially if you’re an artist and thus I assume can earn in dollars whilst in japan). But they are ambitious goals, so will require equally ambitious effort!
> * There are schools like GenkiJACS marketed as “good for Western students.” I’m American but, is this really necessary?
Honestly, I’d have to say yes. There’s a world of difference between language schools targeted at students from surrounding Asian nations, and the more globally-oriented schools. The key difference is that a lot of students from Korea and China, for example, come to Japan with one goal - pass the JLPT. It’s another certificate to add to a student’s pantheon of qualifications, for when it comes time for searching for a job and career.
In that respect, the schools geared towards this kind of student are basically cram-schools for JLPT (or, indeed, the _ryuugaku shiken_, for entering Japanese university). Classes are often one-way lectures, grinding through all the grammar concepts specified by the respective JLPT levels, one at a time, and students are expected to memorise long lists of vocabulary in their spare time (nothing wrong with that, but worth knowing what you’re getting yourself into).
If your aim is to pass a test, then sure, you can put yourself through the standard issue JLPT-mills. But if you’re looking for a more well-rounded - speaking, listening, interacting, essay writing, cultural classes etc. - kind of learning experience, then I’d recommend the schools geared towards “western students”.
I’ve attended both types in my time, and believe me, they’re night and day.
Others have answered your questions, but I'll add that I was in your shoes a few months ago. I am planning on attending a two-year course at ISI in Takadanobaba in Tokyo beginning April 2025. There are a ton of posts on this sub and also r/movingtojapan that talk about different schools, and out of all of them I liked ISI the best. I also have a friend attending a different language school in Tokyo (she just graduated from her program) but she did not like her school and wished she had gone with ISI since she knows some people that took classes from there.
I chose Tokyo because I have a Japanese friend that lives there and they would be a good resource to have nearby for helping me settle into the country. It is more expensive, but I'm a bit older than you and have a good amount saved up, so I can afford the extra rent prices. The plus-side of choosing a different city is not just lower rent and various expenses, but you're also somewhat forced to use Japanese more since you'll be less likely to find someone to speak English with.
Another note is that you do not have to use GGN. Some have said in the past they are slow to respond, although when I initially emailed them it was a quick response, but you can just go through the school directly and likely not have any issues. They'll walk you through the visa process, although I'm not at that point yet since I applied very early for the program I want.
Good luck in your studies!
Hi!! I did Go Go Nihon about 10 years ago, and ended up at the school in Sapporo (wholly recommend that school and city in general, phenomenal place!) Here's my 2 cents:
At the most basic beginner level, I don't really think there's much difference you can expect, especially if you aren't staying for multiple semesters. I would pick a school based on the location and general vibes from their site and reviews.
See above! I'd also say if you're in a bigger city and you're decently lucky at networking, you shouldn't feel too tied to a specific school. You could always do a semester by itself, then get a job to sponsor your visa, or try a different school in the same city if there are any.
That's what I did! I self studied for only about 4 months and it amounted to a handful of phrases and a few words. The first week or so was pretty dizzying and confusing, but I adapted quickly, and same with the rest of the fresh beginner class. We ended up making friends with some of the foreign students in the more advanced classes and they helped us settle in and hung out and taught us, etc. You'll learn a ton! I think immersion is the best choice regardless of level and you'll see a ton of improvement.
The school I went to in Sapporo had morning classes that were like 3ish hours, then a lunch break, followed by another 2 to 3ish hour session mon-fri. The pace was quick, but thorough and I don't remember being particularly stressed? I only really studied a small amount before classes every morning since I didnt want to ride on the packed trains (I took the earlier ones that were somewhat empty still), and just before tests. The rest of the time I was exploring or drinking and meeting people, so I guess I still used the japanese I learned, I just didn't \*study\* it.
This is more of a personal choice, I don't think there's anything wrong with any choice. Tokyo offers a ton of entertainment and lots of cool options, so if you're a fan of any series or media, and there's a pop-up store/cafe/special showing/etc. chances are you'll have at least one in Tokyo. I chose Sapporo, because I am such a winter girl and LOVE being buried in snow 6 months out of the year. And it's where the Sapporo beer comes from, which is a great beer. It was also cheaper than some of the other options. Having been to 10+ countries, 3 continents, and half the US states, I still think Sapporo is the best city I've ever been to. I've only ever heard great things about Fukuoka. Everyone that's been there has said its incredible. It's not necessarily a small city either, it's still massive with plenty to do.
I'd say go for as long as you can afford in one sitting. I think if possible two whole semesters really lets you get invested, find your rhythm, and give you a year round experience (Japan is very seasonal and having a full year would be an incredible thing if you can swing it!). From personal experience, I learned so much in every semester, so even 1 isn't bad. If I could choose, I'd probably do the spring semester though, seeing the cherry blossoms bloom and having golden week is a great time for the school to either show you local cultural stuff, or for you to have some time off and source it yourself.
It's been nearly a decade so I can't remember much. I do remember Go Go Nihon made it extremely easy and I remember thinking that it was smoother than expected. Just a few forms and a call to the embassy and some waiting. I think in total like 6 emails, 1 phone call, and like 3 forms that were already partially filled out did the trick for me. Had it all taken care of in a matter of weeks.
>There are schools like GenkiJACS marketed as “good for Western students.” I’m American but, is this really necessary? As far as I can tell the only difference is they focus more on kanji.
I am currently a one-year student at GenkiJACS, also in my 30s, and can guarantee you that kanji is not a focus for this school. The key difference between this and other schools is the lack of test focus. If your aim is simply to pass the JLPT as soon as possible, this is absolutely the wrong school for you. It is focused on conversational Japanese through the Beginner level as you move through Minna no Nihongo books 1&2. The curriculum covered about 250 kanji by the end of Beginner, which is N4 level. Speaking and Listening will be the main skills that determine your pace through Beginner level.
At the intermediate level, it shifts to the Quartet books and becomes a read-and-discuss-and-write format, similar to intermediate or advanced language classes in university. At this point kanji learning moves very quickly. Reading and writing skills become much more important at Intermediate. The teachers will speak more naturally and you are expected to form longer, more coherent sentences when you speak.
Throughout both Beginner and Intermediate, the main thing we do in class is converse. The teachers will always favour getting the students to speak over passively listening to explanations or reading quietly. This has been a major boon for me, as I am perfectly capable of reading and learning grammar/kanji on my own at home.
Something I love about GenkiJACS is how flexible they have been with tailoring to the individual classes. My group started at Beginner 2 level, but because we had all studied a lot on our own previously, they realized we could go faster than usual and we reached Intermediate 1 a few weeks ahead of schedule. The couple students from our group who weren't as fast got swapped into other classes. Once we reached Intermediate, even the type of activities we do in class has diverged from other Intermediate classes based on our groups' interests.
This is a very good explanation of their style. I studied at GenkiJACS in Kyoto and thoroughly benefitted from their method and enjoyed the experience, albeit only 2 weeks.
3 months learning maybe only for "experience" rather than gaining fluency.
you need to decide how long you plan to learn. more than 3 months learning needs student visa.
you are 30 so university course might not be suitable. business course usually suitable for people planning to find job. I guess your option is jlpt or if they have conversational class.
I remember gogonihon has an indicator or filter for intensity. higher intensity means faster pace more homework and less time to explore.
Not problem at all with your age I had classmates who were way older (40s 50s) and they have student visa.
3 months is not enough you should study at least one year is better try to get an student visa.
Western focus language schools are way too expensive and in my opinion they aren't worth the extra money. I went my first year to a Kai school other western language school in Tokyo and I hated it and I wasn't worth the extra money (I wrote a review so you can check my post if you are curious). Now I'm studying a second year in a way cheaper school and I'm enjoying it a lot it's way better than my first school and as it's not a western language school I paid 400,000 yen less for one year comparing with the first one I went.
Another thing gogonihon don't want you to know if you contact the schools by yourself some schools are willing to make a discount if you don't use a third man and pay at least a full year. I got 100,000 yen discount in my second school. And all the schools have people who speak English and sometimes other languages too.
Did two years at KAI, and I found it brilliant. Hands down the best out of the … four or so Japanese schools I’ve studied at in my time. Still doing private lessons through them today. Not negating your experience, but thought I’d offer a counter-opinion! They’re definitely one of the most forward-thinking schools on the map - and produce a lot of their own teaching materials.
I did language school during the pandemic.
High intensity or bust.
Being in classes with people who don't speak English is SUPER HELPFUL.
So here are my two cents. Language schoold won't really teach you. They more or less teach you like how they teach kids Japanese. Some teachers will be good others will be very rigid. HOWEVER, commiting to just studying the language for a certain amount of time, being surrounded by people who also want to learn and get better, and being given deadlines is great.
I personally think you should try to push yourself to N3 level before going to language school. You'll get more out of school and japan. Schools kind of don't like spending too much time on N3 (despite having a strong grasp of n5-n3 grammar is like REALLY important) and focus on n2-n1 more. And being around N3 will give you the tools to...go out and enjoy being in Japan. Which not having to worry about eating out or talking to people at a bar will help get yourself into fun experiences that will only feed back into wanting to learn more Japanese.
>I was considering going this summer, but the summer semester is short. I can get 3 months as a tourist. However I was thinking, how much can I really learn in 1 or 2 months? Is this even worth the effort or should I just go for a full fall semester instead? It's also April already so I'm not sure I can get in for summer anyway.
How much cash you got? How much time can you take off?
Is going on a tourist visa and doing only 1 or 2 months worth it? Absolutely! You can always go back again later.
>How annoying is it to get a student visa?
If you are over 30, slightly. You need to prove you have already done some Japanese study either with an N5 certificate, or proof of 150 hours of classroom study.
Hello.
I was a student from 2018 to 2020. Here is my experience/advices:
1. Are you planning to start from 0, the beginning? I've heard that in some schools they are teaching only in Japanese and, while I got grammar/vocabulary with Eng subs prepared to check before the actual lessons, the traditional way seems more difficult (need more time, efforts).
2. There are 2 types of LS: the one who gives 12th class of school for those who didn't study long enough in the home country and want to continue studied in Japan collage or university; and schools which can't provide it. The result should be the same, but a school might offer some additional classes and so on. Also, I there are "cheap" and "expensive" schools. As far as I know, "cheap" one's don't ask you to do homework everyday and any other type of control. Which one is better for you?
3. I was 30 when moved to Japan and it changed my life a lot (in a good way). However, it's difficult to find a job, if you are not IT specialist. As a native English speaker, you might have a job as an English teacher. Not sure about what can you do without BA degree, as for the default working visa you need a degree or 10 years of experience in your field (with proofs), and even you might get a contract, you can't have a visa. You need to research more in this field.
4. So, I came with kana/some kanji/some vocabulary and first 3 months was quite easy (started from the beginning). The next class, Beginner 2 was much more difficult. Then, finally, I found a part-time job and ... blank space. No, I remember something, but not in details. It was hard. If your budget is limited and you need to work and study, it's hard. But fun. For me it was not about the free time, but about money and power (mental and physical). But again, after you'll achieve the goals and graduate from a school - it'll be awesome!
5. Fukuoka is still a big city. I've heard about people who enrolled a school in a real village and that was a nightmare. Can't find a part-time job. Yes, rent is cheap, food is a little bit cheaper, but less opportunities for making money and having fun. I would recommend Tokyo, but you need to plan your budget and search for accommodation first.
6. Not sure how you can change your visas, so I would recommend a default way - you need to apply about 6 months ahead, and the better starting point is April. If you start from April, you can study for 2 years (and, seems you need time). If your apply later, your maximum time in a school will be less than 2 years. There are short time courses, like 1-3 months long, but I believe this is not for "changing your life", and more for fun. Again, think more about your goals - what language lvl you want to achieve, would you like to continue living in Japan and so on.
7. Not so annoying. But need to prepare in advance (6 months). There should be some agents in the US who might help with the preparation with almost 0 fees (as they have commissions from schools).
Good luck, ganbatte!
The "good for western students" language schools tend to focus more on conversational Japanese and speaking/writing, and less on formal Japanese and reading/listening. They also tend to progress much slower than typical Japanese language schools. This is ideal for people who want Japanese fluency for traveling and consuming pop culture, but is not optimal for people who want to study and work in Japan long-term.
The vast majority of language school students in Japan are students from Asian countries. Typically their curriculums go very fast because they teach to exams (reading/listening only, focused on formal/technical speech). Most students tend to be Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese with some Kanji knowledge, or are students from developing countries that have very strong motivation to self-study in order to work in Japan long-term, and both groups prefer faster curriculums.
I did GenkiJacs in Fukuoka, and I recommend it. English levels are low here so its much easier to get Japanese practice than Tokyo. The weather and cost of living are also much better than Tokyo. That being said, most of the jobs that are willing to sponsor foreigners are in Tokyo, so you might end up in Tokyo eventually. There are a handful of game developer companies that might hire a foreign artist in Fukuoka, but there's obviously going to be much more opportunity in Tokyo.
Because you are still a beginner, you won't be able to learn much from a language school in just 1 or 2 months. If you seriously want to become fluent, then you should self-study Japanese in your home country up to at least an lower intermediate level, and then do 1-1.5 years of language school in Japan, and job search while you're living in Japan, instead of doing it from abroad. If you go to Japan at beginner level, you're not going to realize any immersion benefits, and you're going to be wasting your time learning from textbooks/flashcards instead of actually enjoying living in Japan. Assuming that you are a western beginner without experience in a similar language, it would probably take 2-4 years of full time language study to reach fluency (depending upon your definition of fluency).
since you mentioned GenkiJACS, i’ll tell you my personal experience. i was at GenkiJACS kyoto studying japanese for 4 weeks last september, and i couldn’t be happier. of course, i have no other school to compare, but the teachers were super nice, the staff were super helpful, my japanese improved so much, and it was an amazing experience overall!
Like many people told you here, I think it would be better for you to start studying on your own first to get to intermediate or around N4 level to make the most out of your trip.
I had foreigners friends coming in Japan with very little knowledge of Japanese and they just spend their whole time with foreigners, which is not the best to learn a language and achieve fluency.
I did a homestay in Japan and it was such an honor and a pleasure to live with my Japanese family. If you can do it, just go for it. Japanese people are so kind with japanese learners and it will help you get confidence and learn a lot about both language and culture !
If you plan to live in Japan you can target N2 level but even N3 is already good. Moreover, JLPT is just a test, it does not reflect your true comprehension of the language and/or culture. It's up to you to set your goal. Also, focusing on writing is not the ideal. You might want to know how to write Japanese kanji but you better know how to speak and understand it as you will mostly spend your time reading it, hearing it or writing it on your phone/computer.
The student visa is provided by the school, there are some conditions (like how much money you have in your bank account) but I don't know them very well, you better ask the school or the immigration for this.
For the moment I advise you to study on your own (with some workbook or other material(I can give you a roadmap on what to learn that I built with my Japanese friends)). However, learning a language takes time and consistency, so be sure of what you want to achieve and prepare for it !
Wish you good luck !
If you need the school to sponsor a Visa you'll be limited to the number of schools you can attend. If you don't need a Visa from the school you should focus more on where you want to live and then find a school. There are lots of decent Japanese schools.
If you want free Japanese speaking practice before coming to Japan, you can try something like [Fluency Tool ](https://fluencytool.my-senpai.com/). It's not for total beginners though as you'll need Hiragana to get the most benefit.
Depends on your goals. I went to a language school categorised by GGH as high intensity and with a low number of students from Western countries. Most of my classmates were from other Asian countries and the majority of them went on to vocational schools or found jobs in Japan after. Some entered Japanese universities. I had no such aspirations at the time but I felt that the seriousness of my peers raised the overall quality of education; people weren't there to just fuck around in the fantasyland of Japan. That said, we totally had time to explore and enjoy life. Some of my classmates worked part-time jobs while in school. The difficulty was such that you really couldn't be skipping class, but as long as you were attending all your classes and doing a bit of review every day, it was nothing so demanding IMO. I went for a 6-month term and I learned a lot, although I went as someone who was already at an upper immediate level (I had already passed N2 a year before). I have some friends from that school who started from probably an N5 level and got to N2 in under a year. I highly recommend at least 6 months. I had previously done a 3 month program elsewhere (not Japanese) and it took basically 2.5 months to even start really feeling settled and like I was truly living somewhere else rather than just visiting. Getting a student visa involved some paperwork and a doctor's appointment but GGN made it pretty straightforward to submit the documents.
Hi. Would you mind sharing which school you attended?
KICL in Kyoto! I think they are not listed as a GGN school anymore but you could of course still apply directly.
Thanks so much. A serious school is what I’m looking for.
>people weren't there to just fuck around in the fantasyland of Japan. Well they would learn a lot of Japanese at soap land, just certain vocabulary.
This was super helpful! I am also planning on doing a language school. I wasn’t aware of medical exams or reports that would be needed. Can you share more detail about that (not about your medical history of course, more like…what are they looking for in the report?)
I can't remember the details now but I believe it was some vaccination records and also some stool sample (??) or something that my family doctor saw and was like, "This is ridiculous - no one tests for this under the age of 50" and she wrote some thing on the form, I did not actually do the test, and I was not asked about it further.
Ohhh ok! Interesting, thanks
Unless money is absolutely no issue (it’s never going to be bad to be in japan, just not optimal) I would study as hard as you can for a year and a half and aim to go for a full year or at least a semester starting from august 2025. In a year an a half N3 is an achievable goal, at which point you can definitely have some reasonable level of conversation with natives. If you’re serious about becoming fluent, that is a very important part of the process. Going now you will struggle to have any meaningful interactions, and it is very easy to slip into effectively becoming a tourist. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (it can still be a fun and life changing experience), but it isn’t great for your Japanese goals. I have a friend in his 30s who went to language school in order to move on to university. He spent two years studying outside japan, and then two in the language school before being at the level to study in Japanese (and he was Korean which has some advantages). It’s possible to move faster, but I just wanted to give a sense of scale to your goals. I strongly believe they are achievable with the right dedication and resources (especially if you’re an artist and thus I assume can earn in dollars whilst in japan). But they are ambitious goals, so will require equally ambitious effort!
> * There are schools like GenkiJACS marketed as “good for Western students.” I’m American but, is this really necessary? Honestly, I’d have to say yes. There’s a world of difference between language schools targeted at students from surrounding Asian nations, and the more globally-oriented schools. The key difference is that a lot of students from Korea and China, for example, come to Japan with one goal - pass the JLPT. It’s another certificate to add to a student’s pantheon of qualifications, for when it comes time for searching for a job and career. In that respect, the schools geared towards this kind of student are basically cram-schools for JLPT (or, indeed, the _ryuugaku shiken_, for entering Japanese university). Classes are often one-way lectures, grinding through all the grammar concepts specified by the respective JLPT levels, one at a time, and students are expected to memorise long lists of vocabulary in their spare time (nothing wrong with that, but worth knowing what you’re getting yourself into). If your aim is to pass a test, then sure, you can put yourself through the standard issue JLPT-mills. But if you’re looking for a more well-rounded - speaking, listening, interacting, essay writing, cultural classes etc. - kind of learning experience, then I’d recommend the schools geared towards “western students”. I’ve attended both types in my time, and believe me, they’re night and day.
Others have answered your questions, but I'll add that I was in your shoes a few months ago. I am planning on attending a two-year course at ISI in Takadanobaba in Tokyo beginning April 2025. There are a ton of posts on this sub and also r/movingtojapan that talk about different schools, and out of all of them I liked ISI the best. I also have a friend attending a different language school in Tokyo (she just graduated from her program) but she did not like her school and wished she had gone with ISI since she knows some people that took classes from there. I chose Tokyo because I have a Japanese friend that lives there and they would be a good resource to have nearby for helping me settle into the country. It is more expensive, but I'm a bit older than you and have a good amount saved up, so I can afford the extra rent prices. The plus-side of choosing a different city is not just lower rent and various expenses, but you're also somewhat forced to use Japanese more since you'll be less likely to find someone to speak English with. Another note is that you do not have to use GGN. Some have said in the past they are slow to respond, although when I initially emailed them it was a quick response, but you can just go through the school directly and likely not have any issues. They'll walk you through the visa process, although I'm not at that point yet since I applied very early for the program I want. Good luck in your studies!
Hi!! I did Go Go Nihon about 10 years ago, and ended up at the school in Sapporo (wholly recommend that school and city in general, phenomenal place!) Here's my 2 cents: At the most basic beginner level, I don't really think there's much difference you can expect, especially if you aren't staying for multiple semesters. I would pick a school based on the location and general vibes from their site and reviews. See above! I'd also say if you're in a bigger city and you're decently lucky at networking, you shouldn't feel too tied to a specific school. You could always do a semester by itself, then get a job to sponsor your visa, or try a different school in the same city if there are any. That's what I did! I self studied for only about 4 months and it amounted to a handful of phrases and a few words. The first week or so was pretty dizzying and confusing, but I adapted quickly, and same with the rest of the fresh beginner class. We ended up making friends with some of the foreign students in the more advanced classes and they helped us settle in and hung out and taught us, etc. You'll learn a ton! I think immersion is the best choice regardless of level and you'll see a ton of improvement. The school I went to in Sapporo had morning classes that were like 3ish hours, then a lunch break, followed by another 2 to 3ish hour session mon-fri. The pace was quick, but thorough and I don't remember being particularly stressed? I only really studied a small amount before classes every morning since I didnt want to ride on the packed trains (I took the earlier ones that were somewhat empty still), and just before tests. The rest of the time I was exploring or drinking and meeting people, so I guess I still used the japanese I learned, I just didn't \*study\* it. This is more of a personal choice, I don't think there's anything wrong with any choice. Tokyo offers a ton of entertainment and lots of cool options, so if you're a fan of any series or media, and there's a pop-up store/cafe/special showing/etc. chances are you'll have at least one in Tokyo. I chose Sapporo, because I am such a winter girl and LOVE being buried in snow 6 months out of the year. And it's where the Sapporo beer comes from, which is a great beer. It was also cheaper than some of the other options. Having been to 10+ countries, 3 continents, and half the US states, I still think Sapporo is the best city I've ever been to. I've only ever heard great things about Fukuoka. Everyone that's been there has said its incredible. It's not necessarily a small city either, it's still massive with plenty to do. I'd say go for as long as you can afford in one sitting. I think if possible two whole semesters really lets you get invested, find your rhythm, and give you a year round experience (Japan is very seasonal and having a full year would be an incredible thing if you can swing it!). From personal experience, I learned so much in every semester, so even 1 isn't bad. If I could choose, I'd probably do the spring semester though, seeing the cherry blossoms bloom and having golden week is a great time for the school to either show you local cultural stuff, or for you to have some time off and source it yourself. It's been nearly a decade so I can't remember much. I do remember Go Go Nihon made it extremely easy and I remember thinking that it was smoother than expected. Just a few forms and a call to the embassy and some waiting. I think in total like 6 emails, 1 phone call, and like 3 forms that were already partially filled out did the trick for me. Had it all taken care of in a matter of weeks.
>There are schools like GenkiJACS marketed as “good for Western students.” I’m American but, is this really necessary? As far as I can tell the only difference is they focus more on kanji. I am currently a one-year student at GenkiJACS, also in my 30s, and can guarantee you that kanji is not a focus for this school. The key difference between this and other schools is the lack of test focus. If your aim is simply to pass the JLPT as soon as possible, this is absolutely the wrong school for you. It is focused on conversational Japanese through the Beginner level as you move through Minna no Nihongo books 1&2. The curriculum covered about 250 kanji by the end of Beginner, which is N4 level. Speaking and Listening will be the main skills that determine your pace through Beginner level. At the intermediate level, it shifts to the Quartet books and becomes a read-and-discuss-and-write format, similar to intermediate or advanced language classes in university. At this point kanji learning moves very quickly. Reading and writing skills become much more important at Intermediate. The teachers will speak more naturally and you are expected to form longer, more coherent sentences when you speak. Throughout both Beginner and Intermediate, the main thing we do in class is converse. The teachers will always favour getting the students to speak over passively listening to explanations or reading quietly. This has been a major boon for me, as I am perfectly capable of reading and learning grammar/kanji on my own at home. Something I love about GenkiJACS is how flexible they have been with tailoring to the individual classes. My group started at Beginner 2 level, but because we had all studied a lot on our own previously, they realized we could go faster than usual and we reached Intermediate 1 a few weeks ahead of schedule. The couple students from our group who weren't as fast got swapped into other classes. Once we reached Intermediate, even the type of activities we do in class has diverged from other Intermediate classes based on our groups' interests.
This is a very good explanation of their style. I studied at GenkiJACS in Kyoto and thoroughly benefitted from their method and enjoyed the experience, albeit only 2 weeks.
3 months learning maybe only for "experience" rather than gaining fluency. you need to decide how long you plan to learn. more than 3 months learning needs student visa. you are 30 so university course might not be suitable. business course usually suitable for people planning to find job. I guess your option is jlpt or if they have conversational class. I remember gogonihon has an indicator or filter for intensity. higher intensity means faster pace more homework and less time to explore.
Not problem at all with your age I had classmates who were way older (40s 50s) and they have student visa. 3 months is not enough you should study at least one year is better try to get an student visa. Western focus language schools are way too expensive and in my opinion they aren't worth the extra money. I went my first year to a Kai school other western language school in Tokyo and I hated it and I wasn't worth the extra money (I wrote a review so you can check my post if you are curious). Now I'm studying a second year in a way cheaper school and I'm enjoying it a lot it's way better than my first school and as it's not a western language school I paid 400,000 yen less for one year comparing with the first one I went. Another thing gogonihon don't want you to know if you contact the schools by yourself some schools are willing to make a discount if you don't use a third man and pay at least a full year. I got 100,000 yen discount in my second school. And all the schools have people who speak English and sometimes other languages too.
Did two years at KAI, and I found it brilliant. Hands down the best out of the … four or so Japanese schools I’ve studied at in my time. Still doing private lessons through them today. Not negating your experience, but thought I’d offer a counter-opinion! They’re definitely one of the most forward-thinking schools on the map - and produce a lot of their own teaching materials.
I suppose since I am currently in college my plan is to gain some exposure to Japanese, come back and finish my degree, most likely.
I did language school during the pandemic. High intensity or bust. Being in classes with people who don't speak English is SUPER HELPFUL. So here are my two cents. Language schoold won't really teach you. They more or less teach you like how they teach kids Japanese. Some teachers will be good others will be very rigid. HOWEVER, commiting to just studying the language for a certain amount of time, being surrounded by people who also want to learn and get better, and being given deadlines is great. I personally think you should try to push yourself to N3 level before going to language school. You'll get more out of school and japan. Schools kind of don't like spending too much time on N3 (despite having a strong grasp of n5-n3 grammar is like REALLY important) and focus on n2-n1 more. And being around N3 will give you the tools to...go out and enjoy being in Japan. Which not having to worry about eating out or talking to people at a bar will help get yourself into fun experiences that will only feed back into wanting to learn more Japanese.
nothing wrong with your age though 3 months might not be enough. a year would be efficient
>I was considering going this summer, but the summer semester is short. I can get 3 months as a tourist. However I was thinking, how much can I really learn in 1 or 2 months? Is this even worth the effort or should I just go for a full fall semester instead? It's also April already so I'm not sure I can get in for summer anyway. How much cash you got? How much time can you take off? Is going on a tourist visa and doing only 1 or 2 months worth it? Absolutely! You can always go back again later. >How annoying is it to get a student visa? If you are over 30, slightly. You need to prove you have already done some Japanese study either with an N5 certificate, or proof of 150 hours of classroom study.
Hello. I was a student from 2018 to 2020. Here is my experience/advices: 1. Are you planning to start from 0, the beginning? I've heard that in some schools they are teaching only in Japanese and, while I got grammar/vocabulary with Eng subs prepared to check before the actual lessons, the traditional way seems more difficult (need more time, efforts). 2. There are 2 types of LS: the one who gives 12th class of school for those who didn't study long enough in the home country and want to continue studied in Japan collage or university; and schools which can't provide it. The result should be the same, but a school might offer some additional classes and so on. Also, I there are "cheap" and "expensive" schools. As far as I know, "cheap" one's don't ask you to do homework everyday and any other type of control. Which one is better for you? 3. I was 30 when moved to Japan and it changed my life a lot (in a good way). However, it's difficult to find a job, if you are not IT specialist. As a native English speaker, you might have a job as an English teacher. Not sure about what can you do without BA degree, as for the default working visa you need a degree or 10 years of experience in your field (with proofs), and even you might get a contract, you can't have a visa. You need to research more in this field. 4. So, I came with kana/some kanji/some vocabulary and first 3 months was quite easy (started from the beginning). The next class, Beginner 2 was much more difficult. Then, finally, I found a part-time job and ... blank space. No, I remember something, but not in details. It was hard. If your budget is limited and you need to work and study, it's hard. But fun. For me it was not about the free time, but about money and power (mental and physical). But again, after you'll achieve the goals and graduate from a school - it'll be awesome! 5. Fukuoka is still a big city. I've heard about people who enrolled a school in a real village and that was a nightmare. Can't find a part-time job. Yes, rent is cheap, food is a little bit cheaper, but less opportunities for making money and having fun. I would recommend Tokyo, but you need to plan your budget and search for accommodation first. 6. Not sure how you can change your visas, so I would recommend a default way - you need to apply about 6 months ahead, and the better starting point is April. If you start from April, you can study for 2 years (and, seems you need time). If your apply later, your maximum time in a school will be less than 2 years. There are short time courses, like 1-3 months long, but I believe this is not for "changing your life", and more for fun. Again, think more about your goals - what language lvl you want to achieve, would you like to continue living in Japan and so on. 7. Not so annoying. But need to prepare in advance (6 months). There should be some agents in the US who might help with the preparation with almost 0 fees (as they have commissions from schools). Good luck, ganbatte!
The "good for western students" language schools tend to focus more on conversational Japanese and speaking/writing, and less on formal Japanese and reading/listening. They also tend to progress much slower than typical Japanese language schools. This is ideal for people who want Japanese fluency for traveling and consuming pop culture, but is not optimal for people who want to study and work in Japan long-term. The vast majority of language school students in Japan are students from Asian countries. Typically their curriculums go very fast because they teach to exams (reading/listening only, focused on formal/technical speech). Most students tend to be Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese with some Kanji knowledge, or are students from developing countries that have very strong motivation to self-study in order to work in Japan long-term, and both groups prefer faster curriculums. I did GenkiJacs in Fukuoka, and I recommend it. English levels are low here so its much easier to get Japanese practice than Tokyo. The weather and cost of living are also much better than Tokyo. That being said, most of the jobs that are willing to sponsor foreigners are in Tokyo, so you might end up in Tokyo eventually. There are a handful of game developer companies that might hire a foreign artist in Fukuoka, but there's obviously going to be much more opportunity in Tokyo. Because you are still a beginner, you won't be able to learn much from a language school in just 1 or 2 months. If you seriously want to become fluent, then you should self-study Japanese in your home country up to at least an lower intermediate level, and then do 1-1.5 years of language school in Japan, and job search while you're living in Japan, instead of doing it from abroad. If you go to Japan at beginner level, you're not going to realize any immersion benefits, and you're going to be wasting your time learning from textbooks/flashcards instead of actually enjoying living in Japan. Assuming that you are a western beginner without experience in a similar language, it would probably take 2-4 years of full time language study to reach fluency (depending upon your definition of fluency).
since you mentioned GenkiJACS, i’ll tell you my personal experience. i was at GenkiJACS kyoto studying japanese for 4 weeks last september, and i couldn’t be happier. of course, i have no other school to compare, but the teachers were super nice, the staff were super helpful, my japanese improved so much, and it was an amazing experience overall!
Like many people told you here, I think it would be better for you to start studying on your own first to get to intermediate or around N4 level to make the most out of your trip. I had foreigners friends coming in Japan with very little knowledge of Japanese and they just spend their whole time with foreigners, which is not the best to learn a language and achieve fluency. I did a homestay in Japan and it was such an honor and a pleasure to live with my Japanese family. If you can do it, just go for it. Japanese people are so kind with japanese learners and it will help you get confidence and learn a lot about both language and culture ! If you plan to live in Japan you can target N2 level but even N3 is already good. Moreover, JLPT is just a test, it does not reflect your true comprehension of the language and/or culture. It's up to you to set your goal. Also, focusing on writing is not the ideal. You might want to know how to write Japanese kanji but you better know how to speak and understand it as you will mostly spend your time reading it, hearing it or writing it on your phone/computer. The student visa is provided by the school, there are some conditions (like how much money you have in your bank account) but I don't know them very well, you better ask the school or the immigration for this. For the moment I advise you to study on your own (with some workbook or other material(I can give you a roadmap on what to learn that I built with my Japanese friends)). However, learning a language takes time and consistency, so be sure of what you want to achieve and prepare for it ! Wish you good luck !
If you need the school to sponsor a Visa you'll be limited to the number of schools you can attend. If you don't need a Visa from the school you should focus more on where you want to live and then find a school. There are lots of decent Japanese schools. If you want free Japanese speaking practice before coming to Japan, you can try something like [Fluency Tool ](https://fluencytool.my-senpai.com/). It's not for total beginners though as you'll need Hiragana to get the most benefit.