Kobe International Japanese Language Academy

Kobe International Japanese Language Academy teaches Japanese for college and university preparation in Hyogo-ku. Its curriculum gives weight to listening, speaking, reading and writing. That balance is important for a learner who can already manage everyday conversations but expects to read course material, follow lectures and produce written work in Japanese.

Preparing for higher education

The academy organises its college-preparatory programme into four routes. The longest is two years. The other routes run for one year and nine months, one year and six months, or one year and three months. Each duration is associated with a different intake, so the month a learner can start matters alongside their current proficiency and intended date for further study. JLPT N2 and later N1 are study goals described by the academy. Students can use those levels as reference points when discussing their starting position and the academic demands of a future course.

The Hyogo-ku campus

Classes take place at 3-7 Hamasakidori in Kobe. The academy also discusses cultural differences in its teaching and offers support as students prepare for university applications. For a learner comparing preparatory schools in Kobe, the combination of academic Japanese, several entry points and one teaching address makes it possible to relate the course to a specific plan for further study.