Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language

Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language is based in the Kitashirakawa area of Sakyo-ku. The institute, commonly known as KICL, has taught in Kyoto since 1969 and has a relationship with Kyoto University of the Arts. Its location on the eastern side of the city is served by local buses. For a student arriving by public transport, the bus stop serving the arts university is a useful landmark.

Japanese language and cultural studies

The institute distinguishes introductory language-and-culture study from applied Japanese and cultural studies. The longer routes are organised over one or two years and have different starting levels. A learner with a substantial background in Japanese can look at an applied course. Someone earlier in their studies can compare the language-and-culture route with the longer applied programme and see how the classroom sequence fits their current level.

KICL also lists a summer intensive, giving short-stay students an alternative to joining a full academic programme. Its connection with the arts university is especially relevant to learners interested in creative subjects. They can ask about the relationship between regular language classes and preparation for an arts admission process, which may involve requirements beyond proficiency in everyday Japanese.