Tokyo Japanese Language Centre

EIL Ireland in partnership with EIL Japan offer this exciting combination course of Japanese language and homestay programme in Tokyo. Taking place at the Tokyo Language Centre in the heart of Tokyo, at an international school which has been teaching adult students Japanese for almost 50 years. With small class sizes and practical lessons, the school boasts their own tried and tested teaching methods. With the addition of the homestay with a Japanese family, this 4 week course will give you a major boost to your Japanese learning and practise.

Summary Info

  • Location: Tokyo
  • Ages: 18-50 years
  • Accommodation: One night hotel on arrival, homestay for duration of course
  • Duration: 4 weeks, set dates only
  • Availability: Limited to 5 people per semester. Set deadlines and dates.
Rickshaw driver: A photo of a french student and rickshaw driver in traditional dress.


School

The Tokyo Japanese Language Centre is located in the heart of Tokyo at the foot of Tokyo Tower. Established in 1962 it has hosted thousands of students from around the world. It is below the main hall of Konchi-in Temple, a Zen Buddist temple next to Shiba Park. It is a quiet, peaceful location with lush grounds. A perfect place to study yet with all the attractions and excitement of bustling Tokyo around you! The majority of students are from Asia followed by European nationalities. The school prides itself on values of diversity and cultural exchange in the classroom to boost the learning experience.

Accommodation

Students will have arranged by our partner, EIL Japan, their host family accommodation. Families are located between an hour and 1.5 hours distance away from the school. Japanese families are eager hosts, very inquisitive and wanting to learn about you as much as you want to learn from them. Families may be traditional or modern and we ask that you are flexible in terms of what your host family profile may look like. Families will provide half board during the week and full board at the weekends. Another prime opportunity to sample some of Japans famous cuisine, home cooked by your hosts each day. The best way to learn about Japanese culture is through home life and family and also a means of practising your language skills outside of lesson time. Some host families may have little or no English, so it will force you to learn and try to communicate effectively.

Courses

Courses are divided into four categories: yearly-base, semester-base, individual studies, and special curriculums. For group lessons (yearly-base and semester-base), students take 25 hours a week in the class of 5-10 students. The opening hours is from 10-12 and 13-16 while individual instruction is limited from 9-10 and after16.

Depending on each student’s level, appropriate classes for basic, middle, and high level are provided. Moreover, each level is subdivided into three classes, so students can improve their language ability following the phases.

The textbooks have been developed through our experience accumulated in the teaching process for forty-eight years. We use the large assortment of up-to-date texts which are closely related to life styles and students’ needs, purposes, and interests.

We also use supplementary teaching materials, such as audio-visual, during repetition drills to animate the instruction. In addition, a text is prepared for every occasion of out-of-classroom and out-of-school instruction. This is because we would like our students to make the most of the outings and to take part into extra-curriculum activities enthusiastically.

Homework is given to students throughout the program because it is important for them to have time for quiet thinking and writing. Consequently, teachers recognize the problems or difficulties students might have through the papers. In this way, teachers learn from students what they need inside and outside of the classrooms, and use it guide the classroom instruction.

Schedule

Class hours are from 09:10-12:20 or 13:30-16:40 depending upon the level at which you are tested in to.

Activities

Some lessons are based outside of the classroom for more diversity and real-life situation practise.

In terms of extra-curricular activities, the school does offer cultural activities and excursions. These are on a sign-up, pay-as-you-go basis and are not included in the programme price as they are optional. The activities could be a trip to Kabuki Theatre, Karate lessons, or an overnight trip to a place of interest outside Tokyo. Please budget accordingly.

FAQ

Questions

Answers

  • When will I get my host family information?

    It takes a lot more time to organise and find Japanese host families than in other countries. Even if you apply very far in advance, sometimes in will only be a matter of weeks before you get you family details. In the details will be the names, address and contact information for your family. Sometimes they will also send photos, but not always. Rest assured, they will be very eager to meet you when you finally arrive. Hosting is not a commonplace activity as it is in Europe so finding hosts is a much more difficult exercise.

    Back to the top

  • How do I get there?

    The nearest airport is Narita Airport. In years past, students have flown via London with Virgin Atlantic. This course does not offer transfers, but we will give you directions on how to get to the hotel for your first night's stay.

    Back to the top

  • Why do I write a host family letter? What do I write?

    This purpose is two-fold:

    • We use this letter to assess your current knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana Japanese. This letter must be in Japanese to the best of your ability. You should write your interests, hobbies and about yourself, family, job, school, friends, etc.
    • It is a chance for your host family to know more about who is coming to stay with them. Host families will want to please you and are eager to know as much about you in order to prepare. Because their knowledge of English maybe limited, this maybe the only way they really get to know the background details about you!

    Back to the top

  • Can I go with a friend?

    This course has very limited space. Only 5 places per term. If there are enough places at the time of booking, there is no reason why you could not go together. However, host family placements will be done individually and no requests to be placed "near" one another will be considered.

    Back to the top

Supervision

This is an adult programme suitable for mature students. No extra supervision is organised.

Dates/Prices

Timetable

Programme Spring Summer Autum Winter-2011
Deadline for application11th March6th May19th August11th November
Arrival at Toyoko Inn
 9th May
 4th July
 17th October
 11th Janurary
Morning orientation, language training begins10th May5th July18th October11th January
Language training ends4th June30th July12th November4th February
End of programme, leave host family (Sunday)6th June1st August14th November6th February

Costs

Programme fees: €2,045

What is included

  • Hotel stay on arrival (not including meals).
  • Admission fee (language center).
  • Tuition.
  • Homestay (half board M-F, full on Sat. & Sun.).
  • Administration (EIL Tokyo office) & Orientation.
  • Text book
  • CareMed Medical Travel Insurance

What is not included

  • Transportation between host family and language center (about ¥15,000-25,000).
  • Extracurricular activities by Tokyo Japanese Language Center Example: Summer Semester ¥4,200 (Kabuki performance), Fall Semester　 ¥18,000 (overnight tour).
  • Lunch Monday-Friday.
  • Airport transfers and airport tax and flights.
  • Personal expenses.

 

Apply

All the original application materials (items 1-4 below) must arrive at EIL Japan prior to the deadline for each semester. Thus, send to EIL Ireland before deadline listed in Dates /Prices Section.

After receiving all of the above documents and acknowledgement of the full payment, we will issue the letter of confirmation. If necessary, applicants go to the Japanese Consulate to get a tourist visa (4-1-4).

Blogs/Photos

Photos: 
School
Tokyo Language Center
Dinner Time!
THAT'S a cocktail
Hundreds of Buddahs
Kaminari Street
Kaminari-mon Gate
Now that's what I call shopping
Sayonara, sensei
Stories: 

Currently there are no reports to display for this section, please check back soon as we're updating them as we receive accounts from our participants constantly.