We are student’s at the YMCA 日本語学校 (Japanese language school). It’s been a great experience so far with intensive language classes that focus on all aspects of Japanese and the culture. We chose this school based on the reviews, tuition, and reputation.
Course Schedule
Classes are 5 days a week, four 50 minute sessions, back-to-back. Classes are Monday through Friday with weekends, national holidays and school designated holidays off. Below will give you an idea of the days off that are in light and dark blue. This schedule will be updated soon to reflect 2026/2027 school year.
You can see there is a lot of free time off during the Spring and Summer break, around a month. Plus multiple times where there are 1-2 week holidays! This is especially nice for those who need or want to travel.
Tuition
One year is about 780,000 YEN or around 5,000 USD. Additional time is less because there is no entrance fee or application fee need to be paid again. Housing in Fukuoka is fairly cheap and I believe that is reflected well below. Cellphone for us, for example, are only 2,000 YEN month with Rakuten. YMMV for all other expenses. However, you can work up to 28 hours a week on a student visa! I’ll get more into our rent and daily expenses later.
Classes
Students are given an interview and Japanese paper to be written before entry. These determine you level before classes start. Additionally, you will test before classes begin after you arrival. If the level you are put in does not fit you, you can be moved to another level within first two weeks of enrollment.
Classes are 50 minutes each, 4 times a day. 2 class periods are taught by the same teacher.
There are general teachers and head teachers who specifically cover grammar in depth. Now, they can all teach grammar, kanji, speaking, etc., but some of the staff are quite skilled in teaching Japanese.
Did I mention? CLASSES ARE TAUGHT IN JAPANESE! Yes, the best immersion possible.
Textbooks
For the beginner levels, we use the Minna No Nihongo Series. You’ll go through about 5 chapters ever 3-4 weeks. In six months, you full go through red and blue texts, including all the listening, worksheets, and kanji drills. It is very, very intensive! Every day, we had around 1-2 pages of homework. There are 50 chapters between both books.
Testing
Unit test are comprised of 5 chapters each. Testing usually takes 4-6 hours with listening, reading, writing, grammar, and some times speaking. If you fail any section with 60 or below, you can just retake that section of the test! Test are broken up over 1-2 days with review before and after the test.
I am horrible test taker myself. I have always failed a section or two and have retaken them with flying colors.
Quizzes… You will have lots of them! Usually, 2 quizzes a week, one for vocab and other for Kanji.
Kanji tests... You will also have these after every 3 kanji sections you study, which is about 30-35 kanji. By the time you finish both Minna no Nihongo books, you’ll know over 500 kanji!
Teachers
The teachers are all great in their methods. Some are better than others, but I assure you that you will have a favorite or two! They will make time to answer any questions and provide feedback with homework, quizzes, and tests.
More to come as I progress through the first year.