Current blog posts for your pleasure. Most only take a few minutes to read!
- Back to School at YMCA 日本語学校
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.
- SOP Writing Guide Ebook
The Statement of Purpose Guide is a 25-page ebook on how to write your SOP! I will walk you through every step in the writing process to get you a JET Programme interview. This ebook provides my previous SOP essays from past applications and additional samples to get you started in writing. Once you download my ebook, you can re-download it anytime you want, including free revisions. This is in PDF format, so feel free to use it on any supported device. You can find my original SOP Guide here for free! Preview below
Note – All the contents from this book are in the ALT User Guide book for $5 more.
Preview of the SOP Writing Guide Below
- ALT User Guide Book
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BECOMING AN ASSISTANT LANGUAGE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
For over half a year, I’ve working on the best guide possible to becoming an Assistant Language Teacher. I am excited to announce that my downloadable ebook is now available and contains everything you need to know to prepare to be an ALT in Japan! This comprehensive guide covers everything from writing your statement of purpose to passing the interview. Whether you are applying to the JET Program or a private ALT position, this book will assist you in becoming an ALT in Japan.
What’s Inside?
- Crafting a Winning Statement of Purpose: Tips and examples to make your application stand out.
- Acing the Interview: Proven strategies to impress and succeed.
- Insider Tips: Learn from those who have successfully navigated the process.
Buy it once and keep it forever. You can always redownload the newest copy when the guide is updated and revised. All sales go to improving the JPG and overhauling ALT content!
Sneak Peak inside (note, this is not a final copy)*subject to change
- ALT Interview Preparation and Coaching Service
The Assistant Language Teacher interview preparation and coaching session allows you to practice, reflect, and work on your skills for your upcoming ALT interview, no matter your skill level or the program you are applying to. Together, we plan for the questions you need the most work on and areas you can skip!
(*No CIR or SEA interview prep service*)As an Ex-JET, I offer private, one-on-one, coaching sessions via Google Meet or other video messaging services. We review every question below in the worksheet and a few from the Over 100 JET Program Interview Questions for fun. We also review individual answers and discuss any questions you have regarding the interview process. These sessions provide immediate feedback and confidence to boost your chances of becoming an ALT!
If you didn’t pass your JET interview, I love to work with prospective candidates on other teaching opportunities such as private teaching. Many companies hire ALTs and language school teachers throughout the year. We can work together to help you find other avenues for living in Japan. I have experience with dispatch companies such as Interac and Eikaiwa Teaching.
FYI – Services are “unavailable” if you cannot complete the form.
Interview Preparation Service Form
Notes and critiques are included, along with the Interview Prep Guide worksheet.
Terms of Service:
Price: 50 USD for a 1-hour virtual session.
(I only accept two methods of secure payment: Venmo and PayPal.)
Payment: Venmo or Paypal before our session.
Time: Mon-Fri, 5:00 – 7:00 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time) Sat-Sun, TBD
Use Time Zone Converter for assistance.
Refund: No show = no refund; rescheduling possible.
Video and Audio Recording: Strictly Forbidden
Feedback from successful applicants:
” I just wanted to share the news that I got into JET! 🎆 🥳 🎉 🎇 Yayyyyyy!”