JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL

There are over 300 Japanese Language schools through out Japan, these schools are design to help Foreign students in their preparation for Universities as most of them are taught in Japanese. These institutions also cater to the need of Foreigners who are hoping to find work in Japan and those who are in it to learn Japanese while exploring Japan. 

Some Japanese Language schools offer more than Japanese Language courses, supplementary subjects such as math, Japanese culture and English for non English speaking students. These schools have the authorisation to help foreign students get student visas once enrolled. Other schools do not have the guarantee that their foreign student will get their student visas without hassle. Depending on the credibility of the schools, newly established schools are highly unlikely to guarantee students their Visa to study.

There are credible evidence that suggest that some of these schools don't know how the immigration system works, sometimes they wont help students and will give wrong information regarding application. This is done to protect the reputation of the schools, some school officers will only discourage the enrolled students and in most cases create extra expenses on behalf of the students. Some students were encouraged to leave Japan while their visa is pending, others were discouraged and were told that they will not get their Visa extended even after paying their tuition. The schools do not have any authority on this matter, the decision regarding a Visa is up to the immigrations. As long as the school signed the required documents and declare a student is enrolled in that school, the rest is out of their hands.

The common error that most students always repeat is heavily relying on these schools to improve their Japanese. There are allegations that teachers at Japanese schools are incompetent at their job, their method of teaching Japanese includes brainwashing and imposing culture on the students. Some teachers go as far as threatening students with deportation due to their slower performances and comparing them to Chinese and Korean students who are performing well because of the similarity between the languages and the fact that most of them have been studying Japanese Language for years before coming to Japan. Teaching a new language to a foreign student proves difficult and organizations usually come up with different methods of teaching. However the fact remains that it has to work both ways and the burden will fall heavily on the teacher. Meaning, the teacher needs to understand and find ways to communicate with  students in a manner that will capture their interests and attention.

After a year in one of Japans highly recommended Japanese Language Education center I realise that 90% of what you learn is not in the classroom. Its outside with the Japanese community, through everyday interaction it is only then that you will be able to use what you learn throughout the week.

All Japanese Language Schools lack the key factor in a students improvement, Japanese. These schools are filled with foreigners who communicate in their mother tongue when alone and in English when approached by other foreign students. In the whole year that I spent in Japanese school, I only speak Japanese once a month excluding the conversation class. Still, that doesn't really help because, traditionally, the Japanese are not fond of the mere thought of offending anyone thus will never correct you when you make mistakes. Instead they will compliment you on your level of Japanese even if your Japanese is bad.

Graduating from  Japanese school  I was sure I could handle college, Wrong!!, for 3 months I had no Idea what they were talking about. I was hit with the real Japanese they never taught in the schools. For example, the students always commented that my Japanese is old, my lecturer compliment me for using words that only grandmothers use it was a compliment I could live without.

2 weeks ago I was invited to a foreign language school as a guest to speak with Japanese students who are studying English. The whole set up was impressive, they have foreigners coming in every day for free conversations, some became friends and hang out with the students during the weekends. The Japanese students level of English was surprisingly good for someone who's studying English for only half a year. I question why the Japanese Language schools didn't do that for their students. Is it because we are in Japan and the opportunity of making Japanese friends is high?. That's not true in most cases, Japanese are very shy and if they are not (which is rare) , we don't have anything in common with them and they put boundaries in friendships. Also the only Japanese who would hang out with foreigners are those who can speak english and will want to practise their english.

Personally, I think Japanese Language Schools fail in a lot of ways. Japanese is a hard but interesting language to learn, it requires time and a lot of practise and dedication. The schools really need to research and improve their method in teaching Japanese. I always think its good to add foreigners who have a good level of Japanese to help teach Japanese as assistant teachers. Because they understood what a foreign student requires, know how to communicate in a manner the students understood and are used to.

Its not hard to find a Japanese Language school and they are always looking for students. When looking for a Japanese school try asking around and get feed backs on different schools. Some schools really have bad reputation but cost a lot.