Learn Japanese in Sapporo

Its population of more than 1.8 million makes Sapporo the fifth largest city in Japan. Japanese and non-Japanese alike rank the city at the top of their wish list of places to live in Japan. Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympic Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It was in the late 19th century that the city began to import skills and ideas from the West for its city development projects. This means that Sapporo has been open to the world from the very beginning. Establishing sister-city affiliations with Portland (U.S.A.), Munich (Germany), Shenyang (China) and Novosibirsk (Russia), Sapporo has been actively pursuing international exchanges. It also organizes international events, including the Pacific Music Festival held every summer, and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Many of Japan's leading companies have established branches in Sapporo and more than 100 schools of higher learning are located here. There are also many cultural facilities (concert halls, art museums, libraries) that organize various events for citizens. Residents live safely and comfortably in this city, where consumer prices and crime rates are much lower than in Tokyo. Warmhearted citizens cordially welcome people of other countries, and the Japanese language here is much closer to standard Japanese than are dialects spoken elsewhere.

Sapporo is a beautiful city that has achieved harmony with nature. Odori Park and the Botanical Garden are right in the city center. Summers are relatively cool, making Sapporo ideal for travelers. In winter, people come here to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. The Sapporo Snow Festival, Yosakoi Soran Festival, sumo tournaments and other events are held around the year, attracting domestic and overseas visitors alike. Although many people anticipate extremely cold winter weather, the mean temperature is minus 4 degree centigrade, even in February, the coldest month. Winter life is not very hard, because of the well-developed mass transit system, intensive snow removal, and architecture suited to cold weather. You will be able to enjoy urban life fully in every season.

Japanese School in Sapporo

The Japanese school in Sapporo is located in the Maruyama district, which is known for it sophisticated atmosphere and unspoiled natural surroundings. The school is not housed with other organizations in an urban building, is ideal for students wishing to focus on their studies in a quiet atmosphere. The Maruyama area is connected to downtown Sapporo by subway, and the subway station is within walking distance of the school. There are also many foreign consulates (U.S.A., Australia, Germany, Republic of Korea, China, Philippines, Russia) in the neighborhood.

Primeval stands of forest are found on Mt. Maruyama, which is just west of the school. The school also is close to Maruyama Park, which includes a baseball stadium, an athletic field and Maruyama Zoo, Hokkaido's largest zoo. Many citizens enjoy hiking the trails between Mt. Maruyama and Mt. Moiwa.

Japanese Courses in Sapporo

The curriculum is designed to teach students the four main skills of language acquisition – reading, writing, speaking and listening.

There are two types of courses available in Sapporo:

General Japanese courses (courses of up to 1 year) focus on teaching communicative skills necessary to function in Japanese society. General Japanese courses can be taken from one month to one year.

The University Preparation Course focuses on teaching students the necessary skills to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). The JLPT is required for foreign students to gain entrance into Japanese Universities. The University Preparation Course can be taken for 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 months.

University Preparation Course

This course can be started at the beginning of January, April, July and October. Most students enroll for a minimum of 1 year and you can begin this course only during these months, regardless of your current Japanese language ability.

The University Preparation Course is an academic course specifically designed to help student pass the JLPT and ultimately gain entrance into a university in Japan.

The aims on the course develops as students ability in the Japanese language increases.

Elementary

Speaking:  Basic sentence patters (grammar) supported by basic vocabulary resulting in students being able to function in basic conversation.
Listening: Students listen to simple sentences spoken by native Japanese speakers in order to obtain basic information. The listening and speaking element of the curriculum support each other in their aims.
Writing: Learn simple writing and sentence patterns (vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure). You will learn to write hira-gana kata-kana and 400 words Kanji.
Reading: You will learn how to acquire information from written material such as information boards and printed materials. The writing and reading elements of the curriculum support each other.

Intermediate

Speaking: Develop more complex conversation skills and to develop skills is speech making and debates.
Listening: Build skills in obtaining information from everyday spoken Japanese.
Writing: Learn to summarize written text and to wrote letters, and give instructions.
Reading: To develop skills to infer the meaning of more complex sentences (contextualizing). Acquire 1300 words kanji and build a vocabulary bank of 6,000 words.

Advanced

Speaking: Further develop debating and speech making skills.
Listening: Widen listening skills to understand a variety of broadcast media.
Writing: Expand writing skills to the level of writing essays and letters.
Reading: To be able to read newspapers and books,. Students will be able to read 1,800 kanji and a total of 8,000 words.

General Japanese Courses

If you are a beginner learner of the Japanese language then you can only begin this course in January, April, July or October. If you already know Japanese up to JLPT level4, then you can begin this course any Monday.

The aims of the General Japanese courses are:

Elementary

Speaking: Basic sentence patters (grammar) supported by basic vocabulary resulting in students being able to function in basic conversation.
Listening: Students listen to simple sentences spoken by native Japanese speakers in order to obtain basic information. The listening and speaking element of the curriculum support each other in their aims.
Writing: Learn simple writing and sentence patterns (vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure). You will learn to write hira-gana kata-kana and 300 words Kanji.
Reading: Develop skills to be able to understand simple printed materials present in everyday life (menus, bulletin boards, street signs, directions).

Intermediate

Speaking: Build skills to communicate in more everyday situations and to develop skills in providing opinions and giving speeches.
Listening: To expand skills to be able to ask questions and obtain information in a variety of everyday situation.
Writing: To extend skills to be able to write email, letters, and invitations.
Reading: To enhance reading comprehension of already learned vocabulary and sentence structures and to develop comprehension skills of high frequency kanji text.

Class Timetable

Classes for both courses are held Monday to Friday, afternoon or morning depending on the level. Each lesson is 45 minutes and courses are 20 lessons per week.

Morning Classes

9:00 - 9:45
9:50 - 10:35
10:50 - 11:35
11:40 - 12:25

Afternoon Classes

13:00 - 13:45
13:50 - 14:35
14:50 - 15:35
15:40 - 16:25

Course Fees  (Yen)


One year Six months
Admission fee 73,500 73,500
Tuition 571,500 285,800
Study materials 25,200 12,600
School events 10,500 5,250
Facility fee 8,400 8,400
Total 689,100 385,550

Note: These fees include the visa application and processing fee.

Short Term Courses

This course focuses on communicative Japanese and enables students to function independently in Japan. Admission to this course is year round for students with some knowledge of the Japanese language. Absolute beginners must start their course in either: January, April, July or October.  The short term course can be taken from 1 week up to 6 months. Students who wish to enroll for longer than 6 months have to enroll on the university preparation course.

Daily Timetable

Classes are held Monday to Friday, afternoon or morning depending on the level. Each lesson is 45 minutes and courses are 20 lessons per week.

Morning Classes

9:00 - 9:45
9:50 - 10:35
10:50 - 11:35
11:40 - 12:25

Afternoon Classes

13:00 - 13:45
13:50 - 14:35
14:50 - 15:35
15:40 - 16:25

Short Term Course Fees (Yen)


Weeks Tuition Weeks Tuition
1 21,400 7 107,200
2 39,700 8 122,500
3 57,300 9 137,800
4 61,200 10 153,100
5 76,600 11 168,500
6 91,900 12 183,700

Note: Tuition includes textbook/class material fees and tax. An admission fee of Yen 10,500 is not included in the above prices.

Seasonal Courses


Summer

This course includes 20 lessons per week and cultural activities. It is aimed at students who with to learn Japanese combined with learning about elements of Japanese culture. Class sizes are limited to between 12 – 18 students.
The program is from July 26th to August 17th. Tuition is Yen 95,300 including materials and tax.

Winter

This course is ideal for those who wish to combine Japanese language study while enjoying the snowy winter conditions of Sapporo and the surround areas. The program includes 20 Japanese lessons per week and cultural activities.
There are 2 winter courses to choose from.
January 12th – January 25th
January 26th – February 12th
Course Fee: Yen 39,700 + enrollment fee of Yen 10,500.
Dormitory accommodation fees are between Yen 55,000 – 75,000 depending on the accommodation and the program.

Autumn

For those who wish to combine Japanese language learning (20 lessons per week) with the beautiful surroundings of autumn in Sapporo.
There are 2 Autumn courses to choose from.
September 21 – October 5, 2010
October 6 - October 20, 2010
Course Fee: Yen 39,700 + enrollment fee of Yen 10,500.
Dormitory accommodation fees are between Yen 38,000 – 65,000 depending on the accommodation and the program.

Spring

20 lessons per week plus cultural activities during the wonderful Spring in Sapporo.
There are 2 Spring courses to choose from
April 12 - April 23
April 26 - May 13,
Course Fee: Yen 39,700 + enrollment fee of Yen 10,500.
Dormitory accommodation fees are between Yen 38,000 – 65,000 depending on the accommodation and the program.


Accommodation

Accommodation at our school in Sapporo include, dormitory (studio apartment), shared apartment and home stay.

Dormitory

Located within walking distance of the school in a quiet and pleasant neighborhood. Rooms are individual units in a student complex. Most dorm rooms have a private bathroom and WC but all are furnished with a bed, chair, desk and wardrobe. Meals are provided in the cafeteria (except public holidays and school vacations). The monthly cost is between Yen 60,000 – 63,000 and includes electricity and water. Please note that there is a non refundable entrance fee of Yen 30,000 for some of the dorms.

Apartments

We also arrange apartments for long term students (who enroll for more than 6 months). The rent ranges from 25,000-35,000 yen per month.

Homestay

Home stays in Sapporo are a great way to get to learn more about Japanese culture and customs and also to practice your Japanese. Home stays are with middle class families and you will have your own private room. The cost for a home stay is Yen 80,000 per month with no meals. Please note home stay placements are limited.

Additional Details

If you have any questions regarding Japanese courses in Sapporo or elsewhere in Japan, please Contact Us

To begin the booking process to learn Japanese in Sapporo, please complete details here: Book a Course

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