Courses and Events - Japanese Language Courses

Please note that our Japanese language courses that take place in London are aimed at

• non-native speaking teachers of Japanese
• learners of Japanese at around JLPT 2 or higher

If you want to learn Japanese but do not fit any of the above categories, please click here for more information about learning Japanese in the UK and Japan.

For a calendar of upcoming courses and events only, see our What’s On page.

Japanese Refresher Courses for Teachers of Japanese

Open to: Non-native speaking teachers of Japanese, as well as teachers and PGCE students who have the chance to offer Japanese in future.

These courses are designed to increase confidence in Japanese; develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills; and further your knowledge of Japanese culture. Open to non-native speaking secondary and primary teachers of Japanese with Japanese language skills, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy small-group tuition in a supportive atmosphere.

Click here to read a report of the 2011 courses.

Click here to read a report of the 2010 courses.

Click here to read a report of the 2009 courses.
Click here to read a report of the 2008 course.

The comments below are from participants from previous years' courses:

I really enjoyed the course. It was a wonderful opportunity to submerge in Japanese and to meet people in the same situation. - Helen Turner, Hertford Regional College.

Challenging but not out of reach. Educational and enjoyable! - Cameron Fehr, Swavesey Village College.

The atmosphere was unfailingly friendly and supportive and encouraged good group dynamics and networking. Thank you very much! - Sheila Mawby.

Thank you for a wonderful 3 days. You have put so much time and effort into the course and I have learnt so much. I have even been dreaming in Japanese! - Helen Langsam, Hendon School.

Talking Contemporary Japan

Open to: Adult learners of Japanese at JLPT level 2 or above.

Applications are now open for a new Talking Contemporary Japan course entitled 'Question Time at The Foundation. What do the Japanese really think?'. Click here for more information and an application form.

‘Talking Contemporary Japan’ is designed for adult learners interested in updating and refreshing their knowledge about Japan whilst practising their Japanese language skills in a series of evening classes at the Japan Foundation London Language Centre. Classes are conducted in Japanese and participants should have Japanese language ability equivalent to JLPT level 2 or above.

Please subscribe to our ebulletin or check our What's On page to see when our next Talking Contemporary Japan Course will be held.

Previous ‘Talking Contemporary Japan courses' have included:

• • Cross-Cultural Communication – November 2011
  Participants used their Japanese skills to explore the communication barriers that arise due to cultural difference, and how to overcome them.
• Happy Family Plan – June 2011
  Watching the Japanese movie "Happy Family Plan" (2001), participants learned about how Japanese can reflect one's personality, age, social status and gender, according to the vocabulary and manner used in speech.
• Debating Time – March 2011
  Participants explored how to engage in effective, persuasive and enjoyable debates in Japanese, building up to a real live debate in the final session.
• Kokugo: Learn Japanese that Japanese learn – November - December 2010
  Taking the theme of kokugo, participants had a chance to learn about the Japanese language as school children in Japan would do.
• 'Question Time' at the Foundation. What do the Japanese really think? - June 2010 Participants studied formal Japanese language and interviewed mystery guests in small groups.
• Getting Down to Business! - Language and Etiquette in Japanese Society - March 2010 This course gave participants the chance to get to grips with business language, etiquette and taboos in Japanese society.
• Squabbling Spouses: Dramatic Comedy - November 2009
  Participants watched extracts from a contemporary Japanese comedy-drama series and took part in various activities based around its content.
• Japan's Past Meets The Present – June 2009
  Participants read and discussed Japanese folk tales and the Tale of Genji.
• Investigating Japanese Mysteries – February 2009
  Participants discussed Japanese mystery stories and tried to solve them.
• Exploring Japanese Culture through Comedy – November 2008
  In this course participants learned about Japanese comedy from the Edo period through to contemporary Japan.
• Exploring Japan through Short Stories – June 2008
  This course focused on reading and discussion of different short stories written by popular Japanese authors including Haruki Murakami, Shinichi Hoshi, Kaori Ekuni and Soseki Natsume.
• Exploring Contemporary Japan through Kurosawa’s film ‘Dreams’. – Jan-Feb 2008
  This course focused on discussing a number of short stories from ‘Dreams’.
  
  Masami Torii took part in the course and later composed this excellent essay in Japanese about each of the eight episodes, as well as her overall thoughts on the film. Masami is a Japanese descendent who grew up in Ecuador and speaks Spanish as her native language. Click here to read her essay.

• Exploring Contemporary Japan through Short Stories – October 2007
  October’s course focussed on reading and discussing short stories by contemporary Japanese authors, such as Haruki Murakami, Banana Yoshimoto and Kaori Ekuni.
• Exploring Contemporary Japan through Okinawa – June 2007
  Where does the Okinawan identity come from? How do people in Okinawa live today? Japan is often perceived as a country of harmony and homogeneity. The real Japan however is rich in cultural and social diversity. This four-week course focused on Okinawa, a region known for its distinct history and culture.
• Exploring Contemporary Japan through Japanese Film – January 2007
  Working with extracts from three of the following films: ‘Warau Kaeru’, ‘Hebi Ichigo’, ‘Kuuchuu Teien’, ‘Maizon do Himiko’
• Exploring Contemporary Japan through Japanese Media – Nov-Dec 2006
  Looking at topics such as Sumo in Modern Japan, Challenges for the Japanese Royal Family. Sources will be newspapers, magazines, TV news

J-Basic Online for Teachers

This 8-week online course is for teachers with a basic level of Japanese who would like to build up their language skills. Through the course, you will develop a basic working knowledge of Japanese grammatical structures and build up your confidence and skills in using Japanese effectively in your classroom.

The course is provided by the Japan Foundation Sydney.

Who can sign up?
Any teacher residing in the UK, Australia or New Zealand who has a basic knowledge of Japanese, and can read hiragana and katakana.

What level of Japanese is it suitable for?
Four stages are available. We recommend you take the “level check test” to make sure you choose the best level for you. Stage 1 (the easiest) is suitable for those who know hiragana and katakana. Stage 4 (the hardest) is about the same level at N5 (old Level 4) of the JLPT.

How does the course work?
Every week a new unit is uploaded. You will work through the unit at your own pace, and then complete your homework by the end of each week. Your homework will be marked and returned to you with helpful advice and comments from our Japanese Language Advisor.

Feedback from trial participants:
“I have really enjoyed it, the course content is useful as covers all areas of the Japanese language i.e. speaking, listening, reading, writing Ð lots of writing practice which is a challenge but good practice!”

“I really really like the Production task, especially as you get some prompt feedback from the Language Advisor. Brilliant!”

Applications for this years course are now open. For more information, please click here (Japan Foundation Sydney's site).

Courses for Teachers of Japanese held outside the UK

Short-Term Training Programme for Foreign Teachers of the Japanese Language - Urawa, Japan

This 2-month course allows non-native speaking Japanese teachers to improve their Japanese language skills and methodology through an intensive programme of lectures on language and culture. The course is held at our Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa, Japan. Open to those under 55 who have at least 2 years' Japanese teaching experience, and JLPT level N4 (level 3 of the old JLPT) or equivalent. Applicants must bear their own return travel expenses to Japan. The course is held three times a year, and each session is designed for a different group of candidates. The tentative dates are:

• Spring course: 9th May - 29th June 2012. For primary and secondary teachers, or those teaching younger children.
• Summer course: 14th July - 31st August 2012. For teachers in higher, adult, primary, or secondary education, or those teaching young children.
• Winter course: 23rd - 15th March 2013. For teachers in higher and adult education.

Approximate number of places available (worldwide): 140

Number of grants / applicants in 2011 (worldwide): 141 / 344

Application deadline: 1st December 2011. For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Japan Foundation head office's website. Click here for English and click here for Japanese.

Long-Term Training Programme for Foreign Teachers of the Japanese Language - Urawa, Japan

This 6-month course allows non-native speaking Japanese teachers to improve their Japanese language skills and methodology through an intensive programme of lectures on language and culture. The course is held at our Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa, Japan. Open to those under 35 who have between 6 months' and 5 years' Japanese teaching experience, and JLPT N4 (level 3 of the old JLPT) or equivalent. Applicants must bear their own return travel expenses to Japan.

Tentative dates: 11th September 2012 to 8th March 2013.

Approximate number of places available (worldwide): 55

Number of grants / applicants in 2009 (worldwide): 59 / 192

Application deadline: 1st December 2011. For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Japan Foundation head office's website. Click here for English and click here for Japanese.

Advanced Training Programme for Teachers of the Japanese Language - Urawa, Japan

A 2-month programme for native and non-native teachers of Japanese to develop advanced teaching skills. Applicants may apply on their own or in groups of up to three. The course is held at our Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa, Japan. Open to those under the age of 55, with JLPT N1 (level 1 of the old JLPT) or equivalent and at least 5 years' experience teaching Japanese. UK applicants are welcome to apply, but please note that the UK is not a priority country for this programme.

Tentative dates: 24th October to 20th December 2012.

Approximate number of places available (worldwide): 10

Number of grants / applicants in 2011 (worldwide): 11 / 34 (6 / 26 teams)

Application deadline: 1st December 2011. For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Japan Foundation head office's website. Click here for English and click here for Japanese.

Graduate Programme on Japanese Language and Culture (Master's Course) - Urawa, Japan

An opportunity for teachers of Japanese to complete a one-year master's course in Japanese language education, based at our Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa, Japan. Open to non-Japanese nationals aged under 44 with at least 2 years' experience in Japanese language education, and JLPT N1 (level 1 of the old JLPT) or equivalent. UK applicants are welcome to apply, but please note that the UK is not a priority country for this programme.

Tentative dates: September 2012 to September 2013.

Approximate number of places available (worldwide): 4

Number of grants / applicants in 2011 (worldwide): 4 / 34 (Master's Course)

Application deadline: 1st December 2010. For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Japan Foundation head office's website. Click here for English and click here for Japanese.

Courses for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields

Programmes for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields - Kansai, Japan

2-month and 6-month courses for specialists (researchers, postgraduate students, librarians, museum and art gallery curators, etc.) who need to improve their Japanese for academic or professional purposes. Courses take place at our Japanese-Language Institute in Kansai, Japan. Applicants bear their own return travel expenses to Japan. Open to those aged under 40, with JLPT N4 (level 3 of the old JLPT) or equivalent.

Tentative dates:

• 2 month course: June - August 2012
• 6 month course: September 2012 to March 2013

For more information about the programme, please visit the Japan Foundation head office's website. Click here for English and click here for Japanese.

The Hakuho Foundation gives opportunities for non-native Japanese teachers in the UK to take part in their teacher training programme in Japan. The programme is free of change for participants, and is an excellent chance for non-native teachers of Japanese to improve their Japanese language skills and learn new teaching methods while increasing their knowledge of Japanese culture through experiences in Japan.

The programme gives teachers the chance to:

• Study Japanese along with teaching methods
• Chance to network with teachers of Japanese from all over the world
• Learn more about traditional Japanese culture
• Visit Japan
• Use your experiences to improve Japanese language lessons in your school

For further information, or to download an application form, please visit the Hakuho Website.