Choosing a Language School in Japan

Choosing a school in Japan can be a hazardous thing. There are many schools that are little more than excuses for companies to import cheap labour, and while this is changing, there is still some way to go before you can be confident that all schools maintain high standards. Basically, you need to consider your course and school choice together. However, first some hints on choosing the school.

Location:

Okay, almost everyone puts Tokyo first, and if they put anywhere else it is almost always Osaka or Kyoto, occasionally Nagoya. Think a little first before making hasty decisions. There is a lot of Japan out there, and it's all interesting. Some points to consider when making your decision are outlined below.

People:

Go where you have Japanese friends. It'll make your life much easier, you'll fit into their circle of friends and meet more Japanese people that way, meaning you'll learn the language and culture faster. If you don't have any Japanese friends, go where you think you'll be able to meet people - so a place where you can do your hobbies, take up a new one, get out and do what you enjoy. The bigger the city, the more foreigners there are and the harder it is to meet Japanese. If you like the nightlife, of course, then a large city is better for you.

Activities and Travel:

This carries on from the section above, but go where you'll be able to do activities outside school that will keep you occupied - hobbies, arts and crafts, sports, whatever you usually do or like to do . If you are bored outside class, you won't learn very well in class. There is plenty to do all over Japan, and of course it is harder to find clubs and bright lights outside of Tokyo and the other major cities but it is there all the same. And a lot else besides.

At this point you should consider what you are looking for: somewhere to have a holiday and enjoy Japan for a few weeks or a month, or an academic course that will prepare you for work or university in Japan? If it is the former, then choose a school in an area that interests you, in or near a major city, with good transport connections. For example, if you just want to see Tokyo with a brief weekend in Osaka or vice versa, choose a school in one of those locations. If you really want to get around and explore Japan, seeing a little more than the bright lights alone, try something in Central Japan (Aichi, Mie prefectures) which will allow you to get to all the major locations in Japan cheaply and quickly. Somewhere near Nagoya would be ideal - Tokyo and Osaka are both reachable in a few hours. If you are a skier, Nagano or Sapporo, Tohoku or Tottori prefectures would be ideal, if cold.

For long-term studies, again consider where you will be happiest. If you are a city-type, then obviously go for a large city. Tokyo is the first choice, but you can enjoy your studies just as much, if not more, in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and any one of the other major cities. If you like the country, then you have plenty to choose from. Japan is a largely suburban nation due to the limited amount of usable land - population density is very high - so if you get outside of the real centre of any major city, you could be virtually anywhere in the country. It also means that you are never very far from a large population centre - so that there is always going to be something nearby to do. Getting right out into the countryside of Tohoku or Tottori, for example, you will still be able to find cities and nightlife (eventually), although you might have to go a little further to get it.

Next you need to consider the school itself. Firstly, check the ratings in the Education Japan database and see if there are any first-hand reports from previous students, or if the school has been audited by Education Japan. If it hasn't you can request an audit.

Facilities:

One student reported having read a school's homepage that stated "Internet facilities available in all accommodation". On arrival, he was disappointed to be told that there was indeed one internet connection in the school office, but that it was not for student use. Accommodation was different to the location shown in the clean new pictures on the homepage, and had no internet access. So, decide what facilities you want, and then use this as one of your criteria. Some possibilities:

Accommodation:

Is it owned by school? Guaranteed accommodation?
How much does it cost? Are utility bills included?
How big are the rooms? What are they like? How old is the accommodation?
How far is the accommodation from the school? How long will I spend getting from my room to school? How much money will I spend?
Are there any cooking facilities?
Is there enough study space? Any communal facilities?
Are internet connections available? Do I have to pay extra?

School:

Course prices: what do they include? Can you afford them comfortably? Any discounts?
Refund policy: what happens if you want to move? Have to leave Japan?
Internet connections and computer rooms at school?
Class sizes (number of students per group)
Classroom sizes (area per student in the room) and layout - rows? U-shape? Will you be able to interact with other students?
Other study facilities (library, communal facilities, etc.)
Infirmary?

Support:

What if you get ill? Will the school/can the school help you?
Visa applications: will they help? How long is the visa?
Legal services: translations, documentation. Are they helpful?
Moving accommodation/school: general flexibility.
Airport pickups? Included in course fees or extra?

There are many more of course, but these are just some ideas to get you thinking about what you are looking for. Let us know if you need any advice on choosing a school.