Japanese Practical Conversation Course

Residents / short-term students

Course outline

The Practical Conversation Course focuses on conversation
and is aimed at those students who wish to study Japanese for use in their daily life. Through a variety of activities, the course aims to help students learn the regularly used Japanese necessary for life in Japan. This course is recommended for those students seeking to make their lives in Japan more comfortable and wanting to converse more with Japanese people.

Enrollment periods April / July / October / January
Length of Course From 5 weeks onwards
* Depending on the level, enrollment is possible mid-semester.
Class Size A maximum of 20 students
Class hours 5 days a week (Monday to Friday)
4 lessons a day (45 minutes per lesson)
Morning classes 9: 15-12: 35 / Afternoon classes 13: 40-17: 00
* The class time is determined based on the course level.
* The start time varies slightly depending on each school.
Level Beginner to intermediate

Estimated level and study length

In order to help students communicate naturally in Japanese, the lessons will deal with topics that commonly arise in daily life.
The course is divided into four levels, from beginner to intermediate, Basic grammar and vocabulary will be introduced to the students from the beginning level, providing practical skills for students thinking of finding a job or going on to higher education in Japan in the future. Students who wish to advance to an upper intermediate level or higher are required to take the Comprehensive Course.

レベル表

※CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
CEFR is an international guideline used for all languages ​​in order to determine the proficiency of a foreign language learner.

Curriculum details

Beginner 1: (Learning goals)
To be able to have basic conversations in everyday situations, such as introducing yourself and greeting others.
Beginner 2 (Learning goals)
To be able to understand the common Japanese used by Japanese people in their daily life and converse in Japanese in everyday situations.
Pre-intermediate (Learning goals)
To be able to understand the Japanese used by Japanese people in their daily life and converse in Japanese in reasonably complicated situations.
Intermediate (Learning goals)
To be able to use common Japanese expressions and converse in Japanese in a variety of situations.

*The class names may be different depending on the school

Course Features

Details of the Course Features

Orientation

At the ECC Japanese Language Institute we hold an orientation session for students at the time of their admission, allowing them to focus on their studies with peace of mind.
During the orientation, we will explain the rules and schedule of the school, how to do homework, and about attendance, grades, and the evaluation methods used to determine if a student proceeds to a higher level course.

Placement Test

We conduct a placement test prior to enrollment to enable our students to start at the level that best suits them.
Students who have no experience with Japanese are also very welcome to enroll. However, we recommend that students master hiragana and katakana before enrolling.

The Direct Method

In our classes, we use the "direct method", which means classes are conducted only in Japanese. This develops students' abilities to comprehend Japanese from an early stage.
It also helps students understand the unique expressions and nuances of the Japanese language.

Class Teacher System

Leaving your home country and staying abroad for a long period of time can be very stressful.
ECC uses a homeroom teacher system to enable us to keep a close eye on our students and respond to any changes in their physical condition, living situation, or learning situation.
Homeroom teachers are always happy to discuss any issues you have, so feel free to talk to them before a problem grows serious.

Class Counseling

A few weeks after the start of each semester, individual counseling sessions are held by the class's homeroom teacher.
Although you can talk to your class teacher at any point, this is a set time in which to talk about your future goals and career path, monitor your learning status, provide you with study advice, and discuss any concerns you may have about your life.
Counselling means that even if you don't feel comfortable approaching your class teacher yourself, you will have the opportunity to receive advice.

Tests

A test is held at the end of the semester to measure students' proficiencies in the four skills of "listening", "speaking", "reading", and "writing". There may also be additional quizzes and small tests depending on the class and level.

Field Trip / Cultural Experience

Every semester, we organize a field trip or cultural experience for our students. In the past, students have experienced things such as visiting World Heritage Sites, making Japanese sweets, and visiting TV stations.
By taking their learning outside of the school, students are able to experience Japan and Japanese language in a way that they are not exposed to in their regular classes.