General Course

Schedule 2010-2011

・200 hours per term, 20 hours per week
Monday-Friday, Four classes per day (50 min. each)

Curriculum

In addition to the established detailed levels of eight steps, with a flexible curriculum that considers the diversity of students' needs and objectives and a training program that connects "words", "thoughts" and "feelings", the content is highly concentrated to bring strong results within a short period of time. This course is suitable for people who seriously want to learn.
Cross-cultural communications are promoted widely at KAI, as we have gathered in our student population young and career minded global citizens who represent more than 40 countries.

Indeed, Japanese is the common language of communication both in the classroom and out of class as well. This you will find unique at KAI as only Japanese Is spoken, as opposed to other schools where students from various countries congregate and usually speak English or their mother tongue out of class, therefore missing the opportunity to advance their Japanese proficiency.
There are 8 levels and you can obtain certification of each achievement level. (Attendance 80% and grade 70% or more required)
KAI also provides opportunities to practice Japanese learned in class in programs such as Free Talking, Leader's Talk, essay writing workshop, discussion workshop, and Open Class.

Program (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

Beginner Level ( Level 1, 2 and Pre-Intermediate Level

Students will be taught basic grammar sentence patterns firmly, and Japanese assembling is understood thoroughly.

Intermediate Level ( Level 1, 2 and Pre-Intermediate Level)

Variation of expressions is learned around communication skill learning after six months, thereafter which the power of application is acquired.
(More Social Topics / Grammar Strengthening / Vocabulary /Kanji 1000)

Advanced Level ( Level 1 and 2)

After one year, students will achieve advanced level of Japanese communication skills. Students will be able to speak and write with accuracy and logic. Achieving a level of sophistication in their communication will enhance their ability to speak with others comfortably and build their human relations network.
Students are encouraged to choose elective classes In order that they can learn Japanese general communication skills and contents efficiently.
( Expressions - Logical Expressions / Preparation for Special or Technical Fields / Kanji 2000 )

Elective Subject List (examples)

Japanese Live Coverage (Conversation and Listening)/ Japanese Circumstance (“the project X” NHK's TV PROGRAM/ Business Japanese / Short Sentence Clinic (grammar)/ Discussion “Chattering Space”/ Writing Essays / Technique to Obtain Information / Academic Japanese / Speech and Discussion / Preparation for Japanese Proficiency Test Level 1 & 2 etc.

Event

It is necessary to learn about Japanese culture because you will then be able to understand the Japanese cultural background, which will relate to better use of Japanese. Therefore, we will have sufficient extracurricular activities planned as going to museums, seeing SUMO-beya (sumo-rikishi's training house), Asakusa (old traditional area of Tokyo)etc.
The school supports fun extracurricular activities such as speech contests actively to offer additional opportunities for our students to learn and discover more while providing stimulus and active involvement. Participation in school functions and sporting events are also encouraged.

Free Talk Program

The social background and the awareness of Japanese sensitivity are very important to learn Japanese. These can be realized through actual experience by talking with ordinary Japanese people.
The Free Talk Program is set in our general course so that students can experience the conversation of Japanese, which is natural and used in daily life.
You can find the following as participants in our Free Talk Program - college students, office workers, retirees, housewives, managers, entrepreneurs, etc., ranging in age from their 20's through 70's and varying in a wide field of interests and occupations.
Have an opportunity to learn each other's values, experience differences in culture, and through more abundant interchange with the average Japanese, make learning Japanese more meaningful.

Support Program

Even though a wonderful program has been established, if you are not stable mentally or if you have concerns that the program is not working for you, the school provides an orientation and system of learning support and advice which we outline below.

Orientation

You may feel "Why Is such practice needed?" "I don't like this method."
These concerns or doubts may hinder your progress.
The orientation session given at the beginning of your term will introduce you to the support provided and explains the learning methods used at KAI. Support is offered throughout the program of study with our concerned and warm counselors, always ready to help.

ASK - Advisory Services @ Kai

（Advice = Sodan = Kyoryoku ）
A counseling, education and referral service to help students manage personal, academic and professional responsibilities (e.g., housing, daily life issues, college/university, career planning, visa extensions, etc.).

Financial Grants

Kai provides a limited amount of financial aid, to students holding pre-college student visas, through our grant program. 3-4 students per term will receive 50,000 yen.
To qualify for a grant, students are recommended by our instructors and must write an essay and are interviewed.
*Applicants must be a Pre-college visa student.
Kai also recommends other scholarships (below).

Japanese Educational Facilities Entering School Student Learning Encouragement Fee (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

Apply from April to May
For those whose attendance is more than 90% and plan on going to university, graduate school or vocational school
50,000 JPY /month for 12 months

ISU-HYON Scholarship（LSH ASIA Syogakukai' ）

Apply from April to July
For students from Asian countries.
25,000 JPY/month for 6-months

Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Student Reservation Program

Insurance for Students

Students must be prepared for any kind of emergency or medical attention when studying abroad.
Students, who study at Kai as pre-college visa student, need below A&B insurance.
Other students who will not enroll for the national insurance are recommended to obtain travel insurance before you come to Japan.

A: National Health Insurance of JAPAN

The National Health Insurance covers 70% of hospital care such as illness or injury. It will pay for chronic illness, which travel insurance doesn't cover. You are responsible for only 30%, as the insurance will cover 70%. Therefore it is vital insurance when you stay in Japan for a prolonged period of time.
All the residents that live in Japan more than a year are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance program. Please apply to the ward office of where your local residence is and make the necessary application. Monthly Insurance premiums are about 1,500 JPY per month.

B: Insurance of Mutual Aid Association for Pre-College Students (10,000 JPY/year)

This is a special insurance for students holding a Pre-College Visa.
Further financial benefits will compensate the 30% hospital care not covered by the National Health Insurance program. This insurance is recommended as it provides additional coverage in many cases

Example

when it costs 10000 JPY for treatment
(A) The national insurance 7,000yen + (B) Mutual Aid Association's 3000 JPY
= you pay 0 JPY

Visa

You may study Japanese for a short term (maximum 6 months) with a short-stay visa. Requirements for obtaining a short-stay visa vary depending on your nationality. Please contact the Japanese embassy in your country for details.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

If you wish to learn Japanese for a longer period of time (3 months to 2 years), you need to obtain a Pre-College Student Visa.

If you are from the countries listed below, you may apply for a working holiday visa. With a working holiday visa, you can study Japanese during your stay in Japan.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• Korea
• France
• Germany
• England
• Ireland
• Denmark
• Taiwan
• Hong Kong (from January 2010)

Admission Procedures

Enrollment
Kai welcomes any enthusiastic student with proper visa status to enroll in our General Course Program. (Those who have spouse visa, working visa, working holiday visa, temporary visitor visa, research visa, missionary visaetc., are also eligible and encouraged to apply.)
Pre-College Visa is available for General Course students. Please check the details to click the link below.