Hello, I’ve been learning Japanese since August 2022. I’ve been self teaching through Duolingo, JapanesePod101 YouTube Channel, watching Japanese shows, listening to Japanese music, speaking with native speakers on HelloTalk, and I’ve been living in Japan since November 2023. (Spouse Visa)
I’d say at this point I am about N4 (from doing practice tests online). I can pretty much speak basic Japanese from asking for directions, ordering food, talking about basic likes and dislikes, etc
I can read and write Hiragana and Katakana and I know about 100 kanji.
I want to improve my Japanese much more at this point since I’m planning on living here long term. Are there any recommendations for schools in Kyoto? Obviously I wouldn’t want something to expensive but I’m open to hear anything!
ありがとうございます😊
by 1ToddThaGodd
2 comments
If you’re also working, then you would be better off finding a tutor instead of a language school, since afaik language schools are a full time thing (could be wrong).
The language school i went to was KICL, and i did the full 2 years. Entered at the lowest class, graduated from the 2nd highest (N2-N1) class. From what i’ve heard, the school took somewhat of a downturn after covid so i can’t say whether it’s still great or not, but when i was there it was pretty fast paced, regular tests, high motivation (especially in the higher classes) and i managed to improve pretty fast, so i can recommend it. The location is also really amazing, it’s on the 京都芸術大学 campus.
I have some friends who went to other language schools, so i only know what i heard about them, but you have ISI (pacing is pretty slow, and more of a “have fun” type of school) and 京都日本語学院 (some people who were dissatisfied with KICL for whatever reason went here, and said they liked it better, but since i (and most people) had no problems with KICL i’m not sure in what ways it’s better).
I know there are a few more language schools in Kyoto but i don’t know much about them. At the end of the day, you’ll need to do a lot of self studying anyway so doesn’t really matter what language school you go to in my opinion
I recommend Communica Institute in Kobe. It’s not Kyoto, but close enough to visit easily and cheaply!
It’s a smaller school, in a cheaper city that has excellent connections which makes traveling during holidays super easy and convenient. Kobe is my favorite city for its ease of living and convenience, yet being in between mountains and the ocean so you get beautiful views and nature is literally minutes away.
The teachers were great when I was there, and they really allow a lot of freedom and choice in what you learn. You can focus on jlpt, business Japanese, entering university or mix and match. Once you have the basics they will recommend classes for your level but you ultimately get to pick so if you feel that your listening, for example, is very strong you can choose to take higher level listening classes, but if your grammar is weaker you can drop down to a lower level class to catch up. It’s a really great system that allows you to constantly improve rather than get stuck in some way too easy or too difficult classes.
There’s a decent amount of tests, but not so many that you can’t have a life outside of school. Most of the people in my class could do a part-time job without falling behind.