Learning Japanese in Kumamoto

Aug 29, 2023

Learning Japanese in Kumamoto

Getting to grips with a new language is high up on the to-do list for many expats. Japanese can be daunting for many as it has its own unique writing system and linguistic structure. However, there are many classes that will walk beginners through the basics, as well as more advanced courses for those looking to use Japanese for business purposes. Here are a few pointers on where you can learn in Kumamoto prefecture.

Kumamoto YMCA

The Japanese department in the Chuo campus runs a range of courses from short three-month introductory sessions where you can get a grasp of the basics through to courses for graduate students and those looking for jobs with big Japanese companies. The college also has accommodation options should you need it. Fees are 198,000 yen for a three-month course including registration and materials.

Website: https://www.kumamoto-ymca.or.jp/kamitori-nihongo-e/641.html

Kumamoto Foreign Language Academy (KFLA)

KFLA is a good place to enroll with if you’re in Japan for work or study purposes. It’s a professional language institution offering 18-month courses for those who already have a basic grasp of the Japanese language and are looking to hone their skills for academic or vocational development. You will need to have an N5 (basic) Japanese language certificate or evidence that you’ve had at least 150 hours of learning. Classes here can take you all the way up to N1 (advanced) level and cost around 580,000 yen a year.

Website: https://www.kfla.ac.jp/en-kfla.html

Kumamoto International Foundation (KIF)

KIF runs activities aimed at helping expats integrate into the local community. This includes language learning. The organization also runs various language clubs across Kumamoto where foreigners can learn with volunteers in group and 1-to-1 settings. Session availability varies, but classes have been run in community centers in various wards including Kengun, Higashi and Minami. Classes are usually weekly and range from free to around 500 yen per month.

Website: https://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/default.html (in Japanese)

AQUA Japanese Language Training Center

Want to learn Japanese quickly? AQUA offers intensive one-week courses as well as options running over one month, three months and six months. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Japanese but these courses require a lot of effort and are not cheap – fees are around 900,000 yen for the six-month program while if you go for private 1-to-1 tutoring, expect to pay around 6,000 yen a lesson. However, teaching is of high standard and there are also additional classes in Japanese culture.

Website: https://www.aq-japanese.com/en/index.html

Private tutoring

Enrolling in a Japanese class is just one way of picking up language skills. Of course, you can also look into private tutoring. Although this is often more expensive, the advantage is that it is more flexible and you can structure learning around your own schedule.

You can find private tutors on websites such as JapaNeeds and Preply. For more informal options such as language exchange partners, try Tandem or My Language Exchange. If you’d rather do things on your own at a relaxed pace, there are some great online resources such as Tsunahiro and Minato.

Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons