Greeting from the Principal

Welcome to Kitakyushu YMCA!

At the Kitakyushu YMCA Japanese language school, many students of various nationalities such as Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Russian, Nepalese and more gather and study. By helping them acquire the Japanese language, we aim to produce people who will successfully flourish in the world and realize the world peace.

Characteristics of the YMCA

At the Kitakyushu YMCA Japanese language school, we provide each individual stundent with sufficient support for them to make their goal come true. We place the biggest emphasis on supporting thier study, then on thier daily life and next on the guidance counseling. Here, the biggest goal for our students is to acquire sufficient level of Japanese to enter university or graduate school.

Our Japanese classes are small with around 15 students and all teachers are experienced. We provide students with extra classes according as their degree of advancement and also provide Kanji classes for those who come from non kanji countries. At the YMCA, there are also classes given by volunteers once a week where students can enjoy communicating in Japanese and improve it at the same time. It is a great place for students who do not have many opportunities to speak with Japanese people and it is open for everyone.

For our students to have a secure life in Japan, we also support them in their daily life. There are Japanese, Chinese and Mongolian teachers who take charge of guiding students and they can consult housing, sickness, part-time jobs and other daily troubles with those teachers. We provide students with manner seminars too where students learn greeting and work manners in order to help them get accustomed to the life in Japan as quickly as possible and also to be able to work successfuly in Japan.

Upon students’ entrance into the YMCA, class teachers start conducting interviews with them regarding their future plans. We give them guidance counseling on college and university or on job hunting according to their respective plans. We aim to help them have clear visions on their future.

Scholarship policy

We have two kinds of scholarships. One is a scholarship given by the Ministry of Education and the other is given by the Kitakyushu YMCA to the best student from each class three times a year and 5,000 yen each time.

Guidance counseling

We provide students with guidance counseling that meets students’ needs and plans. Starting to set up a future goal and prepare for it upon the entrance to the YMCA is essential. We advise students to choose a college, university or a graduate school they want to go up to and counsel it with their class teacher and make a decision. All students who wished to go up to a highr education have been successful at our school.

Life in Japan

Living cost in Kitakyushu is low. Average living budget ( rent, food ect ) is 50,000 yen – 70,000 yen per month. Students with permit are allowed to work part-time for 28 hours a week ( 8 hours a day during a long holiday ) . We provide students with seminars where they can learn how to greet, take a job interview, working mannars and so on.

Short term・long term courses

We provide short term・long term Japanese language courses for companies and institutions. Feel free to contact us for detailed information such as a course period, fees and so on.

Previous course results

・2002、2003 Incheon city Japanese language course　
・January 9th～31st 2008
Information Industry college in Taegu, Korea 12 people
・August 2008
Kitakyushu city ALT short term Japanese language course 16 people
・August 2009
Chelyabinsk National University, Russia　
Business Japanese course
・August 2009
Kitakyushu city ALT short term Japanese language course 14 people

Comments from students

「I came to Japan in April 2009. As a little child, I was crazy about Japanese animations and that led me to have deep interests in Japanese culture and their way of life and I strongly hoped to come to study in Japan. The impression many people have on Japanese people is polite and a year stay here in Japan has proved it to be so true. Also, I have been impressed with the kindness and earnestness of Japanese people. Transportation is very convenient and food is great in Japan. The clean country uses its natural resources very effectively too.」
How do you spend your holidays?
「I usually rest in my house enjoying what I like (listening to music or playing an instrument). Sometimes I work part-time at McDonalds or go to a library to read my favorite books」

What surprised you in Japan?
「That we have to sort out garbage into many different kinds surprised me.」

What is your favorite Japanese food?
「I like traditional Japanese food, especially natto, sashimi and sushi.」

「I came to Japan in April 2010. I have longed to learn world famous Japanese advanced medical technology after studying Japanese language at the Kitakyushu YMCA. When I first arrived in Japan, I was impressed with its cleanliness. Japanese people are very kind, too. I feel secure living here as people are always nice enough to help me out in everything. I respect Japanese people in a way that they are hardworking and are very punctual. I learned in a manner seminar at school that the way people greet is what makes the first impression. I would like to make the most of this opportunity of living in Japan, learn Japanese culture and keep in mind that greeting is very important. We all hope for a bright future. The clean city Kitakyushu is waiting for you 」

How do you spend your holidays ?
「I cook Mongolian food for friends and sometimes go on a picnic in a group.」

What surprised you in Japan?
「One of the things that surprised me was that Japanese people always go by the rules. I guess they are the best mannered nation in the world. I find it great that everything goes in order. 」

What is your favorite Japanese food?
「My most favorite Japanese food is tempra. I never get bored of eating them !」

「I would like to recommend Japan to those who are planning to study abroad. Japan is a country where foreign students can learn so much about many things. I always thank the teachers from my heart who support us and provide us with great education.」

Information for your application

Course;

6 months, 1 year, 1 and 1/2 years, 2 years

Levels;

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced　

Semesters;

Spring semester: April～September
Fall semester: October～March

Lesson schedules;

Mondays to Fridays,2 Periods per day, in either the morning or afternoon
Morning course　：　 9 a.m.～12:30p.m.
Afternoon course　：　 1:10 p.m.～4:40 p.m.

Application Deadline;　

Spring semester　：　November 10
Fall semester　：　May 10　

Applicant Requirements;　

①　Must have high school diploma or equivalent conditions as below.
②　Must have at least a basic knowledge of Japanese language.　
③　Student’s sponsors are capable of paying tuition and all living expenses.　

VISA;　

Student VISA

Application fee;　

30,000yen (inc. tax)

Admission fee;

50,000yen

Tuition;

	1 year course	1.5 year course	2 years course
Tuition	560,000yen	840,000yen	1,120,000yen
Others	60,000yen	90,000yen	120,000yen
Total	620,000yen	930,000yen	1,240,000yen

Selection Process;

Screening of documents

Application Documents ＊obtain from YMCA

1) Application form *Required only when more than 5 years have passed since the applicant completed his/her final education. Explanation for study purpose
2) 7 pictures 4cm×3cm
3) diploma (last level completed)
4) school transcript
5) copy of proof of identification
6) copy of passport
7)Sponsorship
・evidence of sponsorship form ＊
・bank certificate　
・certificate of income　
・certificate of employment　
・certificate of relationship with applicant

Application process

1) Application;

Applicant must submit application fee (30,000yen) and all documents to intermediate or YMCA by deadline.

2) Screening

We conduct document screening and Japanese Language examination by phone or through internet.　
The level of Japanese language examination is equivalent to Level 4 in Japanese language proficiency test.

3) Acceptance Notification;

Upon payment of Admission fee (50,000yen), accepted applicants who passed documents screening and Japanese Language examination will receive notification, and the school will arrange for the applicant’s visa

4) Certificate of Eligibility and tuition information;

(mid-February for spring semester, mid-August for fall semester)
Upon payment of applicant’s tuition (620,000 yen/1 year) we will issue the certificate of eligibility.

5) Visa Application;

Applicant must submit their passport and the certificate of eligibility to the Japanese embassy in their home country in order to apply for their visa.

6) Coming to Japan;

You are requested to arrive in Japan prior to orientation day (we will inform you the date), and
be sure to inform us your arrival in Kitakyushu.

Applications from China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka require extra documents. Please inquire.

中国、ミャンマー、バングラデシュ、ネパール、モンゴル、ベトナム、スリランカからの申請は、別途提出書類が必要になります。お問い合わせください。

Photo Library

Kitakyushu YMCA Japanese Language School

TEL 093-531-1587
FAX 093-531-1589

〒802-0004
2-3-13, Kajimachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka-ken, Japan
》E-mail　》Inquiry
8 minutes walk from JR Kokura station
2 minutes walk from Buss Sunatsu station