Greenheart Travel

Tag: japanese

  • Q&A: The Language Requirement for High School Abroad Japan

    Q&A: The Language Requirement for High School Abroad Japan

    So you’re ready to be a high school exchange student in Japan: Your U.S. school has agreed to award you credit for Greenheart Travel’s program, your parents support you study abroad, and you’ve been living and breathing all things Japan since you can remember. The only thing holding you back? The Japanese language requirement!

    All applicants of the High School Abroad Japan program are required to show proof of one of the following as part of the application process:

    1. At least one year of Japanese language instruction at the time of your application, OR
    2. A level 4 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

    Well, earning a level 4 on the JLPT seems like a pretty clear way to prove your Japanese skills, but one year of language instruction? That’s a bit less straightforward to prove, and how to do so is a common question for many applicants. We asked the Associate Director of High School Abroad and Short-Term Programs Allison to clarify.

    Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Allison.

    What do you mean when you say to have at least one year of Japanese language instruction “at the time of your application”?

    You are required to show that you have had at least one full year of Japanese language instruction BEFORE you complete your application, not based on the time you would arrive in Japan. (It’s also required you have a good grasp of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.) So, if you are applying for the Spring 2022 or Fall 2020 High School Abroad program in Japan, the deadline submit your completed application is by September 15, 2021 for Spring 2022 (Psst! Get a discount on the Spring 2022 program if  you apply by May 28, 2021). That means the latest you should have started learning Japanese was September 15, 2020!

    Do I have to take the JLPT? Am I more likely to get accepted if I’ve taken the JLPT or if I could prove one year of study?

    During the application process, you choose the way you prove your Japanese skills, either by showing proof of a level 4 on the JLPT or by showing proof of one year of Japanese language instruction. You don’t have to do both. In our experience, the majority of students opt to prove one year of Japanese language instruction instead of taking the JLPT. While a level 4 on the JLPT is very impressive, you are not less likely to be accepted if you choose not to take it.

    So if I don’t take the JLPT, what’s the best way to demonstrate I’ve had one year of Japanese study?

    If you can take Japanese at your high school, do that! Make sure to have at least one full academic year (minimum two semesters) on your transcript before you apply. If Japanese isn’t offered at your school, there other ways you can fulfill the one year requirement and other places to find a course. Most students do a mix of methods, from self-study combined with a weekly tutor to language exchanges and short-term intensives to year-long community college courses.

    If you’re in the early planning stages and you’re deciding how to learn Japanese before  you apply, think about it like this: What’s the easiest way I can show a possible school in Japan or potential host family that I’ve taken one year of Japanese? My best recommendation is to take a structured, official course, with concrete start and end dates, learning objectives, levels, and set learning materials (textbooks, websites, etc.). Make the application process easier for yourself by taking out the guess work of those reviewing your application (myself and the in-country staff in Japan!).

    Where can I find a class, online course, or private tutor?

    Have you checked our Teen Language Camp in Japan? You’ll learn a lot in a short period of time (and have a blast!), and it’s the perfect way to jumpstart your understanding Japan’s language and culture before you apply to the high school abroad program. You’ll be able to see the curriculum and prove your starting and ending level after pre- and post-course exams. However, this program lasts 1-6 weeks so you’ll need to continue learning once you return home.

    Otherwise, you might consider local or online options. The ability to meet in person in your area with a Japanese class or private tutor will vary by your location. If you’re most interested in classes in person, you could try locating a local Japanese culture center or association for course or tutor recommendations, or reaching out to a local community college or university to see if they offer a Japanese course you can enroll in.

    If you’re okay with an online course or tutor, there are many opportunities! A simple Google search will populate many results, such as Outschool. Some of the best options are online courses through universities, such as Oregon State, University of Michigan, and even other universities featured on online edX courses.  Greenheart Travel also offers online Japanese language classes for teens!

    Whichever option you choose, again — make sure you’ll be able to obtain an official proof of enrollment or completion. (For private tutoring, this could be a record or log of meetings and what you covered in each meeting, verified by the tutor.) You’ll need it for the application!

    Does self study count as one year of language instruction?

    Luckily, yes! But the truth is, it’s a lot harder to prove and a lot harder for host schools in Japan to understand. If you’ve only learned Japanese on your own, I’d recommend taking the JLPT to prove your level. One of the application requirements is a letter of recommendation from a Japanese teacher or tutor, written in Japanese. So if you study on your own, it’s a bit difficult to fulfill that requirement.

    If you do study on your own, be very detailed from the beginning. I’d recommend starting an excel spreadsheet. There, you can log the times and dates you’re studying and exactly what you’ve used to study (duolingo? a textbook?) what topics you’re covering and how you’re measuring your progress. A good rule of thumb is to study 5-10 per week and spend no longer than one semester (around 16 weeks) on one level. Need some guidance? Check out our leveling guide here.

    What happens if I apply without at least one year of language experience?

    In some cases, we will still be able to consider your application even if you haven’t had a full year of Japanese at the time you apply. If other parts of  your application are strong, we may be able to offer a “conditional acceptance.” This means that you are a good candidate and your official acceptance onto the program is dependent on a host school accepting you to study.

  • How One Teen Language Camp Alum Relocated to Japan

    How One Teen Language Camp Alum Relocated to Japan

    UK native and Greenheart Travel alum Tabby traveled to Japan on our teen language camp in Fukuoka in Summer 2018 and again in Summer 2019. Getting to know Fukuoka during her program was a great way to prepare for her current role, being a gap year student in Japan! We asked Tabby about her daily life in Japan, how her language camps impacted her, what she plans on doing next, and any advice she has for future students.

    Making Takoyaki during the culture class on Saturdays during language camp. Courtesy of Tabby.

    Is there any particular experience or something you learned on your language programs that inspired you to continue learning Japanese? What did you learn in those programs that you took with you?

    I always knew I was going to carry on studying Japanese beyond the language camps, but going to these language camps gave me an awesome insight into what it is like to study at a Japanese Language School in Japan. It taught me about Japan in the way I needed before I moved here, about making friends, homework load, how the lessons work etc. Obviously living in Japan is different from being in Japan for a month or less for tourism. Due to this reason I am so glad I was able to experience Japan beforehand, I got to know the stores to go for certain things in preparation for when I hoped to move here, I also had an excuse to spend way too much money on restaurant food and various trinkets which isn’t something that I can do now that I live here and still need a job. The area of Fukuoka had everything I needed in a small and convenient city and it was a great starting point for getting to know Japan since it is a very foreigner friendly city and easy to navigate while having all the modern part of Japan and relevant stores like Yodabashi Camera and Daiso it also had several traditional parts like the beautiful temples and shrines and izakaya along the river. It is such a wonderful starting place. So, since I need to learn Japanese fluently in order to enter and study at  Bunka Gakuen, I decided to save up and spend my gap year in Japan learning a language I love in order to enter the university I want to go to. I don’t usually love languages, I’ve tried French, German, Mandarin and Latin but I seemed to detest all of them but I found an unexpected love for the Japanese language which I am grateful for to this day. The camps definitely set me up very well for the future and I appreciate them being available.

    Sanmon, part of a Temple in Gion. Courtesy of Tabby.

    So you are doing a gap year in Japan to study at a Japanese language school? What inspired you to do that?

    I had a friend who joined my school when I was 10 who was half Japanese, she introduced me to Japan through her personal possessions and the snacks she ate. Over time I became intrigued by this whole new world of different things and from there I had always wanted to visit Japan. I’ve also wanted to study fashion design beyond school for a while now, maybe 4 years or more, and after doing a lifetime worth of research I found out about Bunka Gakuen (a fashion design college in Tokyo) about 3 years ago and I’ve had my mind set ever since. When I turned 16, not long after realising my dream for the future, I found out about Greenheart and a Japanese summer camp they offered. I was very close to the closing date for applications but we managed to get everything in on time and soon it was time to go. I had initially wanted to be with a host family but since I was late in applying I had to go with the dorms which was one of the best decisions I made. It was surreal, I was finally in Japan after 6 years of wishing to go. At first I was disappointed that I couldn’t go to Tokyo because of my Japanese level but Fukuoka was perfect and ever since I arrived there it has always been a special place.

    Could you walk us through a typical “day in the life” for you right now?

    A typical day in my life would consist of waking up at 5:00am, putting my rice in the rice cooker in order to cook for breakfast. While the rice cooks I usually go to for a morning walk and buy any food that is needed or that I am running out of, since food in Japan isn’t packed with preservatives I have to go grocery shopping several times a week. Then I come back and cook and eat breakfast followed by hours of studying or drawing art. I then have lunch just before Japanese Language classes start before 1:40pm. After 4 hours of classes finish at 5:30pm I cook supper, do more studying or drawing then wash my dishes and prepare for the next day. I usually make sure I only go out on weekends to make sure I am 100% focused on my studies and making sure I have all my homework done and I usually pre-prepare for the lesson so that I fully understand the grammar. I don’t have a part time job because my Japanese isn’t good enough yet but luckily I had saved up enough to last a whole year without earning any money.

    Tell us about the application process to Bunka Gakuen? What have  you learned about the process of applying to a university in Japan?

    I am not completely sure of the application process for Bunka Gakuen but I know that there is a lot of paperwork like there always is in Japan. It is the same application process for Japanese Nationals and Foreign Nationals except we have to present an in date visa, passport and residence card and we also need to qualify for N2 level fluency in Japanese. After that it’s just paperwork about sponsors and education level. There will be an interview held completely in Japanese and is usually held with 1-2 other people hoping to enter.

     

    Natsu Matsuri summer Festival Lanterns. Courtesy of Tabby.

    What do you hope to study and why?

    As I said before, Bunka Gakuen is a fashion design university so I hope to study fashion design, mainly garment pattern design and garment construction in order to make new and interesting shapes and patterns in clothes. I hope to carry on in Japan beyond university and work in the fashion industry in Japan. I don’t plan on returning to England because Japan makes me a lot happier and unless anything bad happens, I want to stay here as long as possible.

    Any advice for future students who hope to study or live in Japan once they graduate high school?

    One piece of advice I have is you need to save at least double the amount of money you think you need. Moving in fees and getting to know places and shops is a lot more expensive than I expected. Especially if your Japanese level is low and you’re unable to get a part time job, you need money. I also suggest looking at starting in a sharehouse before moving to an apartment since sharehouses are usually furnished and cheaper, you also get to meet and talk to Japanese people which will help improve Japanese dramatically before going to bars and trying to find friends that way, it can be hard when your Japanese level isn’t great.