By Declan Murphy,
Director - International Office

To master Japanese usually takes considerable time and effort. The length of time you need to spend at Yamasa will usually depend on the proficiency level you have before you arrive at Yamasa. Most students arriving at Yamasa have studied Japanese before, however beginners will find that studying "in-country" and at intensive levels will bring many advantages. The student visa is for 12 months (renewable) and the average student visa holder would study for about 14 months. For beginners, a stay of 18 months or 2 years is common - commencing in a beginner class and graduating from the Advanced Japanese Studies Program with a high level of proficiency. For long term studies the options include...

ACADEMIC:

Academic Intensive Japanese Program - (AIJP)
This intensive 24 class per week program is Yamasa's largest program. All 4 skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are taught and a strong grammatical base provides a good foundation for further studies. The program is best suited for long term students intending to study for 12 months or more.

Advanced Japanese Studies Program - (AJSP)
This 24 class per week program is specifically designed for advanced learners. As a minimum, you will need to have the equivalent of JLPT Level 2 (approx. 1000 hours of classroom study). All 4 skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are taught and the curriculum is best suited for students aiming for very high levels of proficiency.