Each class period is of 50 minutes duration. When the modules are averaged out, the standard format module averages 44 classes in each 2 week period. The variation in the number of classes per module is due to occasional public holidays. There is less variation with the seminar format, which averages 30 classes per 2 week period. When the preparation time is included, the seminar format is actually slightly more intensive than the standard format (Plus with a maximum of 6 students in the seminar classes, there isn't anywhere to hide if you don't prepare). For the private format, you need to schedule for 10 or more classes per week, with a maximum of 4 per day. With the private format please remember that you need to allocate approximately 2 hours of preparation and review for each hour of classes.

While students in the program do not study for a full year, the pace of learning is such that this is one of the most intensive programs in the country, and yet retains the low at-cost tuition rates only possible through a non-profit institute.

The intensity of the program is a key reason as to why Yamasa is good value. Not only will your budget for public transport, cost of living, accommodation, internet access etc be much lower than for alternative education providers, but you will receive far more actual instruction in Japanese than elsewhere.

Class Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays:
Start at 9.00am and finish at 2.30pm. (Standard format)
Start at 9.00am and finish at 11.50am. (Seminar format)

Fridays:
Start at 9.00am and finish at 11.50am. (All formats)

Notes:
1. Program hours calculated as 50 minutes in accordance with APJLE regulations.
2. Program hours does not include time spent in essential tasks such as placement testing. Yamasa is virtually the only education provider that only calculates the actual teaching time as program time. According to the APJLE regulations, activities such as Welcoming Ceremonies, parties and day-trips can be counted as classes. Yamasa does not consider these activities to be classes, even though activities such as testing are of course integral to the program. This means that the gap between the actual teaching hours of Yamasa and that of other program providers is also usually understated.

Click here to view sample STANDARD FORMAT weekly schedule.

Click here to view sample SEMINAR FORMAT weekly schedule.

Both of the schedules accessed above are only samples and would not apply across all classes. Also please note that Yamasa's teaching teams use an interactive style - rote learning has no place in the curriculum. You will be required to speak Japanese and participate in class discussions and graded accordingly.

The class hours listed does not include preparation time. You will need to prepare for classes and submit homework tasks.

In addition, all students enrolling in the Discovery programs should be able to learn to use Japanese language software and send/receive simple emails in Japanese. (A "name"@yamasa.org email address is supplied free on request). As mentioned earlier, all students will also have access to the interactive learning resources produced for Yamasa's OCJS as each resource becomes available.