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(This file is a print ready format)

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

1) Program Outline:

If choosing any of the combined options, you would either start in Okazaki and then transfer to Sapporo for modules commencing January 11th or February 8th, or start in Sapporo on either of those 2 dates and then transfer to Okazaki. Please see the schedule and list of options for details.

Sapporo Component: Class size is approximately 15 students per level. There is no maximum class size, but because Japanese language background/prior studies are taken into consideration with the application process, classes at any particular level rarely exceed 18 students. There are 20 classes per week. Each lesson is 45 minutes in duration commencing from 9am and finishing at 12:25pm. Daily class times are 9:00 to 9:45, 9:50 to 10:35, 10:50 to 11:35 and 11:40 to 12:25. All classes are taught in Japanese only by qualified and experienced JFL teachers, all are native speakers. On the first day of the program, you receive placement testing and an orientation. You would live in dormitory accommodation.

Okazaki Component: Class size is approximately 6 students per level. The maximum class size is 15, but rarely exceeds 10 at this time of year. The Okazaki component involves studies in the program called SILAC, though studies in the Acceleration program format 2 are also possible (ask Admissions for a quotation). There are 23 classes per week in SILAC. Each lesson is 50 minutes in duration commencing from 9am and finishing at 2:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays, and until 11:50am on Fridays. Daily class times are 9:00 to 9:50, 10:00 to 10:50, 11:00 to 11:50 in the mornings, and 12:40 to 1:30pm and 1:40 to 2:30pm in the afternoons (Mondays to Thursdays). All classes are taught in Japanese only by qualified and experienced JFL teachers, all are native speakers. On the first day of the program, you receive placement testing and an orientation. You would live either in homestays or in the student village or equivalent accommodation. The Aichi Center has additional options available including apartments.

Arrival Details: Regardless of whether you commence in Okazaki or Sapporo, please arrive 1 or 2 days prior to commencement. If travelling across more than 6 time zones, or for a journey of more than 20 hours in total elapsed time, we advise arriving 2 days prior. If commencing in Sapporo the day prior to commencement, for accommodation reason we advise arrival at Shin-Chitose airport of JR Sapporo station no later than 4pm. Moving into the accommodation earlier than 2 days prior to commencement will be difficult as accommodation is in short supply, and please note that hotels can be particularly expensive, especially for the February 8th commencement date because of the Sapporo Snow Festival. If you need to be picked up at the airport or train station please ensure that you register your arrival details a minimum of 14 days prior to scheduled arrival.

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

2) Curriculum:

The focus of the curriculum is on conversation, grammar acquisition and improved oral and reading skills. We teach only modern contemporary Japanese grammar (you will not for example be exposed to classical texts) with an emphasis on speaking and listening skills. The classes are taught in Japanese only and Romaji is not used in instruction.

Minimum Entry Requirements: For the winter programs the major consideration is your current level of Japanese. Unlike the summer options, the Sapporo Center does not have a beginner level class, meaning that you would need to have studied Japanese for approximately 150-180 hours, read/write hiragana/ katakana, read a minimum of 150 kanji, and be able to understand the grammar used up to at least Lesson 25 of the curriculum taught by the Online Center. If you are unsure of whether your level is sufficient prior to application, please complete this online questionnaire. It would not be possible to start in Okazaki as a beginner, and then transfer to Sapporo due to the limited amount of time available. Beginners are advised to choose Okazaki only options - see Winter in Okazaki file.

All students entering the programs are graded via a placement test and placement interview on arrival. The placement test consists of 3 stages, a written test, a listening comprehension test and a one-on-one interview. This ensures that faculty can place you in a class with students who have attained a similar score in the placement test and are of similar ability.

Classes are usually offered from:

Pre-Intermediate and
Intermediate levels and above.

Depending on the number of students in the class above or below your initial placement and the difference in the proficiency level, it is usually possible to change classes after consultation and re-assessment with your academic advisor.

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

3) Schedule:

During the Sapporo modules, classes are held from Monday to Friday, with some optional cultural activities held in the afternoon. You need to be at the campus by 8:30am on commencement day. (Depending on your level, it may be that your classes would be held in the afternoon)

During the Okazaki modules, classes are held from Monday to Friday, with some optional tours available on weekends. You need to be at the campus by 8:50am on commencement day.

Please find the schedule for the program below. (Click here for printer friendly PDF version)

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

4) Program Fee/Costs:

The program fee includes all tuition and textbooks. An Airport (Chitose airport) or Station (JR Sapporo station) pickup service is included if required. Airfare and transfer between the 2 centers is included. Airfares to and from Japan are not included. Your accommodation (single room), bedding, gas, water and power utility bills are all included. Your accommodation includes breakfast and dinner, it does not include lunches. You would need to set aside some funds for sightseeing, entertainment and so on. For currencies other then $US dollars, click here for currency conversion

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

5) Application Forms and Enrolment procedure:

Application for the program is via the Online Application Form.

After you click the "send" button, your application will be processed automatically. You should receive an answer within 5 minutes as to whether you can be accepted, are on a waiting list, or are unable to join the Sapporo program. If accepted, you need to submit a passport sized photograph. The photograph can be either emailed to us or sent by post. Please do not simply scan your passport - what you need is a new photo, with a white background and reasonably good resolution. These can be either digital (jpeg or gif files) or analog (printed photos).
Click here to view samples of the kind of photo we need for your documents.

EMAIL: If sending by email, please use your passport number as the name for the attachment. The photo will need to be printed, so please use a reasonably high resolution (about 300 dpi). The file size should not exceed 50KB.

Please use the following address photos@yamasa.org

1) Please send 1 passport photo as approximately 413 X 413 pixel size (300 dpi preferred but not essential) if possible. If you don't know how to do this, then any size is OK.
2) Save the photograph using your passport number as the file name
(for example if your passport number is K0598181 then save the file as k0598181.jpg)
3) When sending your photo please send the following information as simple text:

Family Name
First Name
Nationality
Passport Number
Commencement Date

POSTAL MAIL If sending by post, please write your passport number on the back of the photograph.

If you are sending passport photos by postal mail, please send 4 photos as 3.5 X 3.5 centimeter size if possible.

For postal mail please address the envelope as follows:

Admissions Office (Photos)
The Yamasa Institute,
1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi,
Okazaki-shi, Aichi-ken,
JAPAN 444-0832

a) On the back of each photo, please write your family name and passport number.
b) Please include a letter/note with the following information:

Family Name
First Name
Nationality
Passport Number
Commencement Date

Contents - Outline, Curriculum, Schedule, Costs, Application procedure, Payment method, Refunds.

6) Payment Methods:

Payment of the program fee can be made by