How to choose an online Japanese language course

Nowadays, with the rise of video conferencing software post pandemic, it is much more normal to attend meetings online. The same is true for learning a language like Japanese. For some, it is even a more favorable experience, particularly for people with demanding schedules that don’t have the time to travel to and from a language school.

However, finding the right online language course can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it is important to take the time to do your research and choose the course that best fits your needs. In this article, we offer you some tips to help you get started.

The course teaching is a great place to start when it comes to choosing an online Japanese language course. It is best to choose one that is tailored to your learning and lifestyle. Whether you prefer to learn through audio, video, or written material, make sure the course provides content that works for you. Some schools are particularly good at catering to those of you who want to learn remotely so keep an eye out for these.

At TCJ, we offer a wide range of courses for all needs, levels and lifestyles. This includes those of you who want to learn online remotely. All our classes are based on the small unit learning method and the four skills assessment system.

The small unit study program (created by TCJ) is designed to help students learn and consolidate their Japanese language skills 30% faster than average learning environments. It is carried out using digital learning materials in small units. Each small unit of study consists of comprehension, output training, and review. This learning cycle promotes solid retention of the content learned.

The four skills assessment system measures reading, writing, listening and speaking. Our school uses it to correctly assess Japanese language proficiency, while providing study guidance and strong support for international students to succeed in their pursuit of higher education and employment.

When choosing an online Japanese course, it is also important to consider courses that provide comprehensive learning materials. This gives you access to a wide range of materials to practice and refine your language skills. Look for courses that include audio recordings, video lessons, and interactive activities to help you learn and make sure the course is comprehensive. A comprehensive course should cover all aspects of the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation.

At TCJ, we provide a whole range of support services and material to aid in the development of our language learners. This includes: digital supporting material (which can be reviewed on any device), recommended reading, listening and watching material, handouts during class and even a host of events. For example, there is a monthly conversation club and also an opportunity to join a tea ceremony with teachers.

When doing your research, find out or ask the school what video conferencing tools and interactive functions they use. At TCJ, we use Zoom and the interactive functions built into the platform, such as breakout rooms and the interactive whiteboard. This, we feel, is very important for keeping our students motivated and engaged when learning online.

Look for courses that are taught by experienced and qualified teachers. Check their credentials and read reviews from other students to make sure they have the experience and skills to help you learn the language effectively.

At TCJ, we offer an incredibly high level of Japanese language teaching at our school. All of our teachers are native Japanese speakers, are highly-qualified educators with degree-level education, and have overseas teaching experience, along with thousands of hours of classroom practice. In fact, many of our teachers are home-grown talent as they trained at one of our teacher training academies in Osaka or Tokyo.

An online class’s interactivity How interactive an online class is, is also one of the important aspects to consider when choosing a school. Look at a school’s website or speak to them to find out how they keep their online courses interactive. At our school, we do a lot to keep it interactive. Here are some examples is some of what we do:

• Debates and discussions.
• Social classes, designed to help students develop an understanding of culture and etiquette.
• Jigsaw reading.
• Peer reading and retelling.
• Interviews.
• Letter writing (e.g. online students wrote their own New Year’s cards and took a group photo at the end of the class.)
• Presentations (e.g. students were assigned one kanji character each and asked to research its reading, writing, meaning, vocabulary, etc. in advance and explain it to the class.
• Calligraphy.
• Role plays.

Knowing your weekly schedule and being realistic about what you can commit to is pivotal to learning any language successfully (including Japanese). Some will have more time during the week than others. However, the good news is that joining an online course will save you travel time, as you can join from your office or home.

Nevertheless, it is still important to know when during the day you can take classes, so have a look when online courses are available at different schools. Some, for example, may only offer online classes after the working day has finished.

Furthermore, have a look at how long each class lasts for and what types of classes are offered. You may find it easier to have longer or shorter class times, and some schools may even offer tailored classes that focus on specific objectives (e.g. gaining a promotion at work).

We can cater to all needs and levels at our language school. We offer classes for complete beginners, Light Standard class, ten Evening Business Classes for intermediates from beginner to the JLPT N2 target, and seven Daytime Standard Classes that focus on the JLPT N5-N1 targets for experienced learners. We even provide courses with a particular outcome in mind, such as kanji classes, speed learning programs, JLPT classes (N3-N1) or getting your first job in Japan, etc.

The large and varied selection of our classes is a great benefit for any learner, as there is no level, schedule, or objective that we cannot cater to. For a full list and explanation of all the courses we offer, please refer to our website here.

Price is always a factor when choosing to learn a language like Japanese. However, it is also important to consider the benefits of some online courses over others. Have a look at what previous students have achieved when taking a class online. Read testimonials and their school social media accounts to get a sense of this. Some schools may also be awarded so check for this as well.

As a result of taking courses at our language school, our students have seen promotions at work, moved jobs, gained higher salaries, gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, become translators, and even achieved a level of Japanese fluency. We are also highly awarded and have the ISO 29991 certificate.