Learning a new skill is no easy task. If you’re reading this article, it’s likely you want to learn Japanese, or maybe you’re already taking Japanese classes. Learning Japanese is not simple either, but taking classes at a Japanese language school will help. Joining the right language school for you will help even more. However, choosing one is not easy. There are a large number of Japanese language schools out there, each offering different levels and variations of service, teachers, class sizes, and more. Plus, a school that works well for one student, might not necessarily be the correct institution for another. 

That’s where this blog comes in. Today, we give you a step by step guide on how to choose a Japanese language school, helping you find the most suitable place for you and your learning journey. Each heading offers a different recommendation.

We asked our students, past and present, what the first action was that they took when looking for a Japanese language school. A large portion of them gave this helpful advice: “Write your language school criteria out in front of you on a page or a document.” A bullet-point list will do. This should include the criteria you want and don’t want in a school. For example, you might not want classes to be online due to your learning style or maybe it’s a necessity for you to have private Japanese lessons in Tokyo. It’s also worth asking your employer what the budget is if you are a corporate executive learning Japanese as part of a work placement in Japan.

Write these points down and have a good look at them. Then prioritize them and decide which points are deal-breakers which are not. These points will dictate which schools you should add to your shortlist and, inevitably, which school you end up choosing. 

Lifestyle is at the cornerstone to any successful language learning experience. Without making time for classes, for practice and for homework, you cannot successfully learn Japanese. So it’s important for any learner to take a look at their weekly schedule. 

When can you fit in classes around work and family life? How much time per week can you assign to learning and when can you do so? It is important to be realistic about what you can afford to do when it comes to time management. No-one wants to bite off more than they can chew and fall behind with their study. Choosing the right schedule based on your needs as a learner will help you to learn Japanese successfully. 

The first question you should ask yourself when thinking about where to learn Japanese should be: online, in-person or a hybrid of the two? From our experience, we know that some students learn well through online classes, while others may find it easier to learn in person in a physical classroom. You may also find that online classes work better for your lifestyle if you have a busy work schedule. At TCJ, we offer both in-person and online classes.

If you’re going down the in-person route, the location of the school will also be a consideration. For example, you may work in central Tokyo, near Shinjuku. In this case, it would be better to have your Japanese language school near Shinjuku, Tokyo. A shorter journey time to and from your Japanese course when working in Tokyo, Shinjuku will keep you motivated to attend class and future lessons. In fact, our school is conveniently located by Shinanomachi station, just 5 minutes by train from Shinjuku station, in the heart of Tokyo. It is right next to the train station for excellent access and overlooks the beautiful outer gardens of Meiji Shrine, where the scenery changes with the seasons. For more information on the location, please see our school location site page.

Every learner has to start somewhere, even as a beginner. However, it is important to have a look at which levels a language school can support before you book one in. Some schools specialize in supporting learners at specific levels. So make sure you do your research before picking a school.

Other institutions may support different types of lifestyle or demographic. For example, at TCJ, we have Japanese language courses specifically designed for corporate executives, expatriates (expats) and foreigners. We run classes specifically designed for finding a job in Japan, evening classes for learners that cannot join a course during the day, as well as group tuition and private lessons. For all the different courses that we offer, please refer to our courses page.

Once you have a clear view on the criteria for your ideal language school, you can begin to take a look at some online. Or you may even be able to get recommendations from friends, family or colleagues. When you have identified some, we recommend writing them down as a shortlist. This will help you to add details surrounding them and to grade them on whether they are right for you. We recommend researching each school on your list to find out if they meet your criteria. Have a look at what courses they offer, the support offered, the content that they create online and add these details to your shortlist. When we asked our students, they said that reading school testimonials and looking at their social media content was a great way to get to know the institution. Then one by one you can start to remove the schools that don’t fit your criteria and rank the ones that you like the most.

Once you have a clear view on the criteria for your ideal language school, you can begin to take a look at some online. Or you may even be able to get recommendations from friends, family or colleagues. When you have identified some, we recommend writing them down as a shortlist. This will help you to add details surrounding them and to grade them on whether they are right for you. We recommend researching each school on your list to find out if they meet your criteria. Have a look at what courses they offer, the support offered, the content that they create online and add these details to your shortlist. When we asked our students, they said that reading school testimonials and looking at their social media content was a great way to get to know the institution. Then one by one you can start to remove the schools that don’t fit your criteria and rank the ones that you like the most.

We’d love to talk to you, so please get in touch if you require more information. Whether you’re a corporate executive and an expatriate or not, we’d be happy to help. Whatever your requirements, we can find the right Japanese language course for you (such as evening classes in Shinjuku, Tokyo). Simply get in touch and we would be happy to advise you on picking the right course for your working, learning & lifestyle.