Kumamoto University offers the following Japanese language programs for international students and researchers.
There are three types of Japanese language courses:
Japanese Language Education
The center provides the two types of Japanese language courses for international students:
Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Course
The Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Classes may be taken for academic credits by undergraduate students and students in the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP). Other students can attend these classes, but they cannot obtain any credits. Researchers are not allowed to take these classes.
Classes of various levels are available so that students can choose classes based on their Japanese proficiency and their interests. Japanese Studies Classes are offered to give students broad knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture, society, science and technology.
Intensive Japanese Course (Short-Term Exchange Program Subjects)
Intensive Japanese classes are for beginners who have never studied Japanese before, or those who want to study Japanese from the beginner’s level again. The following students are able to take these classes:
| (a) |
Japanese Language Trainees who are Japanese government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship students with an embassy recommendation, students in the Teacher Training Program, and students of the Japan-Korea Joint Government Scholarship Program for students in Science and Engineering Departments |
| (b) |
Graduate students and research students who have already passed the entrance examination |
| (c) |
Students in the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) |
| (d) |
Exchange students in the graduate school |
Only students in the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) can obtain academic credits from these classes, while other students (a, b and d above) cannot. If you have taken all the classes (16 credits per week) and have passed the final exam, you will be given a certification.
Japanese Class for Researchers
These classes are provided for researchers and for students who cannot attend the other classes. Students study basic Japanese 2 or 3 times per week. In addition to basic Japanese classes, there are classes for special purposes, such as “Medical terms in Japanese” or “Business Japanese”.
Counseling and Advising
Counseling and advising services are offered for the students' various issues and concerns both on their academic and personal lives.
The main aim of this service is to provide a wide variety of information of the Japanese cultural context to enable students to solve problems by themselves.
Orientation
Orientation programs are held in April and October for newly enrolled international students with participation from the related institutes.
International Student Activities and Networking
To promote international exchange, many kinds of activities such as exchange parties and field trips are held on and off the campus;
with university's staff, community, governmental organizations, and other institutes.
Advising on Studying Abroad
The center also offers advice and provides information for Japanese students wishing to study abroad.
To Homepage of the Department of Language Education
Japanese Language Courses
