Regular Japanese course
> Regular Japanese course
Course characteristics
Composed of 7 levels and a promotion system that responds to a student's proficiency
2 year course (school entrance period: 2 times a year - April and October)
Level promotion every 6 months
⇒Level table ／
⇒the promotion system
Seminar class and school-wide presentation
Comprehensive utilization of studies and research activities to enhance the the application of the students' abilities in Japanese (seminar class)
Cultivation of the ability to give presentations
Announcement of results at a school-wide presentation held at the university's large Theater Hall.
⇒Seminar Classes
Elective classes conducted in Japanese
⇒Elective classes
■Time distribution
※Depending on the term, there may be cases where the courses available will vary.
⇒Time distribution（results for fiscal year 2024）
■School calendar
⇒2025 Schedule
Class structure
Compulsory classes
Basic Subject Group
Subjects required to acquire language knowledge and cultivate language technique (20 hours per week)
Sentence patterns and expressions, characters and vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, writing, listening, and conversation
Composed of 7 levels from fundamental to advanced level classes →Promotion system
⇒the promotion system
Seminars
Classes designed to comprehensively utilize capabilities learned in the Basic Subject Group
⇒Seminar Classes
The results of the seminar classes are announced at announcement meetings.
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test and the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students
Classes designed for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N1 - N2) and the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students
Selection depends on promotion and purpose
Elective classes
This subject group is designed to deepen the students' understanding of Japanese from a variety of viewpoints. free-choice elective classes
Classes range from ""studying Japanese"" to ""studying in Japanese""
⇒Elective classes
Educational activities outside of the classroom
Educational activities not limited to the classroom
⇒Educational activities outside of the classroom
Projects conducted in cooperation with universities and vocational schools
Projects conducted at Kyoto University of the Arts and Kyoto Institute of Design, which belong to the same academic foundation.
⇒Cooperation project with universities and vocational schools
Seminar Classes
- Advanced Level
- Intermediate Level
- Basic Level
Advanced Level
■Advanced Level 2 Seminar Class (Seminar I)
In this class the students hold discussions on specific topics and present summarized announcements of the content of investigative studies.
Topic examples: ""My intercultural experience,"" ""Thoughts concerning husbands and wives retaining different family names,"" and ""The Kyoto brand challenging the world.""
■Advanced Level 2 Seminar Class (Seminar II)
In this class, students learn how to communicate their thoughts and feelings to others. Students have the chance to debate and discuss issues with their teacher on a one-to-one basis. In addition, students listen to Japanese guest speakers, take part in a question and answer session, and write a summary of the content. Furthermore, students learn how to give an impromptu presentation on familiar topics
■Advanced Level 1 Seminar Class
Here the students learn how to apply the Japanese they have learned in previous classes through research studies and gathering information. In these studies the students get in touch with a part of the society in Japan, through meeting Japanese people of all generations. The results of investigative research carried out on the Sanjokai Shopping Street are presented.
Intermediate Level
■Intermediate Level 3 Seminar Class
In this class students conduct research studies on Japanese culture and society, and then write a report. Students had the opportunity to attend a lecture on ""Shirakawame,"" a tradition that started in the Heian Era in which women walked the streets of Kyoto selling flowers. In addition, students participated in the reproduction of ""Shimenawa,"" braided rice straw rope used in Shinto purification rites, once prosperous in the region where the school is located now, ""Kitashirakawa.""
■Intermediate Level 2 Seminar Class<
In this class students decide on a topic themselves, and interview Japanese people as a study on the way Japanese think about the subject. The students then summarize their results in a report, and present their findings to their class.
■Intermediate Level 1 Seminar Class
In this class students use the library and the internet to study subjects they find problematic, including Japanese culture, life-style issues, the way people think about things, differences between Japan and their home country, etc. The results of their research are summarized in a report and presented to their class.
Basic Level
■Basic Level 2 Seminar Class
Students work as a group in this class, studying a topic of interest, including traditional Japanese culture, food culture, life-style issues, etc. By working as a group, and using the Japanese learned in their classes, we cultivate the ability to apply Japanese in study efforts. After presenting their results to the class, the group summarizes the results and publishes it as a pamphlet. In addition, reading aloud practice is included in order to understand the differences between pronunciation in their mother tongue, and the distinctive characteristics of Japanese speech.
■Basic Level 1 Seminar Class
The purpose of this class is to strengthen the students' ability in ""reading,"" ""writing,"" ""listening,"" and ""speaking."" Here the students practice using Japanese outside of the normal textbook work, discussing scripts, taking videos all on their own, presenting posters introducing classmates to their hometown, and giving speeches.
Elective classes
These classes are designed to help the students pass examinations and understand culture, etc. These classes can be selected according to the student's goals — going on to the next stage of education, finding employment, or just experiencing life in Japan.
- Kyoto Culture I
- Kyoto Culture II
- News with Japanese I
- News with Japanese II
- Business and Japanese
- Graduate School Preparation Class
- Challenge Calligraphy
- Challenge Kanji
- Preparation Class for Art Universities
Kyoto Culture I
Deepening Understanding of Kyoto through Lifestyle and Culture
- Develop an interest in Kyoto, where you live, and take the opportunity to research and explore on your own.
- Discover the joy of obtaining and learning information using the Japanese language.
Student Voices
I took this class because I wanted to learn more about Kyoto. There were many fieldwork activities, and I visited various places. I also learned about Shojin cuisine and studied Japanese food culture. I created a Kyoto map highlighting my recommended spots. Through Kyoto, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of Japan.
Kyoto Culture II
Based on the concept of "Kyogaku" (the study of Kyoto) in "Kyoshitsu" (a space for learning about Kyoto), this class explores Kyoto through history, allowing students to experience the joy of learning and deepen their understanding of Kyoto while studying abroad.
- Gain an overview of Kyoto by tracing its history and discover the enjoyment of understanding Kyoto through a temporal perspective.
- Find a new perspective of "exploration" to make walking around Kyoto even more enjoyable.
Student Voices
Since I took Kyoto Culture I, I decided to take Kyoto Culture II. Through fieldwork, I visited various places and learned about Kyoto trivia and traditional sweets. Uji left a strong impression on me. The course included many topics related to Kyoto’s history. Some parts were challenging, but I was able to learn things I wouldn't have known just by living here.
News with Japanese I
Gain an understanding of typical newspaper articles. Through this learning, deepen your knowledge of Japanese society and global affairs.
- Understand vocabulary and expressions used in newspapers and learn to summarize content concisely in simple language.
- Develop an interest in daily news and recognize its significance in your own life.
Student Voices
Since I came to Japan, I wanted to learn more about various aspects of the country, so I chose this class. In the class, we discuss last week's news, categorize it by theme, and learn related vocabulary. Then, we work on understanding the content. After taking this class, I started watching the news regularly and can now understand major news stories.
News with Japanese II
By reading newspapers and online articles, students learn vocabulary and key terms related to various topics, deepening their understanding of contemporary Japanese politics, economy, and society.
- Understand key terms from various fields and develop the ability to research and analyze social phenomena in Japanese.
- Enhance Japanese language skills by presenting researched news in Japanese and expressing opinions accurately.
- Learn about international news and perspectives from classmates through Japanese.
Student Voices
I chose this class because I wanted to study Japanese more deeply. In class, we read newspaper articles, selected themes, and held discussions.
Business and Japanese
Learn the manners and Japanese expressions necessary for job hunting and employment.
Special lectures are held with the Kyoto Prefecture International Student Job Support Center and Japanese companies.
Special lectures are held with the Kyoto Prefecture International Student Job Support Center and Japanese companies.
- Gain knowledge essential for finding a job in Japan and understand Japanese corporate culture.
- Improve communication skills with companies and conduct job hunting more smoothly.
- Learn basic business manners and apply them after employment.
Student Voices
Not only did I acquire honorific expressions and business document writing skills, but the etiquette lectures by specialists and the lectures from the Kyoto Prefecture Job Support Center were also extremely helpful. When I learned about the differences between job hunting in my home country and in Japan, I felt a sense of urgency that made me more determined. I believe that sense of urgency was what helped me successfully find a job.
Graduate School Preparation Class
Subjects for Those Wishing to Enter Graduate School
- Clarify research topics
- Write a research plan
- Find and communicate with suitable graduate schools and academic advisors
- Present research content in a structured manner
Challenge Calligraphy
A class for non-Kanji background students to practice writing with awareness of "beautiful Japanese writing." By focusing on writing while looking at examples, students learn correct stroke order and balance.
- Learn the basics of Japanese characters
- Write favorite words and create artwork
Challenge Kanji
Aimed at students from non-Kanji backgrounds, this class helps reduce resistance to Kanji and encourages independent learning.
- Application of textbooks, basic knowledge of Kanji in Japanese, introduction and usage of internet resources, Kanji games, etc.
Preparation Class for Art Universities
This class is designed to teach the students the knowledge and techniques necessary to pass the entrance examinations at universities specializing in the arts or design vocational schools. Students learn from the basics, so even students without any experience can take this class. In addition, an academic staff member or the person in charge of entrance examinations at the Kyoto University of the Arts (KUA) conducts a class at the school once every month (Preparation Course for the Entrance Examination of Kyoto University of the Arts).
Students in this class mainly study design, coloring, and three-dimensional perspective, with the focus on design. Students who have not studied art in the past begin with the basics. Studying from past entrance examinations, the students practice creating designs within a prescribed time limit. A special class is also held in order to raise the student's presentation capability, which is necessary in order to explain their designs.
| Class time period | October through July |
|---|---|
| Class fee | 160,000 yen（※an additional fee of about 15,000 yen is necessary for class materials）。 |
| Class time | 13:30 – 16:30
|
Academic career results (academic career results for fiscal year 2015)
- Kyoto University of the Arts
- Kyoto Seika University
- Kyoto Saga University of Arts
- Kyoto Institute of Design
- ICS College of Arts
- Osaka Designers' College
- Tokyo Designer Gakuin College
- Tokyo Design Academy
Prerequisites for taking a class
- Students intending to proceed to the next stage of education, either universities specializing in the arts or design vocational schools
- Students must be at or above the intermediate level as of October.
※This class is aimed at students studying from the basic level, so we do not conduct counseling for entrance examinations at graduate schools.
■Design
Here the students study design description methods, repeatedly draw basic motifs, and study design with an emphasis on composition.
■Color
The students learn the vocabulary related to fundamental colors through class exercises. Students learn about the special characteristics of color, in accordance with the Practical Color Co-ordinate System, and study the how to use color.
Preparation Course for the Entrance Examination of Kyoto University of the Arts
Preparation Course for the Entrance Examination of Kyoto University of the Arts
This class is conducted by an academic staff member or the person in charge of entrance examinations at the Kyoto University of the Arts (KUA) once every month. While confirming their own capabilities, students can learn the knowledge and techniques necessary to pass entrance examinations in phased studies. Students aim to pass the Entrance Examination of Summer Communication Admission (Aug., and Oct.) at the Kyoto University of the Arts. The content of the class is also useful for students who intend to proceed to the next stage of education at other universities or vocational schools, as it prepares students for their studies of the necessary knowledge and techniques after they enter a university or vocational school.
Educational activities outside of the classroom
■Presentations
The results of classwork, such as personal or group topics, etc., are presented at Shunjyu Hall, the university's large theater hall.
■Culture Day
We hold a Culture Day event every semester, to promote getting in touch with culture. Based on the theme of ""actually seeing, listening to, and experiencing"" Japanese tea ceremony, Yuzen-style dyeing, Nishijin weaving, Japanese cakes and sweets, Japanese dance and Kiyomizu pottery, this event deepens interest in the language and culture of Japan.
■Activities outside of the school
This is an exchange event that goes beyond the framework of class or level at the school. There is a small-scale sports meeting at a recreation facility and a lunchtime cooking event.
Cooperation project with universities and vocational schools
We conduct projects in cooperation with Kyoto University of the Arts and Kyoto Institute of Design, both of which belong to the same academic foundation.
■Kyoto Institute of Design
- Special lectures given by the academic staff (""Kyoto Culture I,"" etc.)
