|
Program & Admission Information - Kanazawa, Japan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The teaching of functional language skills in an action-oriented approach is at the heart of our methodology. Students are taught the skills students need to communicate in real life situations. Exercises to improve fluency and accuracy are combined with communicative small-group activities. Very close attention is paid to the degrees of control in the practice leading from initial presentation of the new language towards realistic communicative use of that language.
The Framework of our approach is defined by the Scale of Levels, which is based on over 15 years’ research and development. The Scale of Levels were further developed to produce the Common European Framework, and the related official European Language Passport.
A placement test is given on arrival to place students in classes appropriate to their current language levels. The results of the placement test are given to the teachers who then create an adapted teaching plan for each class and student.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students need two components to achieve success in language learning:
1.Language Resources: Knowledge of the grammatical structures, the vocabulary, the types of phrase and pronunciation necessary in order to be able to communicate.
2.Communicative Interaction: Experiential learning to get used to formulating what he/she wants to say, reacting spontaneously, finding ways around difficulties of expression.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Student progress is monitored through regular homework, a feedback session every Friday, which is used to discuss the previous week and the plans for the following week, and a weekly quiz on the language learned that week. At regular intervals, local coordinators talk to groups of students about their satisfaction with progress in language learning. In addition, regular and end of course tests are given to each student to evaluate the language level reached. There are two tests:
|
|
|
|
|
1.Language Resources
2.Communicative Abilities
|
|
|
|
|
The Language Resources test is taken from a bank of questions testing knowledge of the grammatical structures, the vocabulary, the turns of phrase necessary in order to be able to communicate at the student's level. This test may be taken on paper, or on computer in the multimedia learning center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Communicative Abilities test may not appear to be a test. Every week, the student has a longer communicative activity, which the teacher uses to spot strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the teacher uses a detailed set of criteria to evaluate the language level demonstrated by those students who are leaving that week. Teachers already have a good impression of what the student can do, but they follow a standardized assessment procedure, in order to ensure that their impression is fair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Language & Culture Course
is available for students at any level beginning to advanced. Each lesson has a duration of 50 minutes. The course will provide opportunities for students to develop skills in the Japanese language, get to know Japanese culture and way of life and gain insights into Japanese business practices and attitudes.
Self study in the multimedia learning center is available for all students and there are learning resources of all kinds: audio, video, computer assisted language learning. These elements are all available for students to work independently.
The course takes place Monday-Friday, morning and afternoon, is divided into the two following areas:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 Group lessons per week. Students will develop skills in understanding and speaking Japanese and some reading/recognition skills essential for traveling in Japan. The maximum group size is 10 participants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Culture Program is optional and is included in the program at no additional cost. In the afternoons, there are 5 hours of cultural/social activities per week. Topics are varied and provide a stimulating way to learn about Japanese culture and society. The information in the Culture Program will also be provided in English and participants need at least an intermediate knowledge of English to fully profit from the course.
Some of the activities:
Tea ceremonies, Kimono clothing, gold leaf chopstick making, calligraphy, origami (paper-folding), cookery courses, seal making
|
|
|
|
|
Day - At - A - Glance
9:00 - 9:50 Grammar
10:00 - 10:50 Oral Skills
11:10 - 12:00 Vocabulary & Games
12:10 - 13:00 Video & Listening Skills
13:00 - 14:30 Lunch
14:30 - 16:40 Cultural & Social Program
* Day-At-A-Glance is a sample day and will vary depending on enrollment, time of year, lodging, etc. It is designed to show content rather than precise scheduling
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Admissions & Academic Credit
|
|
|
|
All students age 18 years and over who have a basic knowledge of English regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality are accepted in the program. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students desiring credit for their study should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. universities consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A certificate will be issued to students provided he/she has attended the course regularly. The certificate describes quite precisely the stage the student has reached in language training in the following areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
|
|
|
|
