Introduction of the Osaka YMCA Japanese Language School

" Increase your expertise at universities, graduate schools or technical colleges."
" Gain linguistic competence for international business "
" Broaden your horizons ~ cross-cultural communication with Japanese people ~ experience Japanese culture.

To make these dreams come true, Japanese language skills and a broad mind are indispensable! 
Osaka YMCA Gakuin Japanese Department has developed a diversified curriculum to help students attain this goal. Additionally, the instructors are competent individuals with much knowledge and have expertise in their fields, the classes and materials which they develop are equally high in quality. YMCA provides an environment with up-to-date facilities where Japanese and foreigners can interact and establish mutual understanding. Or Advisors will help the students with their career choices and with life in Japan. advisors  who will help them with their studies and life in Japan. Osaka YMCA Gakuin The Japanese Language Department strives to raise up open-minded students because your new-found language skills will open up to you brand new possibilities as you dream about your future.

Attain an advanced comprehensive level of Japanese

By individual learning methods incorporated at Osaka YMCA students can learn advanced Japanese comprehensively – listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will have the ability to pass level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, which is the level necessary for advancing to university or graduate school. However, in addition to gaining knowledge necessary for passing the examination, students will learn how to live and conduct work in Japan, understand Japanese culture and the Japanese way of life.

Achieve purpose of study, determine best course for future

All students participate subjectively in study and society. It is the purpose of the YMCA to help students to determine what is the best course for their lives.
In order to do this, the YMCA offers quality teaching and instructors who are able to work with students’ individual needs and help them reach their Japanese language goals. The instructors help students with not only their language studies, but also help them with adjusting to life in  Japan, assist them with visa paperwork and also act as guidance counselors.

Adapt to different cultures through training via communication

Through cross-cultural interaction, students gain the ability to adapt and learn to live in Japan with people of another culture.

Assist – Japanese language fluency leads to various peace-making opportunities

Peace can be created on earth – it starts when people live with their neighbor in harmony.  The YMCA wants to foster this opportunity, and therefore, in addition to school activities, students are given the opportunity to actively take part in various volunteer activities.

Osaka YMCA Gakuin instructors:

①Knowledgeable and experienced.
The instructors are not only leaders in their area of instruction and have experience as professors, but have written best-selling instructional materials such as the following books: Topic-based / Studying Japanese as an intermediate　learner and Topic based/ Studying Japanese as an advanced learner – published by Kenkyusha Ltd.(『テーマ別/中級から学ぶ日本語』、『テーマ別/上級で学ぶ日本語』研究社)
The Japanese Education　Association recognizes the quality of education at the YMCA Japanese Language Department and therefore it subsidizes the YMCA’s educational development research.

②Enthusiastic researchers who are avid students and love taking on new challenges.
The instructors are even more enthusiastic about their classes than the students themselves. The hold weekly research meetings, and stay late after work to discuss lesson plans with other instructors.  They are constantly thinking of the needs of the students. They encourage the ones who learn slowly with supplementary materials. Instructors participate in an annual all-Japan YMCA Japanese Department research meeting where all the latest research information is shared.

Our school is newly built and is  located in central Osaka where the transportation is very convenient. The classrooms have ample space for studying, creating an environment comfortable for  language learning. Each class has a maximum limit of 18 students. The Japanese language Education Association Stipulation sets the limit at 20, therefore YMCA offers plenty of room for education management.
A school yard on the roof is one of the facilities students can enjoy using during lunch break; they can play basketball or futsal.
Classrooms and the lobbies are always filled with the voices and laughter of friends. Computers are available for students to use for gathering school admissions information and to check mail. Study books and school admissions material are available in the academic affairs office for students to use at any time.

With the wave of internationalization surging in Japan from 1969, the Osaka YMCA Japanese School was established in order to provide foreigners with an education in conversational Japanese and Japanese culture. Afterwards, the YMCA began accepting Asian students who desired to study in Japan. 
In 1985, the full-time Japanese course was established. 
In 1989, Osaka YMCA Language School gained accreditation as a school recognized by the Japanese Language Education Association
YMCA continues to conduct education research and develop its teaching and has therefore become a leader in offering a high quality Japanese language. By diversifying YMCA Japanese language school strives to keep up with our ever-changing world.

1969  part-time course established  
1985  full-time Japanese department was established at Dojima, kita-ku Osaka
1988  first student-organized “foreign student bazaar” held 
          Conversation partner program started
          The Osaka YMCA international scholarship system established  
1990  Abeno YMCA Gakuin in Tennoji established a full-time Japanese language department  
1990  ‘How to become a Japanese language instructor’ seminar held  
1991  Japanese textbook published: Studying Japanese as an intermediate　learner (Kenkyusha Ltd) 
1993  Japanese full-time program moved from Dojima to YMCA Wexel in Bentencho 
1994  Japanese textbook published: Studying Japanese as an advanced learner (Kenkyusha Ltd)
1995  Japanese teaching material published: Advanced Japanese video educational material (NHK,Bonjinsha )
1999   scholarship system and support systems implemented  
2002  School moved to new facilities in Uehonmachi and the name was officially changed to Osaka YMCA Gakuin The Japanese             Language Department
2003  Japanese textbook published: Revised edition of Studying Japanese as an intermediate learner (Kenkyusha Ltd)
  　　  introduced a scholarship system for NPO/ NGO authorized staff
          introduced a scholarship system for Christian workers
2004  opening of “Nonohana Ryo(Wildflower)” student dormitory
2005  Seoul communication office “Japan YMCA Educational International Exchange Center” established
2006  Accreditation gained for “Curriculum Preparation”
2009  “Practical Japanese Course” introduced

YMCA accepted the following groups sent by the governments of various countries.

2000〜　AIR FORCE officer training (US government) 
2004〜2007　Japanese teacher training - for Australia (Austrailian government)
2008〜　Junior High and Senior high school Japanese study – British Council (British government)

RECEPTION for CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS

●Japanese language study for Korean high school students
2006  Seoul Foreign Language High School – Japanese language study program (summer intensive)
2007  Su-won Foreign Language High School – short- term Japanese language study program (summer intensive)
2008  Dong-du-cheon Foreign Language High School – short- term Japanese language study program (summer intensive)
2008〜 Changwon-nam High School Japanese Language Study

●OTHER
1996〜 Taiwan Chang-hwa YMCA Group summer / winter intensive courses
2008〜 Utah (USA) University student summer intensive course (Bukkyo university lecturer dispatch

Research and development activities of Japanese Language education subsidized by the Nisshinkyo Foundation(The Association for the promotion of Japanese Language Education)

1991  Development of advanced Japanese instructional videos  
1992  Vocabulary,  sorting and  sample sentences for intermediate level / advanced level learners
1993  Compiled sentence structures for intermediate level / advanced level Japanese learners 
1994  Put together reading curriculum for beginner level Japanese learners
1995  Established a systematic and efficient vocabulary acquisition system for the advanced level – module  1  
1996   Established a systematic and efficient vocabulary acquisition system for the advanced level – module 2  
1995,96  『conversation partner  program / Group counseling possibilities for foreign students
1997  native speakers incorporate use of their own knowledge in class instruction