r/movingtojapan • u/Yahel__________ • 1d ago
Education Language schools and different cities
I am planning to move to Japan next year and go to a language school, I want to make friends (not necessarily japanese just people to spent time with), I want to get a job and I want to experience the life in japan with all its pros and cons.
My questions are:
How do I go about doing the JLPT exam? Do I do it through the school when applying do I need to go do it on my own? Do I even need to do it? (I saw there are exams when interviewing now)
I am pretty sure about 2 schools, one in Fukuoka and the other in Sapporo but which city will be more accomodating to foreigners, which city will be harder to get a job in and to just live in general in?
I saw that there are a few schools by the same company and wanted to ask if they teach the same way? Are others necessarily better than others?
If there is anything else I should know I would love to get more information, procedures needed to be done before and whatever you think can help. 🙏
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u/GenkiJACS_ana 8h ago
Japanese Language school staff here! If you're referring to taking the JLPT in order to apply for a student visa under the new regulations, it is generally best to take the exam before submitting your application, as this is not something that can be arranged through the school.
That said, I would recommend checking the specific requirements of the school you're interested in. Some schools may not accept the JLPT alone and could require you to take their own placement or entrance test. In some cases, passing the school's test may be necessary to proceed with the application, regardless of whether you have a JLPT certificate or a 150-hour Japanese language course certificate.
As for the JLPT itself, the test schedule depends on your location. It is typically offered twice a year, in July and December, but in some countries or cities it may only be available once a year. I recommend checking the official JLPT website for the most accurate information regarding test dates and locations in your area.
Regarding your question about Fukuoka and Sapporo, both are great cities, but they offer a different experience compared to Tokyo or Osaka, for example. Tokyo and Osaka have larger international communities and generally provide more job opportunities for foreigners. On the other hand, Fukuoka and Sapporo can be excellent choices if your goal is full immersion in the Japanese language and culture, as English is not as widely used and you'll likely have more opportunities to practice Japanese in daily life.
As for the teaching methods, this is something you'll need to confirm directly with each school. Every school is different, and while some institutions maintain the same teaching approach across all of their campuses, others may adapt their methods depending on the location or branch.
Overall, I recommend checking the JLPT website for exam dates and locations near you, and contacting the schools you're interested in directly to learn more about their admission requirements, teaching methods, and language proficiency expectations.
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Language schools and different cities
I am planning to move to Japan next year and go to a language school, I want to make friends (not necessarily japanese just people to spent time with), I want to get a job and I want to experience the life in japan with all its pros and cons.
My questions are:
How do I go about doing the JLPT exam? Do I do it through the school when applying do I need to go do it on my own? Do I even need to do it? (I saw there are exams when interviewing now)
I am pretty sure about 2 schools, one in Fukuoka and the other in Sapporo but which city will be more accomodating to foreigners, which city will be harder to get a job in and to just live in general in?
I saw that there are a few schools by the same company and wanted to ask if they teach the same way? Are others necessarily better than others?
If there is anything else I should know I would love to get more information, procedures needed to be done before and whatever you think can help. 🙏
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1
u/shellinjapan Resident (Work) 12h ago
Google the JLPT to find your nearest test centre. It’s only offered at certain times of year, so it’s not something the language school can administer through your application. You will need to apply for it on your own.
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u/ikwdkn46 Citizen 1d ago
You can take the JLPT outside Japan, as its test centers are located in major cities in many countries.
In addition, due to recent changes in visa regulations, you will be required to submit proof of a minimum level of Japanese proficiency (e.g., JLPT N5) when applying for a visa to enroll a language school in Japan. While there is an alternative option of submitting a certificate showing more than 150 hours of Japanese language study, people say the acceptance of such documentation is somewhat uncertain. Therefore, it seems far more reliable to obtain a JLPT certificate before applying for a visa.