IFIE Japanese Language and Culture Course

(Kanazawa, JAPAN)

Twice each year the Australia – Japan Society (ACT) arranges participants for a two-week in-country course in Japanese language/culture – in Kanazawa, Japan.  The course is run by the Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange (IFIE) in April and September/October.

The courses run for 2 weeks from a Sunday afternoon to the Friday evening two weeks later and include intensive language lessons, cultural activities and home stay accommodation with a Japanese family – this latter is one of the outstanding features of the program and certainly gives a boost to the participants’ language skills.

During the course, mornings are spent in formal language classes and, most afternoons, opportunities are provided to explore the local culture, either in organised classes and excursions or course participants are encourged to explore Kanazawa by themselves or with other members of the group.

The classes are tailored to the individual participant’s language skills – participants are assessed on the first day and placed in classes according to their language abilities. Beginner classes are available in the September/October intake.  There are excellent facilities and very helpful teachers at the Institute.

Below is a video about the program, and you can also find more information at  http://www.ifie.or.jp/ijsc/english/ijsp/index.html   The AJS two week course doesn’t, of course, cover the full range of activities shown for the longer courses in the video, but there are many common features.

The total course cost per participant, including all course fees, cultural activities and accommodation for the duration of the course (but NOT including fares to and from Kanazawa, Japan) is, depending on fluctuations in the $/yen ratio, around $900 – $1,100.  Participants are advised to allow about $30 – $40 per day for day-to-day expenses (bus fares, lunches, souvenirs etc) so the total cost for the two week experience, by the time you have travelled to and from Kanazawa, is usually around $3,000.

Applicants must be at least 20 years old, must be a member of an Australia – Japan Society or an affiliated organisation (or join one) and must be prepared to stay in Japan for the duration of the course.

This is a great chance to commence, refresh, improve or develop your Japanese language skills and, if your profession is appropriate, the cost may be tax deductible as a self-education expense.

For a more detailed outline of the program and for homestay application forms contact Michael Hodgkin, the coordinator of the program at;

E-mail:  ajsifiecourses@gmail.com

or snail mail: IFIE Program Coordinator, c/o Australia – Japan

Society (ACT), PO Box 1066, Canberra, ACT 2601