Job Discussion Forums

lostinparis

Okay, so I've officially decided to leave the land of berets, wine, and cheese for kimonos, sake, and sushi.

The problem is... even though I'm half-Japanese, my language skills are very poor. My grandmother used to speak to me in Japanese when I was small, which means I have the vocabulary of.... an average two year old.

Where can I go in the Tokyo area (or surrounding area) for decently priced language lessons that I can actually manage with a teacher's schedule (and salary)? I've been looking on the internet without much success and was hoping some of the regulars here could point me in the right direction.

Thanks, as always, for the intelligent advice!

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you're still living in the shadow of Sacre Coeuｒ, I'm assuming you're not in Tokyo yet.

When you get your location - work and home - figured, please let us know.

I'm also looking into language schools in Tokyo. I'm told that Kumon is quality but a little expensive. There are lots of them in Tokyo. One at Ichigaya on the Sobu/Chuo line.

Anybody else have recommendations on the Sobu line? I'm looking for grammar and conversation, but can only afford one lesson a week. I'd prefer to be in a class rather than solo lessons. I learn better that way.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

TokyoLiz,
I've recently found out about a language school in Tsuga. I'm thinking of starting there. The name is LSW School. It's 5,700 yen for one month plus a 5000 yen entrance fee. That price gets you one small group lesson each week. For 10,000 yen you get two a week. I found its advertisement posted at the Chiba internatioanl center.

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

please dont go with Kumon - you will be filling out little booklets in a room full of Japanese school kids "cramming" English, Maths and other subjects. no conversation to speak of (pardon the pun).

lostinparis · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:03 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies. It's true I'm still in Paris at the moment, but I leave for Japan in about 3 weeks, so I'm trying to plan ahead.

I just got my location details today. I will be in Matsudo City, Chiba prefecture.

GuestofJapan - does LSW have a website?

cheers

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

No website that I'm aware of. I believe it is a new school and probably quite small. Im most major cities you can find free Japanese lessons at community centers, however these are usually done by English speaking housewives who have absolutely no skill in teaching Japanese. Amazingly, you will find the free lessons to be a waste of time.

When you get to Japan, I'll be happy to provide you with the contact info for the school. I'll probably be a student there at that time, so I should be able to provide some more insight. As of now the only things I know are that it is cheap, convenient for me, has small classes as opposed to private lessons, and that they say they use trained Japanese teachers.

kovac · Joined: 12 Apr 2003 Posts: 78

wow matsudo city...the "brixton" of chiba...if you find a good school with flexible hours let me know as I flit in between various schools on the joban line due to work commitments...