Who is eligible?
All applicants who apply for our study abroad services
Free Japanese Lessons for Study Abroad Applicants
Free Japanese Lessons for Study Abroad Applicants
We are pleased to offer free Japanese one-on-one lessons to all applicants who apply for our study abroad in Japan services. These survival lessons will teach you the expressions /phrases and information you need to know to get your life started in Japan.
Each lesson will be one hour long and taught by a qualified Japanese language teacher. Even if you don't speak any Japanese yet, don't worry, our teachers are all fluent in English, and we can tailor the lessons to your needs.
Japan has a unique culture and set of manners that are different from those in America.
These are not typically taught in Japanese language schools, but they can be essential to your success in Japan. These lessons will help you overcome your fears and prepare for your arrival in Japan.
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Number of lessons and duration:
One 1-hour lesson
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Scheduled lesson dates:
Within 3 months of your arrival in Japan
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Lesson times:
TBD, by arrangement with the teacher (typically between 10am and 8pm Japan time)
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Lesson platform:
Zoom
We hope to see you in class!
Survival Japanese Lessons
This course teaches you the essential Japanese phrases and information you need to survive in Japan along with a few important kanji.
Topics covered include:
Convenience Store:
- How to interact with store clerks
- How to pay for items
- How to do the age check (for items like cigarettes and alcohol)
- How to read product labels
- Common convenience store items you don’t want to miss!
Restaurants:
- How to interact with waitstaff
- How to use a food ticket machine
- How to tip (Pro-tip: Japan has no tipping culture)
Food:
- How to make cup noodles and cup ramen (the fancy noodles have a few steps!)
- Which bottled water to avoid (Caffeinated? Sports Drink? Learn which is which)
Transportation:
- How to buy a train ticket
- Ticket rules (for example: keep your ticket until the end of your journey)
- How to use a commuter pass (such as Pasmo)
- How to interact with station staff
- Learning Kanji: the Japanese word for "exit"
- How to use buses and taxis
- Rules for public transportation
Streets:
- Escalator and elevator etiquette
- Traffic rules
- How to use a police box (For example, using them to ask for directions is common)
- Rules about drinking alcohol in public
Daily Life:
- How to use a laundromat
- Garbage sorting rules (take these seriously or you’ll get your garbage returned to you!)
- Gift flower etiquette (there are different types of flowers for different occasions)
Toilets:
- Learning Kanji: "men" and "women"
- How to read kanji on bidet toilets / Japanese toilets and how to use them
- Explanation of the purpose of the cold water tap on the toilet tank
- Toilet slippers etiquette
- Public toilet info: No paper towels in public toilets etc
- How to sit on a Japanese toilet
Pharmacies:
- Rules for bringing medication into Japan (some mental health medications for ADHD etc. are classified as drugs and can lead to arrest)
- Explanation of medications at a pharmacy (Learn which medication you’ll need for what symptom: headaches, stomachaches, etc. How to find personal items: deodorant, birth control, and feminine hygiene products)
Japanese Culture:
- Japanese communication psychology (honne and tatemae)
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Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for anyone who is planning to travel to or live in Japan. It is also a great way to learn about Japanese culture and etiquette.
Additional Notes:
- Lessons are taught by qualified Japanese language teachers.
- Lessons can be tailored to your specific needs and interests.
- Lessons are taught in a fun and engaging way.
Please contact us for more information.
We hope to see you in class!
