International Christian University
Japanese Language Program
Accommodating the Various Students' Needs
Around 300 students from about 30 countries are enrolled in JLP courses at any one time, including degree-seeking regular four-year students, one-year exchange students, and graduate students.
Students will be placed either in <Japanese Track: Japanese as a Foreign Language> or <Special Japanese Track: Japanese as a First/ Heritage Language> according to the placement test result.
JLP hopes to provide the foundation for students to fulfill their potential in our dynamic and diversified world.
Do you want to study at ICU in the summer? Then, ISPJ will be your best choice.
ICU International Summer Program in Japan (ISPJ): Four weeks in July, ICU offers a) a task-based language study component and b) a thematic, omnibus component that focuses on various aspects of Japan, such as culture, history, society, economy, politics, and business. [Click here for details]
I. Japanese Track:
Japanese as a Foreign Language
This track covers all language skills, and students are expected to participate actively in classes that are kept relatively small. There are tutorial sessions where students can receive individual attention.
Students without previous knowledge of Japanese are welcome to pursue a degree at ICU.
However, students must fulfill the graduation language requirement to graduate from ICU.
The graduation requirement for the Japanese track students is to complete up to" J7-A: Japanese" and" J7-B: Japanese", which will be a maximum of 35 credits.
Students will start taking a course assigned by the placement test and can register for a one-level upper course in the next term if they pass the current one.
It will take two years and one term to complete up to J7-A and J7-B from J1.
Moreover...
ICU regular/transfer students taking the Japanese track (including those exempted from JLP) must complete at least 9 credits of courses taught in Japanese (excluding JLP courses) to fulfill the graduation requirement.
II. Special Japanese Track:
Japanese as a First/Heritage Language
This track is mainly for native/heritage speakers of Japanese who can communicate orally but lack literacy skills in Japanese. If you use the Japanese language at home with family members regularly, this track may be for you.
The Special Japanese (hereafter “SJ”) track aims to facilitate students' gaining sufficient Japanese competence and academic skills to participate in ICU classes and easily lead university life. There are tutorial sessions where students can receive individual attention.
The graduation requirement for the SJ track students is to complete up to SJ 3 and SJ Kanji 3, which will be a maximum of 16 credits.
Students will start taking a course assigned by the placement test and can register for a one-level upper course in the next term if they pass the current one.
It will take one year and two terms to complete up to SJ 3 and SJ Kanji 3 from Introduction to First/Heritage Speakers of Japanese.
Moreover...
ICU regular/transfer students taking the Special Japanese track (including those exempted from JLP) must complete at least 18 credits of courses taught in Japanese (excluding JLP courses) to fulfill the graduation requirement.