Class Information
This page explains about the teaching methods, classes and syllabus at Genki Japanese School. Select an item from the list below to see more information.
1. Overview of class levels
GenkiJACS offers 12 basic class levels.
When you arrive at GenkiJACS, you are placed into the ongoing class that is most appropriate for you. Your placement is decided based on the following:
- The results of your online level check test.
- The results of the placement test and interview held on your first day at school.
As your study continues, you move up automatically through the class levels. When you complete the material for one level, you will advance to the next level, for as long as you study with us.
Class Level |
Average Time to Complete |
Complete beginner (1-1) |
1.5 weeks (30 class hours) |
Beginner 1-2 |
2.5 weeks (52 class hours) |
Beginner 1-3 |
2 weeks (36 class hours) |
Beginner 1-4 |
|
Beginner 2-1 |
2.5 weeks (48 class hours) |
Beginner 2-2 |
2.5 weeks (48 class hours) |
Beginner 2-3 |
2.5 weeks (52 class hours) |
Beginner 2-4 |
2 weeks (36 class hours) |
Pre-intermediate (3) |
5 weeks |
Intermediate (4) |
8 weeks |
Upper intermediate (5) |
10 weeks |
Advanced (6) |
As long as you have! |
Total time to Advanced level: about 41 weeks, or 9.5 months!
All classes are held on a rolling start basis. This means that you enter an ongoing class, partway through that class’s syllabus. If your ability level is slightly below the level of that class, we provide free “catch-up classes” to raise you to the appropriate level.
The exception to this is complete beginners, who start from the first Monday of each month only. If you are the only student at your specific level when you arrive, a new class will be created for you.
As students can start any Monday, and you can study for as many weeks as you like, the students in your class can change from week to week. New students may arrive on a Monday, and old students graduate on a Friday. We have a time-tested system in place to minimize disruption to the class.
Because we offer so many different class levels at any time, we are able to place you into a class that matches your current ability level closer than at other Japanese schools.
Note: If you are the only student at your level, you will be given a special course of study: 10 private lessons per week, plus free entry to as many ongoing group conversation classes as you want. If there are no ongoing group conversation classes around your level, you will receive 15 private lessons per week instead.
2. Class syllabus
The syllabus used at Genki Japanese school has been honed and adapted over years to offer the best learning experience for students. This page provides an overview of the syllabus and topics of the core courses at each level.
The core course offers two 50-minute grammar classes and two 50-minute “application” classes each day. In general, you will study new grammar each afternoon, do related homework that night, then practice your new skills in the application class the next morning.
Complete beginner (1-1)
Class requirement: must be able to read hiragana characters
Objectives: Use basic verb sentences to hold simple conversations such as self-introductions and shopping.
Total time: 1.5 weeks (30 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 1, chapters 1-3
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 4
Beginner 1-2
Objectives: Use adjectives, past tense sentences and the "te" form to describe, explain and provide reasons.
Total time: 2.5 weeks (52 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 1, chapters 4-7
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 4
Beginner 1-3
Objectives: Use the short form to give opinions and pass on information.
Total time: 2 weeks (36 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 1, chapters 8-9
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 4
Beginner 1-4
Objectives: Use comparatives and supporting verbs to have more natural conversations.
Total time: 2.5 weeks (48 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 1, chapters 10-12
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 4
Beginner 2-1
Objectives: Use potential verbs, modals and volitional forms to hold more complex conversations.
Total time: 2.5 weeks (48 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 2, chapters 13-15
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 3
Beginner 2-2
Objectives: Use simple formal Japanese, as well as transitive and intransitive verbs, to describe complex situations and feelings.
Total time: 2.5 weeks (48 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 2, chapters 16-18
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 3
Beginner 2-3
Objectives: Use polite and formal Japanese to hold conversations with a range of people.
Total time: 2.5 weeks (52 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 2, chapters 19-20
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 3
Beginner 2-4
Objectives: Use the passive, causative, and passive causative to describe complex situations and emotions.
Total time: 2 weeks (36 class hours)
Textbook: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, book 2, chapters 21-23
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 3
Pre-intermediate (3)
Objectives: Review and master the especially difficult beginner grammar, and prepare for the Intermediate courses.
Total time: 5 weeks
Textbook: Chukyu E Ikou
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 3
Intermediate (4)
Objectives: Learn intermediate grammar and practice it on longer reading passages, while improving speech ability.
Total time: 8 weeks
Textbooks: J.Bridge, Nihongo Chuukyuu kara no Skill Balance, Shin Nihongo no Chuukyuu
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 2
Upper intermediate (5)
Objectives: Speak to Japanese people with few communication problems, and read and understand simple newspaper articles.
Total time: as long as you have!
Textbooks: Depends on students
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 2
Advanced (6)
Objectives: Live and work alongside Japanese people with no communication problems.
Total time: 10 weeks
Textbooks: J.Bridge + GenkiJACS original materials
JLPT equivalent: studying for level 1
3. Teaching philosophy
At GenkiJACS, we believe that good teaching is:
1. Purposeful
All of our
lessons are structured to give you essential Japanese in a way so that you will remember it, and be able to use it yourself.
2. Practical
Lessons are focused on the skills and topics most useful to actually getting out there and becoming proficient in the language. Activities involve real-world situations, guest instructors, field trips and more.
3. Professional
All of our Japanese teachers are graduates of a 420-hour Japanese teacher training course at a recognized study institution, and have extensive experience teaching to foreigners. We don't just teach whatever comes up like some other schools; we follow a curriculum designed with the needs of English-speakers in mind.
And, as much as anything else, we believe lessons must be interesting! You can't learn if you're not engaged. Our materials and methods are designed to draw you in to the class, and to make any topic exciting.
The GenkiJACS method has been honed over several years to allow for the maximum retention of learned material, using techniques of rapid response, and real-world use of previously learned materials. For a demonstration of this method, see our example lesson.
4.Sample weekly schedule
Below is a sample schedule for a student taking the Japanese Plus Traditional Culture course. The specific time of lessons differs depending on class level.
|
AM (9:30-11:20) |
PM (12:30-2:20) |
Additional class/event |
Monday |
Level check test, orientation |
Grammar class |
3pm: Pottery class |
Tuesday |
4-skills application class |
Grammar class |
4pm: Free Fukuoka tour |
Wednesday |
4-skills application class |
Grammar class |
3pm: Japanese cooking class |
Thursday |
4-skills application class |
Grammar class |
4:30pm: Movie at school |
Friday |
4-skills application class |
Grammar class |
3pm: Tea ceremony class |
