Why do the Japanese skills of international students and students who have diverse language backgrounds at ICU improve so dramatically?

To learn and conduct research in ICU's bilingual environment is the challenge given to all of ICU students of diverse backgrounds, from degree-seeking regular 4-year students to international exchange students and graduate students, who have gathered from some 50 countries and regions around the world.

One thing that helps them to achieve this is our Japanese Language Programs (JLP).

Based on the results of a placement test, students are placed into one of two tracks: Japanese as a Foreign Language or Japanese as a First/Heritage Language. They are then divided into classes within those tracks depending on their level of Japanese proficiency.

Classes are small, with no more than 20 students, and students also have one-to-one tutorial sessions with JLP teaching staff. These tutorials give students opportunities to gain feedback on assignments/tests and students can ask questions about what they did not understand in class. Through this individualized education, we aim to nurture in our students the Japanese language ability needed both on and off-campus by the time they complete the program.