Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd.

Japanese Language Courses in Japan

Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa, on the west coast of Honshu island, was founded towards the end of the 16th century and was one of the wealthiest castle towns in Japan during the Edo period. At various times of the year this town hosts several unique events, such as the Sakuracherry-blossom festival in April or the splendid historical parade in June. The attractive location of Kanazawa between mountains and the sea also contributes to the town being one of the most popular destinations in Japan.

Population: 450,000

Nearest airports:  Kansai (Osaka),  Nagoya,  Narita (Tokyo),   Komatsu (Ishikawa).

Rail connections:   4 to 6 hours by express trains from Kansai, Nagoya and Narita or 1 hour from Komatsu

Main attractions:  Kanazawa is a popular tourist city of historical and cultural interests. It was the wealthiest castle town during the Edo Period and the ruling feudal lords first promoted various arts, still preserved today. Each season of the year has different features and events; Sakura cherry blossom festival in April, beautiful greenery in May, the Kanazawa's biggest historical parade in June, local traditional festivals in July through September, special summer events in August, beautiful autumn leaves in October. Each month there is at least one big local festival, which includes traditional performing arts.

Climate:  Rainy season in Kanazawa is between mid-June and mid-July. A light raincoat as well as an umbrella will be useful. Summers are very humid with temperatures between 23 - 33°C.

Japanese Language Programs  2008 and 2009:

Application fee for all programs: USD 100. Please see general application procedures.

Minimum age: 18.  Length of each lesson: 50 min.  

Japanese Language Plus  -   20 Japanese language lessons plus 5 lessons of activities per week  Class Size:  10-13 students per class. Minimum enrollment: 2 weeks.   Immerse yourself in the Japanese culture, get to really know the country. In the mornings, students attend the Japanese language classes (20 lessons per week), and in the afternoons (5 lessons per week) they participate in a range of different activities, e.g. visits to exhibitions, literature, cultural activities, etc.   All lessons are conducted in Japanese. All levels offered.  NOTES: Group Courses are only available from 9 March through 23 October 2009.
Prices 2009:   2 weeks:  USD 1441,   3 weeks:  USD 2084,  4 weeks:   USD 2727,  8 weeks:  USD 5299, 12 weeks: USD 7871.    Extra weeks:  USD 643 each.

Starting Dates 2008:

Starting dates for all Japanese Language group courses  - all levels:

IMPORTANT: All group courses end on 24 October 2008. Private classes are available year round except during holidays as listed below..

Holidays 2008:  The school will be closed on 14 January,  11 February, 20 March, 29 April, 5 May, 6 May, 21 July, 15 September, 23 September, 13 October, 3 November, 24 November.  The school is also closed from 20 December 2008 until 4 January 2009.

Starting Dates 2009:

Starting dates for all Japanese Language group courses  - all levels:

IMPORTANT: All group courses end on 23 October 2009. Private classes are available year round except during holidays as listed below..

Holidays 2009:  The school will be closed on 12 January,  11 February, 20 March, 29 April, 4-6 May, 20 July, 21-23 September, 12 October, 3 November, 23 November.  The school is also closed from 21 December 2009 until 3 January 2010.
 

Optional Courses ---  Private Japanese lessons:  Supplement your group course by five or more private Japanese language lessons per week to ensure that you will learn fast and efficiently exactly what is important to you (e.g. a special vocabulary for your job, eliminating specific weak points). Your teacher will ensure that your personal requirements will be met. One module comprises five private lessons per week. Modules may be booked in addition to any Eurocentres courses or individually.  Price per module:  USD 328.   (Notes: Additional registration/materials fee of USD 155 applies to students enrolling in private classes exclusively, fee is waived for students enrolled in a group course and adding private lesson modules to their program)

Accommodations 2008 and 2009:

In Kanazawa, students can choose to stay with a Japanese host family, in a hotel or in a furnished apartment.

Host families:
Living with a host family is the most significant part of the "Study in Japan" program. A Japanese home is the best place to practice what you have learned in class and to gain access to the Japanese culture. Eurocentres host families have received excellent evaluations from students for their welcoming and hospitable nature. There are many types of host families - from families with children to single-person households (in most cases older landladies). All host families are carefully selected and regularly inspected. When placing students, also special dietary, health or religious requirements are taken into consideration.  Commuting time to school is 20-50 minutes.  During the summer season, students may be accommodated in the suburbs of Kanazawa.

Host family accommodations are in single (private) room with half board (2 meals per day).
Prices 2008:  2 weeks:  USD 492,  3 weeks: USD 738,   4 weeks:   USD 984.   Extra weeks: USD 246 each.
Prices 2009:  2 weeks:  USD 540,  3 weeks: USD 810,   4 weeks:   USD 1,080.   Extra weeks: USD 270 each.


Hotels: The hotels available in the area include: a spacious public hotel, which offers various facilities including a large public bath and free Internet access, a small but inexpensive hotel close to the school, plus a reasonably priced hotel also near the school. Prices available upon request.

Apartments: Students have the option of renting furnished apartments.  Prices available upon request.

The most common means of transportation to and from school are city buses, bicycles or train. The school also rents bicycles to students.

Airport Transfers: from Komatsu airport are available upon request at extra charge:  USD 144 each way.

Activities 2008 and 2009

The school staff will inform you upon arrival about cultural activities offered during your stay and will be pleased to make suggestions for excursions. From Kanazawa the mountains and the sea can be reached by bike in just under half an hour. Those wishing to keep fit can go jogging or walking along the beautiful, wide-open beaches.
Tea ceremonies, Kimono clothing, gold leaf chopstick making, calligraphy, origami (paper-folding), cookery courses, and seal making are also offered on a regular basis (additional charges may apply to some activities)

Excursions
Excursion to Kanazawa castle, Japanese gardens, geisha quarters, samurai quarters, Mount Hakusan and Shirakawago and to the Noto Peninsula for example are offered on a regular basis.  Excursions are not included in the course prices and are optional and offered at additional cost.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prices are subject to change due to fluctuating foreign currency rates.

[Back to HOME Page]          

Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd.

Web Site: http://www.linguaserviceworldwide.com

Other language programs offered:

Learn Spanish in Spain  - Learn Spanish in Latin America - Learn German in Germany - Learn French in France - Learn French in Canada
Learn Portuguese in Brazil - Learn Chinese in China - Learn Russian in Russia - Learn Greek in Greece - Learn Italian in Italy