Although you won't need to use Japanese when you take classes in the international undergraduate programs taught in English, there is no doubt that life in Japan is much more enjoyable if you can speak a little of the language. As part of your KIKAN Education, you will embark on a journey of Japanese language learning through the Japanese Academic Courses (JACs) offered by the Kyushu University International Student Center. These courses, which are a required part of your curriculum for the first year and a half, offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture of Japan. You can continue your studies until you reach the Business Japanese level in Specialized Education, further enhancing your language skills and cultural understanding.

Courses in KIKAN Education

JACs offers Japanese language classes for students who aim to earn credits for learning Japanese as part of their academic activities. This course consists of four types: integrated Japanese, Kanji, Speaking, and Writing. Each semester, 90-minute classes are offered twice a week for 15 weeks at eight levels, ranging from introductory to advanced. In the 1 and 2 semesters, students will take both Integrated Japanese and Kanji courses and acquire well-balanced Japanese language skills through a total of 6 hours of weekly study. In the third semester, students will take an integrated Japanese class twice a week for three hours to further improve their Japanese.
https://isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/center/jacs/

Courses in Specialized Education

After intensive Japanese education in KIKAN, we have provided Special Japanese language Courses designed to help you improve your Japanese proficiency, enrich your study life in Japan, and develop your potential and ability to be active in the future world. You can feel comfortable and confident in these small and interactive classes as you improve your Japanese level.　

Active Japanese 1-2 (Pre-Intermediate-Low Intermediate)

This course is not just about improving your Japanese speaking skills but also about connecting with people worldwide. Using the CEFR framework, you will learn how to express yourself and engage in dialogue, preparing you for real-life conversations. You will have plenty of opportunities to practice your conversation skills through simulations and role-playing exercises. This course also aims to deepen your understanding of Japanese and foreign cultures, improving your intercultural communication skills. With online assignments and paragraph writing exercises, you can expect a well-rounded learning experience that will expand your vocabulary and improve your proficiency in Japanese, making your language skills practical and applicable in various contexts.

Progressive Japanese 1-2 (Intermediate and above)

This course aims to prepare students for future study of specialized courses taught in the Japanese language. It follows the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, allowing students to simultaneously learn a subject and a second language. The content-focused course encourages students to think and learn in the Japanese language by exploring the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will also develop their language skills in vocabulary building, reading, and essay writing.

International Business Communication 1-2 (Advanced and above)

This course is designed to provide practical business communication skills through participatory workshops. These skills are essential for scientists and engineers involved in international business and R&D teams. Additionally, students will learn Japanese communication for job hunting, business settings, communication skills, and current affairs to help them broaden their horizons and develop critical thinking and presentation skills in Japanese.