Program Reviews

really grateful for the chance to study here, the teachers are very great, they use a very great method to teach, so japanese language feels so fun to be learned, the staffs are really nice, the school provided many facilities. also we can make new friends here. the accomodation was also really clean and nice. i went there not knowing any japanese conversation and after 6 weeks, my speaking skill is improved a lot. thankyou jals!

I went to Sapporo Jals last year during one month. I don't know how to explain how incredible this experience was.
As a real Swiss person, I am not afraid of the cold but I didn't expect to see that much snow in Sapporo. It was totally magical, with these snowy streets. Sapporo is a recent and cold city but the inhabitants are so warm and nice. They will not hesitate to help you if they can.

About Sapporo Jals, I would like to say that it was love at first sight. The staff is lovely and amazing, very kind and helpful. Teachers are really cool and competent and you will learn Japanese in small classes, which is better to improve faster. Do not hesitate to ask them if you need something.

Moreover, the school proposes so many different cultural activities. You will have the opportunity to speak Japanese with local Japanese people and visit this fascinating city. You will be immerged in a different Japan.
So, even more than one year after, I still remember this month as if it was yesterday. I met friends for life.

Now the only thing I want is to come back. See you soon everyone, and one more time, thank you for everything!

This was my second time studying at JaLS and I loved it as much as I did the first time. I did try out a different language school in Japan in between, but I can say with full confidence that I prefered the study program better at JaLS. Each class does not go over 6 students per room, which means there is enough time for the teacher to focus on each student. You have two different teachers throughout the week, so the subject you are studying gets tackled from a different point of view, which I find very practical. JaLS staff are very quick to respond to you whenever you need something, whatever it is. I managed to lose my backpack with my wallet and all important possessions inside. JaLS staff went out of their way to talk to the police and provide them a phone number to contact in case the bag was found (thankfully it was). I’ve been to three cities in Japan and Kyoto, I’ve experienced, is the richest in culture so far. Overall my experience with JaLS has never disappointed me. They are involved with students and think about the students gain, but not what they could possibly gain from the student. I always graduate from JaLS with great memories and new friendships from all around the world, and JaLS students always find ways to meet each other again.

I'm very happy and I am glad to meet guys in this short period of time. It is something that I will Everyone took good care of me and took me as my own sister. I really appreciate it. I hope to see you again. The five weeks are really great. I can't bear to leave everyone and see the snow for the first time. I was so happy that I was really sorry for the cold on the way.never forget when I meet jals.

This was the second time I went to sapporo jals.
First time I made the winter course, and the second one just the course without the activities.
Teachers are friendly and helpful, And classes are made from few students, in this way lessons are intense, and you can improve your Japanese very fast.
I went two times to the sharehouse buie asabu. The keeper is willing and friendly, and the house is comfortable.
I hope I will able to come back as soon as possible.
また来年！

I studied for 6 weeks at Hokkaido JaLS in their standard course. I picked JaLS because of its flexibility, and helpfulness after the many emails I sent through to the school. A reassuring fact for me was its high teaching quality as demonstrated by awards the school has won.

This turned out to be the best decision I made! I was a beginner when I started but I was encouraged by my teachers to learn Hiragana and Katakana quickly, and the teaching quality was indeed of a high standard. AND you get to enjoy this in the comfort of a small class (The most any of my classes had was 5 and my course coincided with the Winter course!).

The location of the school is fantastic - only a very short walk away from Sapporo Station (one of the main stations). The school itself is also nice and warm (especially in Winter) and is a relaxing place to study if you need a place away from home.

In terms of a home, the school offers a variety of accommodation options. I went with a host family for my first week and for the remaining time, I stayed in the sharehouse the school manages. Both were extremely positive experiences. The sharehouse in particular was a great way to meet other people.

I enjoyed every lesson I had. The teachers made learning fun and combined a variety of strategies to facilitate deep and meaningful learning. I learned so much from the 6 weeks I was at the school. Not only were the teachers amazing, approachable and friendly, the administration staff had the same attitude and demeanor to every student. Each staff member was so helpful and were always willing to have a chat to see how you were going.

I made so many friends here from all over the world (including Japan of course). Everyone is so easy going as at my graduation ceremony, the school allowed me to give a speech!

The school offers many after-class activities which might comprise of sightseeing or cultural experiences, all planned for by the school. These were a great avenue to make friends and explore Hokkaido with other students learning Japanese.

I'm in Japan for the remainder of 2018 and every time I'm in Sapporo I visit the school and say hello to the staff. They are always so welcoming. I could not recommend this school enough! Each lesson and each activity is a fantastic memory.

I had the pleasure of attending Hokkaido JaLS in Sapporo prior to attending Kyoto JaLS. I have nothing but good things to say about the JaLS group and Kyoto JaLS in particular. The class sizes were small with attentive instructors, and the staff goes out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable and to push you to practice the language even more.

There are several activities every week that helped me learn a lot about Kyoto and the surrounding area. The activities also give you a chance to meet fellow students which is great for making friends at the school. Some of those activities involve language exchange with Japanese English students - those were always a lot of fun and they helped me make quite a few local friends.

I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to learn Japanese and enjoy themselves doing it. I liked it enough the first time I went that I came back once and I would happily go back again.

I was a returning student from Sapporo JaLS and had the opportunity to visit Kyoto JaLS. I was able to bring my partner with me and the JaLS staff were very helpful in finding the perfect accommodation that we could share. Kyoto JaLS has a very tight knit and supportive family environment. All staff members are always there to help you if you need anything such as suggestions on what to do in the city or assistance on how to get around in Kyoto. The JaLS staff were very eager to make sure that you were having fun while at school and often struck very friendly conversations with us.
The floor that Kyoto JaLS is located on is a perfect environment for studying and hanging out in. It always had calming music on and a coffee bar that offered wonderful espressos!
One of my favorite parts about JaLS are the cultural activities which show you and let you experience Japanese culture first hand. These give you unique opportunities to explore parts of Kyoto you may not find if you were traveling there on your own.
During our time with Kyoto JaLS we made many friends with students from all over the world! We also made friends with many of the JaLS staff! JaLS also provides a very supportive environment to learn Japanese efficiently but still leaves plenty of time to have lots of fun after class. In my class I had a wonderful time making friends with my classmates and teachers.
JaLS truly provides a unique and exciting experience that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in having an amazing adventure in Japan!

location/school:
super convenient, the classrooms show that the school is serious about small classes (not more than six students during the winter course), the 2nd floor lounge is a wonderful place, an open work space, where people can meet or focus on their work

staff:
everyone is very friendly and offering help all the time with whatever problem that's bothering you. Besides they make excellent coffee, great pizza, both come with free smiles and often a free extra mini-lesson in Japanese communication!

teachers/course:
the teachers are very professional, very dedicated and really kind and encouraging - do your homework and fast progress is as inevitable as the next snowfall, The smart and interested classmates from all around the world also contribute to a great study atmosphere.

culture program:
experiencing different aspects of Japanese culture and excursions are a great extension of learning into the afternoons and weekends (I strongly recommend participation) - test your Japanese and meet interesting people.

A sincere "Thank you" to all the people at JaLS Sapporo who helped to create a truly wonderful learning experience!

After having experienced an amazing exchange in Jals Hokkaido, I was delighted to have the opportunity to try this new branch in Kyoto.
Firstable, Kyoto is one of my favorite city in Japan with Sapporo. Indeed, people are really kind and the city is completely amazing, with a lot of culture and interesting places to visit. I don't think a life would be enough to see all the treasure of the city.
But let's speak about Kyoto Jals properly: this new school is amazing. Teachers are really cool and competent and you will learn Japanese in small classes, which is better to improve faster. The director and the staff is so friendly and attentive to help you in any situations. They won't hesitate to help you for whatever you need and give good advices to eat (:P), do sightseeing, or everyting else. So do not hesitate to ask them. This school is like a little family.
Moreover, the school proposes so many different cultural activities. You will have the opportunity to speak Japanese with local Japanese people, visit an university, go for a walk through Arashiyama and its bamboo forest, see different manifestations and shrines, etc.
In fact, you will be completely immerged in this fascinating culture.
I will definitely return there for a longer stay and I recommend it! Don't hesitate, come to Kyoto Jals, please ^__^
And I thank everyone there for this experience. I miss Kyoto, I miss Japan, I miss learning Japanese in such an environment and I miss all of you. See you soon.