Short-term Japanese Course & Cultural Activity in Hokkaido

A very productive and fun way to spend time in Japan. Every teacher I've met had been very professional and passionate, making the most out of the curriculum. Every week is packed with different events and activities, especially Summer/Winter/Autumn/Spring Courses, and pretty much every one of them is worth doing. The location and school facilities are very convenient. Staff is amazing too. Nothing negative to say, really. Highly recomemnded.

I was in a bad place mentally before I decided to abruptly get on a plane to Sapporo. JALS was exactly what I needed at the time to once again find direction and meaning in my life. The community and staff are amazing and. It's my second family.

This was my first time abroad, and it was a very smooth and memorable experience. I was already excited to be in Japan and meet people, but I wasn’t expecting how quickly I made good friends with people from all sorts of different places. The activities were so fun and the lounge became the best place to spend time. Everyone at Jals, students, teachers and staff have all become my second family. I will never forget it.

I love the vibe Jals classes offer. Kind, caring & Hard-working teachers & staff deliver a quality language program in a beautiful campus setting. Each day is a challenge and the rigour is very effective in improving language skills.

The activities arranged by thre school are all super cool. I had a lot of fun and learnt a lot about japanese culture. We learnt the material a little fast for me but it was managable. My Japanese has improved a lot with he classes. I've gone from basically zero japanese to being able to understand a lot of basic sentences.

This program is amazing for people of any level who want to learn Japanese and emerge themselves in Japanese culture. The process of being admitted into the school and expenses that need to be covered for accommodation and events and such were super easy due to the fast and detailed responses from the staff at JaLS. The school itself is amazing and the atmosphere is awesome and when you add amazing staff and people who want to be your friend and help you it makes for one amazing experience. I have had the time of my life here made new friends and had a great time learning and enjoying Japanese cultural activities alongside my classmates and amazing supervisors. For anyone who is looking for a great way to experience the culture, make new friends, and learn a Japanese whall having fun this is the place for you.

I did the winter course at JaLS, which runs for 6 weeks and includes several cultural activities. It was my first time in Japan, and it has been incredible. I even ended up extending my stay in Sapporo for another 4 weeks. What I really enjoyed about my time at JaLS is that I got to meet amazing people from all over the world, also plenty of Japanese people. In a short time, I got to form strong bonds, and it has elevated the whole experience. The Japanese classes are great - my Japanese level increased a lot. The activities are fun and engaging, and I really enjoyed living in a share house where I could go be by myself when I wanted to but also hang out with friends anytime.

I’m 4 weeks into my time at JALS, it’s been really fun. There are lots of fun activities and the classes are also really great for learning Japanese. I’ve had lots of opportunities to make many new friends during my time here. It’s a great combination of fun, cultural immersion and learning.

I spent one month studying at JaLS in November-December 2019 (I chose the standard course + I could choose and pay for the activities I wanted to take part in) and I am really really happy with the choice. The school is incredible, teachers are skilled and friendly. The staff are so kind and helpful, too and the location is very convenient (just 5 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station). I also chose to stay in the sharehouse provided from the school and I found it excellent. I had everything I needed and met many wonderful people so I had the chance to practice Japanese at home, too. I hope to visit Hokkaido and study at JaLS again. I will never forget this amazing experience.

At first I went to here, just because I heard that their have less Chinese people and Taiwanese people(I wanted to force myself to speak Japanese), but JaLS gave me more than I expected. My Japanese speaking-skill got better very much in this two months, even some times I said some strange words, no one made fun of me, it gave me brave to keep trying. Teachers and some Japanese friends helped me to learned how to get a job in Japan, it was actually none of their business, but they are very kind to help. Not only Japanese people, I also made many friends from many countries. If anyone want to learn Japanese, this is a best choice.

I attended this school for the month of November 2019. I enrolled in conversation classes in the mornings and the JLPT prep course in the afternoons. Both admin and teaching staff of the school were always kind and encouraging, always helpful and easy to work with. I really enjoyed spending break times in the common area, drinking delicious coffee, chatting with students and staff, and watching the beautiful snow. The study was challenging, with lots of texts and study materials provided, and nightly homework tasks. So I would recommend this school to anyone wanting to push themselves with their language study...although it is also possible to do classes in the morning only and cultural activities in the afternoons, a good option for beginners. The airport pickup and accommodation arrangements were perfectly suited to my needs. The school is in a great location near Sapporo Station. On the weekends I was able to explore other parts of Hokkaido, which is so beautiful and easy to do. For me it was great to be away from the big cities on Honshu. There is a different calmer vibe in Hokkaido, people living close to nature, indigenous culture, the finest seafood and agricultural produce, not as chaotic as Honshu, and it is such an amazing place to practise your Japanese.

When I first arrived, I couldn’t speak Japanese at all. Now I can order things, ask people how their day was, and even read some Kanji! Great school, great staff, and great senseis! Also the location in Sapporo is beautiful! The school is located near the main station, where most of the stores and restaurants are, and there are just too many near and beautiful places you can go from Sapporo!

JaLS was a great introduction to Japanese study. Although it moved much quicker than I would like, the instruction was excellent. Wonderful staff, very friendly. Nae really took care of me from the very beginning. The cultural tours were ok, but if you do not speak Japanese, you will find it difficult to blend into the group tours. Overall a good experience.

The best 1 month of my life. I haven’t had fun for a very long time. Besides the academic part, the activities are really fun and interesting. My Senseis were great and the staff are friendly. I also met new friends along the way. Jals and Sapporo will always be my 2nd home.

I studied Japanese language for 3 months at Jals school in Sapporo. It was a really super nice experience, I learned a lot of Japanese and made a lot of friends. In a matter of 3 months, my Japanese level increased high and I look forward to come back. The main positive points about Jals according to me: - Skilled teachers who are teaching Japanese in a efficient way, with a structured curriculum. - Small classes allowing interactivity and Japanese practice. - Lounge accessible during long times, even during weekends to study more (and discounts on coffees). - Super friendly staff, can help beyond the limits of school (daily life help for example). - Friendly environment to meet other students / Japanese locals. - Good return on value / money invested.

I was happy to attend school. the lessons are fun and productive. the teachers are very kind and interesting in their presentation. staff is always ready to help if you have questions. I will be glad to return to school again. Thank you very much for everything !!

Japanese was always on the top of the list of language I wanted to be acquainted with. Last winter, a chance came to me to do so in Sapporo and with an amazing staffs in jals’s guidance I made a decision to finally dive into learning a new language. And that game me incredible depth and knowledge of Japanese that I thought I could never acquire before. Teachers was opted to Handle various backgrounds of students and had a incredible work ethics during the cold winter season. I never felt that I was forced to learn. I was naturally motivated and nurtured by staffs and students from abroad. Every week, there were new students coming in, accordingly activities were given for students to choose from. I went for fishing, snowboarding, sake tasting and tea ceremony. After 6 months, I could read Kanji and Japan news from TV. I also, took private lessons to enhance the speed of learning process and it was worth it. I don’t know how they create environment in a way that is never bored or mundane.

As always, excellent. I came for the third time and appreciated the kind and attentive teachers and staff. The learning curve was very high and the lessons adapted to my actual level. The activities provided were interesting and allowed to gain further knowledge of the Japanese culture and daily life. For first time visitors who know very little about the use of public transport or where to buy food, there was always great support from staff and teachers. Classes start at 9:30, so public transport is easy to use and the trains are not overcrowded. Really a plus! I think it is wonderful that there are various age groups and nationalities which makes the experience more interesting. Many lasting friendships have been built. Sapporo has many things to offer. I came twice in winter, because I like to ski. The areas are very close and even night skiing is possible. Now in Spring/Summer hiking, flower viewing, visiting Onsen (thermal bath) is great. There are stunning National Parks and the temperature, even in Summer is very agreable.

Hello everybody, I’m Marina and I had a pleasure of attending the short term Japanese language courses in JAL’s over the period of April-May. And I would really like to tell you about the amazing experience that I’ve had there. First of all the location, I chose Hokkaido because I really like cold and snow, although I wasn’t really expecting to see any in the end of April. Sapporo is a pretty big city that’s got everything you might ever need and at the same time not too big for you to get tired of it. Secondly, the school, I’ve done some research before choosing a school, since it was a Golden week and a lot of school were closed for this period. But not JAL’s. I’m pretty sure this is the only school that was open anywhere in Japan (or at least of all the schools that I’ve contacted). My emails were answered at the speed of light and the guys were always there to help me with any documents that I needed for my visa. And last, but not least, the school itself. I was pretty nervous being “back to school” again, but all my worries have disappeared once I got to know the guys. Everybody is so cheerful and helpful and just full of light. There was a welcome lunch held when new students (myself included) arrived. We got to introduce ourselves and to know the rest of the students, teachers and the staff. It instantly brakes the ice. The program is not just about the Japanese grammar, we really got to practice our Japanese speaking skills. Everyday teachers or staff would try to speak Japanese with you, and even if you know absolutely nothing, somehow, you realize that you understand the questions you’re asked and you don’t really notice how you start to reply in Japanese. I really found it so helpful! The whole studying process was never about memorizing the kanjis (because let’s face it, you don’t really need a teacher for that). It was about making you comfortable to be in Japan, to apply your knowledge in real situation, speaking with real Japanese people. It was priceless! Plus all the cultural activities provided. From the chopsticks making to a group izakaya event. Loved every second of it! I got to stay at the shared house - and I’m pretty sure it was the best decision I could have made. We all became like a small family. We were helping each other studying, having dinner together, bringing sweets for each other, watching Netflix together. Honestly, the experience that I’ve had no amount of money can buy. It was pretty tough coming back to “real” life after having so much fun! If anybody is ever in doubt - please don’t be! I highly recommend JALS! I’ve been there and I honestly had the time of my life! ♥️

I was looking for a language school, that was not only providing Japanese Lessons, but also had interesting activities and i wasn't disappointed. The staff is helpful and friendly, the teachers are patient and competent. I liked it and I'm looking forward to join them again.

This was my fourth time in Sapporo and my second time in Winter - i came there again for 3 weeks to enjoy the nice Hokkaido winter and at the same time improve my Japanese. In preparation for the course i had to make a placement and so the lessons started with repeating some topics that i had learned and already forgotten before. The class was very small so the lessons were very intense - and my head was filled pretty well with new stuff (new grammar, new words, speaking...) everyday before i went to lunch. Usually i also spend some time at school lounge in the afternoon to do my homework while enjoying a coffee. I also enjoyed the additional activities that were offered in addition to the lessons for example, we visited (and tasted) Nikka Whisky, had delicious Ramen together and enjoyed the world of Japanese Gaming at Round 1... What i really liked where those activities were had the chance to speak with Japanese people and exchange our languages. In addition i have to say, that this school has the nicest facilities of any school i know so far. The main book that was used in the lessons was "Minna no Nihongo 2" I'm already thinking about returning there next winter.

JaLS Winter Course 2019 I had the pleasure to participate in the winter course at JaLS this year for two months. The programme has a great balance between study, cultural excursions and activities. I can confidently say my Japanese has developed leaps and bounds, whilst I also got to explore the culture of Japan, and also the events and special local places of Hokkaido and Sapporo. While there I stayed with a homestay family, an experience I highly recommend. You get to experience how amazing and welcoming Japanese hosting is, as well as lots of delicious home made meals. Not to mention the continuous Japanese practice. I was also taken by my host family to visit many places and restaurants, things I would not have done without them. They have also been massively helpful for me for paperwork and other times I needed assistance with Japanese post and so on. Come visit and you'll see what I mean!

On my University break I decided to go to Sapporo for 2 months to work on my language skills and have a bit of a holiday. JaLs was the perfect combination of learning and having fun! I made amazing friends during my stay and the staff were helpful and kind. I experienced a Home Stay and lived on my own in a private apartment, and the organisation and help provided from the school was incredible. Everything went smoothly and I was able to have a stress free experience. All the activities organised by the school were very enjoyable and the schools facilities were clean and modern. I would highly recommend JaLs if you are wanting to learn Japanese in a relaxed environment that focuses on culture as well as language. I would definitely come back to JaLs Sapporo next time I need to brush up on my Japanese!

To learn a new language rather than your mother younger is difficult in any situation given. Wether you are 10,23, or even 50, learning a completely new language takes an immense amount of practice, study and time. Studying at JaLS Hokkaido Language School gave me the opportunity to learn a new language in a fun and free environment where there was no pressure put upon you to do well. Not only did the staff welcome you with open arms, but the teachers are very helpful, understanding, and they create a certain atmosphere that reassures students studying Japanese that it is ok to make mistakes, and that even if you do not understand completely, they will find a way to re-ensure you. The school itself provides many opportunities for foreign students to practice their Japanese in the Cafe area. The school hosts events, such as language exchange and Japanese Talk nights. The cafe also hosts many Japanese people who use the space to study as well. So this area is a great place to make new friends and hopefully improve your Japanese skills. JaLS Hokkaido Language School helped me with my studies of the Japanese Language, as it pushed and motivated me to speak more Japanese and to communicate with people i would otherwise avoid. This Language school has given me unforgettable memories and friends to last me a life time. Hokkaido Language School has a great learning atmosphere, great culture and a sense of community.

I went to Hokkaido Japanese Language School for two months, from fall to early winter. I signed up for the standard course and chose to live in a share house offered by the school during my time there. I thought the course was a great experience. Lessons are in the mornings and there are plenty of activities that you can sign up for in the afternoon, sometimes free, sometimes with an extra charge. The Cultural Activities (which are advertised in the seasonal courses) are available for all students, but the cost for these is slightly higher than the other Activities. The course itself used the book Minna No Nihongo. Each week, the class of no more than 8 people would go through two chapters of the book with a small test each week. The course covered everything from vocabulary, grammar and the teachers would often explain idiomatic language and proverbs. The teachers would alternate classes and each week there would be two teachers per class. The teachers that taught my class were extremely kind and happy to be there. Class was conducted all in Japanese, but the teachers used simple language to help us understand. Living in the share house was so much fun. There were people from all over the world living there and it was a great way to learn about different cultures. Whenever someone new came to live in the house, we would have a welcome party, usually making food together, such as takoyaki and nabe. The rooms were a great size, either in western or Japanese style. It was a fully furnished room with a bed, desk, closet, heater, and small couch. The kitchen, living room and bathrooms were all shared, and always clean. Everyone worked together to keep the public spaces neat and tidy.

I attended the Standard + Private Course at Hokkaido JaLS and am very pleased with the experience I had. The atmosphere at the school is great, teachers and staff are friendly and do their best to make everyone feel welcome. The café/lounge at the school allows students to interact with each other, teachers, and staff in a relaxed and informal setting and to practice their language skills outside the classroom. As regards the two courses, I feel that I was able to make a lot of progress in a relatively short amount of time. Thanks to the small class size, every student has a lot of opportunities to speak Japanese, to make mistakes and thus, to learn. The private course helped me to deepen my understanding of what was covered in the group lessons and to get some more practice. The combination of Standard + Private Course is fairly intense, but ideal for students who really want to delve into studying Japanese. While experiences with individual teachers are highly subjective (mine were lovely), I can say that the general set up of the courses aims to maximise speaking time, is student-centered, and well-designed for learning a new language. All in all, I can highly recommend Hokkaido JaLS – I am already planning a second stay at the school!

I studied at Hokkaido Japanese Language School for 10 weeks in the spring and stayed at a share house organised through the school. Sapporo is a great city and it’s easy to get out into the countryside, definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Tokyo or Osaka. The lessons at the school were excellent, the learning materials are good and the teachers are very helpful. You are placed in a class that is right for your ability and the classes progress at a fast enough pace to learn plenty of Japanese but still leave you with time to explore the city. Hokkaido JaLS also organise many activities for their students and they are good value and a great way to socialise with your classmates and experience Japanese culture. I was very happy with the share house as well, it was clean and sociable with a mixture of JaLS students and Japanese people living there. I had a fantastic time in Sapporo and so much of that is thanks to JaLS, the staff and teachers were very supportive, the school itself is a great place to study and meet people and the activities really added to my experience. I would highly recommend studying there!

The learning techniques were highly efficient. The school's front desk is located in a large cafe that includes also a bookstore. This is a very comfortable and the students quickly feel as they were at home. There is no air-conditioning in the classrooms but, fortunately, Sapporo's temperature doesn't become that hot.

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 studied for 5 weeks in Jals. It was one of the my best experiences actually. The school staff is really friendly and I miss everybody so much. They made me feel home. School actives was really fun and very well organized. I took also cultural lessons which thought me lots of things about Japanese culture. And lastly Sapporo is the best place for summer. The weather is really awesome. I hope I can go back to jals soon.

This school is completely one-of-a-kind. During my two month stay with the JaLS family, the teachers and staff went above and beyond to help me both in and out of school. The lessons were the perfect mix so that they were challenging without being complicated. The school facilities are always superbly clean and well-kept. The accommodations were absolutely amazing! I went to this school to learn a language, but I left this school with so much more. Needless to say, there will always be a piece of my heart in Sapporo, Japan.

I studied Japanese for 7 weeks in the weekly intensive program at JaLs and was very impressed with their quality of instruction, as well as, their friendly and very helpful staff/administrators. I also took a few weeks of private lessons (also at JaLS) which I found to be equally excellent! This being said the format is quite intensive and there was a lot of new material to absorb every week. For me it required a lot of patience, determination and study to keep up but it really paid off in the end. All in all I was very impressed with the school and would happily return someday if the opportunity were to arise.

I took the Spring Course for 5 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of the Traditional Culture Course, and finally 5 weeks of the Standard Course (12 weeks total). The school is hidden inside a mid-rise building in the heart of downtown Sapporo so there are many exciting things to do and eat nearby. It may look a bit sketchy since there isn't a clear sign that JaLs is inside this building and the entrance seems to lead to nowhere, but the school is indeed there! Go up to the second floor and you will find a very clean and inviting lounge where the students gather. The classrooms are also very clean and have a welcoming atmosphere. The teachers themselves are very kind and want you to learn. This was very good indeed since I'm a slow learner and need someone with the patience to deal with me. The rest of the staff at the school and cafeteria were very respectful and would do their best to answer any questions or help with any accommodation. The only thing to worry about is that when you register for an after school activity, once you pay you cannot get a refund. So choose wisely. The activities themselves are well chosen and showcase bits of Japanese culture or Hokkaido's beauty. Most of the students at the school were of high school or college age but there were also a few adults. Probably my favourite part of the experience was the wonderful host family the school set me up with. It was a bit intimidating at first since I didn't speak a word of Japanese but the family truly wanted me to feel welcome there. There were a few rules I had to follow but they were very reasonable and help with the experience of family life in Japan. The food prepared by the host family was delicious too and they made every effort to accommodate for my taste. I would absolutely recommend JaLs!

JALS was probably the best school I've been to in my life. I've always wanted to go to Japan since I was a child and JALS provided a brilliant environment for learning Japanese as well as introducing students to the culture. All the staff members were really friendly and definitely made the experience better for me, as they became friends very quickly. I was actually very sad to leave JALS at the end of my stay and will be waiting until I can go again with bated breath!

To see the snow for the first time in my life was really fun and enjoyable. The JALS has helped me arrange my trip and study as helpful as possible. I had the chance to experience kimono. And I also had a lot of friendly friends and classmates from the school.

Learning languages is one of my hobbies and I have studied at many language schools around the globe. I was excited to come to Sapporo and join the Winter Course of Hokkaido JaLS , because it was the first time for me to do a language course in a cold environment and see the famous Snow Festival. Hokkaido JaLS is conveniently located in the centre of Sapporo, only a few blocks from the main site where the yearly Snow Festival takes place. The school uses a nicely decorated private cafe, the Co&Co World Lounge, where you can study, buy some books and magazines and enjoy all kinds of great coffee and teas. The teachers and staff are all very helpful and kind. They really make you feel welcome. My lovely host family also took very well care of me with great local dishes and warm baths, so I felt at home in Sapporo immediately. Next to the daily lessons in small classes the school organises a whole range of activities for its students: soba cooking, sports activities like kendo, cross country skiing and several excursions. There was barely enough time to do my homework. Hokkaido JaLS understands that learning and fun go together well. I wish I could have stayed longer than two weeks, but I had so many great experiences that it feels that I was there a month or longer. I really want to come back to JaLS.

If you really really wanna go back, it means it was fantastic. I loved the people, I loved the progress on my learning curve, and I loved Sapporo / Hokkaido. On many fronts I was pleasantly surprised, like the School itself and the intensity of the learning. Yep, it is intense, if you do private lessons and apply like a good boy to do every homework & co. But isn't it why you decide to do a short-term language course? I did 3 weeks only, and I got so much benefit, and I am thankful that it was so intensive =P Don't worry though, you can be laid-back if you want eheh. I am really only looking forward to the moment I can go back!!!

My boyfriend and I moved abroad for his work in January 2017 without hardly any Japanese language experience. After trying to self-study with CDs and some beginners texts I realized I wasn't gaining the experience speaking I desperately needed. I was so glad when I found JaLS during my time living in Sapporo. I learned hiragana and katakana quickly which helped very much in daily life in Japan. I practiced speaking everyday with my Japanese teachers, classmates, and the staff in the very cozy Co & Co Lounge. The cultural events also gave me great opportunities to practice in the real world. I also got to meet like-minded individuals of all different ages and origins which made for a truly enriching experience. My only regret is I didn't find JaLS sooner!

I spent 4 weeks as a beginner Japanese language learner at JaLS in autumn of 2016, and I enjoyed my experience there so much that I plan to go back in 2017. I signed up for the standard course with private lessons, and I found both to be very useful. The standard lessons were taught by very engaging native Japanese speakers and were quite well structured. Grammar concepts are introduced early, then worked on them throughout the week, and they'll be sure you'll never run out of vocabulary to study! Outside of the classrooms, the rest of the staff are very engaging and once they know what you're trying to learn, they'll work it into normal conversation. Over and over again, until you know it. It is a fun and supportive learning environment. The staff also really cares about the students and is happy to get to know them. The private lessons gave me the opportunity to delve into specific topics while also reviewing information from previous weeks that hadn't quite sunk in yet. I think these lessons were worth the time and money, but I don't think they're necessary for everyone. Another positive aspect of the school is the diverse student body that it attracts. I am an American, and I can count the other Americans I encountered at the school on one hand. Most everyone speaks English, so meeting new people was no problem, and everyone was very welcoming and happy to show me the ropes in my first week. If you stick around to study later in the afternoon, you will also get the chance to meet some Japanese people who come to the school to study English! I met a language exchange partner who I am still in touch with that way. The location is excellent, right in the middle of Sapporo, and is easily walkable from the subway lines. There are tons of places to eat and shop nearby at a variety of price points, and the café in the school is a great place to hang out and study. I was very happy with the educational quality, community, and pretty much everything else at JaLS. As I said at the top, I intend to go back. Hopefully I'll see you there!

When I was looking for a Japanese language school in Japan, JaLS immediately got my attention, because of how many interesting activities it offered besides regular lessons, and also because classes were so small in comparison to all the other schools. So I chose to enroll for the 2016 Winter Course (which last approximately a month) and after that to attend the Standard Course for two more months. To put it shortly: the best 3 months of my life!!! :-D The lessons were always extremely interesting and fun, and a lot of focus was given to conversation, which was my weak point. It’s amazing how much progress I made in such a short period (and having such a great time!), all thanks to the amazing work of brilliant, super-friendly and dedicated teachers who really motivated me day by day. Also, the classes being very small, they can give a huge amount of time and attention to individual needs, which really gives you the opportunity to practice your language skills a lot. Every lesson was useful and challenging, making for very pleasant mornings. And the afternoons and weekends the learning process didn’t stop, as there were always great trips or cultural/recreational activities to join, where you really had a great chance to relate to local people, their culture, their everyday language, their way of thinking. Just to name some of the fantastic experiences I had: I had a barbecue in an igloo, followed by a bath in a beautiful onsen in the snow, I learned how to make sushi and soba, I watched the penguins march in beautiful Asahiyama zoo, I watched fireworks shining over enchanting Ice sculptures at Shikotsu lake, I learned how to fish in the ice and how to swing a kendo wooden sword…and I could go on and on and on…It was a memorable, fascinating journey, made all the more special by the great people from all over the world I met along the way. I made a lot of friends of all ages and from all countries, I learned a lot of things and I cried a lot of tears when it was time to say goodbye to JaLS. The accomodation was fantastic, too. I wanted to have my own room in a dormitory to have a lot of privacy, and the school staff really went out of their way to accommodate my requests. I stayed at a very lovely dormitory, where I had a huge room with private kitchen and toilet and two very tasty and abundant meals every day. It was clean, cosy and very close to the metro, I couldn’t ask for more! I’m so happy I chose Hokkaido and found JaLS. Sapporo is an elegant, beautiful, vibrant city, and at the same time it’s way cheaper and easier to live than megalopolis like Tokyo or Osaka. Hokkaido’s nature is just breathtaking, especially during winter and there’s lots of ice and snow festivals in the city and all around the region. And if you go, get ready to get a few kilos, because food in Hokkaido is heavenly good! To conclude, I think what made this adventure so magical is the people. JaLS people are just special, both the teachers and the staff go out of their way to make everyone happy and safe and to make sure everyone’s learning, socializing and having fun. It really felt like a big family, a strong bond was created among students, teachers, staff people and the atmosphere was always friendly and vibrant. I’m grateful to all of them, and I can’t wait to see them again…which I will, because I will certainly go back to this amazing school very soon! :-D

When i made my decision to go study Japanese in Japan, i directly aimed to live in Sapporo. In many ways a city that did fit my preferences with its closeness to nature and mountains, it's a big city without all the rush and stress you can experience in Japan's other major cities. For me it was the perfect mix of Japanese studies and culture experience, even though class is only 3 hours per day you will learn and progress a lot since it's small classes and you get a lot of attention from the teachers. This was my first time leaving my home country alone, but i went back home with so much awesome experiences and awesome new friends!

I spent four weeks studying Japanese in JALS and had such an amazing time. The class sizes are small, and learning for three hours a day really lets you improve your Japanese ability really quickly - but I never felt stressed out at all. The lessons are very well-structured and focused on conversational ability, and it was really fun to go out every afternoon and practice whatever I'd learned that day on unsuspecting wait staff and my host family. The activities after classes are all really interesting as well (e.g. sushi-making, cloth dyeing), but the best part was meeting so many different people from all over the world and making new friends, hearing a huge variety of different languages, and going out for dinner, drinks, or karaoke in the evenings. I had friends from Europe, Taiwan, America, and a load of other places. It's really a mixed bag of people but everyone is really fun. The staff and teachers are all really amazingly nice and helpful as well and felt like friends too :))) Living in Japan is also super interesting. I stayed with a host family and got to experience life like a local - speaking Japanese at home also does wonders for your language abilities, although my host family also spoke perfect English, if anyone's worried that it might be too difficult. We went out a lot on weekends to do things like cherry-blossom viewing, and visiting nearby towns :) Sapporo itself is probably my favourite city in Japan - it's like Tokyo without all the horrible overcrowding and insanity, and I highly recommend living there. I will definitely try to come back to do more time at JALS at some point in the future :)

I spend nearly 7 weeks at this school for their Winter program and two weeks of standard course, and overall it was the best 7 weeks of my life. Not only did I learn Japanese, but I had fun as well. I believe having fun is one important component when it comes to learning. To make learning more effective, the classes are separated into small groups, which each class has no more than 6 people in them. This allows the teacher and students to interact with each other a lot more. There was never a lesson that had a dull moment in it, and there was always laughter. After class, the school would organized fun activities for students join, such as culture activities, trips, and conversation lessons. Since it was the Winter program, many activities allows us to enjoy and play in the snow, for example, we went snow walking and snow tubing as one of the activities the school offered, and we also had the chance to eat BBQ in a snow hut. Culture activities, allowed us to engage ourselves in Japanese culture, in which we had the opportunity to try on kimonos, learn kendo, have a tea ceremony, make sushi and soba, and ect. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed everything the school has to offer. If in the future I have the chance I will defiantly attend the school again. I will never forget the experience I had here, and also all the new friends I had met.

My personal experience of 2 sessions: 3 month of standard course and 2 month of standard + private course. I have started from basic conversational Japanese and reached an intermediate level, (Minna no Nihongo lesson 10 to 50) and 500 kanjis. The standard lessons are about 55 minutes long and a maximum of 6 students in each classrooms but most of the time, we were 4 or 5. They really care to put you in a class of your level. For 3 weeks, because there was no other students of my level, they started a class just for me! The school uses Minna no Nihongo and teaches 2 lessons per week that means lots of homework to acquire vocabulary and grammar at home and practicing in class. Also the Shadowing book for speaking/listening and a small essay per week. Although they speak english, we used to speak only in Japanese. Without being bossy, those classes are really effective and I was able to learn fast. You may have a maximum of two teachers in a week, so they can follow your progress individually. Along my 5 month, I had 6 different teachers. All of them were good and experienced teachers. The whole staff is nice and friendly, dedicated to your Japanese studies and also they really cares about your well-being in Sapporo. Most of them speaks english. I recommend it for short term studies, people interested in visiting Hokkaido and experience Japanese culture. They propose a wide range of activity: food, cultural class, visits, festivals, sightseeing, lots of advices for food or nice places to go out. This school is definitely worth it.

Went to school last year for 5 weeks. Would consider that time as the best time in my life. Met great people and had great time. JaLS staff is better than family. Even you dont like to study, you feel like you want to study at school and spend there every day of your time. Came back this year twice and it was even better. As a result im moving to Sapporo for good next year!

I chose Jals since the small class and various programs. Teachers and staffs were so kind and full of energy that I could learn a lot only only from the lessons but through chatting with them. I think it's the best way of language learning. At first I could only say some single words and phrases, but after graduation I could find a part-time job in Japan. It's absolutely one of the best memories of my life. If there's any chance, I'd like to go back again!

I learned Japanese during six weeks at the Hokkaido Japanese language school and had a great learning experience. The teachers have a long standing teaching experience and are very patient, caring and professional. The classes are small and a big effort is made on oral skills. Progresses are here after few weeks. In addition to the classes, cultural activities are offered to discover Japanese culture. Prices are reasonable, and Sapporo is cheap and not too big a city, ideal for nature lovers. I highly recommand this school.

I would recommend Hokkaido Japanese Language School as great way to enjoy Hokkaido on the short term. They offer all levels of Japanese from beginner to advanced for formal study and employ effective learning methods such has shadowing to help in the language learning process. More importantly Hokkaido JALS allows for activities outside the classroom which encourages students to immerse in real world Japanese through an enjoyable informal setting. The school is not so intensive as to over burden and prevent you from enjoying the Sapporo experience, yet they are a completely legitimate language school that focuses on obtaining practical Japanese language. I picked this school so I could travel and have fun while complimenting my personal self-study of Japanese with lessons from an authentic language learning institution. The teachers at Hokkaido JALS are patient and respectful people. I would highly recommend.

I`m a little biased with my opinion on Sapporo due to me living here. The winters can get cold and the roads slippy but it`s worth it, for the awesome Summer weather. Summer in Sapporo is fantastic. There`re so many festivals and fun things to see and do. The school trips are well put together and help students not only see more of Hokkaido but meet some good people and share some fantastic experiences! All in all the school is fantastic. The whole experience from dealing with the office staff with my countless queries and schedule changes, to being taught are effortless regardless of Japanese ability!!

My time at Hokkaido JaLS as a student included morning group classes, afternoon 1-1 lessons, and activities. Everything was brilliant! I had a great time, made some amazing friends and gained confidence in my Japanese! The morning classes are a maximum of 6 people so there's loads of time to talk and ask questions. The 1-1 classes were great for helping me learn the Japanese I needed to at the time (I was writing a thesis on the Japanese education system for my Masters!), and my teacher was really supportive. The active social environment of JaLS also made it easy to make friends, meet local people and just have the best time. Normally, each week there were at least 4 social activities or planned trips which meant there was never a boring moment! I would really recommend studying here, whatever your Japanese level!!