JaLS GROUP

Best language school so far! I’ve never learned this much in such a short time compared to other language schools. The classes can be a bit challenging at the beginning because they are very fast-paced, but it’s amazing to see how quickly you improve from day to day. Everyone is incredibly helpful—especially the school manager and staff, who always lend a hand and truly care about all the students. What I loved most is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world in the large lobby, whether for lunch or studying together. My classmates became friends, but I also connected with people from other classes—so you’re never alone 🫶🏻 The school offers great social activities (e.g. visiting famous places or conversation practice), and we often spent time together after class as well. On top of that, the facilities are very modern, creating a calm and inspiring environment for learning a new language. When the weather was good, Fuji-San welcomed us for morning classes. The view is amazing because the school is on the 23rd floor. Since I had just arrived in Tokyo, I found the location of the school perfect for exploring beautiful parks, cafés, shrines, and more. I definitely want to come back soon! It truly felt like a family. Thank you so much for making me more comfortable talking in Japanese and my pleasant stay.

여기 사람들 다 좋은 사람들이었습니다. 제가 운이 좋아서 좋은 학생을 만난 것도 있지만, 스탭들도 다 친절하고 좋아서 너무 즐겁게 보냈어요. 저는 일주일만 신청했는데 그 시간들이 너무 짧아서 아쉽습니다. 나중에 기회가 있다면 다시 오고 싶어요. 그때는 좀 더 길게요. 제가 있었던 장소는 5월부터 다른 장소로 옮긴다고 하는데 추억의 장소가 옮겨져서 아쉽습니다. 다음에는 다른 장소에서 추억을 남기고 싶어요.

Muy recomendable!! La gente del staff es super maja, las actividades que proponen son super entretenidas y te permiten conocer Japón de verdad. Además, en las clases aprendes mucho no solo el japonés “escrito” sino especialmente el hablado. La gente es increible, si tienes dudas, ven aqui!!! 10/10 y si tengo oportunidad volveré

I have been studying japanese through JaLs and at the sametime I have been living in a homestay with an amazing family. Mr and Mrs Nozawa ほんとうにありがとうございました。 My course was 1 week intensive lesson with classes of 7 people and private lessons as well as activities.

It was my first time coming to Japan, and also my first time in Asia. I was extremely nervous because I didn’t know how to speak Japanese, aside from saying ‘thank you’ and ‘hello.’ Despite not speaking the language, everyone was always very kind and respectful to me. I met a lot of amazing people, who I now consider my friends. I have enjoyed every single day I’ve been here, and I would love to come back as soon as possible.

한국인 여러분~ 다들 아시죠? 곽튜브님 영상에서 유명해진 JALS! 이제부터 나고야 잘즈의 장점을 쭉 읊어볼게요~! 일단 가장 중요한 거, 선생님들이 다들 엄청 열정적으로 수업을 해주십니다!! 시험에 필요한 것부터 실제로 쓰이는 회화까지 다 알려주세요. 수업 끝나고 저희 숙제하는 동안 샘들은 옆에서 다음 수업 준비하느라 바쁘십니다ㅠ 열정 넘치심..! 또 다양한 국가의 사람이 많이 모여있어서 일본어 공부 뿐만 아니라 여러 문화를 교류할 수 있습니당(개인적으로 한국인들이 많이 없어서 너무 좋았어용, 강제로 한 달 동안 일본어랑 영어만 썼네여) 또 선생님뿐만 아니라 여러 친절하신 스탭분들이 일본에서 잘 적응할 수 있도록 24시간 모든 걸 다 도와주셔서 아무런 어려움 없이 잘 적응할 수 있구요, 여러 문화체험이 준비되어있어서 일본 문화를 쉽게 접할 수 있어요! 또 저녁시간에 영어공부하러 오는 일본인들이랑 쉽게 친구도 될 수 있고,, 엄청 이쁘게 꾸며진 라운지가 매일 열려있어서 수업 끝난 후에 공부, 일 등을 할 수 있다는 장점!! 무엇보다,, 사카에 중앙에 있어서 수업 끝나고 매일 친해진 반 친구들이랑 놀러다니다가 탕진잼 ^^ 이런저런 장점이 많은 나고야 잘즈로 놀러오세여!! 평생 잊지 못할 추억, 많은 친구들 만들고 갑니다아- 곧 엄청 좋은 건물로 이사갈 수도 있다는 소식을 끝으로 이만 줄일게용 ~~

Tuve una experiencia excelente en Fukuoka JALS, donde estudié japonés durante una semana. Los profesores fueron increíbles: siempre muy amables, con explicaciones claras y mucha paciencia. No tenían ningún problema en repetir o explicar de otra manera cuando era necesario, lo que hace que el aprendizaje sea mucho más cómodo y efectivo. Las aulas son pequeñas (en mi caso, éramos solo 6 alumnos), lo cual permite participar activamente, hablar mucho y poner en práctica el japonés aprendido en clase. Las clases se imparten completamente en japonés, pero incluso si tu nivel es bajo no hay ningún problema: los profesores saben hacerse entender perfectamente y adaptarse a cada alumno. Las clases son muy dinámicas y amenas, pasan volando. Además, la zona de coworking es muy útil para completar las tareas después de clase o repasar con tranquilidad. La ubicación es inmejorable: está en la estación de Hakata, el centro neurálgico de Fukuoka, desde donde puedes llegar fácilmente a cualquier parte de la ciudad. El personal en general es muy atento y las actividades que organizan después de clases están muy bien pensadas y son divertidas. Recomiendo Fukuoka JALS al 100% para cualquiera que quiera aprender japonés en un ambiente profesional, cercano y motivador.

I had a great time at JaLs! The teachers were super nice and always answered any questions I had. I especially liked how the class was centered around speaking because it translated to real life experiences in Japan. I felt that the pacing of the class was just right.

Jals名古屋は本当にいい場所です 、先生たちはすごく親切だし学ぶはたのしかったです。文化プログラムは毎週たくさんありますので毎日新しい経験ができます。僕は剣道や日本舞踊などを体験しました。どれも初めての経験で日本人や子どもたちとに交流もあり、すごく楽しかったです。プライヴェートレッスンはすごくいいと思います、自分の学びたい事を教えくれます。授業中はいつもいい雰囲気で丁寧に教えてくれました。文法などもっと学べます。

I studied here for 4 weeks, and I can honestly say that Tokyo JALS is an amazing place to learn Japanese, and to experience Tokyo at its best! I started out as a complete beginner, and I had a great time! The organizers and the teachers are very friendly, funny, caring and responsible. Also, the school is just plain beautiful! It is located in the 23rd floor of a modern skyscraper in the center of Shibuya. The view is amazing! And the warm and stylish amenities make you feel really comfortable while studying. Thanks to the flexible model of the school, students from all age groups, all countries, and all walks of life studied with me. As the school provides a lot of afternoon activities, I got to meet my fellow students a lot, which was very enriching to me. Through these afternoon activities, I also got to see a lot of cool and interesting places in Tokyo I would have otherwise missed. I'm super thankful and happy that I got to study here (:

It was amazing, the teachers are great And you immerse yourself in Japanese so you can learn so much in such a long time the stuff are so kind and they’re always thinking how they can help you the class level is accurate and you get all the help you need

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.

Desde que llegue todos fueron super amables y alegres, todos los dias te reciben con una sonrisa. Las clases fueron super buenas, eran divertidas y entretanidas, todos los dias se aprendia algo nuevo. Los maestros super amables, convivir con ellos es genial, nadie te hace mala cara ni te falta al respeto. Enserio que recomendaria esta escuela siempre. Las actividades del curso culturan siempre fueron asombrosas y divertidas, nos llevaron a conocer cosas de Japón que no conocia. Enserio cada día y cada hora ahí la disfrutaba como no tienen idea, fuí la más feliz mientras estuve estudiando ahí. Por todo esto y más, gracias JaLS.

I had so much fun with the students, teachers, and staff!!! I learned so much and got to experience so many wonderful things!!! 1000% recommend this school!!!!!!! The language learning and cultural experience is top notch!

So far, my time at JaLS has been full of excitement. I have met many wonderful people, and know that many of them will be friends I cherish for many years to come. My journey to Fukuoka is not exactly the standard path, and JaLS has been instrumental in giving me the opportunity to be able to succeed. Without the staff, and fellow students, I would have had a much more difficult time. I look forward to the future, and know JaLS will always have a special place in my memories.

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.

When I read about JaLS’s summer course in Japanese, I felt that it was perfect for me. During my two weeks in Fukuoka, we had intense days with Japanese lessons in the mornings and fun activities in the afternoons. The level of instruction suited me very well. Considering that I am a beginner, it was sometimes challenging, but the teachers did everything they could to explain things to us in a simple and understandable way. A definite bonus was the group activities — we had a lot of fun and got to experience many traditional Japanese customs. The staff were so engaged and kind, and the students were all really friendly. I’m leaving Fukuoka with a truly wonderful experience and a lot of inspiration. I sincerely hope I’ll have the opportunity to do this again in the near future.

JALS was a great experience the teachings were great , the teachers were great the staff was great. JALS makes you feel like family . I learned so much from them, Thank you so much 😊 . ありがとございました🇯🇵

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.

Was very fun, teachers and staff and like are very competent and timely, and clearly take pride in their work. Thanks to this, classes are efficient and I learned a lot in just two weeks. The cultural experiences offered are also top notch, and I was able to learn about Nagoya and Japan in general thanks to this.

The school had activities after lessons that gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the culture or gives you the opportunity to meet up with locals which helps you get more practice in speaking and interacting. Living in a homestay gives you plenty of practice and immersion into the culture and language. I’m very happy with the experience since everyone were so welcoming and I learnt so much through interactions with the school and homestay family.

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.

I had a great experience learning Japanese at JALS Fukuoka. The school is ideal for more mature students, as it only admits those over 30. Its curriculum focuses on practical, everyday Japanese rather than test preparation, making it perfect for those who want to use the language in real life. The activities were fun, the staff were responsive and supportive, and as a bonus, they took excellent candid photos of students.

上課時老師講課很有趣及很容易理解，一星期五堂課，一堂3小時，每個人都進步得很快。活動也很有趣，老師及staff會帶我們周圍去認識不同的日本歷史、建築及文化，例如名古屋科學館、白鄉川、東山動物園、岐阜城、犬山城、岡崎城、熱田神宮等等，也會帶我們去體驗不同的名古屋名物，例如手羽先、ひつまぶし、味噌かつ、きしめん等等。同學們雖然都來自世界不同的地方，但都很好相處，在這裏我都認識了很多來自不同國家的朋友，大家都非常有趣。如果有機會會再來！

I arranged a 2 week study abroad period and home stay with a host family in Nagoya through JaLs had had a great experience both at the school and home stay. I found the structure of the course very helpful and encouraging, and all the staff, students, teachers, and my host family were incredibly kind and encouraging. My only regret is how sort my study period was — I could only fit in 2 weeks of the program as I was between exam periods, but I think I would have benefitted from/learnt more if I had been able to stay longer. I would recommend 4-6 weeks, but am still very grateful and happy with the experiences I have had!

Both teachers and staffs at Jals are professional and energetic. Not only the academic but also our day to day life are being well supported. Activities held by Jals left me with really rare and impressive memories. Can’t appreciate more! Last but not least, the lounge and classroom space is really convenient for students like us, this efficient use of limited space is admiring in my point of view.

The classes were very useful and well organized. I would also have liked a more personalized approach to leverage the learning experience. In regards of the teachers, they did they best to explain the topics until the students learned them. Classes were fun and interesting. Thanks for the effort!

I loved my homestay family, the staff at JaLS, my teachers and I made great friends. The homestay was great since I was given breakfast and dinner every day. Since class and the homestay were only in Japanese, my speaking skills improved a lot. Will remember this experience for the rest of my life!

All students, staff and teachers were so friendly! I enjoyed seeing everyone in the mornings before class. The classes were well planned and provided materials were always of a high quality. I highly recommend Nagoya jals!

일본 워홀의 첫 달을 여기서 시작했습니다. 한 달간 일본어의 기초를 다질 수 있었습니다. 여기서 다진 실력으로 생긴 자신감으로 일본 현지인 친구들을 사귈 수 있었습니다. 걱정이 많았던 일본 워홀의 시작의 첫 발을 성큼 내딛을 수 있었습니다. 만약 다음에 기회가 생긴다면 일본어 실력을 조금 더 다지기 위해서 돌아올 예정입니다. 선생님들 덕분에 앞으로의 워홀을 보낼 수 있을 것 같습니다. 선생님들 정말 감사드립니다

정말 재밌는 시간이었습니다ㅎㅎ 스텝분들과 선생님들도 모두 친절하셨습니다ㅎㅎ 강추입니다! 수업뿐만 아니라 문화체험도 다양하게 존재해서 여러 유익하고 재밌는 경험들을 할 수 있습니다. 또 다양한 곳에서 일본어를 배우러 오는 분들이 많아서 일본어와 일본 문화뿐만 아니라 다른 나라의 문화나 언어교류도 간적적으로 할 수 있습니다. 일본어 수업도 각자의 수준에 맞게 반배정이 되어 진행되기 때문에 유익하게 익힐 수 있습니다ㅎㅎ

The teachers and staff are amazing people, the activities are the best and I could improve my speaking and listening skills to another level. I also have met people from all over the world, and I’m very grateful for having this opportunity to study at JaLS

It was the best option to join jals. People are really nice, open minded and the staff is great. I got connected to people all the time and recieved help immediately if i had questions. The atmosphere is really relaxing and the teacher's are great. Once a week there is a test based on what you learned in school. The test are based on the homework you get. The lessons are easy to understand and all questions get answered. The school has an activity list after class, i did many of them and they are always fun.

I started with pretty much nothing. After two months of studying everyday, following up on homework, learning vocabulary and taking private courses, I can really feel the progress. It was not exhausting at all, because everyone at the school is friendly and helpful - I had a lot of fun! とても面白かったです。ありがとうございます。

My experience was enjoyable! I really enjoy the classes with Emi and Ríe sensei, who's beside being patient, were super fun! Also, I couldnt have been luckier of having great classmates. Clases had the perfect duration and wasnt boring at all.

Kyoto JaLS is a unique Japanese language school. It allows you to tailor you Japanese study according to how much time you have in Japan on a weekly basis. I studied 4 weeks there, on my total 7 weeks of my last trip to Japan, and it was such a nice experience. First of all, the Teacher and Support staffs are very very supportive and friendly to everyone. It is not uncommon that you will be greeted and struck a convo in Japanese everyday. Second, the classes are very small, 8 students tops, which will put you in an immersive class study environment. In no time, you will feel that your classmates and teachers as your family members, and soon you will find yourself speaking Japanese, and you won't be afraid making any mistakes in doing so. Third, I joined Private Classes for 3 times a week. These private classes are tailored to what you would like to focus on in your study, be it Conversation, Grammar, Reviews, the teachers will help you in achieving them. Fourth, JaLS has very interesting after class Activities, which you can decide to join on weekly basis, Japanese cooking classes activities (i.e. Ramen, Soba, Sushi), Day sightseeing trips, Japanese Crafts and Arts. Conversation with Native Japanese speakers, etc. These activities will immerse yourself more in Japanese Culture and Language Learning. Overall i really enjoyed the experience very much. I made good friends with not only fellow classmates, but also the teachers and support staffs. I would definitely do this again in the future, and definitely would recommend Kyoto JaLS to anyone interested in learning Japanese during their trip.

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 stayed at Kyoto JaLS for 5 months and I highly recommend it! The teachers and staff are all extremely friendly and will help you in whatever way they can. The classes themselves are small group (8 or less people) which allows each student to receive the appropriate amount of attention needed when learning a new language. Speaking practice is well integrated into the curriculum as well as reading and easy writing. The school also offers after class activities that you can pay to join and they are all very good cultural experience activities that anyone can enjoy! This is the perfect school to go to in Kyoto especially if you are only in Japan for a few weeks since you can pay week by week. Thanks again Kyoto JaLS staff and teachers for the wonderful time I had there!

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.

Everyone at JaLS is so supportive and friendly. The teachers are fantastic and make difficult content fun and easy to understand. This experience was fantastic preparation for the JLPT, and if you are able, I would highly recommend the private lessons. If I could continue those from my home country, I would. That's how much I got out of them. I absolutely love this language school and would love to return one day!

The Kyoto JaLS Internship program was my first experience doing an internship, and it was an amazing experience. The staff were incredibly supportive, and they were very invested in making sure I got the most out of the experience. They arranged for me to take private Japanese Business Etiquette classes, and constantly made sure I could understand instructions since most of them were given in Japanese. I would recommend this program for those who already know some conversational Japanese, as the primary language of this internship was Japanese. In the mornings, I would go to a Japanese language class from 9:30 - 12:30, have a break for lunch, and then start my internship. Part of my responsibilities as an intern was to plan and host activities for students, coordinate social media, and work in the onsite cafe. As long as I fulfilled my weekly hour requirements, when I actually did them was very flexible. If there was an after school activity I wanted to join, I could easily schedule my hours around it so that I could attend. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in learning more about Japan and Japanese. The teachers and staff were excellent - they really did their best to make sure I felt welcome, and taught me so much in a limited amount of time. The staff were able to find me a very comfortable apartment only 15 minutes from the school. Every day I was able to apply what I had learned in class to real-life situations. During the internship, I was encouraged to focus on initiatives and tasks that interested me. I met a lot of really interesting people, and I gained a lot of really useful experience. It was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again!

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.

The teachers were extremely friendly, small class sizes (I had classes with one other student, up to 6 others, and I stayed at the school for 13 weeks!), school staff was always there to help, and made a lot of friends with the other students from all over the world!

This language school is amazing, really great teachers and staff. Class sizes are small and makes learning and focusing on new lessons so much easier and so much more fun. If I could I would be going back to this school everytime I go back to Japan.

The lesson was great, things I studied was very useful and can be used in reality, everyday life, teachers are very helpful and kind, they help and explain to students very well. On each lesson teacher tough fast but easy to learn and understood. The activity was great good choices and always fun and interesting, good to relaxed after a long study. Most of the experiences are from activities. Staffs are very friendly and helpful. Good coffee.

An important aspect of attending a language school is a correct class assignment. JALS is placing students according to the placement test but makes sure the difficulty is appropriate for a students and readjust the placement as necessary. The difficulty of my final class was perfect, i.e., with enough challenge to keep me improving while keeping up with the pace. Classes are maintained at a size where all students get enough attention and oportunity to participate. Teachers are patient and very supportive. School premises are adequate and pleasant. School also organizes a lot of fun activities so there are many opportunities to get in contact with other students and locals. One can therefore practice the language while having a good time. Great overall experience and easy choice for my next language trip.

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 time here was wonderful. I got to know many new people, with whom I did many interesting things. Some of them are locals, they showed me some places of Kyoto that not everyone knows. My time here couldn't have been better.

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 !!

Teachers were really kind to teach Japanese and always tried to let us understand well. If I don’t understand well, they provided other useful handouts as well. Staff were also kind and they let us know what Kyoto is like well. I got a variety of good impressions from them. Everything at the JaLS Kyoto was satisfying and I want to learn Japanese later again if I have an opportunity.

For the beginning of this summer I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to complete an internship with Kyoto JaLS for 7 weeks. During this time I took Japanese classes, gained many skills through interning and experienced the wonderful culture of the area with new friends. While in Kyoto, I lived in a sharehouse and absolutely loved it. My roommates and I always planned get togethers and would host things like pancake nights, curry night, omurice parties, and an okonomiyaki party. Life in the sharehouse made my time in Japan unforgettable- I will treasure the time I got to spend with all the amazing people I got to live with for 7 weeks! I definitely recommend living in a sharehouse because it’s a great way to engage with local people as well as fellow JaLS students. One thing I really appreciated was how small the class sizes were, because it ensured personal attention from the instructors. All of my teachers were amazing! They made the classes more interactive by including learning games and challenged us to converse only in Japanese. The teachers and staff members were helpful, cooperative, and always available for any kind of support. Additionally, they created a friendly and welcoming environment which made me feel at home! :) The activities organized by JaLS provided me with the opportunity to truly experience Japan on a deeper level, develop my Japanese, and make friends with other JaLS students and the locals. I became friends with many students from different parts of the world which allowed me to experience and learn about different cultures. Overall, my experience at JaLS was WONDERFUL, and I recommend it to those who want to experience Japanese culture while making incredible memories and gaining useful skills!

I had an amazing experience at JaLS. I attended the advanced class of the summer course in 2019 for 4 weeks. The teachers are really good and take care of your interests and wishes when learning Japanese. The staff members are really nice and friendly and always helpful when you have problems or just need some information. There was a variety of events and activities to experience Japanese culture and improve your Japanese as well as making friends along the way. I highly recommend the school. I made great friends in that time and studying was great.

I came to Kyoto for the culture and historical sightseeing spots and stayed for the people. In the three month I took classes at JALS I could improve my Japanese drastically. The teachers at JALS were always very patiently and, even though strict at times, they encourage their students to speak Japanese which makes learning a fun and rewarding experience. Thanks to the teacher and staff, I was able to make friends by only using Japanese and was able to see parts of Kyoto's life that wouldn't be possible as a normal tourist. The love and support I received from the people here makes this stay really unforgettable. Only heavy heartidly I will leave this city and JALS to venture for new experiences to other parts of Japan.

The Kyoto JaLS Internship program was a wonderful experience for me. I learned a lot and made wonderful memories while working, making great friends and meeting new people from all over the world. I specially loved the opportunity to study Japanese and get some work experience at the same time. I love how this program really caters to your needs. They want every customer, whether intern or language student, to be satisfied and they really do come through with their promises. I decided to try this Internship on a whim, not really expecting much, but my time here at JaLS was better than I could have hoped for. I wish I could have stayed longer. Thank you so much for a great summer! Will definitely want to come back soon! :D :D :D

This is my second time at studying at JaLS and both times it has been fantastic for my Japanese studying. The teachers are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the atmosphere of the lounge is perfect for relaxing or studying. The activities provided by the school provide great opportunities to meet new people and practice Japanese. If you are looking to learn Japanese in a casual, international environment in Kyoto, I highly recommend Kyoto JaLS.

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.

JALS Hokkaido is a wonderful study environment to be in if it’s your first time studying Japanese abroad. You are treated very well by the staff and the lounge area is perfect for both socialising and studying.

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.

I spent four weeks learning Japanese at Kyoto JaLS, taking part in the Winter Course. Not only did I improve my Japanese but I had such a great time and made friends for life. The staff were super supportive before, during and after the course and made it really easy for me to move to Kyoto. The atmosphere in the lounge is fantastic - the staff are always happy to talk (in Japanese and English if you need it) and it's great to have a relaxed study space available. It also creates a lovely community between everyone at JaLS, the Japanese students, English students, teachers and staff. The teachers are all lovely and have their different teaching styles, but they all make sure the students learn in a fun, easy-to-understand way. I really enjoyed the cultural activities too; I lived in Japan for 18 months before studying at JaLS but it was the first time I really immersed myself in traditional culture like tea ceremony and kimono. The housing arranged by the school was lovely and good value for money. I can't recommend JaLS enough.

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!

I spent 8 weeks at JaLS learning Japanese. I had a wonderful experience; it was everything I hoped for and more! Everyone at JaLS is super nice and helpful, staff and teachers alike. The staff helped me from the moment I stepped foot in Japan, with housing and transportation. They also gave me safety instructions in case of natural disasters. The classes are fun and the activities are just the best to really immerse yourself in Japanese culture. I met a lot of different people and made many friends. I had a great time and would strongly recommend this school. Thank you JaLS! :)

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!

I was lucky to have the opportunity to experience a 6-week internship with Jals. The program is perfect for those who want to get to know the working culture and environment of a Japanese company. I am also able to study and improve my Japanese, and working as an intern at the same time. I got to allocated to different works every day including working as a cafe staff, doing event planning for the company and learn to serve at the front desk, with keigo lessons on every Thursday that prepare me to work in Japan. I would like to come back if I have a change!

I came to Japan to gain some experience interning in a company to build up my resume and I can honestly say the Kyoto JaLS Internship program was perfect for me. Japanese classes in the morning and working in the company in the afternoon still left the weekends for travelling and evenings for friends. The tasks were different everyday so I was able to learn and hone many new skills over my 6 week period. Everyone was so friendly and kind, I had an amazing time and am very grateful I could experience this program.

[Eng/Deu] Hello, I am a Hokkaido Japanese Language School student from Germany coming to Japan with a working holiday visa. I planned to work in Japan and looked for appropriate schools. After evaluating different options, I chose JALS because they offer internship courses to prepare you for working in Japan and put you in classes that suits your skill level. In my case I was not a complete beginner but not yet intermediate. I studied Japanese at JALS from November to March (14 weeks) with an internship lasting for 6 weeks and staying at a host family. I had a wonderful and joyful time and made many international and Japanese friends. What I treasured most is the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I was really scared at the beginning coming to Japan by myself. But not only the host family but the staff at JALS as well made me feel at home in an instant. Furthermore, I was really amazed how skillfully JALS’ teacher can convey grammar comprehensively without using English or another language beside Japanese. The many activities, the patient and helpful staff members and teachers as well as the flexibility makes JALS perfect for a short time language experience. I was able to improve my Japanese from ”throwing a few words at Japanese” to “having casual conversation with patient Japanese” in 14 weeks. Even though I recommend anyone, who wants fun language holidays, to go to JALS, it gets really crowded during seasonal courses. With 8 people in one small classroom it can get noisy and the time being able to talk Japanese in class is reduced. With longer stays like mine the teaching methods can also get a bit monotone. I think, with increasing the free talk time during classes the learn experience could be heavily improved and the fear of talking to Japanese taken away. All in all the Hokkaido Japanese Language School taught me a lot of valuable language skills and helped me start my working holiday trip thoroughly. It’s an experience that will last, especially because of all the great people I met at the school. ------------------- Hallo, ich bin deutsche Schülerin an der Hokkaido Japanese Language School und bin nach Japan mit einem Working Holiday Visa gereist. Vorab habe ich mich über geeignete Schulen informiert, mit der Intention später in Japan zu arbeiten, und entschied mich letztlich für JALS. Grund für diese Entscheidung war der Praktikumskurs und die flexible, individuelle Kursauswahl entsprechend des Sprachlevels. In meinen Fall war ich zwar kein kompletter Anfänger mehr, aber auch noch kein Fortgeschrittener. Ich schrieb mich für November bis März (14 Wochen) ein und belegte die ersten 6 Wochen den Praktikumskurs. Während dieser Zeit lebte ich bei einer Gastfamilie. Die Zeit bei JALS war wunderbar und voller freudiger Erinnerungen. Ich konnte viele internationale und japanische Freundschaften schließen und wurde vom ersten Tag an mit offenen Armen in einer herzlichen Athmosphäre empfangen. Vor allem da ich zu Beginn große Sorgen hatte, allein in ein Land am anderen Ende der Welt zu reisen, war ich erleichtert, sofort so warmherzig in die Familie aufgenommen zu werden. Weiterhin war ich erstaunt, mit welcher Leichtigkeit die Lehrer an der Schule auch schwierige Grammatik ohne den Gebrauch von Englisch oder einer anderen Sprache neben Japanisch vermitteln konnten. Die vielen optionalen Aktivitäten, das gedulige und hilfsbereite Personal und die Lehrer, als auch die Flexibilität des Unterrichts machen JALS zu einer idealen Schule für ein Kurzzeitspracherlebnis. In den 14 Wochen war ich in der Lage mein Japanisch von “wir werfen einzelne Wörter in den Raum” nach “wir haben ein Alltagsgespräch mit einem geduldigen Japaner” zu verbessern. Ich empfehle jedem, der einen Sprachurlaub machen möchte, sich bei JALS einzuschreiben. Während der Saisonkurse sind die Kurse jedoch etwas voll. Auch wenn die Klassen mit 8 Schülern sehr klein sind, kann es gelegentlich sehr unruhig werden und die Zeit, sich während des Unterrichts auf Japanisch zu unterhalten, sinkt. Ideal sind Klassen mit nicht mehr als 6 Schülern. Der Unterricht bei längeren Aufenthalten wie meiner neigt dazu, auf Dauer monoton zu werden. Ich denke, wenn man die Zeit, in der man freie Unterhaltungen führen kann, erhöht, würde das den Unterricht wesentlich verbessern. Trotz allem denke ich, dass Hokkaido Japanese Language School eine sehr gute Schule ist, in der man wertvolle Sprachkenntnisse erlangt und ohne Sorgen sein Working Holiday starten kann.

Going to a foreign country by yourself is daunting, but JALS made it an ideal experience. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the building is inviting and cozy (also located very closely to odori park), and the school provides a plethora of programs that invites you to immerse yourself in the culture. I have studied Japanese on my own for a while, and became frustrated at a point because I saw less progress. JALS is the perfect place to go, because they not only perfectly accommodated to my level and pushed me, but also offers a very flexible schedule so I did not have to commit to a longer stay than I wanted. Accommodation is also fantastic. The program offers many options to choose from, and each one is guaranteed quality. I personally did a home stay, and I will always remember the kindness of my home stay family. Could not recommend more for anyone who is visiting Japan for the first time/starting to learn Japanese.

On my first day I thought I was in way over my head but with the help of the staff I was able to fit in, and enjoy every bit of my experience there, to the point of making me want to go back again in the future. I met so many wonderful people and made a lot of friends. Jals is definitely a place I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn Japanese and experience a beautiful part of Japan.

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 spent 2 weeks in JaLS as an absolute beginner. Being a slow learner, i didn't expect much from the course, in the end i feel amazed for managing to learn so much in 2 weeks, Hanagana, katakana and 4 chapters of the textbook. The teachers are all very patient and professional, the teaching materials are organised and well prepared, which helps us to learn Japanese efficiently and effectively. Besides, the cultural courses from JaLS are all very interesting and organised. i have joined several classes like the Taiko, mochi making, pottery class, sushi making and the outing to Shiga (an art exhibition). They were all amazing, i could experience Kyoto culture in a very relaxed and organised way. We were well taken care of in each activity, it allowed us is to experience Kyoto in a relaxed n organised way without the language barrier. Last but not least, the staffs of JaLS are extremely friendly and helpful, they are very professional and detail minded to arrange things for me, from accommodation to all the classes. It was a wonderful holiday in Kyoto!

The nicest Japanese school I have ever had the pleasure of attending(twice!!!) Yes I love it so much I had to go back for more! I attended Hokkaido Jals in 2017 and this year attended Kyoto Jals. With amazingly beautiful classrooms and cafe, an extensive Japanese curriculum to suit your Japanese level and a wealth of activities and opportunities to improve your Japanese Jals honestly has it all. For people who want to experience Japan, and I mean REALLY experience Japan more than your average tourist, Jals is a great place to start! I had some amazingly fun cultural experiences at Jals, like temple visits, tofu making classes and many conversation classes/casual gatherings that I could have never had anywhere else. I was able to experience Japan on a deeper level, develop my Japanese and make friends with some lovely people along the way. Whats more, I found the staff so friendly and accommodating. They went above and beyond to make sure that my stay, as well as that of all the other students, was fulfilling. The teachers as well were always checking in to make sure that the level of the classes suited us, if there was any other questions or problems we were having in regards to our stay in Japan and always did their best to make our classes as fun as possible! Cannot recommend this place enough! If you haven't signed up you're already missing out people!

Last September I spent 3 wonderful weeks at the JALS school in Kyoto, after a likewise wonderful experience at the JALS school in Sapporo last year. Kyoto JALS is an excellent school, conveniently located in the city centre. The staff was kind, friendly and really supportive, and everything was very well organised. The teachers were excellent and made classes really informative and engaging. The classes were small and that was ideal to practice the language in the best way. Furthermore, the school provides several activities and excursions to points of interest in Kyoto.

I've spent 5 weeks at the JALS school in Kyoto. It's very personal and the staff is very friendly and always concerned about your wishes and they are very uncomplicated. The location is very new and clean. The teachers were absolutely lovely and took there time to explain the theories and practice it. The Book at first was intimidating, because it was all in Japanese, but you get used to it and maybe thats not even a bad thing, thats the way you learn it. I am currently using this book to continue to study Japanese. The school is very active in organising activities for everybody, and you can feel they are doing it with all there love and energy. There are only positive vibes at the school. They organise things such as making chopsticks, going to festivals, conversation afternoons and other Japanese activities.

I spent a month at Kyoto JaLS this summer! Although a relatively new campus, they had a well-thought out programme which provided a good mix of lessons and cultural activities :) The school is in the centre of Kyoto and is located in a co-working space. This gives students the added opportunity to mingle and network with native Japanese, which was really important to me as you get to utilise what you’ve learnt immediately and make new friends to hang out with! Additionally, the process of signing up with the school is fuss free! They are really responsive and genuinely care about what you want to gain out of the experience. Besides gaining more confidence in my language abilities, I am really happy to have forged amazing friendships with the staff, students and the natives co-working at the location! Notwithstanding, Kyoto is an amazing place to be in!!! It was definitely an amazing experience, and I would have loved to spend more time there!

My experience at Kyoto JaLS was absolutely amazing! The staff were super friendly and helpful and the teachers introduced me to a lot of aspects of Japanese culture. There was ample opportunity for me to speak Japanese both in group and private lessons. My classmates came from all over the world so I also learnt about various other cultures too! The summer course activities were very fun and hands-on. Many different events were held that gave me the chance to interact with local English students or other local Japanese people from Kyoto. The accommodation arrangement was also perfect. My share-house manager lived close by and organised a few events each month for share-house members. These events also widened my social circle in Kyoto.

This is my first time that leave my home and go to other country by myself. I'm very excited! Japan is my favorite country.Kyoto have a lot of shrines, temples and landscapes, so I choose Kyoto.In Taiwan,I find UF Japan to arrange my schedule. In all school,JaLs's application information is most attractive. First day I came to school,"wow it's so beautiful." I think.In JaLs everyone was very friendly to me.In a month I learned a lot of things and got a lot of experiences. Although I encountered two typhoons, one was I go back to Taiwan.Airport was closed and flight was stop to fly,I stayed in Osaka four days.Patrick who is school's staff gave me a great help. I'm very happy what I choose this school. Everyday is wonderful!

Although my stay was short, I had a great time and classes were great as well. Classes are structured really well and with few students, which is good. Huge variety of activities. The staff is just amazing, always ready to help and make your experience worthwhile

I LOVE KYOTO JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL! For anyone who wishes the work, study or just live in Japan a few class through this school will change your life and set you up for success! JaLS is a great affordable school for students of all ages and have schedules for everyone! I studied at Kyoto Japanese Language School this past summer for a month (on the summer schedule) with the intention to just learn Japanese. However, I received so much more. By the time I was leaving Japan, I was confidently communicating with my various friend groups in Japanese, reading and writing complex sentences, and extremely well cultured. None of this progress would have occurred this quickly if I had not attended Kyoto JaLS. My experience at Kyoto JaLS was completely immersive. Entering into this school, I spoke little Japanese and within the first week I was speaking and writing correct simple sentences. By two weeks, I had successfully made friends with the staff and many of the diverse students both inside and outside of school. Finally, by my last two weeks in Japan I had become so culturally immersed into my new lifestyle that I was speaking Japanese at school, outside on the streets and at my share house which was something I didn’t think I would be able to do when I first arrived to Japan. The Language School has an efficient system of learning, where class of no more than 8 students are taught by a Japanese speaking professor. The professor only speaks Japanese, the textbooks are in Japanese, and you are only allowed to converse in Japanese for about three hours and thirty minutes a day. As a novice Japanese speaker I did not think I would be able to learn in this climate, however the staff, teachers, and administration of JaLS are so helpful and driven to help me improve that in barely no time I was understanding Japanese. On the topic of the staff and administration, they are the most helpful set of people I have ever met. They equipped to handle various situations they people on hand that speak several languages including English to help make your stay in Japan as comfortable as possible. I speak from extremely personal experience where one of the staff member picked my up from my share house, helped me with my bags to the train so I would catch me flight at the airport! They are amazing people! Additionally, unlike many languages schools in the Kyoto area JaLS administration and staff goes out of their way to plan trips and activities for students to get a full cultural experience every single day! From walking through temples wearing yukatas, to making chopsticks, and learning kendo, JaLS gave me a full cultural experience to supplement my Japanese learning. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone who wishes to get a true experience of a foreign student living in Japan, looking for work or any other situation. I said this before and say it again! JaLS is a great affordable program for students of all ages and everyone should go! I had an incredible time in Japan, many new and intriguing friends and a beautiful language under my belt thanks to everyone at JaLS.

I spent two weeks at Kyoto JaLs in July. I felt very welcome and comfortable from the first moment. The classes are very small and the teachers are great! I learned a lot and at the same time I had a lot of fun in class. In the breaks there is always opportunity to talk and exchange with other students. The lessons are very well organized and there are always on-site staff who are happy to help with any problems. There are also many great offers for the afternoon, some are a little expensive, but it's still worth it, others are free. Overall, my experience at this school is very good. My Japanese has improved a lot, I met many people from different countries and I would have liked to stay longer. In fact, I'm already thinking about whether it's possible to go to Kyoto again...

I attended the summer course from July 31 to August 24 and it was one of the best experiences in my life. The school is very centrally located with a stylish & comfortable working space. The staff and interns there were also very friendly & hardworking. Kyoto JaLS organizes cultural activities everyday after school for a fee where anyone is welcomed to join. Overall, the atmosphere in the school is very relaxed. However, your experience will be entirely up to you to decide. I observed many students who spoke in their native language most of the time and many who didn't really try to mingle around with others, so the experience and feelings I had towards Kyoto JaLS and the experience they had was very different. My Japanese has definitely improved, particularly listening and speaking. I was very sad to leave as Kyoto JaLS felt more like home & family than a school to me. Just be respectful, understanding, go with an open mind and try to speak as much Japanese as you can while you're there, I guarantee that you'll have a great time at Kyoto JaLS! :)

Kyoto JaLS is not just a Japanese language school. Instead, it has combined a café, study room, bookshop, and language school for Japanese students (especially English) along with the Japanese language school for foreigners. There was an activity every day after class, and both Japanese and foreigners were welcomed to participate in the activity. This made learning Japanese not only a school subject, but an authentic experience of interacting with the locals and exchanging cultures and ideas. The concept of Kyoto JaLS as a space for people with different backgrounds sharing their ideas with other is amazing, not to mention the cozy environment (including the classrooms, study room, and café) and the friendly and helpful staff. Concerning the Japanese language course, the teachers were very professional that my need was always satisfied and I never had to try hard to concentrate in class. The lessons focused much on conversation and every student had many opportunities to speak. Therefore, my speaking ability had improved a lot and now I am more confident to speak in Japanese. To be honest, the course fee of Kyoto JaLS may be a bit more expensive than other schools. However, the quality of the course is worth the price considering the small class size and learning environment, which enhance the learning efficiency and motivation. If you do not want to waste time doing repetitive grammar exercises or getting bored during class, I would definitely recommend Kyoto JaLS to you.

I completed a two week course this summer and really enjoyed my time at the school. The classes were small, the teachers were experienced and the atmosphere at the school was fun. I would return in the future for a follow up course

Kyoto JaLS gave me more than I could ever hope for in my 2 short weeks in Japan! The staff was super helpful from the day of my application through to the time that I left the country. The staff and teachers were all very friendly and were ready to assist me with just about anything I needed (I got sick one day and they went with me to see the doctor!). Classes were small making it easy to ask questions to my teacher and they went at a great pace so I was never bored. There was also a great variety of activities in which I was able to really see and get to know Kyoto. My favorite were the guided visits to Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari. They have a great lounge and I made a few Japanese friends while I was there. I would definitely go again and highly recommend this program to anybody looking study Japanese for a short time in Japan.

Great location next to the subway station, cozy café inside. Staff members and teachers are great, very friendly and helpful. Learnt a lot of things, the lessons are interesting and fun, the cultural activities are also really enjoyable. Nothing much to say except I had a great time learning at Jals, too bad I couldn't stay more. Highly recommended if you want to improve your Japanese while enjoying Kyoto and its surrounding.

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 JALS language program is a very open program that helps students of many different backgrounds to connect and be part of the community. One of the greatest experience I had been in this language school is the opportunity to hang out with different people with similar interest throughout the town. Aside from the class, the cultural activity helps me broaden the learning aspect within the class. One of the greatest activities in the course when Interns throughout the course help set up activity between students from the local area and students who speak English. Interchanging culture and trying to connect with people that come from different backgrounds is a rare opportunity that not many people traveling get to enjoy. Overall, I would recommend the Jals program for anyone willing to experience Japanese culture and learn the language. It is very easy to enjoy your time and improve your language skill if you open your heart to people.

I attended Kyoto JALS this Summer during the month of June 2018. I took the Summer course program. Before attending the school I had my doubts. The Kyoto location is new and I couldn't find much about it online. I took a leap of faith and to my delight the program was everything promised and more. The staff is hard working and friendly. They were helpful, responsive and did a wonderful job making the experience overwhelmingly positive. I can proudly claim that in one month my Japanese had noticeably improved. I was very happy with the overall experience. I think it's important to go in with an open mind. If you are considering going to to Kyoto JALS go for it. The cafe is centrally located and is a relaxing environment. I was truly sad to leave and will definitely go back at the first opportunity.

My time at Hokkaido Japanese Language School in Sapporo was one of my personal highlights during my stay in Japan. Though i was supposed to "just get familiarized with the Japanese language" i learned so much more! The school, staff, teachers and the students made my time there not just about studying and learning japanese but experiencing and understanding the Japanese culture. My time in Sapporo was truly an amazing experience; everything from the Japanese lessons, to the arranged school trips, to eating out with friends and living in a share-house - which i highly recommend to anyone intending to study in Sapporo.

really grateful for the chance to study here, the teachers are very great, 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. thankyou jals!

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.

It's a wonderful three months in Hokkaido . I was so glad to chose Jals . All the teachers and staffs are very nice and friendly . In class you can have a lot of chance to practice your Japanese . If you want to improve your Japanese skills , especially speaking . Jals it's a good choice !!!

I truly had a great time living and experiencing all the great culture of Japan. The teachers were all very nice and very helpful with all the different course materials they provided. I would recommend this course for beginners or even those for advanced. As one of the longer students who stayed and I'm glad I got to go through this great experience with them. It would be so great to be able to go again.

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 preferred 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 particularly enjoyed my time studying Japanese at JALS in Sapporo. Not only did I have great teachers, I also made lots of friends from around the world through the program. The three hours of class for five days a week were perfect for a student like myself who wished to properly learn the language but also wanted time outside the classroom to explore and practice. Furthermore, the smaller class size of just a few students per teacher allowed me and my peers to get more chances to practice with teachers who in turn also got to know us better. With the program, I was also able to experience different aspects of Japanese culture through activities like kendo, flower arrangement, or sweets making. Depending on your budget and your interests, you can pick and choose the activities you want to do. The wintertime makes this program especially appealing as the city is blanketed in beautiful snow and ice festivals occur all throughout Hokkaido including the world renoun Sapporo Snow Festival. Overall, this program is a must not just because of the picturesque locale of wintertime Hokkaido but even more so because of the kind hospitality of the folks at the school, a trait shared by so many of wonderful people of Japan.

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.

Happy with good teachers and staffs in JALs. Teacher is very patient and responsible. Environment is nice and comfortable. Location is very convenient. No matter what kind of issues, you can seek help and advice from them. It is a very harmony place. I have a great time in JALs and eager to go again soon. Hoping I can stay longer and join more activities next time.

If you have had the pleasure of attending Sapporo JaLS, you will be thrilled to know that the quality education, activities, and social life that you know from up north have made the jump to Kyoto JaLS quite well. I attended for 5 weeks as a trial period student in January and February 2018, just as Kyoto JaLS opened, and was thrilled to see the direction that the program is headed in. I have made great friends, both other students and Japanese, thanks to the programs that JaLS organized. I also cannot say enough about the level of effort and attention put in by the staff. They would always speak with me in Japanese on breaks while I ordered coffee. They liked to ask what I was studying and always tried to match my level, but were happy to switch back to English when my skills weren't quite where I wanted them to be. The instructors were attentive and I very much enjoyed the small class sizes. They really give you a chance to practice the language instead of just listening to a lecture. If you're looking for a place to really advance your Japanese, meet great people, and experience all of the fun things that Kyoto and Kansai have to offer, I cannot recommend Kyoto JaLS highly enough. -Ben from the US

I was a returning student from Sapporo JaLS and had the opportunity to join Kyoto JaLS. I had an amazing time with JaLS in Sapporo and Kyoto. I brought my partner with me to Kyoto JaLS and the staff was very accommodating and extremely helpful when assisting us in finding a living arrangement that we could share. Kyoto JaLS has a very tight knit and supportive family environment where staff members and teachers are willing and eager to help you whenever you needed help or advice. Everyone at Kyoto JaLS made sure that you were having a good time while at school and were very friendly and engaging. There were many cultural activities that the students get to experience that take you to many different places in Kyoto. 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. The small class sizes also hosted by JaLS provide a perfect environment for to learn Japanese comfortably. In my class I always felt very encouraged and supported by my classmates and teacher. JaLS provides a very supportive environment to learn Japanese efficiently but still leaves plenty of time to have lots of fun after class. JaLS is also a wonderful place to make friends with students from all over the world. I have met many good friends from Sapporo and Kyoto JaLS and I cannot wait to return so I can to make more! I would recommend Sapporo and Kyoto JaLS to anyone who is interested in an amazing and unforgettable adventure in Japan.

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.

(I'm not English-speaking so maybe there are some grammar mistakes in this comment.Please just don't mind~~) I was a student in Hokkaido Jals before, and I really loved there. And now Jals had a new school open in Kyoto, so I enrolled the trial lesson and went back to Jals again. I extremely enjoyed the study in Kyoto Jals !! Of course, I would like to go there again in the future!! All the teachers and staffs were really friendly! I received many supports from them. And also the lessons were interesting and helpful. Because there was a limit of the number of students for each class( about max 5~6 people(?)), I could have much time and many opportunities to practice my oral skill in class. ←I considered this was a big difference from other schools, and really an outstanding point !! The lesson(maybe pre-medium(??)) I joined that was more focused on the oral than grammar, I thought it is really efficient to be able to talk in Japanese. Moreover, the excellent part of the school I like was that there were many different activities almost each day !! In the activities, not only I could make more friends and have a chance to interact with local residents but also have many chances to keep speaking Japanese after the class~ If you have a chance to study Japanese in japan, I will definitely recommend Jals to you!!

My experience with JaLS has been overwhelmingly positive! The teachers and staff are kind and hardworking, my classmates are friendly and truly international, and the school itself is simply amazing. Classes are really small so, unlike other schools I've been to, I actually get to really know my classmates and spend a lot of class time talking in Japanese. The school offers activities almost everyday to explore Kyoto attractions, culture, and cuisine. There are also lots of opportunities to meet and make friends with native Japanese speakers who use the same shared space that JaLS is a part of. Over the past few weeks I've definitely noticed an improvement in my Japanese, especially conversational ability and overall confidence. I am very happy that I chose JaLS!

I had an incredible experience with this program! Our coordinator Jeff was one of the most fun and immersive people I have ever met. He took us on amazing excursions. I also met many new friends both from all of the world and in Japan. My classes fully immersed me in the culture and atmosphere that is Kyoto, Japan!

I couldn't have had a better way of spending two weeks in Japan. The staff at Hokkaido Japanese Language School is so friendly, helpful, and caring. The school is located in the heart of Hokkaido. Every day there was a new cultural experience awaiting for me. I left with many life-long relationships, much improved Japanese language skills, and deep connection to the city of Hokkaido.

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!

I had a great time at JALS. From beginning to end Peta was attentively answering emails and always so helpful. Once I arrived everything was great! Accommodation that was recommended to me was affordable, clean and comfortable. I met such great people at JALS and it really made Sapporo feel like home. I cant more highly recommend this language school. All the teachers there are very well qualified, great teachers passionate and dedicated to teaching Japanese in the most engaging ways.

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!

The course at JaLS exceeded my expectations! Right from the beginning when I emailed some inquiries to JaLS, I could sense the staff's sincerity in replying me and answering any doubts I had. While I was at school, the staff were also very helpful in entertaining any queries I had, such as recommendations on food and travel. The language teachers were also very professional and patient (and fun at the same time). They used many examples to illustrate new grammar to us so that we could understand what was being taught. They also gave us sufficient time to practise the new grammar/vocabulary during class. I enjoyed the cultural activities very much too. I was blessed with nice classmates/schoolmates and we shared many fun times together! Really enjoyed every bit of my time in Japan! =)

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!

I went to study at Hokkaido Jals on 6 June 2016 until 29 august 2016. I was joining that school for holiday purpose, and it turned out to be the best summer ever!! Actually the learning method was so fun that made me finally willing to study. I went there with no japanese skill at all and after i finished 3 months course i'm able to speak basic japanese and it is more than i expected, i can talk about my life and things i like to do with japanese people, they understand me! The program was amazing because they had so many cultural and fun activities to offer from making sushi to rock climbing. This school is a great place to build international relationship because the school attended with students from all over the world, from indonesia to russia, even iceland. It was like a little united nations! As a conclusion, if you want to study japanese while making friends and having fun, Hokkaido JALS is a right place for you, just go online and apply now!

I was so happy that I chose Jals,because all of the staff in there are so nice and the teachers are so kind,interesting.I got a lot progress in this school and met a lot of friends who are from different country.It was a unforgettable and the best experience!

I have attended the Hokkaido Japanese Language School for two consecutive summers now, and both times have been more rewarding than I'd ever imagined. I spent all of my first summer there as a student - I came in with absolutely no background in Japanese Language, and by the end of 12 weeks, I had completed what my college considered a full year's worth of college-level Japanese. During my second summer, I continued language classes in the mornings and also participated as an intern in the afternoons. I had the unique chance to see what a growing organization like Hokkaido Global Linx does behind the scenes, and was even able to contribute with my own ideas and experience. By staying at the language school in the afternoons, I had the chance to practice the Japanese I'd learned every morning with the Japanese students who came in for their foreign language classes, giving me immediate firsthand experience in using business-appropriate speech. I also got to help organize field trips for the foreign students, teach Saturday classes in English, and give a presentation on Harvard University for interested students. This internship was also unique in the amount of control I had over my projects: in addition to my regular responsibilities, I could choose my own hours, and I even got to explore social media outreach by creating weekly posts from interviewing both students and staff members of the school. All in all, it was a great experience, and is especially valuable for those who come in with ideas, a good attitude, and an open mind.

I was at Hokkaido JaLS in the summer of 2016, as both a foreign student studying Japanese and a young intern for the company. Through the 6 weeks I was there my Japanese improved a hundredfold – my Japanese friends were so surprised when I returned and we could just talk in Japanese for hours on end! What's more my Japanese level wasn't even high to begin with - I arrived there a "pre-intermediate level" and am probably now an "intermediate level"; it doesn't seem like much on paper but I feel so natural and much more effortless speaking Japanese now! It's thanks to the 50/50 split of international students and Japanese students studying English at JaLS: there were so many opportunities to speak Japanese with others, and I made many lasting friendships with people of all sorts of ages and countries. As for the internship, the experience will vary for those between those who are native Japanese speakers and foreign interns. The amazing thing was that JaLS so flexible in offering types of things I could do for the company, even though I wasn't a native Japanese speaker. I hosted my own Language Exchange event, took students to festivals, baseball games and activities such as Japanese Taiko drumming lessons! I even learned how to operate a cafe and cash register, and shadowed some of the English teachers' classes with Japanese students learning English (as I have an interest in education). Finally, JaLS allocated me a share-house in which I stayed - which was an incredible experience. There were about 40 people living there, 50% International and 50% Japanese - we each had our own rooms and a giant shared living room/kitchen space. It was another great opportunity to learn Japanese and I really enjoyed spending time and being taken around the city by my Japanese share-house mates - we went to hot springs, spent whole nights at Round 1 and even slept on the roof together! Incredible. A truly unforgettable 6 weeks of my life, I miss JaLS and Sapporo already!! Plus, the school will come back better than ever in October 2016, bigger and with even more possibilities in store! 12 out of 10 points!!

One of the best decisions I’ve made was studying at the Hokkaido Japanese Language School (JALS) for 8 weeks. Looking back, my experiences in Hokkaido all feel like a really good dream that I didn’t want to end. If you want to learn real Japanese, there is no better way to do it than here. I have seen students who spoke zero Japanese come to class each day, and by the end of their summer session, were able to write, read, and speak easily! My personal progress has been no less amazing, but even more, I left Sapporo with the drive to keep studying Japanese, to keep pushing myself forward in life, and to work towards my goals each day. Learning Japanese is just one small part of the experience though. After morning classes, the day belongs to the students. JALS always has an activity lined up after lunch for those who are interested, and if not, there is always something to see and do in Sapporo! This brings me to the most memorable and important part of my journey—my friends. I made so many friends during my time in Sapporo between the students of JALS and the Japanese residents of the share house that JALS arranged for my stay. These people that I call my friends made Sapporo feel like a second home. We shared food, drinks, stories, embarrassing karaoke performances, and so much more. And no matter what background anybody was from, we were all equal and in this adventure together. Each weekend JALS had a new weekend excursion lined up for the students and it was these outings that were my most memorable. I had the chance to see the expansive lavender fields of Furano, Biei lake—a lake that echoes that beautiful teal color of Caribbean shorelines, Rusutsu Resort—an amusement park and ski resort in the mountains with breathtaking views and rollercoasters, Otaru—a well-known seaside town with a scenic canal reminiscent of Venice, and much more! If you’re thinking about visiting or vacationing in Japan next summer, consider the Hokkaido Japanese Language School! You’ll do more, see more, and make many unforgettable friends along the way. And don’t forget to bring your camera!

Hello, my name is Elísabet and I'm a seventeen year old girl from Iceland. I am now reporting for duty by writing my review of Hokkaido Japanese Language School. The following letter you will read has been written in all honesty, sugarcoating no truth whatsoever. You may now proceed to the review. I had a fantastic time while I stayed at JaLS. The staff were always friendly and ready to assist you whenever you needed anything, whether it was outside of school or not. In my class we were all from different countries and varied in ages, I was very surprised when I found out I was the youngest one there (17years old). The activity's the school offered were always fun and I never felt lonely since they seemed to make sure you were always with someone from your class. The teachers changed depending on what day it was, which I liked since their teaching methods were different. I was too young to stay at a share house, which I was a little bummed out about. But the school placed me in such a wonderful host family that I wouldn't have wished for anything else. Sapporo was such a wonderful place to stay at, I think almost all of us were surprised by how clean Hokkaido is! I made a lot of new friends there, and seeing pictures of them make me miss them a lot (which is what I'm doing right now thanks to Peta ಠ_ಠ). The two months I spent in Japan will always be stuck in my memory, I already feel nostalgic when I think about it. The people I met during that short time had created a tiny space in my heart marked as 'The weird people from JaLS, summer 2016'. And the 'summer 2016' part is important to note since I will be coming back. And I will be broke again lol(the price is very reasonable though! I just have no money :-)). But I know it will all be worth it because this summer left me in a M.E.S.S once I got home because I miss the people and the location so much. If this review wasn't enough to convince you to sign up for JaLS I hope the following photos will. But apparently I'm only allowed to post 3 photos, which does not give the experience it's justice. Elísabet tuning out.

At first, it was my friend who recommended this school to me. But I did do some research on my own, and through comparison, I realized that JALS has an awesome location, teaches in small classes, and offers diverse activities. With little knowledge of Japanese, I joined a class that had already started for a month. I knew that would happen beforehand but didn't prepare for it. However, I gradually caught up with the class because the teachers patiently gave me extra help and the staffs would assist me in studying after class at the school. All the activities are fascinating. And I highly recommend the FIREWORK festival in late July. The school knows a good spot to watch the firework. We went early, saved the sport, and then grabbed some foods together to wait for an amazing night. In all, I don't have any complaint about this experience. I made friends with people from all over the world. It was the best summer ever, and I would definitely go back again.

Hokkaido JLS is a great language school where you can learn a lot about Japan and its culture as well as make a lot of international friends. The teachers and staff are very friendly and are always willing to help. The school itself is very nice and the teachers really focus on you because of the smaller classes. It is also in the middle of town (5 min from sapporo station), so there was always a lot to do after school. There were also many cultural activities after school and on saturdays where I was able to do things I would have never been able to do on my own. The school also set me up with a very kind host family. They were very accepting and really made you feel like part of the family. At this school I was able to: improve my japanese quickly in a short amount of time while learning about the culture at the same time, make many new friends from around the world, and experience life in Japan instead of just traveling. Overall this was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. I highly recommend this school to anyone planning to study in Japan.

As my first visit to Japan, I think this was a great choice. Rather than the intense heat and huge crowds of Tokyo (as I later got to experience), in Sapporo you get to immerse in the Japanese culture without rush, giving you time to acclimate to this whole new place. As for the school, I think the staff and teachers are the nicest people ever, and they really try to make you feel comfortable. I learned a lot from this program and I really wish to go back to the school and study more Japanese with them. I literally knew nothing and ended up being able to order and asking for directions without anyone (or anything) to help me. It was simply great.

The summer course is very good! I recommend it to everyone, who want to learn something more about Japan and not only study Japanese. You can learn a lot about the Japanese culture and make interesting things that probably you will never try again in your life :) There are a lot of activities during week so you have always something interesting to do and you can make a lot of friends, every day is fun ! Japanese lessons in the morning are enjoyable and you will learn a lot in few time. If you have any problem school staff is really helpful and i think everyone is friendly and kind. I really enjoyed my month in JaLS, and hope I'll go again in future.

its been my home for the last 1 month everything here is very good we find many friends here and there and the teacher here are very nice and friendly too. the host family that has been organized by the school also took care of me as if i was their child which makes me feel even more comfortable as a student

This is experience was really helpful, going to JaLS in order to understand the Japanese language, was a really good choice. The staff and teachers at Jals, are extremely kind hearted, always there whenever you need them. They are very reliable and swift in helping student with concerns or questions regarding school and daily life. My favorite feature in Jals is the private class, i felt that as soon as i started attending to private classes, it really helped out with my studies and i began to have confidence in a speaking gradually. Overall, I enjoyed this experience and i definitely want to come back to Sapporo.

OVERALL: 10/10 -- I could not have asked for a better or more fun first experience in Japan! ACADEMICS: 10/10 -- Every morning there were three 50-minute lessons with 10-minute breaks in between each lesson. Each week was split halfway between two teachers (so for example teacher A for Mon, Tues and teacher B for Wed, Thurs, Fri) although they always followed the same curriculum. In the beginner classes, they used the Minna no Nihongo textbook series. I was at JALS for six weeks and over this course of time, I got to experience four different teachers and I honestly enjoyed and learned a lot from every one of them, despite differences in teaching styles. I know among my friends that not everybody enjoyed every teacher, but I personally loved all the teachers I had. I was always surprised by how quickly lessons flew by; the classes were really stimulating and engaging and my Japanese improved a lot. LIVING CONDITIONS: 9/10 -- I stayed at a share house about a 30 minutes (walking + subway) from JALS (I biked to school to save money. Biking takes about 35 minutes). Everyone in the share house gets their own room while bathrooms, washing machines, the kitchen, etc is shared. Residents are a mix of foreigners and Japanese natives. This was a really cool way to get to know Japanese people, as well as bond with other JALS students. If you stay at a share house, I definitely recommend you to invest in getting to know some of the Japanese people that also live there! CULTURAL IMMERSION: 9/10 -- I will be talking about the cultural activities that JALS organizes for its students. This will vary depending on your personal tastes and interests. Most of the activities I liked, but there were a few that I thought were so-so. As it was my first time in Japan though, I do not regret going to any of them (even the ones I thought were boring) because each was a unique experience. If this will be your first time in Japan, I definitely recommend choosing the Summer Course option (which includes many of the cultural activities)! Some of my personal favorites: kimono, yukata/summer festival, baseball game, all the sight-seeing trips. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: 10/10 -- Easily one of the best aspects of JALS is their staff and teachers. Super friendly, super nice, super lovable. If I were to return, that would probably be my top reason (along with the academics). They made the experience so much more enjoyable and were always genuinely invested in the students. They went above and beyond every time I had a question or situation, and all-in-all they are a very efficient and organized group.

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

This summer, I studied abroad for 8 weeks at JaLS, and it was quite a lot of fun! I was looking for a school that could teach me Japanese grammar and help me practice speaking, as I had already studied a lot of vocabulary and kanji. What I found was exactly that, and a lot more besides. Not only were the staff very nice and friendly, they took us on various exciting activities every week. The teachers were also very helpful, and being in small classes allowed us to ask a lot of questions and easily get feedback. As I wanted to experience the Japanese lifestyle as much as I could, I stayed with an amazing host family that the school found for me. We got along right from the start, and living with them allowed me to practice casual Japanese, which I very much wanted to learn more of. Furthermore, the home-cooked meals I got to eat everyday were always delicious. Going to this school allowed me to make many new friends and meet people from all over the world. I cannot recommend it enough. It has been without a doubt my best summer yet :)

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.

The trip to Japan this summer was my first solo trip to another country, and I feel like the application process to JalS was well managed. Being able to apply for both the Japanese course and a place to stay made it very convenient, and the quick replies to e-mail queries made the process smooth. Class sizes are small (maximum of 7-8 students) hence there are a lot more chances for class participation, such as taking part in conversations with your class and teacher. This brings me to my next point – there is a lot of emphasis on speaking during lesson time, which makes learning Japanese more effective. Personally I felt more confident in my conversational skills at the end of my trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the school’s activities as it gave me a deeper insight into what Japan culture is like and made great friends at the same time. You can even become friends with the staff in JalS, and you can tell that they genuinely care for your wellbeing and are willing to help if you have any problems. I strongly recommend going to JalS because it was a great experience for me and I’m sure it’ll be a great one for you too :-)

I had such a great time at JaLs. I stayed at JaLs and Sapporo for 6 weeks and it was one of the best summer I had. At first I was homesick but after about 5 days at JaLs, I knew I was going to cry so hard when I leave. I met so many amazing friends. The school is very cozy and I felt like home not long after. The staffs and the teachers are so nice and friendly. They would help you with anything. I really appreciate them. I learnt a lot from JaLs. A lot of cultural experiences as well as academic stuff. I had a lot of fun and I didn't want to leave. I cried a ton on my graduation day. I wish I had more time there and I will totally go back if I have a chance!

This was the first time I had ever been on my own, away from home. And I have to say, this was the absolute best experience I could ever have asked for. With people from all around the world coming to the school, not only did I learn about Japan's culture, but countless others' as well. The class sizes were at most six people, which really helped me concentrate on the material and getting to know my classmates as well as my teachers. The activities they had planned for us were some of the funnest things I have done in my life! In my eleven weeks of study, I went from knowing almost nothing, to being able to show my parents all around Japan, convey ideas that I wanted to get across, and have intelligent conversations with the sushi bar chefs! Everyone was extremely respectful and lovely, and I can't wait to come back and see them all again.

I spent 10 weeks studying at this school in summer 2014. I must say I could not be more fortunate in my choice, the school teaches Japanese in small groups of six people, effectively allowing everybody to personally interact with the teacher and learn as much as possible. The school also organizes various events where you can meet native Japanese speakers, make friends and improve your Japanese practicing with them. When I was there it felt like one big family where everybody would go the extra mile to help each other, I made many valuable memories with these people and I would definitely recommend this school to anybody who wants to learn Japanese or understand the Japanese culture.

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 spent 8 weeks during the summer of 2014 in Sapporo studying Japanese at JaLS. Yet, I was doing more than just that. I was learning about a new culture, experiencing a new way of life. Most study abroad programs focus solely on a particular language and that's fine if that's all you care about. But I'm of the opinion that language is a foundation of a culture and if you don't understand the cultural context, the language itself doesn't really mean much. JaLS does a fantastic job of integrating the language it teaches as well as the culture in which that language is embedded. The countless opportunities that they provide are unique in that many of these opportunities would never be possible if you were just trying to explore the culture on your own. JaLS has developed a vast network of connections in Sapporo that are invaluable. On a different side, the faculty and teachers at JaLS are top notch and do a fantastic job of working with you as an individual. The small class size, no more than six, makes each lesson personalized. All in all, I couldn't imagine a better place to get a full bodied education in language and culture.

As I wrote at the end of the summer, this is how I felt when I got back home, still feel now, and probably will ever feel about my time at JaLS: There are no words to express how grateful I am for having spent the whole summer with this amazing group of people. This was the experience of my life and you made it happen. I finally know where I want to go in my life and it's all thanks to the big family that JaLS is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really wish to come back again! And soon if I can!

Having been to several language schools in Japan, Hokkaido JaLs is definitely my favourite. The location is superb, just in site of Sapporo station, and is surrounded by must-see spots for anyone visiting Sapporo. The school is chic and exceptionally welcoming, with small class sizes, friendly students and staff. Even if you don't have class, they are always welcoming and love to just hang out. You can tell the teachers really love their jobs, and go out of their way to help students out. Each class is no more than 6 people, allowing for a low-pressure teaching and learning environment. The program is structured but not generic, allowing plenty of wiggle room for individual needs and fun. The school also offers daily after class activities for those who are interested in learning more about Japan or might be too shy to ask. Also, for people looking to make Japanese friends, the school also offers English classes to locals. All you have to do is stick around to meet some of them!

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!!

I had such a great time there, classes were small (ranging from 4 to 7) which made it more effective for learning Japanese.The teachers are very caring and patient, we had a lot of fun in class. The location is great, it's in the center of the city, close to a fun park and Tanuki Koji, it's also close to the station, perfect for spontaneous trips to the beach after classes end (half an hour by train). The assignments and Japanese conversation lessons really helped consolidate what I learnt in class. Immersing myself in this beautiful culture was an amazing experience, and I hope to explore more of Japan later!

My experience in japan was amazing. After 5 hours from New York to California, I finally met a few of my fellow experimenters, and I was so surprised that a few of these people would become some of my best friends. We traveled to Tokyo, Sapporo, Nanai, and Kyoto. All of these places influenced me in different ways. This was the greatest experience of my life and I hope that other enjoy

The program consists of two parts: three hours of intense japanese language classes a day and immersive and fun activities. The language classes are very classic and at my level we did one chapter of Minna no Nihongo a week. The classes are very focused on speaking and listening. And yes, there is homework. All in all very solid and absolutely necessary even though it's not very exciting ;-) The fun part are the many activities. Often joined by local volonteers, I could many times put into practice what I'd learned a few hours before. At the same time, I've made many new friends and had just a ton of fun. Thanks again to the great team at JALS for being so very welcoming.

I stayed at this school in summer 2013 and really enjoyed my time there. The staff are very friendly and if you need anything they are very happy to help. The teachers are fantastic and they encourage you not to use any language other than Japanese in the lessons, so if you get stuck you need to try and ask what your problem is in Japanese first which really helps you to learn quickly. The city of Sapporo and the surrounding areas in Hokkaido that are accessible from Sapporo are amazing. There are lots of things to do in Sapporo and plenty of unique foods to eat that are only available in Sapporo and Hokkaido. Examples of activities include onsen, lavendar fields, zoos, and much more. The school arranges many cultural activities if you are interested in that, while I was there this included things like flower arranging, manga drawing, sushi making, and more. At other times of the year there will also be other activities, such as in the winter when the city is covered in snow as winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding are only a coach ride away. In the summer the temperature is very nice in contrast to Tokyo and other areas of Japan which are too hot. It is also worth noting that the price offered by this school is very reasonable because things tend to be a lot cheaper in Sapporo than the large city of Tokyo. Additionally every day costs such as food and rent are much cheaper than in Tokyo. In summary I would say that if you are looking to go to a language school in Japan, this school is very very good. I encourage you to look outside of Tokyo and at this school.