Teaching Method
Japanese language classes at GenkiJACS consist of two main sections: an input session, and an output session. What do we mean by input and output?
INPUT session : "G" (Grammar)
Your input session is called the "G" session (short for "Grammar").
Input" basically means "putting" things "in"to your head. You will learn new grammar, sentence structures, words, kanji, and how to apply these concepts when you speak and get spoken to.
This section usually forms one half of your study day, so the amount of new knowledge that you take in can be quite intense!
Not to worry, though! Once you have learned the new content in class, teachers will give you some homework to reinforce all your new knowledge and make sure you really understood what was taught.
output session: "4S" (Four skills)
This is where the fun stuff happens! When you come to school the next day, your first session will be the output session. Here, you will apply the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
This is where you will apply all of the grammar, new words, sentence structures, kanji and so on you learned the day before in real-world situations.
Teachers will pair you up with your classmates to practise conversation in fun roleplay situations. You'll get to do listening excercises, read interesting articles not included in our textbooks, and even prepare a presentation for your class!
If you're extra lucky, you might even get to go on an out-lesson where you'll get to use your new Japanese on actual Japanese people in the real world...
Daily lesson setup
Usually, your second session of the day will be an input/grammar session, where you learn new grammar, vocabulary etc. Then, your first session of the following day will be an output/four-skills session, where you practise all the things you learned the previous day.
From Beginner 0-2 level, you will have all of your four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in every output session. At Pre-intermediate and above level, these will be split into one langauge skill per day, for example, conversation practise on Monday, Kanji on Tuesday, listening on Wednesday, etc.
Example beginner 0-2 lesson setup
Session Type | | Day 1 |
Day 2 | Day 3 |
4S
100 min | 1 | |
Output |
Output |
2 | |
Output |
Output |
G
100 min |
1 |
Input |
Input |
Input |
2 |
Input |
Input |
Input |
After school: |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
Example pre-intermediate & above lesson setup
Session Type | | Day 2 |
Day 3 | Day 4 |
4S
100 min | 1 | Output: vocabulary |
Output: listening & reading |
Output: kanji |
2 | Output: vocabulary |
Output: listening & reading |
Output: kanji |
G
100 min |
1 |
Input |
Input |
Input |
2 |
Input |
Input |
Input |
After school: |
Homework |
Homework |
Homework |
All about GenkiJACS class levels
Information on the different levels we offer, including their equivalent JPLT/CEFR levels and the average time it takes to complete them. Please note the times mentioned here are an example, and should not be taken as standard for all students. To study with us, all students must be able to read hiragana characters.
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Foundation 1
JLPT: N5
Objective
Can read and write hiragana and katakana. Can understand basic noun phrases and give a self-introduction. Can use basic verbs and time expressions to talk about daily life and past/future actions.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 1: Chapters 1-6 Average time to complete: 2-3 weeks
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Foundation 2
JLPT: N5
Objective
Can use adjectives together with comparative phrases to describe their surroundings, views, and past experiences.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 1: Chapter 7-13 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 1-2 Average time to complete: 3-4 weeks
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Beginner 1-1
JLPT: N5
Objective Understands verb groups and can smoothly conjugate verbs into -te, -nai, dictionary, and -ta forms, and use the correct forms and the phrases that should follow them depending on the situation, such as asking for permission, describing what needs to be done or is prohibited, and talking about experiences (or lack thereof). Understand the meaning of kanji that they often see in their daily lives, and read and write to some extent.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 1: Chapters 14-19 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 3-7 Average time to complete: 4 weeks
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Beginner 1-2
JLPT: N5
Objective Learns to use different levels of politeness in Japanese depending on whom they are talking to. Can agree with others' opinions, and express their own opinions. Can describe people, places, and things in greater detail. Can explain how to use machines, how to get to a destination, etc. Can describe their hopes for the future while considering situations that may or may not actually happen.
Details:
Minnano Nihongo 1: Chapters 20-25 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 8-12 Average time to complete: 5 weeks
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Beginner 2-1
JLPT: N4
Objective Can explain reasons and circumstances and ask for advice and direction. Can describe in detail their own abilities and strengths and weaknesses. Can express the concept of two actions taking place simultaneously. Can shift focus to describe states or conditions of people or things they have seen. When describing the state of something they saw, they can explain how it became that way and why.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 2: Chapters 26-30 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 9-15 Average time to complete: 3-4 weeks
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Beginner 2-2
JLPT: N4
Objective Can speak about their dreams and plans for the future. Can give accurate advice based on their understanding of another person's situation. Can understand and explain the meaning of signs and symbols seen around the city. Can describe the conditions that are necessary for something specific to happen. Can describe the decisions they would make under certain conditions and ask for advice and directions.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 2: Chapters 31-36 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 16-20 Average time to complete: 4-5 weeks
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Beginner 2-3
JLPT: N4
Objective Can explain situations and facts from multiple perspectives. Can emphasize points they want to get across. Can apologize and express gratitude along with the reasons for them. Can express opinions, judgments, and actions taken based on concerns they have. Learns to make more polite requests to new acquaintances, superiors, and others.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 2: Chapters 37-42 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.1: Chapters 21-22 Average time to complete: 4-5 weeks
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Beginner 2-4
JLPT: N4
Objective Can describe what is needed to achieve future dreams or goals. Can make inferences about the nature or state of people or things, even without personally experiencing the same circumstances. Can describe choices and decisions made of their own volition. Can express their dissatisfaction or surprise at disappointing results. Can express their distrust in situations where their judgment differs from another's. Can explain that others have been forced, caused, or given permission to do what they are doing. Understands Japan's social rankings and degrees of intimacy and correctly uses the most polite level of Japanese.
Details:
Minna no Nihongo 2: Chapters 43-50 PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.2: Chapters 1-4 Average time to complete: 4-5 weeks
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Intermediate 1
JLPT: N3
Objective
- Understands and write the meanings and idioms of N3 level kanji characters.
- Understands most commonly used everyday language and texts written about areas of interest or relevance to them.
- Understands the main points of familiar topics that tehy usually encounter at work, school, in their private lives, if used in a standard way of speaking.
- Be able to deal with situations that are likely to occur in daily life.
- Be able to connect words and phrases to describe fields that are of interest to them or related to them.
- Write formal letters, simple articles, and letters to express their opinions.
- They can discuss easy-to-understand news and social issues.
Details:
QUARTET I PRACTICAL KANJI 500 Vol.2: Chapters 5-20 New Kanzen Master Vocab. N3 TRY N3 Average time to complete: 20 weeks
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Intermediate 2
JLPT: N2
Objective
- Understands and writes the meanings and idioms of N2 level kanji characters.
- They can read about people`s experiences, and read interviews, novels, etc., and understand the main content of complex texts on specific topics.
- In addition to everyday situations, they can listen to a cohesive and long conversation at a speed close to natural speed, understand the flow and content of a story, the relationship between the speakers, and grasp the gist of it.
- They are fluent and natural enough to communicate with native speakers without being nervous about it.
- They are able to create clear and detailed texts on a fairly wide range of topics, and explain their own perspectives on various subjects.
- They can write interview articles, novel reviews, and essays.
- They are able to discuss and present news and social issues.
Details:
QUARTET II(Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills) New Kanzen Master Vocab. N2 TRY N2 Average time to complete: 20 weeks
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Upper-intermediate
JLPT: N1~
Objective
- Understands and writes the meanings and idioms of N1 level kanji characters.
- Understands various kinds of fairly long texts with advanced content and grasps their implications.
- They can listen to highly specialized and abstract stories and long conversations at a natural speed, and understand the flow, content, and logical structure of the stories in detail.
- They can express themselves fluently and naturally without giving the impression that they are looking for words.
- They are able to use flexible and effective language.
- They are able to create clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex topics. It can be seen that they have mastered the usage of the words, connection expressions, and linking expressions that make up a text.
- They are able to write treatises on social issues in specialized fields where they can express themselves in a clear structure on complex subjects.
- Discuss and present on current affairs, social issues, and professional or abstract themes.
Details: Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced Complete master Vocab N1 TRY N1 Average time to complete: 20 weeks
Average timeline to fluency
Beginner 0-116 weeks
Beginner 219 weeks
Pre-intermediate20 weeks
Intermediate20 weeks
Upper-intermediate20 weeks
Advanced/fluentthe rest of your life...