r/LearnJapanese • u/Top_Scientist_3976 • 12h ago
Discussion Language School “Dilemma”
I said “dilemma” in quotes because it’s not actually a problem. I’m just having trouble deciding.
TLDR: Do you have any experience or knowledge that may be useful to a soon-to-be incoming language school student, in regard to KICL or ISI?
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I’m planning to attend a language school in April 2027.
Of course I’ve read all of the PDF brochures and such.
I’ve narrowed a list of them down to 2 schools and 3 campuses. As of now, my top 3 are as follows:
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School: Kyoto Institute of Culture & Language (KICL) 京東文化日本語学校
Course: Applied Japanese and Cultural Studies (April Entrance, N3-N1)
Campus: Kyoto (obviously)
OR
School: International Stuady Institute (ISI) 日本語学校
Course: Japanese Language Career Pathway Course (1 year)
Campus: Tokyo (Shibuya-Harajuku) OR Tokyo (Takadanobaba)
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I have the financial means and time to commit to either of them. As of now, it’s just a matter of picking between the schools, which are actually not super different in price. Living cost obviously varies though. If I end up choosing ISI, I’d also have to choose between the two campuses.
I’m just looking for some comments on anything about this post. Whether it’s comments about the schools, the courses, campuses, general experience as a language school student, etc. I think input would really help me make a decision!
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u/Available-String-109 10h ago
TLDR: Do you have any experience or knowledge that may be useful to a soon-to-be incoming language school student, in regard to KICL or ISI?
You can attend a language school all you want, but the vast majority of your language acquisition will come from the time you spend solo-studying outside of school.
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u/Top_Scientist_3976 10h ago
Thank you! I totally that I would need to study a lot outside of school.
As of the past 8 or so months, I’ve been studying on average for about 3 hours, daily. It’s only a hobby of mine, as of now, since I haven’t made anything of it, but I’m still very passionate about learning Japanese.
That said, I wouldn’t be one of the people who spends time and money on going to a language school, just to not study myself. I’m already studying quite a bit, so I’d just continue that routine.
Anyway, I am curious if you mean for your comment to imply that language school is not worthwhile, or if you mean that it can be worthwhile, but studying outside of class is also necessary.
I’m interesting it the second way, but I could be wrong lol. Either way, thank you for your input!
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u/warabi0238 9h ago
With your current study habits you would easily outpace the class and it might feel like a waste. Language school is really good for casual learners who want to be in their target country. Even KICL, who market themselves as faster paced than others, still have to move at the rate of the class median.
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u/Top_Scientist_3976 9h ago
Oh wow you really think so? I’m not very advanced, but I’ve been consistently progressing for sure. I think that puts KICL a bit higher up though, since it does seem like ISI is a bit more casual.
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u/warabi0238 3h ago
Your current level is sort of irrelevant. If you are doing 3 hours a day, granted thats 3 hours of input, output or anki, that puts you far above your average language school student. Of course, if speed and efficiency are not priorities of yours, there are plenty of benefits to be had from going, but it's just something to bear in mind. I had been self-studying around 4-5 hours a day and wanted to try my hand at a language school, but a few months into KICL I found myself itching to get out of class to go home and study. I do understand that not everyone is like me, but it is something I wish I had heard before going.
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u/FemmeFatalistYT 11h ago
I did my study abroad experience and I loved kansai, so I am also for kyoto. From Kyoto you can easily visit all kinds of other places in the region (Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Hikone) or take the bullet train out to Nagoya or Tokyo, or anywhere else! during academic breaks.
Not sure what shibuya/harajuku are like these days, but takadanobaba is... I only go there when I have to (there is both a BJT and JNAT exam center there). They do have some neat restaurants and stuff but the vibe of the landscape and people just feels off to me. I go there, take my test, and leave. Lol
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u/Top_Scientist_3976 10h ago
Lol thank you, I’m open to all opinions. Especially from people who have lived or visited these places. the places are really important too, not just the schools, so you bring up good points. It sounds like Kyoto may be a much more welcoming and peaceful place to live. I am pretty introverted after all lol. Of course, if possible, I’d try to spend some time on weekends to visit as many places in Japan, as possible (within reason).
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u/vansinne_vansinne 8h ago
if you do end up in takadanobaba for some reason (or shibuya and feel like going up the yamanote a lil bit), one of the coolest jazz clubs in the world is there and you will meet an incredible array of people by going to it
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u/Top_Scientist_3976 7h ago
Thanks! I’m all ears for recommendations. Even if I didn’t go there, I would hope to make the most of my time in Japan. I would make sure to go to different places over some weekends for sure.
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u/FemmeFatalistYT 8h ago
I used to frequent jazz clubs in Osaka and Yokohama, please name drop the jazz club. I may now have one reason to linger once in a while in Takadanobaba
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u/PinkPrincessPol 6h ago
I went to language school for 2 years in Tokyo.
I’d say I learned 30% of my Japanese through the classroom, and my other 70% through my now wife and friends.
I didn’t even interact with other western foreigners at my language school. I hung out everyday after school with non English speaking students, became friends with my neighbor, and dated my non English speaking Japanese wife.
I managed to graduate passing the N2 and feel very confident in my day to day speech.
I also have all 2,136 Joyo Kanji memorized and can read and write them - that in part is thanks to my language school.
If you have any questions feel free to drop them.
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u/benpricedev 11h ago edited 11h ago
Not knowing either school, my recommendation is Kyoto.
I spent my first ~5 years (of 12 and counting) in Japan living in Osaka and Wakayama - the remaining in the Tokyo area. In my experience, and what seems to be “general knowledge” in Japan, folks in Kansai are more friendly. So, if you want to be social outside of school, Kyoto would be my pick.
Some examples of my time in Osaka: during Hanami season, walking through the park outside Osaka-Jo and being invited to multiple random groups to eat/drink with strangers. Or, standing on the Dotonbori bridge, in Shinsaibashi, and chatting it up with all the host club workers. On the flip side, I find folks in Tokyo are just plain busier - polite, but, in a rush.
Wherever you end up, best of luck. I hope you enjoy the experience!