The Australia-Japan Society of the ACT (AJS ACT), in conjunction with the Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange (IFIE), is again calling for applications for the two-week in-country course in Japanese language/culture in Kanazawa. This will be the 26th course that has been run under this program.
The course will run for 2 weeks from Sunday 9 April to Friday 21st and includes intensive language lessons, cultural activities and home stay accommodation with a Japanese family - this latter is one of the outstanding features of the program and will certainly give a boost to your language skills.
During the course, mornings are spent in formal language classes and, most afternoons, opportunities are provided to explore the local culture, either in organised classes and expeditions or by exploring on your own. There are excellent facilities and very helpful teachers at the language school.
There is a Youtube video about the various Ishikawa Foundation’s courses at http://youtu.be/wiv2YBPQ4p4 The AJS two week course doesn’t, of course, cover the full range of activities shown for the longer courses in the video, but there are many common features.
The classes are tailored to the individual participant’s language skills – participants are assessed on the first day and placed in groups according to their language abilities. The April course is limited to participants with, at least, elementary Japanese language skills (beginner places are available in the October course).
Applicants for this two week course must be at least 20 years old, must be a member of an Australia – Japan Society or an affiliated organisation (or join one) and must be prepared to stay in Japan for the duration of the course.
The course and acommodation cost per participant, including all course fees, textbooks, cultural activities and accommodation for the duration of the course (but NOT including fares to and from Kanazawa, Japan, lunches or your spending money in Japan) will be, depending on fluctuations in the $/yen ratio, around $950 - $1,000. A deposit of $400 is payable by 3 February 2017. The balance is payable by 3 March 2017.
This is a great chance to commence, refresh, improve or develop your Japanese language skills and, if your profession is appropriate, the cost may be tax deductible as a self-education expense.
Contact the coordinator of the program, Mr Michael Hodgkin, for a more detailed outline of the program and for homestay application forms.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or snail mail:
IFIE Program Coordinator, c/o Australia – Japan Society (ACT)
PO Box 1066, Canberra, ACT 2601