Japanese Language & Society
Summer in Kobe (Kansai Region)
July 9th – August 3rd, 2012
4 Weeks – 125,000 Yen (est $1695 USD)
The Program
For 4-weeks, July 9th – August 3rd, 2012 participants study Japanese language and culture and experience Japan in the Kansai region (Kobe).
Language classes are taught in the morning, and Japanese Writing and culture classes on some afternoons, leaving most afternoons and evenings, as well as weekends free to explore the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe).
Instructors are experienced teachers of Japanese, from local schools and colleges. Group excursions will include guided tours to Kyoto and Nara (See schedule).
Housing with a Japanese host family is possible, but early registration is advised.
The Location
Kobe, Japan. Central Honshu, known as the Kansai (Kinki) region of Japan has a heavy concentration on business, educational, and cultural activities. Kobe is Japan’s 6th largest city, and was one of the first ports to open to Western Ships. Many foreign traders settled here in the 19th century, and it soon became a cosmopolitan center. Kobe is a good location, for it is a smaller city than Osaka or Tokyo and offers easy access to Kyoto, Nara and central Osaka.
Osaka is second only to Tokyo in economic importance and population, the Kansai area constitutes the geographical and spiritual heart of Japan – being so close to the two ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara. Also, the sacred mountain of Mt. Fuji is not so far away. For 4-weeks, participants have easy access to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Nagoya. Tokyo is 3-hours by train.
Courses
Japanese Language: all levels – Elementary through Advanced. All students will be given a placement test to determine ability and proper placement. Over 15 hrs. of class per week; Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Japanese writing and special “cultural” classes are offered in the afternoons. Over 55 hours of class time is provided in total, allowing students to earn up to 5 quarter credits or 3-4 semester credits.
Saturdays are designated as an “excursion” day. Sundays are “free” days. After classes, students have the afternoon off (free time). There will also be some Japanese cultural events scheduled for some afternoons if students are interested.
Classes held from July 9th – August 3rd, 2012.
Level 1: is for absolute beginners. Course includes study of basic vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Drills in listening comprehension, repetition, and easy conversation building. Reading Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji also emphasized.
Level 2: is for students who have some training, but wish to develop conversation skills. Emphasis on vocabulary building, listening, reading and speaking basic Japanese correctly.
Level 3: Students who are “intermediate” level can participate. They will be tested and placed in a proper level with other intermediate students.
Level 4: Students who are advanced level can also participate. They will be tested and placed in the proper advanced level with other students of similar level.
Textbook
Step 1 – 3: Minna no Nihongo 1
Step 4 – 6: Minna no Nihongo 2
STEP 1 – 6 (Course Summary)
Step 1: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 1 – 9
This level covers the ability to use the very basic conversations, using nouns, adjectives, and numbers.
Step 2: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 10 – 17
Emphasis on using “survival” Japanese.
Step 3: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 18 – 25
Polite and plain form of speech is emphasized.
Step 4: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 26 – 33
Changing verbs to a variety of situations.
Step 5: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 34 – 41
Conditional clause and passive forms.
Step 6: Textbook: Minna no Nihongo. Lessons 42 – 50
Causative verbs, and honorific words.
Academic Credit
Students earn 3-4 credits upon completing the program (4 weeks).
Official transcript (Certificate) will be given to each student upon completion of the program. Some college students also earn credit through “Independent Study” programs at their home school. Contact your home school, advisor, or foreign language department, directly about this possibility.
Also, please review the “Academic Credit” section of the CSA website.
Financial Aid
Yes, you can use your financial aid on this program. Please have your Financial Aid office e-mail us a “Consortium Agreement” to complete and sign. CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, we can only assist you in using your home school’s financial aid on this program.
The earlier the better, since it takes time to process. Overall, CSA does not offer any financial aid, we can only assist you in obtaining and using your aid from your home school on these programs.
Activities
Kyoto and Nara are the two excursions provided. Participants are required to join the group for these trips. Other activities may also be provided, and are optional as well as cost extra: Osaka Tenjin festival, and Beer Garden Party. Additional details about excursions (field trips) will be given upon arrival and “welcome orientation” in Kobe. Farewell party will be held on August 3rd.
Housing
Housing is available in student type residences (dormitories), Guest Houses, and local hotels. Housing website booking links will be provided with confirmation documents. Housing costs do vary, but will cost about $200 – $400 USD per week. It is easy to book housing online….so do not worry about it.
GENERAL SCHEDULE 2012
| July 7th | Orientation / Test (Saturday) |
| July 8th | Free day |
| July 9th | First day of class |
| July 9th – Aug 3rd | Language classes / workshops |
| July 14th | Excursions to Nara |
| July 21st | Free weekend / National Holiday |
| July 28th | Excursion to Kyoto |
| August 3rd | Last day of classes / Farewell party |
Dates and Fees
July 9th – August 3rd, 2012…………………..125,000 Yen (est $1695 USD)
Fee Includes: full tuition – intensive language courses and cultural workshops, welcome orientation, class books and materials, 2 excursions, farewell party, transcript (Certificate of Completion).
Not Included: Round trip airfare to Japan, insurance, transportation to Kobe, daily lunch, train transportation, and other personal expenses. Housing is paid directly by each student. You book housing online using web links provided with confirmation documents.
CSA suggests bringing $600 – $900 extra spending money, and a major credit card. Nearby restaurants lunch: $4 – $10.
Payment Schedule
Deadline June 22nd, 2012: CSA registration Form. Contact CSA if past deadline date, space may be available. We accept money orders, cashiers checks, and personal checks. Confirmations and arrival documents are sent only after the confirmation deposit is received by CSA.
Requirements
Programs are open to all adults. High school students, college students, teachers, and working adults. Minimum age is 15. Average age range within group: 18 – 23. Older applicants are encouraged to apply as well. (15-17 year old students may participate with parental permission). Maximum 25.
Entry Requirements
Passport required. No visa needed for U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. Citizens will need to check with the Japanese Consulate closest to them. Please check your passport expiration date.
Medical and Accidental insurance required. Either have coverage from a family plan, or purchase insurance. CSA needs a copy of your insurance card before you arrive in Japan.
Arrival
All applicants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Kobe, Japan.
Upon arrival at the Osaka – Kansai International Airport (KIX), it is very easy to get to Kobe by using the Airport Limousine Bus system.
See their website: www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/bus/index.html
The the bus to the closest train station or hotel that is nearby your housing assignment…..then take a taxi from there to your housing.
Before leaving for Japan, if you have booked your housing, print out a map off the housing website showing how to get to your assigned housing when you arrive into Japan. Makes it a lot easier when you arrive.
If you want “Airport Pick-up Service”, whereby a shuttle service meets you at the airport and escorts you to your housing…please let us know…..and we will have the staff in Kobe arrange it for you as soon as you inform us your flight arrival details. You can also try to arrange it yourself with the following company website:www.mk-group.co.jp click on the English version (upper right)…then click on Kobe.
If you are traveling from Tokyo down to Kobe…..we suggest you take the Shinkansen (Bullet) train to the “Shin-Kobe” train station in Kobe. Same from any other Japan city to Kobe….take the express Shinkansen train to Shin-Kobe station. The major local train stop in Kobe is the “Sannomiya” station.
When booking your flight to Japan…..keep in mind the international date/time change that occurs. For example, to arrive in Japan on July 8th from North America, you have to depart on July 7th. On your return, if you depart Japan on August 4th…..you will arrive back in North America on the same date – August 4th.
Country Information
Currency: Yen
Departure Tax: None
Government: LDP (Democracy)
Electricity: 110
Registration and Information
Register online. CSA Registration Deposit of $45 USD required to be fully registered. Can pay online by credit card. CSA also accepts personal checks, cashier checks, money orders, wire transfer, or direct deposit. Please review the “Register Overview” section for details. We will send an e-mail confirmation receipt and additional information shortly after receiving your online registration form. Thank you.
