Curriculum of the Academic Japanese Course | ISI Japanese Language School

Study Duration and Target Levels

Classes are conducted in a maximum of 8 levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. The learning objectives for each level are as follows.

*Depending on the campus, levels may be further divided into sub-classes.
Level		JLPT Level (Reference)	CEFR Level (Reference)	Class Hours
Beginner	I	N5	A1	200 class hours (20 class hours × 10 weeks)
Beginner	II	N4	A2
Intermediate	I	N3	B1
	II	N2
	III	N2
Advanced	I	N2/N1	B2
	II	N1	B2
	III		C1

Learning Goals Overview

Elective Classes

We offer elective classes for students at Intermediate II level and above, tailored to their goals and future path.
Classes are held twice a week, 90 minutes each.
Since preferences for elective classes are collected every 3 months, you can change your selection each term.
Please note that some classes may not be held if there is insufficient enrollment.

Graduate School Pathway Class

We provide exam preparation covering skills needed for graduate school admission in Japan, such as writing a research proposal and writing an academic essay.

Offered At

Shinjuku Main Campus
Shinjuku Prime Campus
Takadanobaba Academic Pathway Campus
Osaka Campus
Kyoto Campus

EJU Preparation Class (EJU Japanese)

Learn the academic Japanese needed for further education in Japan and prepare for the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students). *Subject: Japanese

Offered At

Shinjuku Main Campus
Shinjuku Prime Campus
Ikebukuro Campus
Takadanobaba Academic Pathway Campus
Osaka Campus
Kyoto Campus
Nagano Campus

JLPT Preparation Class

For students aiming to pass N1 or N2, this class focuses intensively on commonly tested question types and past exam papers. A final mock exam is also held before the test.

Offered At

Shinjuku Main Campus
Shinjuku Prime Campus
Ikebukuro Campus
Takadanobaba Academic Pathway Campus
Osaka Campus
Kyoto Campus
Nagano Campus

Employment

Through practical learning — including resume writing, interview practice, and presentation skills — we help you prepare for job hunting.

Offered At

Shinjuku Main Campus
Shinjuku Prime Campus
Osaka Campus
Kyoto Campus

Conversation

We aim to improve your conversational ability through role-play, debate, and fieldwork activities.

Offered At

Shinjuku Main Campus
Shinjuku Prime Campus
Ikebukuro Campus
Takadanobaba Academic Pathway Campus
Osaka Campus
Kyoto Campus
Nagano Campus

Class Schedule & Class Size

Classes are held Monday through Friday each week. There are no classes on public holidays or days designated as school closures.
There are 2 class periods per day. Each period is 90 minutes.
Depending on your assigned class, you will be placed in either a morning or afternoon class.
Each class has a maximum of 20 students.

*At Shinjuku Main Campus, Shinjuku Prime Campus, and Osaka Campus, classes follow multiple schedules set individually by each campus.

Morning class	Afternoon class
1st period: 8:50 AM to 10:20 AM 2nd period: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM	1st period: 13:00 to 14:30 2nd period: 2:40 PM – 4:10 PM

Placement Test
(Class Assignment Test)

At ISI, we conduct an online placement test before enrollment. You can take it from a computer or smartphone.
This lets you find out your class placement as soon as you arrive in Japan, so you can start student life smoothly.
We also conduct a survey about your Japanese learning history and your goals after graduation, so you can be placed in a class matching both your Japanese level and your objectives.
If you feel you've been placed in a class that doesn't match your Japanese level, we offer a designated period during which you can request a class change. Please consult with your teacher.

About Grading and Evaluation

Grades are given to students who remain enrolled through the last day of the term.
Grades are deteraGrades are determined based on textbook achievement tests, quizzes, homework, and final exam results at the end of each term.mined based on the results of the achievement tests from the textbook, quizzes, homework, and the final exams at the end of each semester.
Proficiency is assessed using formats suited to each subject, including paper-based tests, online tests, and oral examinations.
Report cards cover 8 learning areas — Listening, Reading, Conversation, Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Assignments — along with an Overall Grade. Each is scored on a 5-tier scale: A+ (90–100 points), A (80–89 points), B (70–79 points), C (60–69 points), and D (59 points or below).
Each student can check their term grades on the student portal site (Campusmate-J).

Level Advancement

Advancement to the next level is determined by the grade evaluation conducted at the end of each term.
Students who achieve an Overall Grade of C or higher may advance to the next level.
In the case of a D grade, the school will assign additional coursework. Whether the student may advance is then decided based on the results of that coursework and a review by the school's academic committee. If advancement is not approved, the student will repeat the same course content.
Note that, at the school's discretion, students may also be permitted to skip a level.

Graduation Requirements

Students who meet all of the following criteria will be certified as graduates in March of their second year. Upon graduation certification, a "Diploma" (卒業証書) will be awarded.

An attendance rate of 80% or higher through the end of February of the graduation year
Confirmation of a passing score, at CEFR A2 level or above, on a Ministry of Justice–recognized Japanese proficiency exam, obtained within Japan during the period of enrollment
*CEFR A2 equivalent or above: JLPT N4, J-TEST Level E, EJU score of 200, TOP-J Elementary A-4, NAT-TEST Level 4, J-Cert Pre-Intermediate (Everyday & Vocational Japanese), STBJ Business Japanese Test BJ4, JLCT JCT3 or above, or JPT score of 370 or above
An Overall Grade of C or higher on the December final exam of the graduation year