Japanese Language Program
Exchange students must enroll in our special Japanese language program. To participate in this program, you must have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to or better than Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 or CEFR A1. This comprehensive Japanese language program is divided into six levels, from Upper-elementary (Class 1) to Advanced (Class 6). All exchange students are required to take a Japanese placement test about three weeks before the start of the semester according to the instructions provided by Dokkyo. At that time, they will be assigned to classes appropriate to their level.
※Exchange students must take at least six courses per semester to be eligible for a student visa.
【Class 1 to 3】 Students are required to take a set of six mandatory Japanese courses.
【Class 4】 Students are required to take a set of four mandatory Japanese courses + 2 regular courses of their choice.
【Class 5 or 6】 Students are not required for any mandatory Japanese language courses. They will take elective Japanese courses to develop the skills they wish to develop, as well as regular courses of their choice. Among the regular courses, these students are required to take "Special Studies in Japanese Language Teaching - Multicultural Understanding," which is a joint study with Japanese students. This course is offered only in the Fall semester.
The Japanese placement test consists of three parts and is administered online.
J-Cat-Internet Japanese Language Test*
Essay in Japanese
Interview with Japanese instructor
*J-CAT scores are not available to students at the time they take the test. Students will be asked to take the test again at the end of their exchange, and we will provide them with their pre- and post-exchange score reports.
In addition to the Japanese language courses, students of all Japanese levels are allowed to take regular undergraduate courses. However, please note the following:
- Approval must be obtained from the instructor of the course you wish to take.
- Most of the regular undergraduate courses are conducted in Japanese. Approximately 30 courses are conducted in other languages.
- Some specific courses that require certain prerequisites are not offered to exchange students.
The Japanese language program is divided into six levels. On completion of a level, the student will have acquired similar language proficiency skills to those required to meet the equivalent external standards.
⟺ Scroll| Level | Learning outcomes | Equivalent external standard | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JLPT ＊ |
CEFR ＊＊ |
|||
| Upper-elementary | 1 | The student is able to engage in conversation on familiar topics in daily life and has the ability to read and write Japanese. | N4 | A2 |
| Pre-intermediate | 2 | The student is able to hold conversations on general topics and has the ability to read and write Japanese. | N4-N3 | A2-B1 |
| Intermediate | 3 | The student can understand Japanese used in daily life and, to a limited extent, that used in a wide range of other situations. | N3 | B1 |
| Upper-intermediate | 4 | The student has the fundamental and comprehensive Japanese language skills required to live in Japanese society. | N2 | B1-B2 |
| Pre-advanced | 5 | The student has the Japanese language skills required to study and engage in research autonomously at the university as well as those required to live in Japanese society. | N2-N1 | B2 |
| Advanced | 6 | The student has the Japanese language skills required to study and engage in research autonomously at the university as well as those required to engage in business. | N1 | C1 |
* Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
** Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
This section shows example schedules for students assigned to Class 3 and 5. Please note that actual class schedules will vary according to the semester. Guidance on course registration will be provided as a part of the orientation program.
Japanese Class 3
⟺ Scroll| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st period 09:00－10:40 |
JLP Comprehensive 1※ |
JLP Comprehensive 2※ |
|||
| 2nd period 10:55－12:35 |
JLP Vocabulary & Kanji |
Traditional Japanese Arts and Culture | JLP Fieldwork※ |
Global Studies | |
| 3rd period 13:35－15:15 |
JLP Listening & Speaking |
JLP Reading & Writing |
Sport & Recreation: Futsal | ||
| 4th period 15:30－17:10 |
|||||
| 5th period 17:20－19:00 |
JLP stands for Japanese Language Program. In Japanese Level 3, the six JLP courses are mandatory.
Courses indicated in italics are conducted in English.
※「Comprehensive」
The objective of this course is to develop comprehensive proficiency in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, based on the level of each class.
※「Fieldwork」
Students will set their own research theme related to Japan and research on their own.
The objective of this course is to deepen their understanding of the theme and acquire the Japanese language skills necessary to conduct the research.
Japanese Class 5
⟺ Scroll
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st period 09:00－10:40 |
Special Studies in Japanese Language Teaching | ||||
| 2nd period 10:55－12:35 |
JLP Vocabulary & Kanji |
JLP Speaking |
Readings on Japanese Culture | ||
| 3rd period 13:35－15:15 |
Tourism Management | Sport & Recreation: Basketball | |||
| 4th period 15:30－17:10 |
Japanese Economy | ||||
| 5th period 17:20－19:00 |
The JLP courses are elective, not mandatory. Students select courses from the following: Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening ans Vocabulary & Kanji.
Please see the syllabus page.
To assess the Japanese competency that exchange students acquire during their time at Dokkyo University, we encourage them to take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Please note that we fully subsidize the JLPT fee for students who will be returning to their home countries.
JLPT: https://www.jlpt.jp/
For more information, please see the Subsidy for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test page.