learning japanese

[VH2006]

Soka University (創価大学, Sōka Daigaku)
School Website: http://www.soka.ac.jp/en/index.html

Address : Soka University
1-236 Tangi-cho, Hachioji-city, Tokyo, 192-8577, Japan
TEL : +81-42-691-8200
FAX : +81-42-691-2039
E-mail : intloff@soka.ac.jp

*Soka Uni is located at Hachioji (literal translation, Eight Prince), which is slightly outside Tokyo. (costs roughly 75 SGD to take a train from Hachioji to the centre of Tokyo). Soka Uni also do exchange programs worldwide, which include Singapore universities, NUS & NTU. Didn't spot course fees though. *sorry*

[Data extract from Wikipedia]

Brief History
Soka University opened in Japan in 1971 (undergraduate) and 1975 (graduate). Soka University of America, a separate, private non-profit educational organization, opened in 1994 (graduate campus in Calabasas, California) and in 2001 (four year liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo, California.) Both universities were founded by Daisaku Ikeda, leader of the Soka Gakkai International lay Buddhist organization.

Philosophy of Soka Education
Soka University's educational philosophy was established by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of Soka Gakkai, who had worked as the principal of elementary school in Japan. Makiguchi published the Value Creating Educational System based on his belief that "the purpose of education is to lead students' happiness," and emphasized humanistic education pedagogy. This educational philosophy was shared by his successor, Josei Toda, who had served as an elementary school teacher. Toda's successor Daisaku Ikeda describes his goal as carrying out the dreams of Makiguchi and Toda.

Schools
Soka University of America (SUA) encompasses a graduate school, opened in 1994, in Calabasas, California and a four-year liberal arts university, opened in 2001, in Aliso Viejo, California. The graduate school offers a Master of Arts degree in Second and Foreign Language Education concentrating on English as an additional language education. The undergraduate school offers bachelor's degrees in Liberal Arts with emphasis areas in Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and International Studies. With a mission to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life, the university graduated its first class in 2005 with an 83% graduation rate over four years. In 2005, Soka University of America received its accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Soka University in Japan is located in Hachioji, Tokyo and offers a wide range of both graduate and undergraduate degrees. It was founded in 1969.

Controversy
SUA has been beset by controversy since its founding. The university's curriculum is officially nonsectarian, but it was founded by Soka Gakkai International, which provided $25 million to purchase the 103-acre site in Aliso Viejo and $225 million to build the first 18 buildings on that campus. SUA also has a $300 million dollar operating endowment and raised $100 million for a scholarship endowment in its first four years - most of the money coming from Soka Gakkai member contributions. Some students and teachers have charged that the university is not independent from the Soka Gakkai religious sect, and one professor sued the university for religious discrimination after being dismissed. This professor lost her case.

[end]

Undergraduate Programs

Faculty of Economics
Department of Economics

Faculty of Business Administration
Department of Business Administration

Faculty of Law
Department of Law

Faculty of Letters
Department of English Literature
Department of Sociology
Department of Humanities
Department of the Japanese Language and Literature
Department of Foreign Languages
* Chinese
* Russian

Faculty of Education
Department of Education
Department of Primary Education

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Information Systems Science
Department of Bioinformatics
Department of Environmental Engineering for Symbiosis

Institute of Japanese Language
Intensive Japanese Studies Program

Graduate Schools

Graduate School of Economics
Economics

Graduate School of Law
Law

Graduate School of Letters
English Literature
Sociology
Humanities
Education
*Psychological Education Counseling Room

Graduate School of Engineering
Information Systems Science
Bioengineering

Thanks for your info!

 

[sladerwin]

This is quite a useful thread for those who is interested in japanese, keep it upz!

 

[surfuz]

Thanks to everyone who provide info on learning jap here. I learnt many useful things here. After doing some online research and reading this thread, I am interested in Ikoma Lang School - for starters, the full time course of Basic 1 (darn expensive but still...).

Can anyone who knows more about that school provide more information? (other than info already posted here) Such as the teachers (are they good and willingly to answer lots of questions), the certification of passing the courses (are the certs good for getting jobs?) and stuff such as environment and such. In other words, any comments/info you know about this school.

I am completely new to learning jap but I am a serious learner when it comes to new things. Say, if I take this course and practice everyday, what else could I do to accelerate my proficency? Do you think translating anime/manga will help? I am a big manga/anime fan.

Thank you so much.

PS: Will be going to Ikoma and Bunka to check out the schools myself too.

 

[ShougunX]

i'm not sure about ikoma so can't comment on that. Anyway, just to inform you, it's up to ur own initiative to ask. I'm sure they wun mind answering ur questions as long as u open ur mouth to ask. N i encourage u to keep asking. Get ur money's worth!

As for recognition, i doubt companies look at individual certs from private institutions. After u have learnt, go for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level 1-4 with 1 being the hardest---which can qualify u direct entry to Japanese Unis, which is held once every yr (first sunday of Dec), endorsed by the Japan Foundation n recognised world-wide.

As for improving, well...read more japanese comics/novels/newspapers helps. Translating mangas will onli be possible once u attain a certain standard (it's not ez!). But that are mostly colloquial japanese. Novels n newspapers will allow u a better grasp of the grammatically correct sentence structure.

Just one advise, dun rush. Foundations are veri VERI important in japanese language (u'll find out pretty soon). If u study everyday, depending on individual, u may not be able to absorb well. I've known frens tat gave up or their interest killed becoz they 'worked too hard' (not to insinuate anythin in anyway to anyone...). Build a stable foundation then u decide on how hardworking or how fast u wanna be in learning this language. Just curious, u still a student? cos u'll still have ur sch work to balance...

 

[surfuz]

Thanks ShogunX for your replies especially the reading of newspapers and novels part - very useful indeed I will certainly get my money's worth. I am the kind of student that sits in front and shoot my mouth off so I don't want a teacher who is not receptive to questions.

I guess I must start learning to know how I could pace myself.
But I want to be fast in learning Basic 1 and 2. I am a working person but I am going to quit soon. Was thinking of a long break before the next job so I want to learn japanese. I love anime/manga and want to understand it in the 'native' language. A nagging feeling in me always tells me that the translations are all screwed up.

So I am thinking of Basic 1 and 2 full time first before the next job as the foundation is important. So I don't want to learn part-time. And ikoma offers full time and people here said it is a good school so wants to know more.

Anyway, if the cert is no good, it is ok. This is primarily for self interest. Of course if I get something 'commerical' out of it, I get more worth, right lol.

 

[ShougunX]

wow, having a long break? tat's one luxury i can't afford haha. As for translations in comics, i've read both versions, conclusion is they are veri veri well translated. Up to 99.5% accuracy although there ARE some parts that cannot be translated completely since after all japanese n chinese are still different languages. For eg, in japanese, a word tat represents the middle range btw love n like exist whereas in chinese or english, such words dun exist at all. But the difference is veri subtle, it's hardly recognizable. N some japanese humour needs to be understood in japanese, translating them directly into chinese or english will render them as senseless. That's the onli subtle differences.

Commercial value onli exits in the JLPT certs. N i encourage you to go for it. If u starts ur sch now, u are still in time to take level 4 by this yr end. Application normalli starts in aug/sep.

 

[estrella82]

Hi everyone, it's great to find this forum here! I'm currently studying Basic Level 2 japanese at Ikoma. Haf been there for about 2 months or so, and I really like it there. The teachers there are quite young, and they do speak some english, though not very much. The class size is about 8-18 pple, depending on which day you choose. Weekend classes are usually quite packed.

Each lesson is 3 hours long, and is usually broken into 3 parts, with a 5 - 10 min break in between. During the first part, the teacher will chit-chat with you, ask you what you have done over the weekend etc... then revise the main points from the previous week. In the second and third parts, new material will be covered. The lessons are generally quite interactive, usually we will practice conversations in pairs or threes. The textbook Ikoma uses is Minna no Nihongo. One lesson in the textbook is usually covered in 2/ 2.5 lessons. Well, personally I find it a bit slow, but I think this duration gives ample time for you to fully digest the material.

I'm thinking of taking JLPT 4 at the end of this year, after I finish the entire basic course. But dunno if I'll be ready for it. Dun intend to take any JLPT preparation classes, since it's rather expensive. So... anyone has any advise?

 

[ender51244]

i'm not sure about ikoma so can't comment on that. Anyway, just to inform you, it's up to ur own initiative to ask. I'm sure they wun mind answering ur questions as long as u open ur mouth to ask. N i encourage u to keep asking. Get ur money's worth!

As for recognition, i doubt companies look at individual certs from private institutions. After u have learnt, go for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level 1-4 with 1 being the hardest---which can qualify u direct entry to Japanese Unis, which is held once every yr (first sunday of Dec), endorsed by the Japan Foundation n recognised world-wide.

As for improving, well...read more japanese comics/novels/newspapers helps. Translating mangas will onli be possible once u attain a certain standard (it's not ez!). But that are mostly colloquial japanese. Novels n newspapers will allow u a better grasp of the grammatically correct sentence structure.

Just one advise, dun rush. Foundations are veri VERI important in japanese language (u'll find out pretty soon). If u study everyday, depending on individual, u may not be able to absorb well. I've known frens tat gave up or their interest killed becoz they 'worked too hard' (not to insinuate anythin in anyway to anyone...). Build a stable foundation then u decide on how hardworking or how fast u wanna be in learning this language. Just curious, u still a student? cos u'll still have ur sch work to balance...

Agreed.

depends heavily on oneself. i can't understand japanese comics/novels/newspapers completely... if i were to give it a rough gauge... would be 40% ?

for me, i get exposed to Japanese stuff everyday... in some form or another. whether its studies or songs or videos or radio shows... its just some form. for me, its 2.5 years since i properly start learning japanese, i could still understand simple ones... and maybe for beginners, i will recommend subtitles or translation. and if you can slowly understand the language, you can slowly do without the subtitles. it isn't easily, but ... you have to hold on.

if you don't hold on, you will just give up, like my brother. he is in his 2nd year already and he wants to give up, because he lost interest in it.

for me, at times when i find it too vex, i will just stay away from japanese stuff for 1 or 2 days before trying to adapt again. sometimes... you will just find it fresh. of course~ this depends on individuals.

 

[ender51244]

Thanks for your info!

you are welcome. just curious... you are going there for studies ?

 

[ShougunX]

Hi everyone, it's great to find this forum here! I'm currently studying Basic Level 2 japanese at Ikoma. Haf been there for about 2 months or so, and I really like it there. The teachers there are quite young, and they do speak some english, though not very much. The class size is about 8-18 pple, depending on which day you choose. Weekend classes are usually quite packed.

Each lesson is 3 hours long, and is usually broken into 3 parts, with a 5 - 10 min break in between. During the first part, the teacher will chit-chat with you, ask you what you have done over the weekend etc... then revise the main points from the previous week. In the second and third parts, new material will be covered. The lessons are generally quite interactive, usually we will practice conversations in pairs or threes. The textbook Ikoma uses is Minna no Nihongo. One lesson in the textbook is usually covered in 2/ 2.5 lessons. Well, personally I find it a bit slow, but I think this duration gives ample time for you to fully digest the material.

I'm thinking of taking JLPT 4 at the end of this year, after I finish the entire basic course. But dunno if I'll be ready for it. Dun intend to take any JLPT preparation classes, since it's rather expensive. So... anyone has any advise?

Actualli to me level 3 & 4 is veri similar....i normalli advise ppl to jump to lvl 3 if they can handle, but tat depends on individual. JLPT preparations are for those tat are not attending regular lessons. Since u are attending regular lessons n preparing for JLPT, the preparation courses are not required. Just familiarize with all the vocab, grammar n of course, listen more. Listening compre is a killer, at least to me.

 

[ShougunX]

anyway, there a many websites for basic japanese. One website i wud like to recommend for amateurs is www.japanese.about.com. They teach basic japanese for free! actualli this website is good for other languages too. For eg, i'm starting to pick up german, so www.german.about.com is for me.

 

[estrella82]

Hi ShogunX, wow... you are picking up so many languages! How long have you been learning japanese?

 

[ShougunX]

japanese...let me see...i've known this language for almost 7 yrs...but actual learning wise around 2 yrs at most? with lotsa breaks n lull periods in btw...haha mostly due to army, schoolin...then now working in a japanese company dealin with japan accounts n japanese clients. Although i'm proficient enough to understand their emails/reports etc, i still find it difficult to speak to them....to a native i'm considered 'infant' at most..haha. still gotta further push myself to hone the language...haha. German is a last minute thingy (ya u can attribute to WC if u wan haha), but i doubt my passion for german will surpass japanese. I foresee myself learning n using this language until my last day on earth. haha. German...well, it's still in the experimental stage, wasn't sure if i can continue it indefinitely. Btw, u know lotsa japanese took up german as their foreign language apart from english? ha.

 

[VH2006]

you are welcome. just curious... you are going there for studies ?

well...i have not decided yet. i'm still exploring options for post-grad studies.

 

[ender51244]

sugoi yo ne~

japan is a good place to live in... but too expensive.

 

[VH2006]

sugoi yo ne~

japan is a good place to live in... but too expensive.

yep, this is one major concern; the other being the career prospects after graduation.

 

[ShougunX]

unless u are earning the same or bigger pay package..haha

 

[ShougunX]

career prospect?? i seem to have more chances than my peers due to my japanese language proficiency.........hahaha.....

 

[ender51244]

career prospect?? i seem to have more chances than my peers due to my japanese language proficiency.........hahaha.....

this is obviously a plus point. those who learn japanese in-depth enough will know. and there's recent news of Singapore being the No. 1 Asian investor in Japan. so you can imagine the chances of jobs here.

Actually, JCS is always has quite a number of ads on its noticeboard looking for Japanese speakers for jobs. and the pay is pretty good as compared to normal salary you get, say out of your degree or diploma.

 

[ShougunX]

JCS? yep, i have deep links with them haha just jokin. pasona is also slowly gaining limelight. Anyway, it is in japanese culture that they tend to favor ppl who speaks their language....n in some of my experiences, the biasness can be rather 'open'............