The Center for Japanese Language: The Gateway to Japan!
- Exchange Program Information for 2010-2011 -

Intensive Japanese Language Program
The Intensive Japanese Language Program was established in 1988 as a one-year program for overseas students to study the Japanese language. As the largest Japanese language education center in Japan, Waseda's Center for Japanese Language not only provides superior Japanese language education, it also manages the Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics. This graduate school offers master's and doctoral degree programs in Japanese language education.

Currently, there are 250 students in the Intensive Japanese Language Program and 170 teaching staff who teach at both the Center for Japanese Language and the Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics.

The Center for Japanese Language
1. A Diverse and Varied Curriculum
-The Intensive Japanese Language Program offers Japanese courses ranging from introductory to advanced in order to meet the unique needs, interests, and level of each student. These classes are divided into 8 levels, so that students can choose classes that best approximate their level.

The Center offers a rich and diverse curriculum. Students can select from either text or activity-based classes in skill areas such as listening, reading, oral expression, writing, Chinese characters (kanji), pronunciation, and grammar. There are also "Theme Subjects," classes on Japanese society, culture, literature, history, lifestyle, and linguistics.

2. Japanese Language Learning Support System
- Japanese Language Learning Volunteers and volunteers from the Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics work as tutors to support Japanese language learners.

Current graduate students from the Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics provide helpful language support outside regular class hours. "Tutorial Class" are also offered free of charge.

Currently, there are about 300 registered Japanese language volunteers from Waseda University that sit in Japanese language classes to provide support to international students. This system not only provides valuable assistance with Japanese studies, but also offers a unique opportunity to make Japanese friends.

3. Extracurricular Activities
- The center sponsors many programs and activities allowing Waseda students numerous opportunities to experience both traditional and modern Japanese culture.

The Center for Japanese Language offers not only comprehensive Japanese language education, it also provides extracurricular activities such as trips to see kabuki, Nikko and Hakone, and baseball games (Waseda vs. Keio).

4. A Well-Rounded University
- Beyond its modern facilities and superior academics, Waseda is also renown for its diversity and opportunities outside the classroom. Without question, one of Waseda University's greatest strengths is its diversity. The student body includes international students from 93 countries around the world and Japanese students from all parts of the country. There is a wide variety of university clubs and organizations open to all students. These groups, which are often student-lead, organize events throughout the year to help students make the most of their time outside the classroom. To support its student body, Waseda offers an array of facilities including the main university library, which has an extensive collection of books, periodicals, and other resources, a 24-hour computer room, international lounge, cafeteria, fitness center, swimming pool, and numerous other facilities.

For more infomation about IJLP, please click here.