If you’re thinking about studying Japanese in Japan, understanding how Japanese language school terms work is key to planning your move. There are generally four terms per year, which means four chances to start. But picking the right term can make all the difference, depending on your overall goals for studying in Japan.
Read on to learn more about how Japanese language school terms work, which term suits different goals, and when to apply to guarantee your spot at a language school.
This article contains topics on:
- The basics of Japanese language school terms
- Long-term vs short-term study options
- How to choose the right Japanese language school term
- When to apply for each school term
- What to expect in each term and season in Japan
Basics of Japanese language school terms
There are usually four Japanese language school terms for intake each year: January, April, July, and October. Each term runs for three months. But not all language schools offer all four terms, so it’s always best to check with us about the particular school you wish to apply to.
Studying long vs. short term at a Japanese language school
It’s also important to decide if you want to study long or short-term in Japan, as it will determine if you need to apply for a student visa. If you want to study in Japan long-term, you will need a student visa.
The maximum length of time you can extend a student visa for Japanese language school is two years. Most schools reset their full curriculum every two years, starting in April. That makes the April term the ideal choice if you want to complete the entire two-year program from start to finish. There are exceptions, and course lengths will differ between schools, so it’s always best to double-check with a coordinator.
You can still start your course from the beginning in any of the other terms, but keep in mind that the course will usually end in March. If you start in January or October, your maximum study time will be shorter. For example:
- January start: Max of 1 year and 3 months.
- July start: Max of 1 year and 9 months.
- October start: Max of 1 year and 6 months.
You can always return to Japan later and use your remaining visa time; just remember to cancel your current visa when you leave. When you’re ready to come back, you will need to reapply for a new student visa.
All schools test regularly throughout each term and also do an exam at the end of each term to check your progress. To level up, you must pass these tests as well as attend class, keep up with classwork, and do your homework.
Choosing which Japanese language school term is best for you
Deciding on which of the Japanese language school terms you should start in depends on what your goals are and your current level of Japanese. All four of the Japanese language school terms offer something different and will set the tone for your experience.
The January term is perfect for:
- Students with some previous Japanese knowledge who want to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in either July or December to fast-track their progress.
The April term is great for:
- Students who want to get the most out of their language studies and complete two full years of Japanese language school.
- Students who want to move on to further education, as vocational schools only have one term that begins in April and universities generally have two terms: one in April and another around September.
The July term is ideal for:
- Students who want to attend one of the Japanese universities that require the entrance exam for foreign students (EJU exam). The EJU normally takes place in June and November. Students can sit the exam in November, receive their EJU results in December, and apply for the April intake of their chosen university.
- High school or university students who graduate in the spring in their countries and want a seamless transition to attend language school in Japan right after graduation.
The October term works for:
- High school students in the northern hemisphere who recently graduated and want to head to Japan to study after enjoying summer break.
If you need more advice on which Japanese language school term would be best for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
When to get your application in
Ideally, you should start your application around one year in advance to secure a place and process your student visa.
- Start in January → Apply by July of the previous year.
- Start in April → Apply by October of the previous year.
- Start in July → Apply by January of the current year.
- Start in October → Apply by April of the current year.
Remember that you can always get in touch with us if you’re unsure about the application process.
What to do in each term in Japan
There is always something unique to experience in Japan no matter the time of year.
Catch the best of winter and see in the new year at the start of the year, in spring, you can experience cherry blossom season from April onwards, take part in summer festivals from July, or go hiking to admire beautiful autumn colours from October.
As you can see, there are more events and festivals in Japan than you could ever imagine – see our blog article for the very best of Japan’s events.
If you want more help with deciding which Japanese language school term would work best for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!
