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Learning Japanese, education
I. Learning Japanese
Many refugees wish to learn Japanese. Without being able to speak Japanese it is difficult to find employment. For students, because school lessons are in Japanese, not being able to read and write makes it difficult to keep up with schoolwork. Some of the places offering Japanese language lessons are private Japanese schools, and local government classes. Until 2006 refugees recognised by the Japanese government can study beginner level Japanese as well as learn essential things for living in Japan for six months at the International Refugee Assisstance Centre - run by the non-profit association, Refugee Headquarters. Courses begin in April and October each year. For information on studying Japanese at a higher level, contact the Japan Association for Refugees.
1）Private Japanese schools
To study at private Japanese schools, you must pay fees. The lesson fees vary at each school, but one year costs approximately 600,000 yen. Japanese schools throughout the country can be found at the following website, which can be searched in Japanese, Chinese and English:
2）Japanese classes run by local governments
The Japanese classes offered by the various local governments generally cost very little money. Some are even free. You can search for Japanese classes in Tokyo on the homepage of the Tokyo Nihongo Volunteer Network at http://www.tnvn.jp/. If you click on "Volunteer Nihongo Class Guide (S)", you can search for information on 157 Japanese classes in the Tokyo area according to location, the closest station, times etc.
For information on Japanese classes outside of the Tokyo metropolitan area, contact the International Exchange Association of the relevant local government.
3）For those wanting to study Japanese at a higher level
Refugees who have been recognised by the Japanese government and wish to study Japanese at a more advanced level should contact the Japan Association for Refugees for advice.
II. Education (Junior High Night Schools)
Junior high night schools are held for those who have not graduated from primary education (elementary school, junior high school) for some reason. There are 34 Junior High Night Schools in Japan. In the Kanto region, there are eight in Tokyo, six in Kanagawa, and one in Chiba. Some refugees study at these schools.
While the entrance requirements vary according to the relevant
regional Education Office policy, generally one must be over 15 years of
age, and not have graduated from junior high school. One can enrol without
an immigration permit. There is no cost for enrolment or attending classes.
Night school runs from around 5.00 until 9.00 in the evening.
For details, please contact each school.
Junior High Night Schools in the Tokyo metropolitan area
- Adachi-ku, Dai Yon Junior High School
- 1-2-33 Umeshima, Adachi-ku
Telephone 03-3887-1466 / Fax 03-3887-6066 - Hachioji City Dai Go Junior High School
- 4-19-1 Shinmei-machi, Hachioji City
Telephone 0426-42-1635 / Fax 0426-46-6473 - Katsushiga-ku Futaba Junior High School
- 1-10-1 Hanachaya, Katsushiga-ku
Telephone 03-3602-7979 / Fax 03-3838-5769 - Sumida-ku Funka Junior High School
- 1-22-7 Funka, Sumida-ku
Telephone 03-3617-1562 / Fax 03-3617-7920
- Ota-ku Koujiya Junior High School
- 3-6-23 Nishi Koujiya, Ota-ku
Telephone 03-3741-4340 / Fax 03-3744-2668 - Setagaya-ku Shinsei Junior High School
- 1-3-43 Taishidou, Setagaya-ku
Telephone 03-3424-5255 / Fax 03-3413-4409 - Arakawa-ku Dai Kyu Junior High School
- 2-23-5 Higashi-Oku, Arakawa-ku
Telephone 03-3892-4177 / Fax 03-3819-6818 - Edogawa-ku Komatsugawa Dai Ni Junior High School
- 3-20-1 Hirai, Edogawa-ku
Telephone 03-3684-0745 / Fax 03-3684-1656
Junior High Night Schools in Kanagawa Prefecture
- Yokohama City Urashimaoka Junior High School
- 27-1 Shirahata Higashi-machi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama 221-0072
- Yokohama CityTokita Junior High School
- 2-45 Hananoki-machi, Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0018
- Yokohama City Nishi Junior High School
- 3-286 Nishitobe-machi, Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-0046
- Yokohama City Tsurumi Junior High School
- 3-14-1Tsurumi Chuo, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0051
- Yokohama City Nakaodai Junior High School
- 23 Nakaodai, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0839
* For information on Junior High Night Schools in Yokohama, contact the Yokohama Education Office, Compulsory Education Division (telephone: 045-671-3266).
- Kawasaki City Nishi Nakahara Junior High School
- 2-17-1 Shimoodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki 211-0041
Telephone 044-788-0031
Reservations: The second and fourth Saturday and Sunday of each month (excluding public holidays), 14:30 - 21:00
Junior High Night Schools in Chiba Prefecture
- Ichikawa City Oosu Junior High School
- 4-21-5 Oosu, Ichikawa City 272-0032
Telephone 047-377-6883 or call the Ichikawa Education Office (Telephone: 047-334-1111)
The location of Junior High Night Schools throughout Japan can be found at the homepage of Apuro 21, under Junior High Night Schools (http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~apuro21/yatyu004.htm (Japanese only).