A chance to become effective in Japanese

As a mission OMF has long held as one of its values the acquisition of the local language to the highest possible level. Japanese is commonly recognized as one of the most difficult languages to learn (especially for those with a European language background). The Japanese Language Center has therefore structured its courses in such a way as to give students a realistic opportunity of becoming proficient in Japanese.

Lessons are normally private ('one to one'). Although this necessarily costs more than group classes, it has been our experience that students rarely obtain true conversational ability without extensive private tuition.

Advantages of private classes are that:

• students can start and continue for any length of time
• content can be structured to match each student’s needs and learning style
• part-time learning programs can be arranged (from 1 day a month up to 5 days a week fulltime).

From time to time group classes are also conducted. These range from between 2 and 6 students per class. Such classes are easier to arrange if students organize their own group. For example:

(a) a couple studying together

(b) a group of 3 short-term missionaries doing an intensive 2 week introductory course

(c) classes for 'JET' program and other English teachers who come to JLC for language lessons during their summer holidays.

Our teachers are constantly being trained and new and improved language resources are being developed in order to offer students the best possible learning experience. Overall guidance for each student is provided by the Language Advisor, Alaric Dunsmore- Rouse, a qualified linguist. Alaric serves within OMF as a consultant in language acquisition for cross-cultural Christian workers. There is also a Language and Orientation Coordinator or Coordinators, who look after the running of the school and assists students with practical needs.

OMF Language Advisor