Interviews and Placement for Japanese Languages Schools

When applying to join a language school one of the most important steps you may be faced with is the interview, particularly if you wish to join a long-term course as part of a college, or you’re requesting financial support or a non-tourist visa. This is when the school can get to know you, your language level and your needs, and find the best fit for you, but also find if you are the best fit for them. Let’s figure out the best way to take these interviews. This article will go over who needs an interview, what you might face in that interview, and the general process of a typical application for a language school, using us here at JaLS as an example. This includes the language placement test, whether it impacts your chances, and what to expect. Helpful advice and tips will be given and information on how to avoid any missteps along the way, with a heap of advice for common questions at the end of the article.

Do I even need to take an interview?

First and foremost, while the school you are attempting to join may require you to take an interview with them, this is not always the case! Take JaLS, we don’t have any interview requirement to study Japanese language at a variety of levels from beginner to advanced. When you are joining a language course that doesn’t last longer than 3 months (and therefore doesn’t require a non-tourist visa) that you have paid for yourself, you can relax! The only kind of interview you will do is some sort of placement test, and even then only when you want to join a class that is higher than beginner level. No worries, you can take the test (nearly always online) at your leisure, when you are at your most ready, so long as you do it before any deadline your school may have (this too will be clearly stated on the school’s website).

Who Needs an Interview?

An interview may be needed for those who:

Are attempting to gain a visa, and therefore a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan via your school

Attempting to gain a scholarship or other sort of funding provided by the school

Or are wanting to make use of some sort of limited-availability service, such as a limited intensive course

In addition, long-term courses and courses that are part of or tied to a college. Japan has two main types of college; 専門学校, senmon gakkou, which are vocational colleges whose courses typically cover two years of education; and 大学, daigaku, which are colleges or universities that provide bachelor diplomas and above over four years of education. Both offer Japanese language courses for foreigners that wish to attend their schools, or as credited courses in of themselves. Due to their limited nature, and the fact they nearly always are part of longer-term courses that require a student or other long-term visa, they will have a more rigorous interview. They will be looking for students that hold a certain language level before beginning, or students who can prove their dedication and are worth the college’s time.

Typical Interview Questions

Here are some common questions often found in such interviews for more competitive courses, grouped into common themes for your convenience, and some example ways to answer them:

How long have you studied Japanese, How, Why? How long do you intend to study for?

Be upfront and clear, but also show your interest in the language and the culture, and your desire to keep learning and improving!

What visa are you applying for, why, for how long?

Make sure you do your research first so you know which visa you want, and that you have (or can get) all the information you need. If you need information from the interviewer, such as a time frame, make sure to ask. It shows interest and aptitude!

Are you financially stable, able to support yourself for the duration of the course?

This is especially true for those asking for scholarships, schools need to know you have run the numbers and that you need the scholarship, but also that you will be able to get by with that scholarship if you receive it. Additionally, you need to show your financial awareness, so they can be confident the scholarship is going to the right hands.

What is where you’re from like? Tell us your good points and bad points.?

similar to the personal questions, this is a chance to show your willingness to embrace new experiences and show what kind of a person you are, so that the school wants you to join them.

I’m ready to take that interview!

Hopefully now you feel confident in your application. Most of you will have no problems, as there are few major barriers to joining a language school, and those of you hoping to get hold of limited resources or positions, or particular visas, the advice above should bring you one, or many, steps closer to that goal. Remember that with preparation and confidence any hurdle can be overcome, and there’s much more information out there. Be sure to check out JaLS’ sites for more information and articles to prepare for your time abroad, and make the most of your trip once here!

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