OGU Kokusai Center

International Exchange Program

Overview of the OGU International Exchange Program

The OGU Japanese Studies Program consists of comprehensive Japanese language courses in the morning, followed by a variety of elective classes in the afternoon suitable for every level of Japanese proficiency from complete beginner to confident Japanese speakers.

Japanese Language Course

Japanese Classes (AM)
Course Name Previous
hours
of Study
Hours
per
week
Content
  Fall Spring
JSL1
(Beginner)
  0 12 Comprehensive Japanese
JSL2
(Pre-Intermediate)
360 12 Comprehensive Japanese
JSL3
(Intermediate)
360 12 Comprehensive Japanese/ Grammar, content-based study and personal consultation
JSL4
(Upper-
Intermediate)
500 10.5 Grammar, content-based study and personal consultation
JSL5
(Advanced 1)
650 10.5 Grammar, content-based study and personal consultation
JSL6
(Advanced 2)
  800 10.5 Grammar, content-based study and personal consultation

*The above explanation is intended as a guide, as the classes offered may differ depending on the level of the students who participate in the program.

JSL1~3 (Comprehensive Japanese)

These Japanese classes cover the basic skills of listening, speaking, writing (including Kanji) reading to enable students to engage in natural conversation and become comfortable with life in Japan. Students make a final presentation in Japanese at the end of the year.

JSL4~6 (Grammar, content-based study and personal consultation.)

In addition to consolidating Japanese into grammar lessons, students also have specially-designed, content-based lessons for 4 hours per week that offer hands-on opportunities to study current Japanese cultural, societal issues and topics relating to Japanese language. While incorporating all four skills of reading, speaking, writing, and listening, students will become engaged in cultural/social issues, thought and discussion, through “real life” Japanese reading and media materials. Students make a short presentation in class and make a final presentation at the end of the year.

Elective Subject Courses

Elective Subjects (PM)
Course type Contents and Language of Instruction Examples of Course Hours
per
week
JSC Japanese Studies Course: Classes taught in English covering a variety of aspects about Japan/Asia, including society, culture, religion, traditional arts, economics, etc. Japanese Business Culture, Spirituality and Healing, Post-Imperial Japanese History, E-commerce and Marketing, Japanese Fine Arts and Performing Arts, etc. 3
JSP Japanese for Specific Purposes: Classes taught in Japanese to improve specific Japanese language skills and deepen understanding of culture and society.
Japanese Society and Culture, Osaka Dialect, JLPT Preparation Course, Presentations in Japanese using multimedia, basic reading and composition, etc. 1.5
J-Bridge Classes taught in easy to understand intermediate to advanced Japanese about Japanese society, culture, business, etc. Intercultural Communication, Japanese history, East Asian Relations, Japanese Literature, etc. 3
Faculty Classes Regular lectures that Japanese students take in departments such as International Studies, Economics, Foreign Language Department, etc. Internationalization, fundamentals of philosophy, French, etc. 1.5 / 3
Others Internships, Special Lectures, etc in Japanese or English Internship Practice and Practicum, etc. 1.5 / 3

The elective courses are designed so that students of all Japanese levels can take a variety of subjects. J-Bridge courses are exclusive to OGU and a great opportunity for students to practically apply their Japanese languages skills while learning another subject. This type of class allows students to challenge themselves by taking lectures in Japanese to see how much they can comprehend and do.

*Entry to J-bridge and regular faculty classes is restricted to higher level students, and in most cases permission from the Japanese teaching staff is required.

Study Workload

Studying and living in Japan can often be challenging, so students are advised to be aware of their workload, and manage their time accordingly.

Example of Weekly Course Workload (Beginner level student)
  Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
1 JSL JSL JSL JSL JSL
2   JSL   JSL  
3   JSL   JSL  
   
III JSC     JSC JSP
IV     JSC JSC  

Course OGU Credits(Recommended)
JSL Course (12x 60min classes) 12
JSC Course (2x 90min classes) 3
JSC Course (2x 90min classes) 3
JSP Course (1x 90min class) 1
Total 19

Example of Weekly Course Workload (Advanced level student)
  Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
1 JSL JSL JSL JSL JSL
2   JSL   JSL  
3   Consultation   JSL  
   
III J-Bridge JSP   JSP  
IV J-Bridge   Fac. Class Fac. Class  

Course OGU Credits(Recommended)
JSL Course (10.5x 60min classes) 11
Faculty Class (2x 90min classes) 3
J-Bridge Course (2x 90min classes) 3
JSP Course (1x 90min class) 1
JSP Course (1x 90min class) 1
Total 19