Our History
Osaka YMCA Japanese Language School was established in 1969, when a wave of internationalization began to rush through Japan and foreigners living around Osaka needed to acquire everyday conversational skills and understand Japanese culture. After that, we accepted Asian international students who intended to study in Japan, established full-time courses in 1985, and became a school certified by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education in 1989.
Since then, we have continued to provide high-quality Japanese language education that includes the development of a variety of educational research and teaching materials and continue to play a pioneering role in Japanese language education.
Chronology
| 1969 | Opened Part-time Japanese Language Course. |
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| 1985 | Opened the first full-time Japanese Language Course in Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka City. |
| 1988 | Held a Student Bazaar to support international students.Started the Volunteer Tutor System.Started the Osaka YMCA scholarship system. |
| 1989 | Osaka YMCA International College Japanese Language Course was moved from Dojima to Tosabori, Nishi-ku, Osaka City.Osaka YMCA International College was authorized by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education. |
| 1990 | Opened a full-time Japanese Language Course at Abeno YMCA Gakuin in Tennoji.Started the Course for Becoming a Japanese Teacher. |
| 1991 | Published a Japanese language textbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo (Kenkyusha).Published a workbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo Wakubukku (Kenkyusha).Established Fall Course (1.5 years starting in October) at International College. |
| 1993 | Relocated full-time courses from Dojima to YMCA Vexcel in Benten-cho. |
| 1994 | Published a Japanese textbook Jokyu de Manabu Nihongo (Kenkyusha). |
| 1995 | Published Japanese video materials Jokyu Bideo Nihongo Kyozai (NHK/ Bonjinsha). |
| 1999 | Started the End-of-year Scholarship system along with the Osaka YMCA scholarship system. |
| 2002 | Built a new school building (in Uemachi) and renamed it Osaka YMCA Gakuin. |
| 2003 | Published a Japanese textbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo – Kaiteiban (Kenkyusha).Started a scholarship system for people involved in NPOs/NGOs.Started a scholarship system for Christian church teachers. |
| 2004 | Opened a dormitory named No no Hana Ryo.Published a workbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo Wakubukku – Kaiteiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2005 | Established and opened Seoul, Korea communications office called Japan YMCA Educational International Exchange Center. |
| 2006 | Established Preparatory Education Course approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.Published a Japanese textbook Jokyu de Manabu Nihongo – Kaiteiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2008 | Published a workbook Jokyu de Manabu Nihongo Wakubukku – Kaiteiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2009 | Established Practical Japanese Course. |
| 2010 | Conducted Children’s ☆ Summer Course as an option for the Intensive Summer Course.Published a Japanese textbook Chukyu madeni Manabu Nihongo (Kenkyusha). |
| 2013 | Started Novice Class IJ Class for learners from countries that do not use Chinese characters. |
| 2014 | Established the Practical Business PLUS Course.Published a Japanese language textbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo – Santeiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2015 | Rearranged practical course curriculum aiming to further enhance educational contents.Started the Comprehensive Course, which was the University Preparatory Course for learners from countries that do not use Chinese characters.Published a Japanese textbook Chukyu kara Manabu Nihongo Wakubukku – Santeiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2016 | Published a Japanese textbook Jokyu de Manabu Nihongo – Santeiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2017 | Relocated Osaka YMCA Gakuin from Uemachi to Tennoji.Published a Japanese textbook Jokyu de Manabu Nihongo Wakubukku – Santeiban (Kenkyusha). |
| 2019 | 50th anniversary of Osaka YMCA Japanese language education |
| 2020 | Opened Osaka YMCA Japanese Language Education Center |
Acceptance of various national government delegations
| Since 2000: | US Air Force officer training (dispatched by US government) |
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| 2004 to 2007: | Australian Japanese teacher training (dispatched by Australian Government) |
| Since 2008: | British Council junior-high/high school Japanese language training (dispatched by UK Government) |
Acceptance of private groups
●Korean high school students/university students for Japanese language training
| 2006: | Seoul Foreign Language High School for training in Japan (intensive summer program) |
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| 2007: | Suwon Foreign Language High School for short-term training in Japan (intensive summer program) |
| 2008: | Dongducheon Foreign Language High School for short-term training in Japan (intensive summer program) |
| Since 2008: | Changwon South High School for Japanese training |
| Since 2010: | Kwangwoon University for training in Japan |
●Other
| Since1996 Taiwan Changhua YMCA Summer/ Winter Intensive Course
Since2008 USA Utah University Summer Intensive Course |
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Research and development achievements
Research and development of teaching materials subsidized by Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education
| 1991 | Development of Advanced Teaching Materials Using Video |
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| 1992 | Preparation of Vocabulary, Categorization, and Example Sentences for Intermediate to Advanced Learners |
| 1993 | Preparation of Example Sentences for Advanced Learners of Japanese |
| 1994 | Preparation of Reading Materials for Novice Learners of Japanese |
| 1995 | Establishment of a Systematic Practice Method Aiming for Efficient Acquisition of Vocabulary for Advanced Learners of Japanese, Part 1 |
| 1996 | Establishment of a Systematic Practice Method Aiming for Efficient Acquisition of Vocabulary for Advanced Learners of Japanese, Part 2 |
| 1995, 1996 | Tutor System, Possibility of Group Counseling for Foreign Students |
| 1997 | Introduction and Practice Integrating Knowledge of Native Speakers |
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| 2011 | Developed Japanese level check application for iPhone, NihongoCheckerN3Lite. |
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