Mark Jeffery

Home country: Australia
Comprehensive Course: Advanced II level

My interest in coming to Japan was the result of makings friends with a number of Japanese students who were learning English at the university where I was studying. I was subsequently able to come to work in Japan, however, interacting with colleagues at the company head office in the U.S. meant that the opportunities to try to speak Japanese, were, despite living in Japan, far fewer than I had anticipated. So, with the aim of acquiring at least a reasonable level of Japanese language proficiency before my time in Japan draws to a close, I investigated language teaching institutions and was fortunate enough for someone to point me towards the Naganuma School, where I have been studying for the past 18 months.

The structure of the classes and the Naganuma School teaching methods mean the students are taught all aspects of the language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, both formal and informal. Class sizes can vary but are never too big to prevent everyone interacting individually, and the international make-up of the classes means that when discussing Japanese culture and customs, comparisons can be made with those of other countries. All this lends itself to an enjoyable learning process.

The ability and willingness of the teachers to answer all questions, both those regarding the language as well as those extra-curricula, which invariably arise when living in a foreign country, also means that I feel very fortunate to have had the Naganuma School recommended to me as a place where I can learn.

A lot of effort has been required, including outside school completing assignments, revising, and of course trying to memorise Kanji characters, but with the desire of trying to improve my language proficiency undiminished I plan to continue studying at Naganuma School until my financial situation dictates otherwise. I wonder if I would feel the same if I had enrolled at a different school.

Venkatachalam M.

Home country: India
Private Lesson (ex-student of Complihensive Course: Advanced)

Thank you, Naganma School
I am very happy to inform you that I received a special prize in the 12th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Diplomats on April, 2009. The contest was co-sponsored by the Foreign Ministry, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, The Japan Times and other organizations.
More than 20 diplomats participated in the contest with an audience of 200. I felt very grateful to the Naganuma School and the teachers when I received the prize for teaching me Japanese from the elementary level and lifting me  up to the level which made me win the prize..

OTGONBAYAR ALTANGEREL

Home country: Mongolia
University Prep. Course: Advanced

My dream job is to be involved in the development of cars. That's why I selected Japan as a place for my study. I already studied Japanese in my country, but I thought I must study harder to make my dream a reality and enrolled in Naganuma School. At the school, I learned not only the Japanese language but also the Japanese culture and the life of people, together with how warm-heartedness and humanity are important through lessons given by teachers. I think these are the most important qualities when working in the Japanese society or going on to a university or other school. I also had opportunities to get acquainted with people form different countries. These experiences made me know about the culture and customs of various countries, as well as broaden my view of the world.
Naganuma School provides many events and activities such as year-end parties, speech contests, field studies and graduation trips. I've had many pleasant and unforgettable memories, including that I won the speech contest in 2007, that I made Mongolia cuisine with my classmates in the 2008 year-end party, and that I was awarded a scholarship on the recommendation of Naganuma School.
When I had the interview exam of a university, I was told "your Japanese is very good."
This made me feel that it was very good for me to have attended Naganuma School. I studied mathematics, physics and English hard, which greatly helped me succeed in examinations. I am yearning to try out my skills in Japan or the world by utilizing my Japanese language ability I had built up at the school.

Wrotkowska Magdalena

Home country: Poland
Comprehensive Course: Intermediate

I know about Naganuma School from one of my friends. One day I visited this school since I heard it was a good place for learning the Japanese language. Then, I decided to enter this school because they gave me a detailed interview and some tests to check my Japanese proficiency at that time, and offered various classes.
The school's good points are that the teachers have high education backgrounds, teach proper Japanese expressions including Keigo, as well as grammar and business Japanese. Lessons mainly focus on conversation, which helps us to improve pronunciations and accents effectively. Also, there are part tests and unit tests, so you can check your weak points.
I recommend this school because it is the strictest, yet the best school I have ever known. My hope in the future is to speak with my Japanese friends and my children in Japanese I have learned. My Japanese skills have improved and I like Japan very much now, so I wish to study Japanese harder.

Patrick RYAN

Home country: Germany/Ireland
Comprehensive Course: Intermediate

I have attended Naganuma School for about half a year now. My father also attended and graduated from this school. I intended to return to my country after one year of study here, just like my father. However, because it is very pleasant and useful for me to study in this language school, I think I am going to stay in Japan to further develop my Japanese skills.
Before joining Naganuma, I heard from my father that this school is very joyful, but I found it much more wonderful than I expected when I actually enrolled in. Whenever I consult staff about my problem, they offer to help me very quickly. I can join a class that is most suitable for the level of my Japanese skills, which helps me improve my ability effectively.
I like the education systems of this school very much. You can take a class for preparation for Japanese Language Proficiency Tests, while attending a normal class. In fact, my Japanese ability has much improved since I joined the preparation class. I have been able to make friends here, and hope they will continue to be my friends throughout my life. You should come to this school. It's really wonderful to study here!

Yoon

Home country: Korea
Comprehensive Course: Intermediate

Hello, you all there, who are planning to study Japanese. I entered this school in April 2008, and it has been almost one year now. At the time of enrollment, I did not even have skills to read and write Hiragana and Katakana, not to mention Kanji. In addition, I could not even exchange greetings in Japanese. However, studying at this school has allowed me to talk what I am thinking or want to express in Japanese, though it's not perfect yet. So I think I am really grateful to the school.
The most significant strength of this school is that you can meet people from other countries. It will be great experience to get acquainted with people from not only your own country, but from different countries. Why don't you start studying the Japanese language in this school with us? I assure you it will be joyful!

Mert ATICI

Home country: Turkey
Comprehensive Course: Basic

I think the most important consideration when selecting a Japanese language school is whether it has excellent teachers. The teachers at Naganuma School are all polite and excel in teaching, making you attend the school without worries. Also the Japanese lessons are very enjoyable and fun. When I have problems, teachers or the staff at the front desk always help me find solutions. Naganuma School is located in Shibuya, a district in the center of Tokyo. It is close to stations and there are many shops and stores around it. So you can do your shopping on your way from school.
Though it is difficult to learn Japanese, I am having a very wonderful time studying. We are looking forward to seeing new friends to join us.

Chung Eun Hae

Home country: Korea
University Prep. Course: Advanced

First of all, I would like to say I am honored to have been given the opportunity to write my message here.
I entered Naganuma School in April 2008. Though this might be the same for other schools, first I was a bit overwhelmed at the strictness of this school. However, I think what I am now owes a lot to the strictness. I took University Prep. Course, and have been satisfied with it because the course offers an excellent study environment. I have mainly learned and practiced Kanji, grammar, composition and listening in the course. I sometimes thought "why should I study these things," but I found that my study efforts were most useful for exams and very worthy to me.
The course has been greatly helpful for improving my weaknesses, allowing me to have much confidence. I first was not confident with my skills in Kanji, and wrote many wrong Kanji characters. But the courses' daily kanji tests were most effective to enhance my Kanji ability. Furthermore, personal interviews with teachers may provide a chance to review and update yourself when you are worrying about something or cannot really decide on your ideas.
I think I have succeeded in passing the entrance exam to my desired university because I was able to improve my weaknesses such as Kanji, composition and listening through the lessons of the course. I really would like to appreciate the teachers at Naganuma School.