Japanese Language Program (JLP)

The Japanese Language Program, offered by the Center for Japanese Studies, is for undergraduate and graduate students who would like to focus on Japanese language learning.
The curriculum is designed to assist students in attaining the high level of Japanese proficiency required for research and other academic activities in specialized disciplines.

Study Levels

The Main Course is divided into 9 study levels*.

*Prior to the start of each semester, all students in the Japanese Language Program are required to take a placement test on the basis of which they are assigned to an appropriate study level.
-Study Level 1 - 4 (Elementary)
-Study Level 5, 6 (Intermediate)
-Study Level 7, 8 (Advanced)
-Study Level 9 (Higher Advanced)

Placement

Each student's study level is determined according to the results on the placement test based on the standards of the Keio University Japanese Language Program.

Please be aware that these standards may differ from those of your home country.

Main Course

The Main Course comprises 3 types of subject groups, as described in the table below. The following subjects are offered for each subject group.

The Main Course, which is the core of the Japanese Language Program, is characterized by having a broad range of subject options. Students are able to choose any subject of their interest appropriate to their level from Japanese language subjects and other subjects related to Japanese culture.

Group of Subjects

Credit
per subject

Contents

Subjects

Comprehensive
Subjects

1

Acquiring the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking through comprehensive learning activities

Comprehensive Japanese 
※Elementary level: Must register for 5 subjects as a set.
At or above Intermidiate level: Must register for 3 subjects as a set.

Subjects with
a Specific Focus

1

Especially designed for acquiring the four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking

Grammar, Grammar (Classics), Modern Text Reading, Newspaper Reading, Orthography, Composition, Aural Comprehension, Conversation, Presentation, and Situational Conversation

Japanese Studies
on Society and Culture

2

Deepening knowledge of Japanese society and culture

Japanese Social Studies (History of Japanese Literature, Noh Play)
Japanese Cultural Studies (Traditional culture, Japanese painting, Japanese animation and TV game)

List of subjects and Brief Course Summaries:

・ Please see the List in Japanese.

・ Please see the List in English.

JLP subject syllabus

Please visit here

Optional Subjects

Students may also take the following subjects as Optional Subjects.

(1) Subjects conducted in English (e.g. International Center Courses)

For the detail, please visit here.

(2) Subjects conducted in Japanese (Courses offered by Faculty / Graduate Schools)

Students who fulfill the designated requirements may also take up to 2 subjects taught in Japanese (for a total of up to 4 credits) offered under Keio University's regular undergraduate and graduate programs each semester.

However, as it requires a high level of Japanese language ability to take subjects conducted in Japanese, please decide to register these subjects after careful consideration. The details will be given to the students before the start of the semester.

Number of Subjects and Credits Required

In principle, students must register for 7 or more subjects/credits per semester from Main Course suited to their study level and/or subjects from the Japanese Language Program (JLP). For any inquiries about requirements for JLP program, please contact the Japanese Studies Office at jlp-inquiry@adst.keio.ac.jp.

Passing Study Levels and Completing the Course of Study

Passing Study Levels

Students who take the required number of subjects and earn the number of credits required at their study level will be deemed to have passed that study level.

Completion of the Course of Study

Students who are placed in the higher study level in the second semester and pass two different study levels during two consecutive semesters will be deemed to have completed the Japanese Language Program.