All posts by tokyogalaxy

School News

Advices from Tokyo Galaxy to our prospective students

Hello to those of you who are going to study at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School! You have made a big decision to study in Japan, and we think you must have been excited about getting ready for it. Before starting your life in Japan, we would like to show you some tips for making the most of your limited time and enhancing your study experience abroad

1. Be aware of the importance of class hours!
When you enter Tokyo Galaxy, you will take lessons from Japanese teachers, together with your classmates from various countries.
It would be a whole lot better for you to prepare for the lessons in advance, rather than coming to class without any preparation. When you do so, you will be able to understand the contents of your lessons more deeply, and each and every Japanese word will remain firmly in your mind. And listening to the Japanese used by Japanese teachers every day will help you get used to natural Japanese intonation, accents, and expressions.
By doing this, you can acquire correct Japanese, Japanese that make a favorable impression on the Japanese people. This process is an absolute must for new students, since you will always be using Japanese when you learn specialized knowledge and work in Japan.
Talking in Japanese with friends from different countries will not only help to improve your language ability, but will also grow your interest in other cultures and broaden your horizons. As your field of interest expands and your curiosity grows, you will find more things you want to do, more places you want to go, and you will be increasingly active. Having such experience in your youth will make your life brighter.

Advices from Tokyo Galaxy to our prospective students

2. Your attendance record will remain for lifetime.
Japanese people put honesty first! If you want to get a good reputation and have a successful career in Japan, you must care about honesty.
When you enter a Japanese language school, your attendance rate at school will be recorded. When you apply for admission to a university, vocational school, or graduate school in Japan, you will have to apply for an extension of visa to study abroad, and at that time you must also submit your certificate of attendance records and Grades issued by your Japanese language school.
In other words, your attendance rate at a Japanese language school will be a permanent record that will remain for lifetime. If you have a school you want to go on to and you want to complete your study abroad successfully, keeping your attendance rate at 95% or higher will help you to take the next step without disadvantage.
To maintain your attendance, it is important to develop a good habit from the beginning.
Try to arrive at school 30 minutes before, or an hour or couple of hours before your class begins, and you will never be late.
In order to do so, we advise you to check the train timetable beforehand, find out which train you should get on, and calculate what time you should leave your home in order to take the right train.
When you arrive at school early, you can study in the study hall or your classroom. That will allow you to attend your classes with a calm and relaxed state of mind, and you can always study Japanese with a positive feeling.

Advices from Tokyo Galaxy to our prospective students

3. Experience new things.
When you start living in Japan, it would be a waste not to do anything other than coming to school and going back to home or your dorm room!
Tokyo is a wonderful city with plenty of venues to explore; even if you go to a new place every weekend, you won’t have enough time to see everything.
You can start from taking a walk around school or around your home. If you know a place that you are interested in, you can visit there. A well-organized guidebook can be very helpful in such cases.
It will also be a valuable experience to find out in advance the schedule of the open campus events of the university or vocational school of your choice and to participate the event.
When you decide where to go, and experience new things that you could not imagine, your days will be fulfilling and you will be able to feel a sense of accomplishment. You can also gain much knowledge.
If you continue to accumulate such experience little by little, you will be able to boost your self-esteem, and to take on challenges such as entrance examinations with confidence.
Also, during the process of experiencing a variety of things, your likes and interests will become clear to yourself, and you can be confident about your decision on your course of life. You will be able to tell a lot about your experiences at the interview test of the entrance exam, and you can impress your interviewer with your proactiveness.

Please remember these three things, which should not be terribly difficult, when you start your life in Tokyo. We want you to develop not only your Japanese skills but also your eagerness to take on new challenges and self-confidence while studying at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School.
We will always be supporting your study in Japan.

Student Interview

A student’s way to passing the entrance exam for Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo

Ms. B decided to study in Japan in order to enter Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, and she had been studying earnestly at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School. Now she has successfully passed the entrance exam for the Confectionary Course of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo. She studied hard for a long time and did her best to go on to her school of choice. We heard from her about how she had been preparing for the exam.

Please tell us what kind of preparations you have made to pass the entrance exam.
I made my decision to go to Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo around September 2018. Since I had never studied Japanese at that point, I started to learn Hiragana in September and took basic class lessons at a language school in South Korea from October.
The qualification for the applicants of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo includes Japanese Language ability of JLPT N2 level at minimum, so I was studying with the aim of passing the N2 level test.
I was planning to start studying at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School in April 2019, so it was a must for me to improve my Japanese level before that to be comparable to JLPT N3. I did not take the N3 level test, but I studied in Korea at basic class for four months and N3 preparatory class for a month. Then I came to Japan in April 2019 to enter Tokyo Galaxy.
Fortunately, I was able to get enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Class of Tokyo Galaxy, which was designed for students aiming to pass the N2 level test. So, I started my preparation for the JLPT held in July 2019 by attending school lessons and also studying by myself.

A student’s way to passing the entrance exam for the Confectionary Course of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo

Would you tell us the key to your success on the entrance exam?
I was lucky enough to be nominated as a recommended student of designated schools. I was expecting to enter the school through the general recommendation system; however, I had the fortune to be selected by Tokyo Galaxy as their recommended student.
My efforts to improve my Japanese proficiency, in order to pass the N2 level test, has worked in a positive way, I guess.
I think it was helpful to have been able to know the conditions desired by Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo (such as language ability of JLPT N2 level or higher, ability to handle interview questions, etc.) and concentrate on preparing to meet such conditions.

What was your reason for choosing to start your study in Japan at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School?
I chose Tokyo Galaxy without hesitation since it was the designated language school of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo. The majority of students from overseas entering Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo are graduates of Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School. Therefore I thought that I would be able to gain much information about the school of my choice. I had a talk with people from Tokyo Galaxy at a promotion event of studying in Japan held in my country, and decided to study here.

A student’s way to passing the entrance exam for the Confectionary Course of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo

Which classes at Tokyo Galaxy were meaningful to you?
The lessons of the Accelerated Learning Class were really helpful. I was able to greatly improve my Japanese by this class; its lessons include everything you need to acquire to pass the N2 level test of JLPT.
Among the optional subjects, Ms. Sato’s lecture on keigo (Japanese polite expressions) was particularly helpful for me. What I learned there helped me a lot with the interview test and at my part-time job.
I am currently taking Ms. Matsukawa’s Japanese-Korean interpretation class, and I like it very much. It’s interesting and meaningful.

Who is your most memorable teacher at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School? Is there anyone special that you think you won’t forget?
I’ll always remember all of my homeroom teachers and the other teachers with whom I have spoken often. Still, I would like to name Ms. Nakahashi, my entrance exam trainer, and Ms. Kaida, who was in charge of students aiming to enter Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, as the ones who have helped me the most.
Of course I received support and encouragement from many other teachers, so I think I will remember them all.

What kind of difficulties did you face while you were preparing for the entrance exam of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo? We also like to know how you managed to overcome them.
There were so many people planning to apply to Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo this year, and that made me pretty nervous. I was not worrying so much about it at first, but after learning that there were quite a lot of students who wanted to go to Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, I came to think that I might not be able to pass the exam.
Then I was informed of the exam to select the students to receive recommendation as candidates from designated schools. I heard that the level of the exam would be equivalent to level N1 of JLPT, so I thought no chance for me, but I was just yearning to receive a recommendation and tried to work really hard to get it. My efforts enabled me to score well in the reading comprehension test, and I was able to get good results in the selection exam.

What are the situations that make you feel satisfied about coming to Japan?
I think that in Japan, people are being more unique in their own way, compared to the people of my home country. And that makes everything, such as clothing, desserts, art and other things to be unique as well.
You can enjoy a wide variety of such things in Japan. I think it’s really nice that there are so many enjoyable places in Japan like art museums, cake shops and restaurants that offers various sweets.

Tell us why you chose Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo among various Japanese vocational schools.
The school has a high reputation, and I thought that there will be much to gain. I met the teachers at their open campus event, and they were all so nice. I was majoring in other subjects, so it was the first time for me to meet the instructors of confectionary art at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, and I’m glad to be able to meet them.
Since the school is located in Tokyo, I thought that there would be many opportunities besides school lessons to experience things related to confectionery in various places. I also liked the way they teach specific subjects in separate classes.

A student’s way to passing the entrance exam for the Confectionary Course of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo

Would you give any advice to students preparing to study in Japan to enter a vocational school?
There have been some intergovernmental issues that interfere with relations between Japan and my home country, but I believe that if you are really wishing to study culture, arts and technology of Japan, you should stick with your conviction.
After coming to Japan, I have realized that the cultural exchange activities between our countries are being somewhat interrupted due to such political issues. Your perspectives will be renewed when you move to Japan and start to study and work here, and you will be able to find out what you can learn from Japanese people and know the ways of their thinking. So I advise you to continue your preparation with confidence.

What kind of objectives do you have in mind as you are going to start studying at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo?
The first thing will be to absorb as much I can from the school lessons; however, the bigger goal for me is to create my own brand. I know that I will be able to learn quite a lot Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, so I want to enrich my experience by communicating with my teachers and my classmates, and find out what I can create as my original piece of work.

We like to congratulate Ms. B on successfully passing the entrance exam for the Confectionary Course of Ecole de Patisserie.
She has always been participating actively in her classes and making constant efforts, and we know that her road taken to get here was not always easy. We think that her strong will, which enabled her to set and attain goals step by step, such as reaching N3 level of JLPT, then passing the N2 level test and finally being selected as a recommended student, deserves great admiration.
Ms. B will be a role model for those aiming to go on to Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, and we would like to thank her again for giving us detailed information on how she studied.
We are supporting everyone preparing for interview tests at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, and those preparing to study abroad. We hope that you do your best and get good results!

Uncategorized

The ever-evolving Japanese convenience stores

Convenience stores, or “konbini” in Japan are, as the name suggests, strikingly convenient, and are used by so many people every day. Life without convenience stores is pretty hard to imagine. Such stores originally came into being in the United States, but the variety of goods they offer now in Japan largely surpasses it in their birthplace. They also provide services such as payment of utility bills, picking up deliveries of “takuhaibin” parcels, payment and pick-up of tickets and goods bought online, making photocopies, sending faxes, printing photos, and they even sell lottery tickets; that may even astonish the people from U.S.
Convenience stores in Japan are a strong ally for busy people, and it’s a place of relief for those who can’t help coming to a convenience store late at night in search of their favorite original products.
So I will tell you a little story about the Japanese konbini, our favorite shopping spot.

The ever-evolving Japanese convenience stores

It is not only food and daily necessities that are sold at convenience stores in Japan. There are postage stamps, postcards, books and DVDs, cosmetics, medicine, and even jump ropes, soap-bubble toys, and hanafuda (Japanese playing cards). Some stores also have business shirts, ties, flowers, incense sticks and candles. Japanese convenience stores sell things you would never think that they do; even Japanese customers are often surprised.

The other thing about Japanese convenience stores that I must tell you is, the amazing quality of their original food products. Inexpensive and tasty “konbini bento (lunch boxes sold at convenience stores)”, an enormous variety of food packages that can be cooked easily in a microwave oven (such food is called “ren-chin” food in Japanese), and new sweets being released one after another are really capturing so many people. Konbini sweets are so tempting that you just can’t help picking up some additional roll cakes or cream puffs when you buy your lunch box.
I would say that, Family Mart’s sachertorte (chocolate cake), Seven Eleven’s blueberry & cream cheese sandwich, and Lawson’s gâteau au chocolat noir (black chocolate cake) are the top three desserts that I want to try personally!

The ever-evolving Japanese convenience stores

Convenience stores are offering freshly grounded and brewed coffee recently, so more and more people are taking a break at a nearby park with fresh coffee from a convenience store rather than entering a coffee shop. Lawson’s MEGA-size coffee is a great deal because of its large volume, and it’s special plastic cup with an image of a polar bear is attracting many people because of its cuteness.

So, as I have mentioned, convenience stores in Japan are constantly evolving, making corporate efforts every day.
For those who buy their morning coffee at a convenience store for waking up, those who have a habit of dropping by a convenience store at midnight and browsing their favorite magazines, those who always finish their meals with konbini bentos and easy-to-cook microwave food, Japanese convenience stores surely will continue to incorporate more new services and create new products, making more and more people to become konbini lovers.
Japanese konbinis are, convenient stores in its true sense!

Student Interview

Student interview: entering Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo’s Bread-making Course

Mr. K, who started studying at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School in 2019 with the aim of entering Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, has successfully passed the entrance exam for the bread-making course of the school of his choice.
He has been our model student, not missing a single lesson and participating the classes very actively. We asked him how he had been studying in Japan and he told us the details.

What kind of preparations did you make to pass the entrance exam after you came to Japan?
I really focused on studying Japanese, because I knew that my language ability would determine whether I pass or fail.
At Tokyo Galaxy, I tried to do as many presentations, and ask as many questions as possible in my classes. I was thinking that, by making presentations, I would be able to master Japanese expressions I already knew, and at the same time, learn new expressions. My teachers helped me a lot by kindly correcting my incorrect phrases, and teaching me other expressions that I didn’t know.
I always tried to work hard and do more than I was instructed to do, with preparations and reviews before and after class, and also with the assignments.
After class, I made efforts to talk with Japanese people as much as possible. I made Japanese friends by using language exchange websites, and talked with them on the phone, or sometimes met them in person to learn daily conversation. At my part-time job, I tried to take notes on everyday expressions and polite language used at the work site.

Student interview: entering Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo’s Bread-making Course

What was the key to your success on the entrance exam?
On the first day at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, I realized that my language ability was much lower than my classmates, and started to study frantically.
I believe that, unlike academic subjects such as mathematics and science, Japanese is something that you can improve your ability for sure by spending more time on studying it. So I worked hard on things such as I told you before.
Needless to say, that would have been impossible without my teachers at Tokyo Galaxy. They would answer my small questions with utmost kindness, and when I couldn’t get it, they would always find some time later to explain more precisely.
I really think that I couldn’t do it all by myself. I am much indebted to my teachers for making efforts together with me.

Why did you choose to start your study in Japan at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School?
People at the Seoul Office of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo told me about Tokyo Galaxy. I made a search on the Internet and found good reputations and comments of the graduates, so I chose to study here.

Which lessons at Tokyo Galaxy was particularly helpful for you?
The lessons of the compulsory subjects. We had to do many things, such as preparations before classes, assignments, and quizzes. We studied one topic by talking, listening, writing and reading about it over and over again, so we were able to naturally acquire new words and expressions in our learning process.

Would you tell us about your memorable teacher at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School? Is there someone you think you won’t forget?
Ms. Ibuka, who was in charge of my first class at Tokyo Galaxy. She also was my first homeroom teacher, and I was impressed with her thorough preparation to make her lessons proceed smoothly. She was really good at getting us involved in what’s going on in class, and she always taught us with kindness.

What was the difficult part of preparing for the entrance exam?
I was able to receive lots of support from Tokyo Galaxy and be fully prepared, so there was no point that it was particularly difficult.

What are the situations that you feel satisfied about your decision to study in Japan?
I’m really happy that I was able to meet people of many different nationalities at Tokyo Galaxy. I knew that there will be classmates from countries other than Japan, but actually meeting and being friends with them was an experience greater than expected. It was nice to be able to talk with friends from different countries and learn about their culture and ways of thinking.

What was your reason for choosing Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo among many other vocational schools?
I took a bread-making class in South Korea, and my teacher there was a graduate of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo and had also studied abroad in France. I was advised by my teacher that it would be better to study in Japan than in Europe, and was recommended to study at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo. I visited other vocational schools while studying at Tokyo Galaxy, but I thought that the educational environment of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, in which you can concentrate on learning about a single specialized field, would be better than other schools that teach a little about a wide variety of things, so I did not alter my choice. My teacher’s advice would not let me do so.

Student interview: entering Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo’s Bread-making Course

Would you give any advice to students preparing to study in Japan to enter a vocational school?
I think that you should make desperate efforts, since you will be spending your precious time studying abroad and it will not come cheap. It would not work if you are too optimistic and thinking lightly about studying in Japan. When you are living in a foreign country, you will often face unexpected situations and sometimes you’ll be worn out both physically and mentally. In order to keep your mind in shape in such times of trouble, I think you need to have a clear sense of purpose and aggressiveness to achieve your goal.
I also recommend that you come to Japan after you have acquired sufficient ability of Japanese. One of the things I regret is coming to Japan without studying much Japanese, so I hope that you avoid repeating the same mistake. In my opinion, if you have the ability to pass the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test Grade 3 and the N2 level of JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) before coming to Japan, you will be able to have a part-time job and your life in Japan will be more fulfilling and rewarding.

What kind of goals do you have in mind as you are going to start studying at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo from April 2020?
I always felt that I was l lacking the knowledge of the basic theory of bread-making while I was at work, so I want to study it and acquire the basic techniques of bread-making. I would also like to learn the teaching style of Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo, including the lesson style, content, and the ways of teaching. I’m hoping to teach a bread-making class when I get back to South Korea if I have a chance.
I will continue to improve my Japanese too, and after returning to my home country, I would like to work on translating Japanese books about bread-making and confectionary to Korean.

When Mr. K began studying at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, his Japanese ability was at pre-intermediate level. He reached N1 level of JLPT in nine months, and listening to his story, we strongly felt that he really has been making lots of effort.
We would like to thank Mr. K, who has been committed to his personal development and working hard on everything. We think that he will be a role model for our students, showing us the fact that if you try hard enough, you will be rewarded. We will always support him and we wish that he continues to achieve his goals!

School News

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future

To those looking for a brighter future and aiming to acquire language skills in Tokyo, we have a message for you.
Perhaps you don’t know much about the city of Tokyo right now, and are wondering about which Japanese language school to study at.
Since you are going to spend your precious time and money to study in Japan, it would be much better if you could find a Japanese language school that can fully satisfy both learning and living needs.
Apart from language training, you are going to learn lots of things from your life in Tokyo, and if you can experience as much as you can and develop your sensibility, your language training period in Japan will be worthwhile and it will have a lasting impact on your life.
It will be quite satisfactory if you could meet nice Japanese teachers who will teach you kindly, and provide advice on your concerns.
Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School is a Japanese language training institution that fully fulfills your wishes.

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future

Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School is located in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. This region has served as the center of Japan since the early 17th century, when the Edo period began.
Therefore, around our school, there are the Imperial Palace where the Emperor lives now (it was formerly known as Edo-jo castle, which was the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate family), Japanese government ministries and government offices, and headquarters of large corporations.
Some prestigious stores, established more than 100 years ago and had been supplying goods to the shoguns (Japanese military dictators) and daimyos (Japanese feudal lords) still remain in the Nihonbashi and Ningyocho area.
Mitsukoshi Department Store (the first department store in Japan) and Takashimaya Department Store, both located in Nihonbashi, have a long history and provide a classic and elegant atmosphere.
The streets of Ginza and the neighborhood of Tokyo Station, which are the areas close to the Imperial Palace, are lined with sophisticated buildings and shops that sets them apart from other areas of Tokyo. These areas are filled with famous places of interest; maybe too many to see in only a short stay.

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future

You can take a train from the nearest station of Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for about 10 to 15 minutes, and visit other famous areas of Tokyo, such as Ueno and Roppongi.
There are many splendid museums and art galleries in Ueno and Roppongi, so you can visit them to be enriched by appreciating art.
In Ueno, you can enjoy a popular local market called Ameya Yokocho, and in Roppongi you can feel the most up-to-date urban atmosphere at high-rise buildings such as Roppongi Hills.
Tokyo Galaxy students are able to enjoy such fascinating atmosphere that you can experience only in Tokyo.

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future

We also want you to know about Tokyo Galaxy’s educational curriculum.
We, as a Japanese language training institution, give paramount importance to education and we have been constantly studying our curriculum in order to provide classes that meet the needs of our students.
Therefore, our curriculum is totally original; no other Japanese language school teach like we do.
Our curriculum is particularly effective for those who intend to concentrate on Japanese language training and objective focused learning during their limited stay in Japan.

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future

As we have introduced here, Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School offers lessons in which our international students can learn Japanese thoroughly, and a lot of opportunities to experience Japanese culture and the unique atmosphere of Japan.
In addition, we have students from 33 countries (as of October 2019), so you can meet people with various backgrounds and enjoy your student life with your classmates.
Your language training at Tokyo Galaxy language will inspire your future and broaden your horizons further. That should make your way of living more active and attractive.
If you wish to invest quality time on language training in Japan, Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School is the right place for you. We support you to open up a bright future.

Language training at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School for a bright future