Mr. Chung, who started studying in Japan at the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School from April 2019, achieved his goal by successfully passing the entrance exam of the Tokyo College of Sushi & Washoku!
After spending a few years working in his home country Korea, Chung decided after much consideration to study in Japan in order to prepare for his future. So, he did not waste a single day and worked very hard to realize his goal.
We asked him for an interview and he kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to describe us about how he developed his attitude toward preparation for the entrance exam.

Would you tell us about what you have done in order to pass the entrance exam for the school of your choice?
I did not have much chance to study Japanese in Korea, because I moved to Japan right after making my decision to study abroad and I didn’t have enough time. I was planning to start studying for the N2 level of JLPT when I entered the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School in April 2019, but my teachers said it might be better for me to go for the N3 level first, so I took the N3 exam in July and passed it.
After that, I started to study for the special entrance exam of the Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku, designed for applicants who have not passed the JLPT N2 level exam.
This special entrance exam includes a Japanese language test (its difficulty level is between JLPT N3 and N2), an essay test and an interview test. So I decided to prepare for the Japanese test by continuing to study for JLPT N2 level, while getting ready for essay and interview tests with the help of Ms. Kaida, the entrance exam trainer of Tokyo Galaxy, and my homeroom teacher. The essay test was not like those in typical 4-year university entrance exams; it didn’t have to be about a specific topic, so I tried to strengthen my ability of everyday conversation and writing in order to be able to tell what I want to as much as I can, rather than studying difficult Japanese vocabulary.
At my interview test, I had an impression that the interviewer listened to me very intently, considering my background as a foreign student.

You started studying in the Beginner-1 class in April, and you reached N2 level of JLPT in 6 months. What’s the secret?
In fact, I haven’t tried the N2 level test yet (as of November 2019). I came to Japan in April 2019, passed N3 level test in July, and in September, I was recognized as having an ability of N2 level through a unique practice test conducted by the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School. After that, I took the special entrance exam for the Tokyo College of Sushi & Washoku and passed it.
Among the aspects of Japanese language, I made the most effort on studying kanji. We rarely use kanji in Korea, and I was not so fond of it, so my knowledge of kanji was very poor.
However, after coming to Japan, I was forced to be aware of the importance of kanji. When you read a Japanese sentence, you might be able to guess what the hiragana part says even if you didn’t know the exact meaning, but it’s just impossible to get the picture if you couldn’t read the kanji part. So, I think that the number of kanji you know will directly represent your Japanese ability.
Therefore, when I took classes at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, I studied kanji with great emphasis and learned kanji every day until the entrance exam was over. Many of my classmates had already studied kanji in Korea, and they had took the kanji kentei (kanji aptitude test); I often had a feeling in my classes that I knew very little compared to them, so that pushed me to concentrate more on studying kanji.
I think the practice test of JLPT N2 level is not that difficult; if you have a decent knowledge of kanji, you can understand the most of it. Of course, it’s necessary to study grammar and vocabulary, but personally I think kanji is the most important part.

What was your reason for choosing the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School?
When I decided to study at the Tokyo College of Sushi & Washoku, I came to know that I will be required to have a JLPT certificate, and I thought it would be a lot better for me to go to Japan and start studying there rather than to stay in Korea.
Since I lived in a rural area, there was not much source of information that I could use other than the Internet. I searched for information about Japanese language schools, and Tokyo Galaxy’s website had lots of resources, useful resources that I thought was worthy of trust.
Besides the fact that I could know a lot about the school through its web page, I also liked the school’s systematic lessons, and the specific plans provided for further study. I could actually feel the benefit of the school’s system while I was attending.
When compared with Japanese language schools in Korea, there are some differences in pace of teaching and other aspects, but I think it’s natural because Tokyo Galaxy is not a school aimed solely at going on to higher education. The students of Tokyo Galaxy have different backgrounds and they are studying for various purposes. It is an interesting environment that I can get a lot of stimulus in terms of studying and setting goals.

Could you name someone in Tokyo Galaxy that you would like to express your gratitude?
I am grateful to all the teachers who have taught me so far, but Ms. Kaida, the entrance exam trainer, really helped me a lot.
At the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, in addition to the homeroom teacher, each student is accompanied by a trainer in charge of educational advancement. However, I was thinking of going to a vocational school two years later when I entered Tokyo Galaxy, so I didn’t apply for entrance exam training and I didn’t have a trainer. Therefore, after deciding to move my schedule forward, I gathered information and prepared for the exam all by myself. When I was preparing for essay and interview tests, I always went to see Ms. Kaida and asked for advice many times. She helped me as she would look after her own trainee. Thanks to her support, I was able to take the special entrance exam of the school of my choice and pass it.
Of course, I received lots of help not only from Ms. Kaida but all of the Tokyo Galaxy teachers I met. They always supported me kindly and actively when I needed help, at class and outside class. That was very impressive to me.

Mr. Chung’s interview will continue to the next article!

School News

Japanese vocational schools: place to learn unique technology and culture of Japan

November 21, 2019 tokyogalaxy

Are you attracted to Japan and want to know more about the country? Are you thinking of utilizing your Japanese ability and acquiring skills that you can only learn in Japan, or even thinking about finding a job in Japan? Are you interested in gaining new and different experience overseas at an early age? There is a Japanese educational institution highly recommended for all of you; it’s “senmon-gakko”, or vocational schools.

There are numerous vocational schools in Japan that systematically teach and train specialists in various fields such as jewelry, timepiece, broadcast technology, computer graphics, web design, game development, animation production, fashion design and so forth. When you become a vocational school student, you will be able to look for a job in Japan. (However, this does not apply to those studying at schools of culinary art, confectionery, bread-making, cosmetology, hairdressing and some other fields.)
Japanese people also enter vocational schools when they want to learn a specific field of technology, learn skills to get a job, or start their own business.

At Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, international students aiming to study in Japanese graduate schools sometimes change their mind and choose to enter vocational schools when they get to know the fact that Japanese vocational schools provide high quality education, and the employment rate of vocational school graduates is very high.
Moreover, Japanese vocational schools teach in small steps from very basic skills, so you don’t have to prepare elsewhere before you start. Vocational school teachers seem to prefer students without any experience, because such students can make a fresh start and that is a better way to acquire solid skills more quickly.

Japanese proficiency and sincerity are the most required abilities for foreign students who wish to study in Japanese vocational schools. You will be able to fully understand and absorb what is being taught in your classes if you master Japanese before entering a vocational school, and you can prepare for employment in Japan with no problem if your Japanese is fluent.
So, those who aim to go on to a vocational school in Japan or work in Japan are developing their Japanese skills first at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School.
We teach reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in a well-balanced manner. We also have kanji lessons, and our students will be able to improve their Japanese ability to an advanced level before entering Japanese vocational schools.
Apart from studying, Tokyo Galaxy students will also go see the vocational schools that they are interested in applying to. Japanese vocational schools often hold open campus events mostly on weekends. Participating in such events will provide you with insight into the school and information of the school’s facility and curriculum. You can know in advance whether the school and its teaching method is suitable for you.
If you start studying in Japan at Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School, you will be able to make proper study of Japanese language, and you can also visit such open campus events to make career decisions with no regrets.

The school year in Japan starts in April, but applications for vocational schools begin around September of the previous year. During that time of the year, Tokyo Galaxy students studying with the aim of entering vocational schools and finding a job will be busy preparing their application forms. Some famous vocational schools may stop accepting applications in September.
Since it is difficult for a foreign student to gather information on Japanese vocational schools and send applications on their own, Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School provides help to those planning to go on to vocational schools. Students have their homeroom teachers, and they can also receive guidance from their career counselors. Finding your field of interest and deciding what you want to learn is something that you must do by yourself; but your teachers and counselors will help you to find well-established vocational schools, and they will give you guidance in application and interview procedures.
In addition, Tokyo Galaxy has a variety of classes such as accelerated learning classes, optional subject curriculum, and business Japanese class. You can focus on classes that will help you the most to achieve your goal. For this reason, graduates of Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School have earned a high reputation among Japanese vocational schools for their advanced Japanese language skills.

If you want to learn skills, work and live in Japan, why not consider going to a Japanese vocational school? That might be a way to fulfill your dream of living in Japan.

School News

The 18th Award Ceremony of the Lee Su-hyun Scholarship

November 20, 2019 tokyogalaxy

The award ceremony of the LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation was held in Tokyo. Established in January 2002, The LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation grants scholarships to Asian students studying in Japan every year. Over 900 students have received this scholarship.

The Foundation is supported by donations from Japanese citizens honoring the late Lee Su-hyun’s actions. Lee Su-hyun is a Korean youth who passed away in January 2001; he lost his life while rescuing a passenger who fell on the railroad track at Shin-Okubo Station in Tokyo. It is a pity that he died so young, but his actions and thoughts still impress many people.

At the time of the accident, Lee Su-hyun was taking a leave of absence from Korea University and studying at a Japanese language school in Tokyo. Anti-Korean sentiment was widespread in those days, but the action of the Korean youth who sacrificed himself for someone else triggered a great response in Japan. Although it might be a mere coincidence, the “Korean Wave” as typified by the Korean TV drama series Winter Sonata evolved and spread nationwide about two years after the accident, and Shin-Okubo became the heartland of the Korean Wave.

To carry out the wishes of Lee Su-hyun who wanted to serve as a bridge between Korea and Japan, his parents established the LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation a year after the accident using the sympathy money gift received from all over Japan. LSH stands for Lee Su-hyun.
His story appeared in a Japanese elementary school textbook. A documentary film Kakehashi based on the incident was produced in 2017, and we had a screening at the Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School in May this year. Lee Su-hyun’s mother appears in the movie, and we were deeply affected by her words. We had strong emotions about the deceased, and felt that we should have more passion for living.
Every year, we select one candidate for the scholarship by writing contests and so on. This year, Ms. Lee who is studying hard as a student of our special preparatory class for college admission, was awarded the scholarship.

Our Principal Sakiko Nagai, enthusiastically engaged in the activities of the LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation, attended the scholarship award ceremony together with the student.
NHK(Japan’s national broadcasting organization) filmed the ceremony, and Tokyo Galaxy students responded to their interview.
Congratulations to all recipients of the scholarship! We hope that all of you carry on Lee Su-hyun’s spirits, and enjoy a fulfilling student life in Japan.

School News

Memories of the mountain hike at Takaosan, Tokyo

November 13, 2019 tokyogalaxy

A group of Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School students enjoyed a day hike at Mt. Takao (Takaosan) with their teachers and friends from Keio University on Saturday, October 26th.
It was raining quite heavily in Tokyo on the day before the hike, so we were afraid we might not be able to go out, but fortunately the weather turned out to be very good on Saturday.
The participants gathered at Shinjuku Station early in the morning and took a train for about 45 minutes to Takaosanguchi Station.
We do have lots of greenery in downtown Tokyo, but the fresh air in the mountains was a special treat. We were extremely happy to enjoy the aroma of the forest, which we haven’t felt for a long time.
Moving actively from early in the morning brought a refreshing feeling to us. We really had a fun time climbing the mountain together with friends from different countries and regions.

On the way to the top of Mt. Takao, there is a Buddhist temple called Yakuo-in, which was built more than 1200 years ago. This ancient temple is so impressive; we felt the greatness of this historic site.
This is the “Negai Kanau Wakuguri”; you go through this circle-shaped gate making a wish, and your wish is supposed to come true. So we all scrambled to go through it and took lots of pictures.
In the midst of the deep forest, we found such interesting spots that we can feel the traditional Japanese atmosphere, an unexpected treat from Yakuo-in.
Wow! We finally reached the top of Mt. Takao.
The weather was so good, and we were able to see Mt. Fuji in the distance so clearly. On the opposite side, we could enjoy the view of the heart of Tokyo such as the skyscrapers of Roppongi.
The majority of Tokyo area is flat land and Mt. Takao is not such a huge mountain, but it offers a fabulous view and we had so much fun in this fascinating place!
This hike on a nice autumn day will become an unforgettable memory for all of us; together with our teachers and friends, we encouraged each other on our way to the mountain top, breathing the refreshing air.
We thought we must visit the place again while studying in Tokyo.

You just can’t miss the chance to climb Mt. Takao, especially in the lovely season of autumn!
Students of Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School and Keio University spent time together and made good memories. This experience encouraged us to enjoy life in Japan by trying something out of ordinary.

School News

University entrance exams; important points that are likely to be overlooked

November 8, 2019 tokyogalaxy

Are you getting ready to study in a Japanese University? We know that there are so many things that you must be prepared; perhaps far more than you think, and some of you might be in distress. There are lots of stuff that you need to learn; how to apply through online admission systems, how to write your statement of purpose (personal statement), complete and submit your application documents, prepare for essay tests and interviews, and so on. You need to handwrite most of your application documents in Japan, and many of you probably do not do so in your own countries. There are important points in each step, so we will inform you what you should keep in mind.

First of all, make sure to submit the same information with your online application and your application in paper.　Some people enter their school name in English on their online application form, and then write the same school name in Chinese characters (kanji) on their application documents, but do not do this. Always use the same school name; if you don’t, the people who check the documents will get confused. We also recommend to use the same photo for everything.

Secondly, try to make your handwriting as neat as possible. You should prepare your documents in advance; care about how your handwriting will look like to those who read it. If your documents are made in haste, your handwriting will become sloppy or unbalanced, and you are likely to skip letters unintentionally. People at the university admission offices are checking hundreds of submitted documents every day. They can see the difference between documents written carefully and those written without much care. Handwritings does not have to be beautiful, though. Just try to write your kanji a little larger than the other characters, and your hiragana slightly smaller than kanji. We recommend you to, if you have enough time, acquire a habit of “careful writing” by tracing Japanese characters or checking the basics such as the order of strokes.

Third, read the instructions carefully; underlining the important information will help. Each of the universities will ask you to fill and submit the documents in its own way.
For example, some admissions offices have forms that should be printed and pasted onto an envelope. However, other universities use similar forms and ask you to just enclose it instead of sticking it on an envelope.
Applicants are expected to write their name in kanji, but if your kanji name includes characters that are not used in Japan, you might have to use katakana (such instructions are usually stated in parenthesis.) There is no common rule that applies to all universities, so you should read the instructions thoroughly or you might make a crucial mistake. We recommend you to make a copy of the application guidebook of the school of your choice, and check all the important points from the beginning to the end using a colored ink pen.

Last of all, make sure to use Japanese manuscript paper (genkou youshi) correctly. Leave the first box blank at the beginning of a paragraph. Put punctuation marks at the bottom left of the box (when you are writing horizontally). Do not use question marks. Do not mix the desu/masu style and the da/de aru style. If you are requested to write on a lined paper instead of a manuscript paper, writing with a pencil first and then tracing it will be the best way. Do not squeeze the characters, try to make them look balanced. Adjust your handwriting to fit within the line; do not go over the line or write outside the bottom line. You may, in some rare settings, have to write in a blank space without any lines. If that is the case, we recommend that you draw some lines by yourself using a ruler before starting to write.

All of these important points are common for both foreign and Japanese students who are taking entrance exams for universities and exams for employment. You might feel a little bothersome, but you will be able to avoid the risk of being underestimated if you check and make sure that you are doing everything correct.

Tokyo Galaxy Japanese Language School

Passing the entrance examination for Tokyo College of Sushi – Washoku

Japanese vocational schools: place to learn unique technology and culture of Japan

The 18th Award Ceremony of the Lee Su-hyun Scholarship

Memories of the mountain hike at Takaosan, Tokyo

University entrance exams; important points that are likely to be overlooked

Galaxy Educational Foundation