The development of the economy and the improvement of the education system have made Japan a popular choice for many Chinese students to study abroad. In this regard, experts remind students preparing to study in Japan to avoid three common misconceptions.
Misconception One: Passing the Japanese language proficiency test makes it unnecessary to attend a preparatory course or language school
Due to the lack of a language learning environment, even students who pass the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) often have weaker listening and speaking skills. Therefore, after arriving in Japan, it is entirely necessary to take an additional six months to one year of language courses before officially entering specialized course studies.
Language schools generally offer small-class instruction with limited annual enrollment numbers. They usually provide detailed guidance, including living advice, which is beneficial for students. Moreover, upon initially arriving in a foreign country, some time is needed to adapt to Japanese society. Unless one’s language skills are completely proficient, directly entering specialized course studies can be quite challenging. Even among those who pass the first level of the JLPT, there are still a significant number of individuals who encounter obstacles while attending classes. Additionally, before applying to various schools, confirming details such as familiarity with the school and examination schedules also requires some time.
Misconception Two: No need to study Japanese before attending a language school or pre-college program
Some applicants for overseas study have no prior foundation in Japanese and mistakenly believe that since they plan to attend a 1-2 year language school in Japan, there is no need to study Japanese before leaving. Generally, Chinese students start learning English as their first foreign language from the basic education stage. Except for a few schools, most do not offer minor languages, which leaves students wanting to study abroad in countries where minor languages are spoken facing the challenge of learning a new language from scratch. However, non-English-speaking countries usually set minimum language requirements for international student applicants, and these regulations are established based on certain considerations. First, during the process of studying a new language domestically, if an applicant finds it unsuitable, they can withdraw early and adjust their life plans. Second, it helps assess the applicant's determination to study abroad. Third, when initially arriving in a foreign country and encountering sudden emergencies, simple daily phrases can facilitate communication. Without any language foundation, it is impossible to apply for study in Japan. Currently, the minimum number of Japanese language study hours required before attending a language school is set at 150-200 hours (equivalent to Level 4 of the JLPT).
Misconception Three: All private schools are bad
In the hundred-year history of Chinese education, private schools once had a brilliant tradition, producing excellent private school founders like Zhang Boling and Chen Jiageng. In recent years, although China's private education has seen significant recovery and development, the survival of schools often relies on tuition income. Ignoring the public nature of education, treating schools as businesses, and adopting market-oriented models have led to a general lack of humanistic care in China's private schools. The quality of these schools tends to be relatively low, still operating in a coarse manner without transitioning to a path of connotative reproduction. Influenced by this, many Chinese people often view private schools with prejudice, mistakenly believing that all private schools, regardless of location, are bad. They even disallow their children from choosing private schools for overseas study.
Japanese universities are generally divided into three categories: national, public, and private. Among them, private institutions account for 70%-80% of the total number of universities. Private universities have cultivated a large number of outstanding talents and play a positive role in Japanese education. To enhance their competitiveness, Japanese private schools have strict definitions regarding faculty, departments, and curriculum settings. Some private universities' teaching levels and research achievements are on par with or even surpass those of ordinary national and public universities. Renowned private universities like Keio University and Waseda University enjoy worldwide reputations. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has also introduced numerous protection and assistance measures for private schools. Therefore, Chinese students choosing to study in Japan should abandon their preconceived prejudices against private schools, which will significantly broaden their range of school choices.
Reproduced from China Education Information Network
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