Q&A
About the Tucson Japanese Language School
Where is the school located?
Our school utilizes the campus of the International School of Tucson only on Saturdays. It is located convenient central area; 1701 E Seneca St, Tucson, AZ 85719.
We contract with them yearly with a huge discounted price. Please mind that you respect the space and do not touch or break any of their properties.
The International School of Tucson is NOT affiliated with Tucson Japanese Language School. For information about the Tucson Japanese Language School, please do not contact the International School.
When does the language school take place?
We have same school schedule as locatl schools. First semester starts in August and ends in December. Seconde semeter stars in January and ends in May.
Classes take place on Saturydas from 9am-11am. With current rate, we have classes 50 hours a year. We also focus on cultural events such as Sports Day.
Please see our current school calender for details.
What grade level do you provide classes?
We are currently accepting students age from 5 - 18 years old of any Japanese Levels. Classes will be assessed by the Japanese level, not by grade level.
Enrollment
Do my child have to have Japanese Nationality?
NO. We accept non-Japanese families. Usually, Japanese families enroll their children in Elementary/Jr high division where the classroom only spoke in Japanese, and non-Japanese families enroll their children in Japanese division where English instruction proved. Please see the qualification for each division from HERE.
How old my child has to be?
Minimum age requirement is 5 years old or kindergartener
Does my child have to be able to speak Japanese?
No. We accept students with any Japanese level. However, if they don't have any experience with learning Japnese, we recommend observing the school before enroll your child, and see if they are ready for a challenge! Also, Saturday school requires lots of support at home. If parents in Elementary/Jr High division does not speak Japanese, we strongly recommend hiring a tutor to help your child with homework. Please consult with the administration if you have any questions.
Is there any entrance exam?
No. We do not have an entrance exam to determine your enrollment, however, we do have a questionary to assess your child's Japanese level and have a class placement test. Please note that we will ask you to leave the school if you observe unacceptable behavior during classes continuously. Please see our school policy in our guideline book from HERE.
Do you have Open house for prospective students?
No. We don't have a scheduled open house at any time, however, you can visit our school and observe the classes anytime. Also, we invite the public to our special events such as Sports Day in November and End of year showcase. Please contact us to make an appointment to schedule your visit. Our staff will give you a school tour and answer your questions you may have.
What do I need to do to enroll my child?
Please see our enrollment page for details. The first step is to send us an enrollment intent letter along with the enrollment fee before the first day of school. Then, you will receive an acceptance email with all of the other enrollment documents that need to be submitted. You will need to bring them along with tuition on the first day of school. You can download the documents from the
When does enrollment process start?
We are accepting new students all-year-around. There are few tuition payments including semester payments and monthly payments. Please contact us when you and your child are ready to join our school at any time of year.
Usually, new enrollment documents and school calendars will be posted on our website in late May or early June.
Is there waiting list? Who will be accepted first?
There is nor waiting list at this moment. Our class is a maximum of 10 students per instructor. Siblings of current students have a priority to enroll. Siblings are sisters or brothers who live at the same address and have the same parent/guardian.
New enrollees need to fill out an "Enrollment Intent Letter for Japanese Division" form and send that with a $30 entrance fee ( fully refundable before the first day of school) by the enrollment deadline. Once received, a confirmation email will be sent. Students will be added to the roster in the order that their materials are received. Please understand that we cannot fully process the enrollment of a student until all forms and tuition fee are received and confirmed.
Visit Enrollment page for more details
Tuition
How much is the tuition?
Tuition for 2020-2021 is $360-$450 depends on how you pay. Please see the details price from the Enrollment page under Tuition. We offer sibling, staff, and volunteer discount. Please see the chart for the discount rate. Tuition is nonrefundable.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check and debit or credit card ( 3% of the transaction fee will be applied for card payments)
You can choose from One Payment, Two Payments, or monthly payment. If you choose one-time payment and two payments, you must pay tuition by the first class of the semester. If you choose monthly payments, pay on the first class of each month.
If I enroll in the middle of semester, can I get a dicount?
No. We ask you to pay the full amount according to choose of your payment. If you enroll in the middle of the semester, we recommend to pay monthly.
Is tuition refundable?
Tuition is not refundable even in case of absence, leave of absence, drop out due to sickness, relocation, or/and any other reasons.
Curriculum
Is there class size limit?
We limit 10 students per instructor. We place an assistant staff where needs extra assistance, and also we have volunteer staff who support instructors and assistants as needed.
What textbooks and materials do you use? How can I get them?
At Tucson Japanese Language school, each instructor prepare materials that fit students Japanese levels. We occasionally use and adapt contents from textbooks Japanese public school use. Most materials are printed and photocopied for students.
in the past, the school order textbooks on behalf of students each semester, but starting the 2020 school year, individual students need to contact the Japanese consulate on Los Angeles and pay out of pocket if you wish to receive a Japanese textbook. you must be a Japanese citizen, have a Japanese passport, and have intention to go back to Japan to have higher education in Japan. Please visit your nearest embassy or consulate for more details. https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/m04_02.htm
If you are moving from Japan, please contact Japan Overseas Educational Services and obtain textbooks BEFORE you leave for the U.S.A. Otherwise, you can contact our school to see if we have stock.
Suppliment Materials
We purchase supplies as needed. We also ask students to bring school supplies such as markers, color pencils, copy papers at the begging of the semester.
For Kanji Exam, students will receive a study packet when they sign up to take an exam. They are going to learn and practice Kanji all year at their own pace.
Other
Is there Dress Code?
We ask you to wear appropriate clothes for school. In general, you should take off the hat to show your respect for your teachers. We ask not to bring any valuables including cell phones, electronic devices, or money. We are not responsible for any broken or stolen items.
Can I bring snack or drinks?
To keep the rental school premier clean, we do not allow students, their family and staff eat in the classroom including candies or chewing gum. So please not bring food to school, but a water bottle.
Can parents and siblings can wait during classes?
Unfortunately, to avoid loud noises, any trouble or accidents while classes are in session inside of the school facility, we ask parents to ad any family members to leave the school property. You may not remain or return inside of the school building for any reason until the classes are over. at 11 am.
The school field and playground are open for the public on the weekend. you can access from north or south gates.
Tucson Japanese Language School will not be responsible and liable for injury to or illness of the Student and his (or her) family, or for loss or damage to any property, directly or indirectly arising in any way incidental to the Activities, even though caused by or arising from the active or passive, sole, joint or concurrent negligence of its employees, officers, clerks, and volunteers.