FAQ

Here you will find the questions frequently asked before and after enrollment.

Before enrollment

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Can I gain the ability to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?

It is not the only goal of Kumon Japanese Language Program to help students pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). However, as this is a program to enhance overall Japanese proficiency with a focus on reading comprehension, students will consequently acquire the necessary capabilities to pass the test. The levels of the Kumon Japanese Language Program to try each level of JLPT Level N5 to N1 are as the following.

N5	Level C
N4	Level F
N3	Level I
N2	Level L

※The level of Kumon worksheets to try JLPT Level N1 is Level I of the Kokugo Program (a program designed for native Japanese speakers). You are able to study the Kokugo Program after completing this Japanese Language Program.

Can I improve my conversation skills?: At the Kumon Japanese Language Program, you will repeat reading and writing exercises as well as oral reading practices to enhance your reading comprehension, listening skills, vocabulary and grammatical abilities. Consequently, you will acquire sufficient Japanese proficiency to use in various settings in your daily life and work. This will be helpful to improve your conversation skills.

From what age can we study on this program?: Anyone who has the grammatical ability equivalent to that of 5th and 6th graders in their native language is able to study with our program.

After the completion of the program, what abilities can I expect to have gained?: You will acquire Japanese proficiency that you can use in various settings in your daily life and work. For instance, this will enable you to fill out the documents requested by government offices or hospitals, to have good communication at work, to understand posters, signboards or guidance displays, and to read newspapers, flyers, and books.

How will the instructor instruct me?: In order to help you continue your study comfortably, your instructor supports each student in various ways. Your instructor will also check your study progress when grading your worksheets and instruct your oral reading lessons, while providing appropriate advice to each individual student.

Besides Japan, are there any other countries where we can study the program?: The Japanese Language Program is also offered in Australia and Brazil.

Class Course

By taking Kumon's class course, am I able to acquire a student visa?: No, you are not able to acquire a student visa even if you attend a Kumon Center.

Do I need to go to the Center every day?: Basically, you go to the Center twice a week. Each Center may have different Center hours but you can go there anytime you like during those hours. For the other days, you receive worksheets to study at home every day. At the Center, the class is not in a conventional school format in which everybody studies the same things: Each student studies the worksheets of their own Japanese proficiency level and receives instructions from their instructors.

Correspondence Course

After completing the application for enrollment, when will I receive the learning materials?: We will let you know the month of enrollment after confirming your payment and receiving your Diagnostic Test. The learning materials will be sent to you around the end of the month before your enrollment month.

How many worksheets do I study per month in the Correspondence Course?: At the beginning, you will study ten worksheets a day. However, for your smooth study, your instructor may reduce this to five when necessary. Your instructor will grade your worksheets, and send you the next worksheets accordingly to your study progress. Without completing the assigned worksheets, you will not advance to the next worksheets.

Can I take the Correspondence Course while I am outside Japan?: The course is for Japanese residents only. You are not able to join the course in countries other than Japan.

Online Reading Lessons

Which language does the instructor communicate with me in the online reading lessons?: Your instructor will try to use Japanese as much as possible, but when needed, the instructor will use either English, Portuguese or Chinese.

After enrollment

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Why do students repeat the same worksheets?: In the Kumon Japanese Language Program, students advance to the next level only after thoroughly mastering each study topic. Your instructor will assess your mastery level based on the progress of your worksheet study or your oral reading, etc., and decide if you need to repeat a worksheet or not.

Why doesn't the instructor teach me the answers?: Kumon is a learning method that helps you gain the ability to think and master the content you previously answered incorrectly, by thinking and correcting mistakes on your own. That is why Kumon worksheets include example problems and hints to assist you in your self-learning. In addition to that, your instructor will give you advice as needed so that you can come to the correct answer on your own.

Do I have to listen to the audio each time?: The listen-and-repeat exercises with the audio material is essential to learn a language. You can master Japanese by listening to the audio to check Japanese pronunciation, practicing oral readings while looking at the text, and studying worksheets.

When I am busy with my job, can I have temporary absence?: If you are not able to continue your study for one month or longer due to work or other commitments, you can apply for a temporary absence in units of a month. A monthly fee is not required during your absence, but you are not able to study your worksheets even if you have them with you. A temporary absence is accepted for three months at the maximum. If you do not return to the course (restart your study) by the fourth month, you will be automatically regarded as having withdrawn from the program.

What shall I do when I want to be absent temporarily or withdraw from the course?: For the Correspondence Course: Please apply for withdrawal or temporary absence on the Kumon Student's Page by the end of previous month of the month you wish to be absent or withdraw.
For the Class Course: Please inform your instructor by the end of previous month of the month you wish to be absent or withdraw.
*If you make a request only after the month has begun, the tuition fee for that month will not be refunded.

Can you issue a certificate of completion?: When you finish the final level of the program (Level L), we will issue a "Certificate of Program Completion."

Can you issue a certificate of attendance?: Kumon Institute of Education will issue a document certifying that you are enrolled and studying in the Kumon Japanese Language Program, if you have been studying at least for one month. Please contact your instructor to apply for issuance.
Note: You are not able to obtain a student visa using this certificate of attendance.

What should I do when I'm having trouble conveying my thoughts to my instructor?: Please contact the French, German and Japanese Language Team using the inquiry form or via email at japanese@kumon.co.jp. We can support and communicate with you in English, Portuguese, or Chinese and deliver your messages to your instructor.

Class Course

What do I have to be aware of when doing my homework?: When you do your homework, time your study and follow the study procedures. By writing neatly on worksheets, you will be able to learn the correct forms of each character. Furthermore, do not skip your oral reading practices which are crucial for language study. It is also important to study every day, as the accumulation of your efforts on a daily basis will result in enhanced abilities. Try to study constantly every day.

I am moving and will no longer be able to go to my current Center. What should I do to continue my study?: Please tell your instructor that you are not able to continue your study because of your move. Then contact the French, German and Japanese Language Team to obtain information about the correspondence course. By taking the correspondence course, you can receive online reading lessons twice a month. If you wish to take a class course, we will inform you of the Center nearest to your new residence.

It has become difficult for me to go to the Center because of my schedule. What should I do?: You can continue your study mainly at home by submitting your homework and getting new assignments at the Center in your spare time; some use their Center's mailbox to exchange their homework. Another option is to switch to a correspondence course, and if this is your choice, please contact the French, German and Japanese Language Team to obtain information about the course. If you wish, you are allowed to suspend your study for up to 3 months (on a monthly basis).

How do I switch from a class course to a correspondence course?: Please tell your instructor about your intention to change to the Correspondence Course. Then contact the French, German and Japanese Language Team. We will give you the information about the Correspondence Course.

Correspondence Course

How do I switch from a correspondence course to a class course?: Please contact your instructor or the French, German and Japanese Language Team. You can search for the Center nearby on this website.