Our Teaching Philosophy

At Akita Inaka School, our program is designed with one clear objective: helping students develop practical Japanese communication skills through real-world experience.

Our classes focus on speaking, interaction, and everyday communication rather than textbook-based study or test preparation. While students naturally build their grammar and vocabulary, our primary goal is to help them use Japanese confidently in authentic situations.

Classes are intentionally kept small, with an average of around five students, allowing for personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to speak and participate.

Students are placed into one of three class levels based on their speaking ability rather than standardized test scores. This approach recognizes that conversational proficiency and exam results do not always reflect the same skills. Students are also welcome to move between levels as their abilities develop throughout the program.

Rather than following a fixed curriculum, lessons are tailored to the needs, interests, and goals of each group. Our teachers adapt activities and content to match students’ learning styles and communication needs, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

One of the unique features of our program is the opportunity to apply Japanese outside the classroom. Located in rural Akita, students are surrounded by daily opportunities to interact with local residents, participate in cultural activities, and experience Japanese life firsthand.

Many students find that combining classroom learning with meaningful community interaction helps them gain confidence and improve their communication skills in a short period of time. By using Japanese in authentic situations, students can deepen their understanding of both the language and Japanese culture.

Our goal is to provide a supportive and immersive environment where students can actively use Japanese, build meaningful connections, and develop the confidence to communicate in everyday life..

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Note: This applies to only the regular seasonal courses, and private/family courses/school groups are fully customisable for teaching & activities.