Shonan International Academy is an educational institution specializing in nursing care education and Japanese language education operated by Amazyu Co., Ltd., which was registered with the Immigration Services Agency in 2020 as a registration support organization for the “Specified Skilled Worker” residence status.
At our school, we provide online classes for Japanese language education required for work and exam education for passing the National Nursing Care Worker Examination.
【Limited to the first 20 applicants】Campaign to support Japanese language study
30% OFF for the first 3 months only if you apply by April 30, 2024!!
Monthly fee (fixed price)13,000yen(tax not included)↓
Monthly fee (fixed price)9,100yen(tax not included)
Limited to N1 and certified care workers.
5,000 yen cash back !!
If you take the N1 course and care worker national exam preparation course that our school has established, and pass the N1 and care worker national exam, you will receive 5,000 yen cash back!
Advantages and Benefits of Online Learning
The greatest advantage of studying Japanese language education online is that you can easily participate in high-quality classes provided by professional Japanese instructors, whether you live in Japan or abroad. Here are some of the other advantages of taking our Japanese online learning program.
Flexibility of time and location
It is very difficult for foreign workers working as caregivers under the technical internship system or specified skills, etc., to study Japanese and take examinations for national qualifications while working day and night. The advantage of our online classes is that students can study in their own free time, such as in the evening.
Of course, all of our instructors involved in Japanese language education are certified Japanese language instructors and have extensive knowledge of nursing care welfare.
Individualized instruction available and effective learning methods
Our online classes are designed to help students pass the N4 to N1 Japanese Language Proficiency Tests or the National Examination for Care Workers. The curriculum for each class is based on participation in two one-hour classes per week. However, all classes progress twice a month with the same content on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Therefore, even if you work the night shift or late shift, you can keep up with the classes by attending one class in the first half of the week and one class in the second half of the week. Of course, if you have time, you can attend the same class as many times as you like.
Our online classes use the online conferencing system “ZOOM” and can be taken at home or other locations with a smartphone, PC, or tablet.
We aim to help students pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and national examinations such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and the National Examination for Care Workers through classes that take into consideration each student’s ability and personality.
The school incorporates individualized instruction and will conduct an individual orientation for each student in advance to develop and provide an educational plan tailored to that student. Throughout the course, our education director will monitor attendance and provide timely and appropriate advice and support to help students achieve their goals of passing the examinations.
For privacy reasons, self-view will be hidden during ZOOM classes, and only audio will be used to participate. Therefore, your face will not be recognized by others in the same ZOOM class. We also allow you to use your own name as well as a nickname to participate in class, so that your personal information is strictly protected.
How to Teach Japanese Online
No matter how high the quality of Japanese language education, the timing of when students can start taking classes does not always coincide with the opening date of the course they wish to take.
In addition, there are cases in which students are unable to attend classes due to work or other pressing commitments.
Our strength of our online Japanese language study support is our “Cycle-Based Japanese Study Method” that allows you to join a class at any time, from any class, and take a make-up class if you miss a class. Here is an introduction to our unique “Cycle-Based Japanese Study Method”.
About the Cycle-Based Japanese Language Learning Method
In order to provide flexibility for foreign residents who often work different shifts, we have adopted a unique “cyclic learning method”. The “cyclic learning method” is a learning method designed so that, for example, even if the curriculum consists of 45 lessons, students can acquire the expected learning ability by attending all 45 lessons, no matter which session they start from. Therefore, there are no restrictions such as April enrollment and March graduation, as is the case in regular schools. Students can graduate when they have completed all of their classes, regardless of when they join the program. With no fixed start and end dates, students can enroll at any time and discontinue their studies at any time.
Methods and innovations of online Japanese language classes
As for the method and ingenuity of the classes, as mentioned earlier, students can attend the same class multiple times, so when the content of the class is difficult, they can deepen their understanding of Japanese by attending the class multiple times. One of our past students who attended classes 79 times during a total of 45 classes (about 6 months) passed the National Examination for Care Workers with flying colors.
In addition, we have produced a large number of students who have passed the N4 to N1 Japanese Language Proficiency Tests each time, and seven students in our first term took the National Care Worker Examination in January 2023, and all seven were able to pass.
Introduction of various courses and online learning platforms
Our Japanese language study plan is largely divided into “Japanese language education” and “education for the examination to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test for Care Workers”.
As for Japanese language education, since the goal is to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, we have created a curriculum that can be attended by people from all occupations, and we provide flexible support for foreigners who want to attend Japanese language school but are unable to do so.
For those who are working as caregivers, we generally provide “Japanese language education” during the first year of work, during which time they can raise their Japanese level from N3 to N2, and after the second year, they can proceed to study for the National Care Worker Examination.
The contents of each course of our online Japanese language education are as follows.
| Course Name | Contents | shortest period of time | Teaching materials and textbooks to be used |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1 Course | JLPT N1 Exam Preparation Course | 6 months | Commercial textbooks and problem collections |
| N2 Course | JLPT N2 Exam Preparation Course | 6 months | Commercial textbooks and problem collections |
| N3 Course | JLPT N3 Exam Preparation Course | 6 months | Commercial textbooks and problem collections |
| N4 Course | JLPT N4 Exam Preparation Course | 6 months | Commercial textbooks and problem collections |
| National Examination for Care Workers Preparation Course ➀～➂ | ・Basic issues for care workers ・More than 3 years of past questions of the National Examination for Care Workers ・ Mock test 3 times or more | 6 months each | Textbooks designated by the government + our original textbooks (You can enroll if you have at least 6 months left before taking the National Examination for Certified Care Workers. However, to be sure, we recommend that you study for at least one year.) |
About the N1 Course
The N1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is said to be the most difficult of all the JLPTs, with an average passing rate of about 30%. In addition, most successful applicants are those who attended a Japanese language school during the daytime and took several hours of classes every day. However, at our school, by distributing original vocabulary and kanji charts and focusing on how to solve problems, we are able to produce successful candidates even with classes held twice a week for 6 months. In addition, our graduates have found that weekly ZOOM conversations with instructors have the effect of improving their conversational skills, which cannot be evaluated by the JLPT.
About N2 Course
For N2 of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), as with N1, we distribute original vocabulary and kanji charts and focus on how to solve the questions. However, we also recommend that students whose conversation skills are considered insufficient take a separate “Advanced Conversation Course” or “Intermediate Conversation Course”.
About N3 Course
In the N3 course, as in the N2 course, we distribute original vocabulary and kanji charts and focus on solving problems. However, we also recommend a separate “Japanese Grammar Review Course” for students whose Japanese grammar skills are considered insufficient, and a separate “Elementary Conversation Course” for students whose conversation skills are considered insufficient.
About N4 Course
One of the requirements for Japanese language proficiency is to pass either the JLPT-N4 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) or the JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test of Basic Japanese). One of the requirements is to pass either the JLPT-N4 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) or JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test of Basic Japanese). However, for those who are studying Japanese in their home countries to pass these tests, or for those who entered Japan for technical internship and are aiming to pass these tests after entering Japan, it may be extremely difficult to attend a Japanese language school or class while working.
In our N4 course, students will receive our original vocabulary and kanji charts and will be able to acquire the ability to pass the N4 exam in as little as 6 months, twice a week. (It is a prerequisite that students have already studied the basics of Japanese at a Japanese language school or in a course.)
The course curriculum also includes mock tests for the JFT, so that students can take both the JLPT-N4 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) and the JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test of Basic Japanese Language). The curriculum is designed to meet both the JLPT-N4 and JFT-Basic.
Preparation Course for the National Examination for Care Workers (Part ➀-➂)
The National Examination for Care Workers is a difficult qualification test for foreigners. We believe that the main reason for this is that the nursing care terminology in the questions is difficult to understand. For this reason, in our online course for foreign caregivers to prepare for the caregiver exam, our instructors, who are also qualified Japanese language instructors, have devised a unique method of teaching by replacing difficult caregiving terminology with easy Japanese, thereby enhancing understanding of the exam questions. Through these measures, all seven students who took the exam passed the national exam for caregivers in January 2023.
Japanese Language Materials and Learning Resources
Most of the Japanese language materials are original materials. For past examinations as well, we have created our own teaching materials for ZOOM using publicly available past examinations as materials. In addition, Shonan International Academy has created original test preparation textbooks for Japanese prospective caregivers, which instructors apply in their classes. Thus students can take classes without having to purchase expensive textbooks.
About Japanese Language Materials
Shonan International Academy has an e-learning program called “Ukekaru nondemo,” which enables students to prepare for the exam with original questions and past exam questions on their PCs and smartphones, and “Marukawaiki Textbook,” a teaching material for preparing for the care worker examination, which has a pass rate of over 90%. The educational content is designed so that students taking the Care Worker Pass Course can pass the exam using only the ZOOM classes, but they can also study these two materials if they wish.
About the teaching materials we use
The Pass Course for Care Workers is divided into three courses, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, each lasting six months. Course 1 is to study the basic knowledge necessary to take the exam, while the other courses focus on how to solve past exam questions. The reason for this is that 80% of the questions in the national care worker examination are said to be related to past questions. Therefore, if students study up to the third level, they will be able to receive detailed explanations of each of the six past exam questions in easy-to-understand Japanese, greatly increasing their chances of passing the exam.
Teachers in charge of Japanese language education
Naturally, all of our Japanese language instructors are certified “Japanese language instructors” and have past experience teaching Japanese at Japanese language schools and in the workplace. We also conduct ongoing courses on Japanese language education and nursing care, and are up-to-date on the latest relevant information. In addition, our staff members go around to each ZOOM class during the class, and if there is anything they notice, they make adjustments with the instructor individually after the class to maintain and improve the quality of the class, day and night.
（Itou-Sensei）
Japanese Language TeacherIn charge of graduate school class at a Japanese language school
In charge of high school class at NPO Free School
Financial analyst (member of Japan Stock Exchange Press Club and JPX Japan Exchange Group Press Club)
Radio Nikkei Market Trend Commentator
I teach Japanese both during the day and at night, and I find the night classes at Shonan International Academy to be especially fulfilling.
There are many serious and talented students, and I appreciate the environment where I can learn a lot and engage in friendly competition with those I teach.
I respect the foreign students who participate in the online classes at night and the foreign workers who are trying to become care workers in this foreign land of Japan.
We look forward to working together in the future.
（Sakuramoto-Sensei）
Japanese Language TeacherJapan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers OG
Chinese Interpreter Guide
Currently a Japanese language instructor at Amazyu Co.
For four years at my previous job, I taught EPA and technical intern trainees from Vietnam, Indonesia, and China how to prepare for national exams in nursing care and nursing. Using these skills, I began teaching remotely at Amazyu and have found the original PowerPoint-based teaching materials to be effective. Having worked in China and Taiwan for 5 years, I understand the frustration and fulfillment of leaving one’s home country. I aim to teach in a way that is easy to understand and easy to talk about.
（Kawamitsu-Sensei）
Japanese Language TeacherJunior and Senior High School Teacher’s License (Social Studies)
National Interpreter Guide (Korean)
Senior Life Counselor (Intermediate)
She worked as a social studies teacher at a junior high school for a long time and retired after serving in an administrative position. During that time, she promoted welfare learning and worked on issues related to dementia and the elderly. After becoming a director of the city’s Council of Social Welfare, he realized the shortage of nursing care personnel. The Corona disaster made her think about what she could do, and she became a certified Japanese language teacher to support foreigners working in Japan, especially those in the nursing care sector. Currently, her valuable time is spent educating students who are preparing for the national caregiver exam.
（Kobari-Sensei）
Japanese Language TeacherIn charge of graduate school class at a Japanese language school
In charge of high school class at NPO Free School
Financial analyst (member of Japan Stock Exchange Press Club and JPX Japan Exchange Group Press Club)
Radio Nikkei Market Trend Commentator
I teach Japanese both during the day and at night, and I find the night classes at Shonan International Academy to be especially fulfilling.
There are many serious and talented students, and I appreciate the environment where I can learn a lot and engage in friendly competition with those I teach.
I respect the foreign students who participate in the online classes at night and the foreign workers who are trying to become care workers in this foreign land of Japan.
We look forward to working together in the future.
Satisfaction with Online Japanese Language Learning and Future Prospects
We interviewed some of the students who participated and studied in our online Japanese language classes and passed the national caregiver exam. They talk about their impressions of the actual classes and support system, so please take a look at them for more information.
Student Reviews and Alumni Testimonials
When I first started studying, there were some words that I did not understand and I was at a loss at times, but the teacher in the online class spoke slowly and was easy to understand, and he repeatedly taught me difficult technical terms until I understood them, which helped me to deepen my understanding.
I was able to use the knowledge I learned in the online Japanese classes to help users, and I am now able to respond flexibly to various situations in my work.
The online class had a cheerful atmosphere and I enjoyed learning Japanese.
It was very easy to understand because the teachers explained things slowly using images and examples.
The communication skills I gained in the class helped me to build trust in the workplace.
It was very useful.
The best part was that they used illustrations to explain difficult Japanese words.
Besides studying, they were also interested in our health and work.
I was happy that they were always concerned about us.
His teaching style is interesting, so even when I am tired from work, I feel energized when I attend his classes.
I found it convenient that the same class was held twice a week, so if I had to take time off for something urgent, I could attend the next class.
If I had not attended the classes, I don’t think I would have passed the national caregiver exam!
Future Prospects for Online Japanese Language Education
It is our understanding that in the past, Japanese language education for foreign nationals was provided mainly at Japanese language schools, and that after graduation from the Japanese language school and employment, the students were given on-the-job training to improve their Japanese language skills at their respective workplaces. However, with the rapid increase in the number of people entering Japan for technical training and specified skills, and the variety of jobs available, it is difficult to support their studies while they are working at their respective workplaces, and there is no one who has the ability to teach them, and it is difficult to attend a Japanese language school while working. However, it is difficult for them to attend a Japanese language school while working. Outsourcing Japanese language education for such people is a strong desire on the part of employers, and we believe that many foreign residents also wish to improve their Japanese language skills in order to better demonstrate their abilities in the workplace. Therefore, in addition to improving Japanese language skills, we would like to focus on and enhance conversation and writing skills, which are not fully covered by the current JLPT. In addition, we currently offer only a course to pass the national examination for caregivers, but we will continue to take on various challenges in order to support their success in Japan, depending on the field in which they will be employed.
Course Fees and Steps to Start the Course
Please see below for information on course fees, various campaigns, payment methods, and the process to start taking Japanese language online courses (study support).
Campaign Information
30% OFF for the first 3 months only if you apply by April 30, 2024!!
Monthly fee (fixed price)13,000yen(tax not included)↓
Monthly fee (fixed price)9,100yen(tax not included)
Limited to N1 and certified care workers.
5,000 yen cash back !!
If you take the N1 course and care worker national exam preparation course that our school has established, and pass the N1 and care worker national exam, you will receive 5,000 yen cash back!
Japanese language online courses (study support)
Course fee (monthly fee)
By paying a monthly fee, you can choose to take one of the following courses that match your level.
N1 Course, N2 Course, N3 Course, N4 Course, Care Worker National Examination Preparation Course➀-➂.
-
- Monthly (fixed price): 13,000 yen (tax not included)/1 user
Payment Methods
| Payment Method | 【Credit card payment】 Each month, the following month’s payment is automatically settled by credit card by the end of the current month. Supported credit card companies: VIZA, MasterCard, AMEX 【Bank transfer】 Each month, you are required to transfer the following month’s amount to our designated financial institution account below by the end of the current month. For example, the amount for October 2024 must be transferred by the end of September 2024. 【Financial institutions designated by the Company】 Financial Institution: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Branch number: 346 Deposit type: Normal Account No.: 7719517 Account name: Amazyu Co. Transfer fees are to be borne by the customer. |
| Courses List | For a monthly fee, you can choose one of the following courses to suit your level. N1 Course, N2 Course, N3 Course, and N4 Course, National Examination for Care Workers Preparation Course ➀-➂. Before starting a course, we will conduct a hearing and together we can decide which course is appropriate for you. |
| precautions | ・The above monthly fee is for one user. ・In order to strictly protect personal information, we prohibit identity theft and the use of user accounts. As a preventive measure, we verify your identity at the beginning of each class. ・We will not be able to refund the tuition fee once it has been transferred, regardless of whether you attend or do not attend classes. |
Steps to start the course
First, please contact us by filling out the inquiry form on this page with your desired course of study and other necessary information.
We will answer your questions and guide you to the best course for your needs and consultation.
Upon your request, we will conduct a hearing and propose a trial class for the course of your choice.
We invite you to attend a free trial class at the course level that is right for you and your needs, to get an impression of the teacher and the other students in the class, and to participate in the class and see if it is a good fit for you.
If you wish to enroll in a course after participating in the above free trial class, please pay the monthly fee by credit card or bank transfer by the end of the month prior to the month in which you wish to start the course.
We will create a draft plan to meet your goals and begin the course.
We will do our best to support you.
Free Trial/Inquiry
Teacher Jobs
Current Teacher Opportunities
We are not currently accepting applications for Japanese language teacher positions, but when we do, we will announce it on this page. Please refer to the following page for application guidelines.
Training system and flow from application to employment and to teachers
The purpose of our education is to provide foreign nationals who are engaged in technical internship, specified skills, etc. with the Japanese language skills, technical terms, and related knowledge necessary to pass national examinations and qualification examinations such as “care worker”. For this reason, our company provides education in Japanese and qualification subjects in conjunction with each other. Therefore, the recruitment requirements for instructors are completion of a 420-hour Japanese language teacher training course designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, as well as experience and knowledge related to the qualification to teach. (It does not matter whether or not the applicant holds the “Registered Japanese Language Teacher” national certification, which will be newly established after 2024.)
Our educator will give you an overview via ZOOM, then you will observe an actual online class and finally consider whether to apply or not. Applicants must provide a computer (LINE account and PowerPoint required) and wifi environment.
We will consider your formal application and notify you of the result.
We believe that many people who have experience in Japanese language education have no experience in qualification-related education. There are also those who have just completed a training course in Japanese language education. We will provide a predetermined remuneration system even during the training period, and ensure sufficient time for explanation and practice of our designated teaching plans, ZOOM, teaching methods, etc. The estimated time to start teaching is about one month.
Educational Institution: Shonan International Academy Achievements
Shonan International Academy was founded on March 9, 2011 (two days before the Great East Japan Earthquake) as a public vocational training school in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Today, approximately 2,000 students per year obtain nursing care qualifications such as Kanagawa Prefecture-designated practical training and entry-level training at the school. In addition, its management body, Ameiju Corporation, registered with the Immigration and Residence Management Agency as a registration support organization for the “specified skills” residence status in 2019. To date, the school has supported more than 100 people.
The school supports foreign workers with Japanese language education necessary for their work and caregiver Japanese language education to pass the caregiver exam, all through online classes.
About Us
| Name of Educational Institution | Shonan International Academy |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Amazyu Corporation |
| Location | Postal Code 251-0052 38-3-2F Fujisawa, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa-ken |
| board member | Chairman of the Board / Tomoyo Arai Representative Director / Makoto Arai Senior Managing Director / Noriyuki Oya |
| Establishment | December 10, 2008 |
| Our Business | ・Training of nursing care personnel (qualifications for nursing care, Shonan International Academy) ・Registered support organization (specified skills No. 1) ・Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare designated training school for supporting job seekers ・Kanagawa Prefecture-designated public vocational training school (Aroma and Herbal Relaxation Course, Care Worker Training Course, and Initial Nursing Care Worker Training Course) ・Development of in-house training and education products (textbooks, e-learning products) ・Online Japanese language education ・Employment placement business, recruiting agency ・Consulting business (recruiting and training, sales, marketing, corporate branding) ・Planning and publishing of picture books ・Web marketing business ・Development and provision of massage equipment ・Planning and operation of events ・Management of various websites (“Shonan International Academy for Nursing Care Qualifications,” “Fushigoto,” a nursing care job site, etc.) |
| Contact | Tel：0466-55-2576 |
| Business Partners Financial Institutions | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Shizuoka Bank, Kanagawa Shinkin Bank, Japan Finance Corporation |