Updated and Enhanced Version of Kumon Japanese Language Program now Available!

December 5, 2012
Kumon Educational Japan Co., Ltd.

Full-scale start of Correspondence Course with online reading lessons based on
completely revised worksheets

Kumon Educational Japan Co., Ltd. has completely revised the worksheets of its Japanese Language Program and has launched a new service for foreign residents living in Japan.

The program has become even more learner-friendly after a complete revision of the worksheets.
For the first time, a Chinese version (simplified characters) has been added to this Correspondence Course featuring online reading lessons. This means that the program is now offered in the three languages of English, Portuguese and Chinese.

(1) Complete revision of the Kumon Japanese Language Program worksheets

The Japanese worksheets that have been newly revised are Levels 4A through Level I in three language versions (English, Portuguese and Chinese). The worksheets of the advanced levels from Levels J through Level L will be released in May of 2013. Consequently, the new Japanese language worksheets will consist of 15 levels, from Levels 4A through Level L, comprising a total of 3,000 worksheets (200 worksheets per level). From the introductory level, aimed at those who are learning Japanese for the first time, through the level that allows students to attempt Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, the worksheet lineup has been improved and enhanced. Moreover, the worksheets have been revised to ensure that study proceeds in a series of small, even steps that promote more effective learning. CDs come with all worksheets allowing students to practice listening and reading aloud.

*Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Level N2:
To gain certification for this level, students are required to have “the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.” The corresponding level of the Kumon program is Level L (total number of vocabulary words: 6,000 / total number of kanji: 985).

◆ Overview of the Kumon Japanese Language Program

The Kumon Japanese Language Program is carefully designed to help students acquire Japanese language proficiency (reading, listening, vocabulary and grammar) that will be useful in various settings in daily life and work. Students progress through self-learning with the aid of translations in their native language (English, Portuguese or Chinese). Kumon Instructors grade the worksheets and provide appropriate advice in order to support the learning of each student. Study is done at a Kumon Center or by correspondence learning at the level and the pace that suits the student.

*Fees for the Kumon Japanese Language Program:
In-class Course: No enrollment fee / monthly fee of 8,400 yen (16 years old and older)
Correspondence Course:
No enrollment fee / monthly fee of 9,400 yen (16 years old and older; includes the fee
for online reading lessons)

(2) Correspondence Course with online reading lessons has started!

Reading and repeating aloud is crucial in acquiring a foreign language. Kumon is now able to provide instruction in reading aloud by using the Skype service over the Internet. The Instructor provides face-to-face reading lessons twice per month (approximately 20 minutes per lesson). When necessary, the Instructor will offer support in the student’s native language (English, Portuguese or Chinese). Such support is now available in Chinese so as to make the Kumon Japanese Language Program with online reading lessons available to even more students.

◆ Increasing demand for Japanese language study has lead to the implementation of the Kumon program in schools and corporations

Today, there are approximately 2.08 million foreign residents living in Japan. (*1) Accordingly, the demand for Japanese language education has been increasing year by year. At present, there are approximately 130,000 people studying the Japanese language in Japan. (*2)

*1. Ministry of Justice:
The Number of Foreign Residents in Japan as of the End of 2011 (definitive values)
*2. Japanese Language Division, Cultural Affairs Department, Agency for Cultural Affairs:
2011 Outline of Japanese-Language Education in Japan
(In both references the decrease in 2011 is considered to have been caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.)

The Kumon Japanese Language Program has been attracting a great deal of attention as an effective tool in Japanese language education for the increasing number of foreign students studying at high schools and universities, as well as for employees working in corporations, in Japan.

Kumon began the Japanese language program in 1985 in two versions, English and Chinese. The Portuguese version was subsequently developed and added to the program in 1990. Then, in 2011, we launched a new service with online reading lessons using Skype for distance learning students residing in Japan, aimed at providing an enriched program for those wishing to study Japanese.
At the same time, we also began implementation of our program in schools and corporations. As of September 2012, there were 890 students studying with the Japanese Language Program at Kumon Centers through the Correspondence Course, in schools and in corporations. In addition, by completely revising our worksheets and introducing a system for online reading lessons, we are now able to offer opportunities for Japanese study to a rapidly growing number of students.

Kumon pledges to continue to promote our Japanese language program in order to meet the needs of the many people who wish to learn Japanese.

*Regarding implementation of the Kumon Japanese Language Program in schools and corporations:
There are two ways to implement the program. One is to establish a Kumon Center in a school or corporation. Another is to outsource the lessons by utilizing the Kumon Correspondence Course with online reading lessons. For details, please use the contact information below:

■　Inquiries for this press release
Kumon Group Public Relations Team,
Public Relations Department,
Kumon Educational Japan Co., Ltd.
Gobancho Grand Bldg., 3-1 Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 102-0076 Japan
Email:press@kumon.co.jp
Kumon Group website
https://www.kumongroup.com/eng/

Previous press releases
https://www.kumon.ne.jp/press/

(Japanese version only)

■　Inquiries for the Kumon Japanese Language Program
Japanese as a Foreign Language Department,

Kumon Educational Japan Co., Ltd.

TEL:0120-494-625
(Mon to Fri / 9:20-17:45 JST)　

Email:japanese@kumon.co.jp

Website for Kumon Japanese Language Program
https://www.kumon.ne.jp/jpn/english/

This press release was originally written for the Japanese media.