I want to start a business in the future. After studying in Japan, my goal is to find a job in Japan to gain experience.

Japan is one of China’s major trading partners. In Shenzhen, where I grew up, there are many Japanese-affiliated companies, and I thought that if I could learn Japanese, I would have an advantage in finding a job in the future. After studying marketing and accounting at a university in the US, I immediately came to Japan and started studying at ECC. I chose ECC because it was recommended by my father’s friend, it’s a famous school, and it’s located in Osaka. I think people in Osaka are open-minded, friendly, and kind. In Shenzhen, my hometown, people share a sense of solidarity and kindness, and the laid-back atmosphere is like that of Osaka. In the advanced class, we study Japanese not only from textbooks, but also by watching TV news. This is a great way to improve your Japanese language skills, and understand current issues in Japanese society at the same time. In the future, I’d like to make use of my Chinese, English, and Japanese skills to start my own business in the field of trade and travel. For that, the most important thing is experience. I’m now looking for a job so I can experience a Japanese workplace.

I want to go on to university and become a dietitian at a hospital. Seeing my growth through my test scores gives me confidence.

When I was in my third year of high school, I decided to study Japanese so I could go on to a Japanese university, because I was attracted by the work done by dietitians, which is not a common job in China. The child of one of my mother’s friends is a graduate of ECC, and I decided to study here because I heard that the teachers at ECC support students with a sense of responsibility and kindness. The best thing about enrolling here is that there are tests two to three times a week. It’s really fun to see the visible improvement in my scores on the practice tests. In the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Preparation (N1) class, which is necessary to work at a Japanese hospital as a dietitian, they introduce Japanese and world news as well as cartoons that are popular on social networking sites, so we can experience real Japanese. I also made Japanese friends through my volunteer social contribution activities, and my Japanese language skills improved a lot by playing with children. There are many tests, but that is also an advantage. I absolutely recommend ECC.

In spring 2008, the dream which I have had since university finally came true – I could study in Japan. I started studying at ECC soon after I arrived in Japan. At the beginning, even though I was a graduate in Japanese Studies in China, I struggled to adapt to the lifestyle in Japan, especially as I was studying at the same time. At that time, I lost track of focusing on my goal in higher education. I think this confusion is common amongst most overseas students, particularly when they are overly worried about their future. Luckily, my teacher at ECC gave me a lot of helpful advice and taught me how to prepare for the university interview. The teachers are always supportive, especially when I was frustrated and wanted to give up. Now when I think back about the past especially the time I spent at ECC, not only did I learn Japanese, I also learnt not to give up easily and work hard to achieve my goal.

I entered ECC Kokusai College of Foreign Languages in 2003, where I studied Japanese language for a year and a half. Four months have passed since I graduated from the school, but I still remember the things I learned at ECC.
ECC offered classes at exactly the right level with balanced curriculums consisting of listening, reading, writing and speaking. This curriculum helped me enhance my Japanese language ability. After entering the advanced level course, I took classes for the Japanese language proficiency test and foreign exchange student examinations. I studied about the situations and topics concerning Japan necessary for the university entrance examinations. In addition, the experienced teachers provided me with appropriate guidance for universities and helped me train for the interviews which are very important when preparing for an entrance examination. Thanks to these programs, I felt I was improving day-by-day. For a year and a half, the days at ECC were wonderful for me. Not only my Japanese studies, but also thanks to taking part in athletic meets, excursions, a farewell party, and other school activities. ECC enabled me to go to a university which I wanted to enter. I really appreciate all of my teachers at ECC.

I came to Japan to become an interpreter in April 2003. Two years ago I chose ECC, and my decision was right. In my first days, I could not understand Japanese at all. So I was thinking that I should give it up. However, the teachers made every effort to guide me and taught me strictly, but gently. Perhaps ECC is the most rigorous school in Japan and this is why graduates marked good results. I was able to spend a fulfilling time at ECC for 2 years, so I have a strong feeling of gratitude toward ECC.

It’s fine to make mistakes. Speaking more and more without being shy will help you master Japanese.

When I was in high school, I wanted to learn Japanese because I admired the way my aunt worked in a Japanese company in Taiwan using Japanese. ECC has the best reputation in Taiwan, and I thought it would be a good environment for me, even though the classes are tough. When I entered the school, it was just like I imagined it would be. Most of the teachers are kind, and they understand what the students want to say, which I think is really great. What I like most is the “speaking class.” We can study grammar and vocabulary at home, but speaking is the most important thing to learn. We have fun in this class exchanging opinions through word association games and debates. After graduation, I’d like to work as a salesperson at a Japanese cosmetics company to gain experience, and then return to Taiwan to work in a job that uses Japanese, just like my aunt.

Be proactive and take action on your own. Enjoy interacting with Japanese people and improve naturally.

After graduating from a university in the UK, I worked for a bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan, but I wanted to learn Japanese to advance my career in Taiwan, so I enrolled in ECC. When I was at the beginner level, it took me about an hour to finish my homework, but at the intermediate level, I was able to take less time. Another good thing about ECC is that you have the chance to talk naturally with Japanese people outside of class. At first, I was enrolled in the one-year course, but I extended it to the two-year course because I wanted to learn business Japanese. Personally, I like bridges and old buildings, so I planned my own trips and interacted with many Japanese people in my travels. After graduation, I plan to ride my bike all around Japan! In the future, I’d like to work for a Japanese bicycle manufacturer, increase my knowledge, and return to Taiwan to do work that’s related to bicycles.

It’s the best environment to learn Japanese. I’d like to return to my home country after going on to university to study in the field of investiment.

I’d wanted to learn a foreign language other than English since I was a teenager, and after graduating from high school, my parents suggested that I study abroad and learn a language. That’s why I decided to go abroad for language study. I chose Japanese because I thought it would be easy to learn, since the grammar is similar to Korean. Another reason was that I was interested in Japanese wooden architecture. I enrolled in ECC on the recommendation of my aunt who lives in Kobe. I thought it was easy at first, but it got harder and harder, and the tests included writing, conversation, and essay writing, so it was a little tough. However, thanks to the active use of Japanese by all my classmates, I could improve quickly, to the point that I’ve now been able to get a part-time job translating the campus news into Korean for the ECC website. In the future, I’d like to go on to university to study investment and then return to Korea to find a job.

What’s the most important decision you make when you decide to study in Japan? There could be many things, but I think acquiring Japanese language is the most important skill. The study program at your first language school is crucial.
In my case, I started studying in Japan without knowing any Japanese, and studying at ECC was essential for me. At the beginning of the course, I remember I couldn’t understand anything that the teacher said, so I was always concentrating hard in class. The habit of concentrating intently continued all the way through to the upper level of the course and this attitude really helped me successfully enter a college. The lectures, homework, previewing, and reviews from ECC gave me a good foundation for studying in college. Although I entered a college in Tokyo, I never regretted that I chose to study at ECC in Osaka.
ECC has the curriculum that helps you build a strong foundation in the Japanese language. If you keep your goal in mind and research for the schools that you want to study in thoroughly, I believe you won’t have any problem getting into your dream college.

Before coming to Japan, I went to a university in Korea. I like Japanese and this is the reason why I came to Japan to study. My friend, who was an exchange student, told me that ECC would be the best choice for me. I checked ECC out by myself, and decided to enter the school.
Looking back at my days at ECC, I am overwhelmed with many memories. The teachers taught me not only the Japanese language, but many other things about Japan. I'll never forget that they cared for us like our own family when we felt homesick. Also, I had precious experiences interacting with classmates coming from various countries. Though I felt there was a culture gap, it broadened my horizons.
ECC is special for me. I recommend you try ECC !

I still vividly remember how much I was scared of starting a new school in Japan. Unfamiliar Japanese signboards and language problems seemed to be everywhere. Studying under these challenging conditions is always difficult and needs you to give your maximum effort. What is necessary to succeed in Japan is to learn about the Japanese language school you will enter. ECC is well-known for its education system, excellent and sympathetic teachers, and the perfect student management system to support your first student life in Japan. I am sure ECC will be always on your side and assist you even in the most challenging situations.
If you are thinking about coming to Japan for studying, I really hope you experience all the good experiences that many successful ECC graduates have experienced.
I hope you will rise to the challenge and enjoy the best of success in your student life in Japan !

I gained an appreciation of different cultures through practical classes. I hope to make use of what I learn to become a programmer.

I’d been attending a Japanese language school when I was in Thailand, but I came to Japan to study at ECC because I wanted to put myself into a more challenging environment. The rules of the school are stricter than in Thailand, but the teachers and students are serious and create an environment where it’s easy to learn. In the debate class, we’re divided into two teams and exchange opinions, looking for our team’s strong points and the other team’s weak points. It demands understanding, but you can quickly learn more Japanese. Also, my classmates are from all over the world, so I’m exposed to new values. There are lots of surprises, as I discover things that are normal for me aren't normal at all, but it broadens my perspective. I graduated from a computer studies program at my university in Thailand, so I’m hoping to find a job at a Japanese game company. With both Japanese and programming, if you don’t use them, you’ll soon forget them. I believe that if you’re going to work hard to study something, there’s no point if you can’t use it well, so I’m studying with the goal of improving.

Before I chose to study in Japan, I searched for as much information as possible. First of all, looking for the place where I wanted to live and then for the right school. Of course, I like to live in the city so I was thinking about Tokyo and Osaka. But even though I like to live in the city, I didn't like the thought of living in a city that was too busy. I think Osaka is a big city, but the people are also friendly. The Osakan dialect is interesting and there are loads of delicious foods, so I thought the area would definitely be easy to live in. That’s why I chose Osaka!
Why did I choose to study at ECC? Because I heard that ECC has a high Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) pass rate and at that time, I thought that it was so difficult to pass levels 1 and 2. So I had to think about what I should do to make passing easier. Finally I chose to study here. When I arrived in Osaka, there was a really friendly sensei who came to pick me up and took me to my apartment and also explained the way from my apartment to the school. It was a very warm welcome. The day school started, I felt so nervous because my lessons were all Japanese. Even though it was all Japanese, the sensei could explain the difficult grammar points and it was very easy to understand. We had a test every week, couldn’t be late, had many of rules and discovered our teachers could be very strict. I remember thinking “Goshhh!!! It’s just a language school, it’s not university. Why are they so strict?” But now when I look back again, the teachers were making us take more responsibility, achieve a good score in JLPT, and because we are far from our parents and live alone in another country, make us to become a good citizen when as we matured.
Although we had many problems, every sensei will give you good advice. I couldn’t say that ECC is the language school that will definitely suit everyone, but ECC is number one for me.

I chose to study at ECC after hearing that it is a very strict school.
Fall 2007, I entered the Japanese course and began to study in the beginner-intermediate class. In the class, I was, as expected, the only Thai student. This made me feel uneasy, but the teachers and my classmates were very kind and everyday passed pleasantly. Not only did we improve our Japanese ability, we also learned about the current challenges facing Japan, breaking news and necessary cultural knowledge. On top of that, the study was as strict as I had heard. Everyday there was a Kanji test and assignments often had strict completion dates, but thanks to that, my goal was achieved and I passed the Japanese proficiency test level 1.
During those 2 years, like the other foreign students, I was perplexed about my future path, but the teachers did their best to guide me. In fall 2009, I successfully graduated, and returned to my country. Now, by utilizing Japanese, I am working at a (famous) Japanese company as a Japanese coordinator. Until now, I never felt any regret about choosing to study at ECC.

I love the cheerful, funny people of Osaka. I want to go on to university to study the Asian economy and establish a sustainable company.

My mother ran a sushi restaurant in Canada, so I’ve become familiar with Japanese culture by watching anime and eating Japanese food since I was a child. I studied fashion at a technical college in Canada, and when I came to Osaka on a working holiday three years ago, I lived with Japanese people in a shared house for a year. I was able to learn the Kansai dialect, and hear a wide range of expressions. I’m still very close to them, like we’re part of a family. This experience made me fall in love with Japan and I wanted to live in Japan more, so I enrolled in ECC. The atmosphere in Osaka is like that of my hometown, Montreal, and everyone is cheerful, so I feel comfortable here. The teachers at ECC are kind and take good care of the students. I find myself naturally using the Kansai dialect pronunciation, and I often get cautioned about it in class! I couldn’t read kanji characters and it was hard for me to fill out the contract documents for my mobile phone and bank account, but the staff helped me out. Thanks to this kind of help, I’m enjoying my life in Japan. In the future, I’d like to go on to university to study the Asian economy and create a new fashion company that considers the environment and child labor issues.

I was discouraged when I first studied Japanese. ECC boosted my self-esteem, and I gained confidence.

When I was in high school, I watched Seven Samurai and Rashomon and got interested in Japan, which led me to pursue a degree in Asian studies at a Canadian university. I studied Japanese for two years at university, but the rote learning method didn’t suit me and I fell behind. But I couldn’t give up, so after graduation and three years of working at the university, I enrolled in ECC. This time I really wanted to be able to speak Japanese, so I looked on the Internet and chose ECC because of its reputation for strict and thorough teaching. I wasn’t confident at first, and I was nervous in class, but the teachers always had high expectations for us, so I came to believe that I could do anything if I worked hard, and my Japanese improved. I realized how important the learning environment is. In the future, I’d like to go on to graduate school to study computational linguistics while continuing with Asian studies, and use my skills to become a bridge between Japanese and Western cultures.

It’s a joy to be able to watch TV programs without subtitles. Learning Japanese has broadened my interests.

My interest in Japanese was sparked by Japanese anime. Unlike Hong Kong voice actors, I could tell that Japanese voice actors put a lot of emotion into their lines, and I wanted to be able to understand what they were saying, so I decided to study in Japan. It was unexpected even for me, but after coming to Japan, I really got into Japanese idols, and started to learn Japanese as a hobby even more than just something to study. Now I’m able to understand Japanese TV programs without subtitles, which makes me very happy. I’m also actively participating in the Buddy Program, where I can interact with Japanese students. We always have a lot of fun talking about Japanese culture as well as food from different countries. I think this is a program you can only find at ECC. After graduation, I’d like to go back to Hong Kong to work and save money, and then go to Spain or Korea to study abroad and experience different cultures. I think everyone has their own purpose for studying Japanese, but more than that, something might happen that you didn’t even imagine. Try to broaden your horizons and take an interest in many things.

I enjoy talking with Japanese people. In the future, I’d like to support people coming to Japan from Vietnam.

I became interested in the Japanese economy when I was at university, and I wanted to find a job in Japan, so I decided to study in Japan. Now I’m studying Japanese and learning about the economy by watching the news every day. In the future, I want to start a company to help Vietnamese trainees and Vietnamese people who are looking for jobs in Japan. I entered ECC on the recommendation of my sister. Right after I enrolled, I didn’t understand Japanese at all and traveling was difficult, but I enjoyed talking with Japanese people, so I actively communicated with them. For example, at a ramen shop, I would talk with the staff doing the cooking in front of the customers. In Vietnam, you can’t see the cooking area and the staff don’t talk to the customers much, so it was an interesting experience for me. Thanks to these experiences, I’ve made more Japanese friends.

I came to Japan mostly out of curiousity. Here was a place that I'd only read about in books and I wanted to see it with my own eyes. Things quickly got serious,though. I couldn't communicate at all, and so felt I was looking at the society from the outside. It made me all the more determined though. I decided I was going to learn the language and really experience the culture instead of just viewing it from afar. So, I entered ECC and it was better than I had expected. I made friends easily and connected well with the teachers. I was glad we got to make use of our skills in discussions about everything from relationships to social problems. I'll never forget my time at ECC. I hope you guys make the best of it. This place was quite the experience.

Four years ago I came to Japan as an English teacher, though at that time, I couldn't speak a word of Japanese. Things like shopping at the supermarket, going to the post office or renting a DVD at the local video store were more than difficult -- they were impossible. One day a few months after coming to Japan, I was in my neighborhood's 100 yen shop looking around at all the language books. A Japanese friend of mine had been pushing me to learn how to speak Japanese, but I didn't know where to start. Then for some reason, I decided to buy some hiragana and katakana books from the "Ampan Man" series. For two years I continued to self-study at home and eventually life began to get easier, and then I decided to study Japanese seriously, since my interest in life and the possibilities of life in Japan had begun to deepen. I looked around at various language schools and found ECC, a school that matched my goals perfectly. That first day at ECC was a shock -- all my classmates were Chinese, Taiwanese or Korean (languages based on or use kanji) and I was the lone American. Despite freaking out, I dove into my Japanese studies and worked hard. March this year, I finished the program (beginning to end) and graduated from ECC. The Japanese that I learned at ECC has become invaluable not only to my future and my career, but to my life. Because of that and the wonderful time and memories I gained, I am forever grateful to all my teachers and classmates at ECC.

Coming to Japan has always been one of my biggest dreams. But when I came to Japan, I realized that studying Japanese in a good environment was a priority for me. Thanks to a good friend of mine who introduced me to ECC, through ECC I could find everything I needed to study in good conditions and really improve my Japanese in a short period of time. The teachers' explanations were very good and really helped me to improve my Japanese quickly. Of course, I can't forget about the multicultural exchange with other international students and Japanese students that ECC offers us. I've made so many friends during these 2 years and I really think that the time I've spent at ECC is something that I will never forget.
If I had to recommend a school for serious studies in a nice atmosphere, I would say ECC without any hesitation.

Thanks to my lovely teachers at ECC, I'm able to write a full essay in Japanese now even though I could not write a single Kanji before. Whenever I had problems with my studies, my lovely teachers were always there for me. During my 2nd term. I did badly in the test and had to retake it. During that period, none of my teachers gave up on me. They spent their time after class hours helping me revise and even created their own questions which is something I never expect a Teacher to do for a student. Thanks to them not giving up on me, I managed to pass the university entrance exams. In an environment with these lovely teachers around, nothing is impossible. Arigatou gozaimasu.