Genkijacs Language and Culture School: Reviewed!! Immersion Schools FTW?!

[@EliCastroComedy]

Hello Chad, thank you for this video. I’m currently N4 making my way to N3. So you wouldn’t recommend this school for someone who has already completed both Genki books. Correct? Please advise. Thank you.

[@zyhon881]

Must have been a great experience to meet all those people. I wish you could do a video with advices for shy people to be able to make friends once there.

[@RozzzaSsarcasmo]

I'm starting in july 2016 at their tokyo school, this was really comforting to hear and has helped me feel more ready to study! I am studying with a friend but we're going to talk to eachother in japanese as much as we can and we're planning on pretty much being out in japan rather than cooped up in our rooms. It's great to hear what you did as I'm getting close to doing the same!

[@ThatsMyChad]

+RozzzaSsarcasmo That's smart! Stick to Japanese as much as possible for sure. If you come down to Kyushu be sure to come get some Hakata ramen with me sometime ;)

[@RozzzaSsarcasmo]

This is our first time properly learning the language instead of picking up a few words every now and then so we might have to talk in english a bit for the first couple of weeks. Haha sounds pretty good! I've only just found your videos so I'm going to have a look through :D

[@ThatsMyChad]

If this is your first time legit studying, it may be a few months before you can ONLY be in Japanese haha but that's not entirely a bad thing. Enjoy being a beginner ^_^ Rushing to fluency means you don't enjoy the ride.

[@janiebeanbby]

+RozzzaSsarcasmo hey i think I'm going to be there in july too!! see u there :D

[@RozzzaSsarcasmo]

Not long now! It'll be cool!

[@lgjglive9478]

I love your videos man, im a new subscriber, they help so much!

[@ThatsMyChad]

Jacob Brooks Thank you so much!! I'm happy I could be of some help! :D And thank you for the sub, also! That helps me out tremendously!

[@Mansstirknee]

Where do u recommend studying Japanese in Japan? Tokyo? Kyushu? Plus, are there Japanese language schools that educate the students in Japanese culture rather than 100 percent studying?

[@ThatsMyChad]

+Mans-stir-knee I can't speak on where because I have been to both Fukuoka and Tokyo, and I personally reaaaally don't like Tokyo. haha So I guess from my own bias go to Fukuoka :P And Genki teaches a lot about the culture with it, during every holiday they spend hours on cultural learning and activities. Almost too much for the hardcore language student haha But take that with a grain of salt! There's a reason they call it "GenkiJACS Language AND Culture School haha

[@Mansstirknee]

Does that means we won't have time for a part time job though? Thanks so much for replying by the way >

[@ThatsMyChad]

A lot of students have part time jobs so I wouldn't say that's true. You're only in school for about 4-5 hours a day if you're not opting for more classes.

[@lp4969]

I fucking loved the "math problem" hahaha hilarious 😂

[@ThatsMyChad]

日西ディエゴ *dabbing intensifies*

[@lp4969]

Chad Zimmerman definitely 😂👌👌

[@gaminiranasinghe6291]

Hi Chad, Chad great video. Where can I buy these genki books, Rgds Gamini

[@crystalleansparks7939]

Out if curiosity what book do they use down there for teaching?

[@xdarkangellouix]

Super helpful review! One question, though - why does it say 死んで下さい on the map behind you? GREAT JOKE AT THE END, A+ XD

[@ThatsMyChad]

That's a call back to an earlier video :p haha I just always leave it up there now

[@mizulightblue]

Do you maybe know something about the private apartments? I would like o know more about it, cause I will probably use this kind of living. Would be interesting if I would share those rooms with foreigners, foreigners which also go to the School or with japanese people. I hope you know something about this D: XD

[@ThatsMyChad]

+Mizu Lightblue So sorry Mizu, I actually didn't stay in those :( Now I did have lots of friends from all over Europe who did, and for the most part they had a mostly good experience from it. I still talk to all my friends from there, so if you have a specific question you'd like me to ask them I'd be happy to! :)

[@mizulightblue]

Haha thanks :) Well tomorrow I will visit the Organisation and talk about them because of the School and living and so on, and I guess then I will have lots of questions?! XD And I will be definately glad if you would help me with my questions then :D

[@ThatsMyChad]

Anything you need to know and I can help with, I will :)

[@mizulightblue]

+Chad Zimmerman Well if you have any friends who stayed in a shared Apartment (which also offers the school), I would like to know how big or rather how small those rooms are. If they have a window in the room or not and also how many people lived together in the apartment and how big/small the apartment was. Also my advicer told me today that there are just international people in that apartment and then she wrote me that there are mostly japanese people in the apartment and then it would be super hard for me I guess D: If you or some of your friends can't answer the questions I can at least say that I tried xD

[@ThatsMyChad]

I know the window's one will very, because they have numerous apartment's from different buildings all over the place. But I'm sure 99% of apartments here have windows. How many will also depend, but the school says it can be with other Genki Students, or with Japanese Uni students from around the area (Probably Sei Nan), so that just depends. If you don't speak Japanese though, most Japanese people have at least a remedial understanding of English, so don't get too worried! You'd be surprised how much Google Translate and hand gestures helps :p As per size, let me just talk with Kei (she's the student advisor for the school and a friend), she'll probably have an average size for you!

[@MapleCher0s]

Hey Chad, I'm debating if I should go to language school into a 2year college, or just a full 4 year university. Basicly, the language school into college gets me the more specific job i want than university would. But I really like the aspest of japan's social life in University, such as clubs, dorms, parties, hosting festivals. Does going to a language school (and college if you went to one) offer any similar experience like that? Appreciate if anyone would answer, I really need help deciding :)

[@mademoiselledeb]

Hey, great video. Can you let me know a bit more about the accommodation in a host family? I plan on going for 4 weeks. I already speak a little bit of Japanese because I'm currently finishing up level 2 of the basic level and by the time I leave I'll be on level 3. Thanks!

[@ThatsMyChad]

I didn't do a host family, but I'm happy to find out that info for you! :D

[@EliWelsh]

Hey Chad, thank you so much for the videos. Really great stuff! I'm around JLPT 3 level and want to do an intensive course in Japan for 6-12 months with the goal of achieving fluency. Would you recommend GenkiJacs or any other language schools? Ideally I wouldn't want to live in Tokyo, Fukuoka sounds much nicer!

[@ThatsMyChad]

GenkiJACS from my experience doesn't do our level's very well. They seem to be the best school in Japan for everything up unto JLPT N4, and past that I've only seen people disappointed. I left there around JLPT N3 and now am on N2 and I don't regret the decision to leave. I suggest a different school at your current level. I will warn you: you won't ever feel fluent. My friend Paul has lived in Japan for 5 years, studied Japanese at schools like this for 10 years, speaks better than most Japanese people I've met and if you call him fluent he freaks out because he's nowhere near haha the feeling of fluent in Japanese I'm convinced doesn't exist. Just a PSA

[@ロータス-b1b]

If you dont mind me asking, why did you choose a language school that teaches in English?

[@ThatsMyChad]

Megan Watts They don't teach in english actually, english isn't allowed while your in class; which is part of the reason why I got in trouble so much :p I had a classmate also who didn't like the fact that I was telling jokes in english so much, but since I could speak circles around them, the topic didn't come up too much. The school itself teaches in only Japanese, and I'm very glad they did. It almost shifts your brain into having to think in that language which was really helpful. Did I clear it up at all?

[@mizulightblue]

+Chad Zimmerman If they don't speak english and it isn't allowed, how can you ask a question then or how can the teacher explains something to you D:

[@ThatsMyChad]

You'd be surprised how little English you need to get your point across. A lot of time it involves drawing pictures and hand motions haha But trust me, it's scarier than you think. And if you 100% completely don't get it, after the class is over you can always ask your teacher in English to clarify. But I only remember needing to do that once! They are really outstanding teachers.

[@mizulightblue]

It even gets me more excited for the trip to go there xD But also I get scared if I think about it D: XD

[@ThatsMyChad]

It'll be okay! Don't worry too much. It's a big thing but it's an exciting thing! Just enjoy the ride :)

[@mini16nia]

Could you please help me . I plan on joining a japanese language school this year and there are so many to choose from. I have cleared n4 . please help me !!!

[@ThatsMyChad]

Well how long are you going for? And are you a native western language speaker, or eastern?

[@mini16nia]

Thank you for such a quick reply. I am from India and i did an exchange program for one year in Fukuoka . Now i want to study more and eventually clear n2 or n1 level .

[@ThatsMyChad]

Well from N4, I can promise you even a year at Genki isn't enough, despite what their website says. I've studied both short and long term there, and I can't stress enough that their teachings between beginner and advanced aren't sufficient for their time frames. There's a few really good schools in Fukuoka, my friend Lin is from Vietnam and goes to Fukuoka Communications... College? Center? Something like that, and they move waaaay quicker. It's harder, but I assume if you're moving to Japan to learn that's okay by you :P

[@ThatsMyChad]

And I bet you're new to my channel: but I always reply to questions. :) If you need advice or help with anything, my consultations are always free.

[@mini16nia]

What a coincidence even I had a friend at Fukuoka women's university named Linh from Vietnam . Are you talking about Fukuoka Foreign language college ? If yes i have read good reviews about them . I know this question might be weird but Fukuoka is a very comfortable place for me and i know people there Tokyo is a bigger challenge . I can't decide this among other things which city to opt for . And yes I am new to your channel but i am already a fan ! :)

[@Imninoite]

Super study saiyan!!!

[@stephanchicola2590]

Did it cost alot?

[@ThatsMyChad]

+Stephan Chicola This trip sort of did because I only went short term so I got the highest tiered pricing; my month costed me about $1200. Now that I'm going long term it's a lot more affordable.

[@stephanchicola2590]

Well i wanna go on a student visa long term so do you have some advice

[@ThatsMyChad]

Better save up; you have to pay everything upfront to the school and show proof of all the funds you'll need while in Japan for the whole year to the Japanese Government 2 months before you leave. For me this was nearly 18k.

[@ThatsMyChad]

Also start the process early, because it's really discouraging. So start investing into studying and getting in contact with Genkijacs and get the ball rolling so you don't just up and quit halfway through the process. Oh! And genkijacs pretty much does one chapter a week, and a week costs about $150 on the long term pricing, so if you want to save LOTS of money, self study the genki books. If you finish both before you leave you'll save about $3,500.

[@stephanchicola2590]

+Chad Zimmerman geez thats alot well do you recommend any other alternatives so i can move to japan. Would a work visa be a better option for me?

[@kr_japan3143]

Hey! I was interested in going for three weeks this year, as I can't really go for longer because of work.. :( Do you really think it's a waste of time and money to just go for that short a period? I'm somewhere near the middle of Genki 2 btw.. thanks!

[@ThatsMyChad]

Kit Donisthorpe here's what you'll accomplish in 3 weeks: you'll sit in a class of probably up to 8-9 people since you're still in the beginner levels, and you'll go through at most 3 chapters of that book. And if you don't understand a piece of grammar from earlier in the book or the last book they'll set you back to thatclass and it'll be 3 weeks of review. Also, if there aren't people at your level they'll set you back anyways so it's just more review for you. Now review isn't bad, but paying $300 a week for it and $200/week for housing and who knows how much for food: I'll let you decide if it's worth it. Now going to Japan in general for 3 weeks isn't a bad idea to practice and be immersed if you're good at making friends, but if you're not good at meeting strangers and making friends in another language that might be rough. If you do decide to go but not to the school still go to Genki and partake in their conversation lounge twice a week, you'll use the language and speak with locals and if you make friends: you're in for a really solid working of your Japanese knowledge. That's a better use of your time and money.

[@kr_japan3143]

Thanks for such a detailed reply! I really appreciate it :) So, even if I had everything I've done down pat, I'd still only be doing 3 additional chapters.. on the assumption that there's a group at my level.. I suppose it would be worth looking into staying there long term. One more question - I saw in the comments that you didn't recommend Genki JACS for N3 and above, so where would you recommend going once you reach that level?

[@ThatsMyChad]

If you're studying N3, don't worry about a school. At that level you're gonna be capable of self studying pretty well to get through it: it's N2 that's kinda rough. It's a big step from N3. I suggest at N3 to go to Japan, hopefully after you've already been there and made friends and spend everyday studying, and using what you studied. There's tons of online sources for textbook appropriate self study stuff. The hardest part is going to be speaking and listening practice, which is where friends are invaluable. If you can even have one good friend even long distance, it's worth not going to a school and just studying the core material for it solo with a conversation partner, and then going to a school for a month or so just to really hone your skills. You'll save thousands and get honestly probably a better education.

[@kr_japan3143]

Brilliant - thanks for the tips :)