ICA International Conversation Academy – Hakata Campus

ICA International Conversation Academy - Hakata Campus is a Japanese language school located in Fukuoka’s central Hakata area, about a 5-minute walk from JR Hakata Station. The campus offers Japanese language education and further education support to international students, especially those aiming to continue on to higher education institutions in Japan such as universities or senmon gakkō (vocational colleges). Classes have a maximum of 20 students, and the aim is for students to develop not only their everyday communication skills but also the academic Japanese they will need in their future studies.

The school’s educational approach focuses not only on having students learn grammar and vocabulary, but on enabling them to use Japanese actively in real communication settings. Classes cover areas such as general Japanese, reading, listening, speaking, writing, presentations, kanji and grammar together. The aim is to develop students’ abilities to obtain information, express their thoughts, exchange opinions and use Japanese appropriately in different situations.

Hakata Campus offers a 2-year further education program starting in April and a 1-year-6-month further education program starting in October. The 2-year program consists of eight levels, and the 1-year-6-month program consists of six levels. At the beginner levels, students develop the basic communication skills needed in daily life, while at the advanced levels, the aim is for students to be able to express opinions on social and academic topics, take part in discussions, prepare presentations and reports, and follow classes in their fields of specialization.

Further education planning is an important part of the school’s student support. Experienced counselors hold individual consultations, providing students with information on topics such as choosing a university or senmon gakkō, the required Japanese level, application documents and the application schedule. The school also organizes information sessions and open campus events together with universities and senmon gakkō, or directs students to such events. Support is not limited to institutions in Fukuoka but also covers educational options in other regions of Japan.

JLPT preparation is part of the school’s annual program. JLPT mock exams and pre-exam practice tests are held throughout the year. In addition, portfolio work is used so that students can track their learning process, and students are supported in setting their own goals, evaluating their progress and developing more independent learning habits.

Making sure that Japanese learning does not stay confined to the classroom is also part of the school’s educational approach. Through local exchanges and cultural experiences, students are encouraged to use the Japanese they have learned in real life. Events held throughout the year include the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, tea ceremony, pottery experiences, exchange events with local high school students, school trips and programs introducing Japan’s seasonal culture. The content of events may vary by term.

Support is also provided to help students who have just arrived in Japan adjust to daily life. The school does not have its own student dormitory; however, it works with real estate companies in Fukuoka to help students find housing. When needed, school staff can also provide interpretation and communication support. For students with the appropriate work permit, part-time job listings that the school receives from trusted businesses are shared within the school. Students can also receive support from school staff in case of illness or emergencies.

The campus is about a 5-minute walk from Hakata Station, one of Fukuoka’s most important transportation hubs. The Hakata area has large stores, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, hospitals and many other services needed for daily life. Thanks to Hakata Station, where JR lines, Shinkansen bullet trains, the subway and bus connections come together, students can easily travel both within Fukuoka and to other parts of Kyushu.

Hakata is one of the areas of Fukuoka that brings together historic and modern city life. Around the school, there are historic temples and places tied to local culture, as well as shopping and entertainment areas such as Canal City Hakata. Major social and open spaces in the city, such as Ohori Park, can also be reached by public transportation. Fukuoka’s more compact city layout allows students to get around the city more easily while enjoying the transportation and daily life amenities of a major Japanese city.