Shinjuku City, Japan
Agebacho, 2−16, 第２東文堂ビル
N/A
+81332350071
The overall quality of this school is very poor. They put students with very different levels in the same class, so some students are struggling to keep up while others are bored. The teachers tend to accommodate the low level students and expect the ‘better’ students to help the low level students. The courses are very intense, with a lot of memorization from 20-year-old textbooks, but very little is actually useful for daily conversation. Most of the students who attend this school are not serious about learning Japanese. They come to class late and skip on a regular basis, chat on their phone and with each other during class, which can be quite disturbing sometimes. Some even sleep in class. Even at the advanced level, most students cannot read or write Kanji, and are no where near fluent in speaking Japanese. A number of them cannot pass the N3 test. There are a few good teachers at this school, but most of them just don't care. A few have told me straight up that my Japanese sucked and laughed at my mistakes. A number of the students have done the same. It's a terrible environment. Some of the office people are nice, but some are extremely rude. If you’re serious about learning Japanese, don’t waste your time and money at this school. おさらば、もう会いたくないよ！
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I wish I had done a better research before enrolling in this school for 1 year. I wouldn't recommend it if you're an absolute beginner to Japanese language because the teaching style is quite fast, difficult and not very enjoyable in my opinion. Lessons are fixed and teachers cover 2 lessons of the book every week, there are 2 exams a week plus lots of homework and quizzes every day. It's quite intense and it's a difficult situation for students who want to work part time and perform well at school. It's quite stressful. Teachers always move onto the next lesson even if students don't completely understand the previous one. I hardly could keep up with the rhythm in class and even though I was doing well in the exams I didn't feel confident to use what we have learned in class because we didn't have enough time to use it and practice it before moving on. In my class we had a different teacher every day so we had to adjust to a different teaching style every time. Out of the 5 or 6 teachers we had only 1 or 2 were clear and easy to understand so if an important lesson was taught by a not very good teacher we would have a hard time to study at home in our own and perform badly in the exams. Maybe some students from other classes are satisfied with the school's methods but I'm personally a bit dissapoited. I feel that the school doesn't really focus on the student's needs and doesn't focus on teaching and practicing practical Japanese for everyday life situations. On the good side staff at the reception are friendly and helpful.
The school is amazing in it's education and also the teachers and staff who work here are passionate and want to help the students no matter what issue it may be. The classroom could need an update when it comes to the interior though. Looks a bit worn out and they would need a bit higher desks since it's very low for slightly taller students. Also an open wifi would be nice even if I understand that they won't want you to use your phone during lessons but it is very helpful for dictionaries and looking up part-time jobs while in school. (They do have a laptop which the students can use but it's so incredibly slow we'd be better of with our phones)
HI this is not a review, I just want to ask where is a good place to stay when you are studying in this school.
I have been studying with ALA for more than five months and have been very satisfied with my experience so far. On the plus side, small classes made of people from many countries and backgrounds, passionate teachers that are actually interested in your language development, serious curriculum including on equal parts grammar, vocabulary and kanji study. There are very few negative points: the fees are high, but in the lower bottom of average fees for Japanese language schools in Tokyo; the building is quite old and with only one worn out elevator. That said, the location in Iidabashi is wonderful, at the intersection of many metro and JR lines, and at walking distance of Kagurazaka-dori and its huge variety of restaurants and shops. ALAで５ヶ月ぐらい日本語を勉強している。勉強は楽しくて、先生が面白くて真面目ですよ。ビルはちょっと古いけど場所はすごいです。一緒に楽しく勉強しましょう！
I highly recommend this place to study as all the staff and teachers are super lovely and will go out of there way to help their students. They also give you support for finding part time jobs, extending your visa, opening a bank account etc. Only a few minutes away from Iidabashi station it can be easily reached from anywhere in Tokyo!
I am new at this school. I think it will play great role in my life in the future
先生達は優しいしスタッフの皆さんもたくさん助けられました！ クラスに関してまず毎日の日本語を習いました。 それとクラスは分かるやすいし皆んないつも話しそれに自分の日本語レベルだんだん増えてきました。 いつもありがとうございます ala中美しい思い出を作りました,素晴らしい友達を会いました。 将来でもう1回alaで入りたい :)
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