Gogaku

Gogaku（語学） is a term that means “language study” in Japanese. Organizations that teach foreign languages, known as Gogaku schools (語学スクール, gogaku sukūru), are very popular throughout Japan. Citizens are even able to receive partial tax credit on some Gogaku schools’ tuition expenses. Although the typical students who attend such schools are females under retirement age, there is a sizable minority of men who are usually in mid-career learning Chinese, English, Korean or another foreign language related to their business.

The term Gogaku is not to be confused with Eikaiwa (英会話) schools which are solely English conversation schools. Gogaku schools often include English but are not limited to English like Eikaiwa schools.

Popular languages besides English are French, Italian, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Portuguese.

Kobe region

in the Kobe region are quite popular. Japanese in the Kobe region are particularly receptive to foreign ideas and culture as it was one of the first cities to open its ports to the world in the Meiji Restoration. The schools range from large to small with the atmosphere and culture of each quite different. Larger schools such as NOVA or Aeon take a large share of the market through heavy advertising campaigns and children’s programs that encourage long-term educational (and often financial) commitments. Smaller schools such as ICON International or Smith’s Schools offer short-term commitments. New Gogaku schools students usually join larger schools and then take advantage of the cheaper and more homely smaller schools. The English industry in Japan is estimated to be worth over US$23 billion a year and the Kobe area holds a significant portion of this due to its large foreign community and international corporate presence.

See also

  • JET Programme
  • Eikaiwa

ja:語学 ja:語学スクール