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Communica Institute

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Course description

This is a course for those who plan to enter a Japanese college and university or who want to improve their working knowledge of Japanese.
You can choose from four different learning periods (6 months - 2 years).
Classes start in April, July, October, and January.

- Feature
1.We understand that knowing how to communicate your own "uniqueness" is an integral part of
learning Japanese. Free yourself of the model conversations in textbooks, and learn how to say
what you really want to say using Japanese from the very beginning. Here, you can do just that
without losing your own "uniqueness".
2. In Japanese communication, both "correctness" (in grammar and pronunciation) and "oral fluency"
are important. We can help you learn Japanese "appropriately" from both points of view.
3. In intermediate level classes and above with our Pre-college course, we shift our focus more to
academic Japanese necessary to study and do research in Japanese colleges. It is not just for
passing entrance exams, but to allow yourself to truly enjoy your college life as well.
4.We help you acquire the ability of autonomous learning so that you can lead a successful life at
your colleges or university. In some classes, we offer "seminar" style lessons where students
choose their own themes, make their own plans and go along with them. All of our staff will support
you to act more autonomously in the classroom as well as outside the classroom.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
20-50 weeks
Start dates
07 Apr 2026, 03 Jul 2026, 06 Oct 2026 and 07 Jan 2027
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
08 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2026 and 26 Dec 2026 - 06 Jan 2027

Communica Institute does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

Lesson
09:00 AM - 12:25 PM
Lesson
01:30 PM - 04:55 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Kobe.

Class size

Average 15 students
Maximum 20 students

Student age

Age range 18 - 60 years old
Average 30 years old
(20 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

COMMUNICA INSTITUTE has more than 25 years of experience in teaching Japanese at Kobe Japan, since 1988. It is also a Japanese language school for intercultural communication.

-Philosophy
We practice Japanese language education as intercultural education. While our behavior and ways of thinking are greatly influenced by our own cultures, intercultural communication does not work when we stick to our own way of thinking. Usually, we are unaware of “culture,” value or way of thinking as something natural as air. At Communica Institute, we aim to be aware of it and to share it. Our aim is to build a foundation on which, while cherishing your own culture, you can get over its boundary, find a new way and build a third culture by synergy.

It is our mission to make a solid foundation on which you can transcend “cultures,” and create new or third value while cherishing your own culture.

Year opened
1988
Number of classrooms
7

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • Elevators
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area
  • Audio Learning
  • Sports Activities

Teacher qualifications

Native Japanese speakers
All
Teachers with Japanese teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Communica Institute varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 30. In the summer, the average age is 20.

teaches students from all over the world, including:

Taiwan
20%
USA
15%
Italy
5%
France
3%
Germany
3%
Hong Kong
3%
Spain
3%
UK
3%
Other
45%

School holidays

does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
08 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2026 and 26 Dec 2026 - 06 Jan 2027

School location

Communica Institute is a 7-minute walk from Sannomiya Station on the JR line, Hankyu and Hanshin railways.

From Sannomiya Station, go south along the main street “Flower Road.” And turn right between Kobe City Hall and “Higashi Yuenchi” park. Turn left at the second intersection and you will find our yellow signboard; Communica Institute.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

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  • Entrance to Communica Institute 25/42
  • Computer room at Communica Institute 26/42
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housing

Housing

Communica Institute offers the following housing types:
student-residence

KOBE WOMAN STUDENT HALL

$126
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 7-1-6, Koyochonaka,Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6580032, Japan
Location: Outside the city center of Kobe
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (10 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 25 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Monday, after 03:00 PM
Check-out: Friday, anytime
$126
　・For women only!!
　・The janitor resides permanently!!　Safe & Beautiful!!
　・Includes Furniture & Household appliance!!
　・Includes every 14 breakfast & supper tickets!!
・A bedding rental(\1,260/month)!!

KYORITU MAINTENANCE

$147
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Address: 2-2-8, Goko-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6510087, Japan
Location: In the city center of Kobe
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (10 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, carpet, air conditioning, heating, and garden
Distance to school: 5 - 10 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Monday, after 03:00 PM
Check-out: Friday, anytime
$147
Have an opportunity for exchanges with Japanese.

Japanese students and international students from various countries are staying in Gakusei Kaikan.
Also resident Japanese dorm managers support your stay.
You will have many chances to exchange
languages and cultures there.

Breakfast and Supper are provided

Each Gakuseikaikan has a kitchen and homemade breakfast and supper are provided in a dining room everyday.
(Except for Sundays, National Holidays, the 5th Saturdays, Summer Holiday and Winter Holiday.)
* The menu has a little difference between our dormitories.
BreakfastSupper

Ample Dorm facilities

Students enjoy not only having meals but talking with friends from a variety of countries in the dining room.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Kobe based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Communica Institute staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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