Ikoma Language School

Ikoma language school is a wonderful school to learn from the ground up. Prices will keep increasing as you study into the advanced level but the materials and homework provided are aplenty and the sensei all speak in Japanese so you’re exposed to how words and sentences are pronounced early. Prep courses are also offered for JLPT separately so if you prefer studying on your own most of the time and joining a course later on to prepare for the examinations. There’s also a nice library on the 12th floor with shelves upon shelves of manga and books so it’s nice to be able to study and browse casual things to read in between. Some tips: - If you’re thinking of joining but you’ve not exactly a beginner, you can enquire on placement whereby a sensei will ask you questions and check where to put you. -If you have a hectic schedule, Ikoma is good because it’s popular so per week you can have other replacement classes available. -Should you miss a lesson, you can ask the receptionist to inform sensei that you need some time before class for make-up and you sensei will go through with you what you need to know.

I have been taking beginner classes at this school for the past few months and I have found the classes of high quality, and particularly enjoyed the twice-weekly sessions as they were of good pace for learning a new language. I am particularly impressed by how accommodating the front counter staff have been with booking replacement lessons (without any limit), and I've had no difficulty rejoining a different class when I had to defer my course midway due to work commitments. This is really important when you hold a full-time job and it made learning Jap less stressful. Due to the replacement classes that I've booked into, I've encountered a few different teachers, all of whom have been professional, follow a set lesson plan, and have been patient if you were slow to follow. There is also homework each lesson so you need to allocate time for that during the week but it aids learning a new language. They also do teach grammar alongside the vocabulary that you learn each session. Certainly my school of choice for learning Japanese in Singapore!

Well-structured syllabus. Pace is great for working adults. Nonetheless, you have to find a teacher you can click with, and also do your homework. Some teachers may not be that good in English, but they are very dedicated and will do their utmost to help you understand the lessons. Classroom layout is cozy and conducive for learning. Attending make-up lessons is convenient if you cannot make it for your usual class. Additionally, I find that most Japanese language schools in Singapore, offer very reasonable rates in terms of $/hr compared to some other languages.

Have been in Ikoma for 5 years. It's has been an enriching experience to me whereby their course materials are comprehensive and easy to understand. Their class schedules are very flexible like if you missed a lesson, you can request the admin to give you replacement or online lesson in same week same batch. Senseis are very caring and patient to help us when in doubt. Though some of them their english are average, they tried to explain situations in simple japanese slowly for us to pick up & understand.

[I am a current student who have been studying in Ikoma for about two years now... ] Best place to study Japanese because 1. Flexible timetable (if you miss your regular class you can reschedule for makeup in other classes for that session scheduled in other time slot; if you really can't make it, you could still get a private 1-on-1 session with your designated sensei because your normal class start (or a scheduled time reserved with the receptionist) 2. Even though the fees may be on the higher end, but I feel that this place is worth the cost as the staffs are friendly and organized, the place is super clean (i witnessed that they take safe distancing to another level - felt like I am at HaiDiLao). The classrooms setting is bright and clean. I am taking 2 back to back classes from (10pm to 4.15pm) and I rarely feel sleepy while attending the lessons. I guess because I Paid SO Much for the Lessons (you know, you feel kiasu cannot waste money), and of course the passion of wanting to be good in Japanese. 3. Teachers are native Japanese and they speak Japanese in class. Oh well, it's a safe learning environment and I love to practice my japanese whenever I have the chance so it provide me opportunity to converse even when I am not fluent. Teachers are super patient and nice. 4. Location. It's orchard Shaw center. Although crowded but you get used to it after awhile. 5. Teachers will help decide your class on your first visit. Normally when you visit for the first time, Ikoma would assign a teacher to see where your level at. You could be a total beginner to start from scratch, or having some Japanese background and enter a term in the middle. Again, it's flexible. I would recommend anyone who wants to study Japanese seriously to come here. They have around 50 staffs and 50 classes rooms with maximum 18 students per class.

Really well organised and good fun. They've clearly thought about students from different walks of life having different and busy schedules and have good systems in place to help if you miss a class or need to do one week's class another day. It goes at a pretty fast pace but there's lots of good materials (printed, audio etc) and it's well-structured. Even the 3 hour classes go by quickly and don't seem to get boring. Great views from the classrooms too!

The staffs here are very friendly and any enquiries through phone or email all well be replied promptly. The teachers here are so kind. Highly recommended!

Pros: - Teachers (at least the one who carried out my placement tests; Fukui Sensei if I am right) care about making sure you can catch up and that you excel in learning Japanese. - Teachers (at least the one in my class; Hirai Sensei) make sure students get at least sufficient opportunities to practice speaking Japanese. - Pace is very manageable for part-time studying Japanese. - Allowing of make up lessons if you cannot make it on a particular day, but subjected to availability. - Rate is market level, but worth the value and time. - Overall, at least among the best places to learn Nihongo in SG. So, 5/5. Cons: Not much I can really think of, but... - Not really a con (depending on the individual; but it is for me seeking to learn as fast as possible). There are currently only once-a-week classes for beginners. The twice-a-week classes are already close to intermediate stage. And since I was already at chapter 13 for Minna no Nihongo, I had to painfully rush and cramp learning chapters 14 to 18 in a single week to join the twice-a-week class. For beginners learning to start at a leisure pace, it WON'T be a problem. To get to N5 level at once-a-week, it takes 1 year, while 6 months for twice-a-week. - Also, not really that significant. The teachers there tend to only speak Japanese and only using English if necessary, like many other places.