Our teachers will continue to wear mask in class as a safety precaution to protect our students while teaching.
Thank you😊
Updated On: 18 March 2023
About Tomo Japanese School and Teachers
About Registration and Course Fees
About Courses
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is unique about Tomo Japanese ?
There are two things.
First, the unique Tomo teaching method. Our teaching method emphasises on the speaking component more so than the listening, reading and writing because we believe that the most important thing in order to master a foreign language is to be able to speak it well. In fact, many of our students are still active in various fields using Japanese! This unique teaching style is not available in many other Japanese language schools in Singapore. To read more, please click here.
Second, the attentive and friendly teachers. All are qualified native speakers and all have a variety of experience and knowledge. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our classes!
To know more, please check out our unique teachers here and google review from our students.
2. How do I know who my teacher is?
All courses are taught by our highly-experienced and friendly teachers. To read their profiles, please click here.
To know which teacher is teaching which courses, please check out our class schedule here.
3. How do I register for a course?
First, please send us a message using the form on our website. If you are not sure which class is suitable for you, please write where and for how long you have learned Japanese. We will reply you via email and also recommend the level of the course that is suitable for you.
After you have decided to join a course, we will send you the information for the payment of the school fee – the bank account number and total amount to be paid. If you join an ongoing class, the school fee will be pro-rated. Payment shall be done via online bank transfer at least 14 days before the start of the new term. If you join an ongoing class, payment shall be done at least 14 days before the start of your first lesson if you join an ongoing term, or 14 days before the start of the new term, whichever applicable.
For payment, please note that to avoid any dispute, only payment via online bank transfer is accepted. We regret that cash payment will not be accepted.
4. Do I need to personally visit Tomo Japanese Language School to register for the course?
You are not required to visit the school to register as all correspondences can be done online. You will receive your textbooks during your first lesson at Tomo Japanese Language School.
5. How do I pay for school fee? When do I pay the school fee?
School fee shall be paid to Tomo Japanese Language School via online bank transfer.
School fee must be paid 14 days before the start of a new term or your first lesson in an ongoing term, whichever applicable.
We seek your understanding that once we reach the maximum capacity of 20 students we will close the intake of the class. Please make the payment early to secure your slot.
Please note that to avoid any dispute, only payment via online bank transfer is accepted. We regret that cash/PayPal payment will not be accepted.
6. Apart from the course fees ($390), are there additional fees that I will incur?
The school fee of $390 is subjected to Goods & Services Tax (GST) . However, unlike most language schools, Tomo Japanese Language School does not impose "registration fee" or "membership fee".
For students of Basic course (Part 1 to 6) and Intermediate course (Part 1 to 6), you'll need to purchase a textbook from Tomo Japanese Language School at a subsidised amount of $35 (original price in Singapore is approximately SGD$60). This textbook, titled Nihongo Shokyu Daichi, is a very effective speaking-oriented new-style textbook and can be used for about one year. This textbook can help you improve your speaking skill much faster than old-style textbooks. In addition to the textbook, you will receive many original learning materials from our School at no additional fee.
For Further Advanced, pre-advanced and advanced courses, the course fee doesn’t include the materials, notes and handouts you will receive from your teacher during lessons.
Your teacher may sometimes recommend books and other learning materials which can be found in bookstores. These materials are not covered by the course fees and it is not compulsory to purchase them. Please note that these are additional items for your self-improvement and are not used in class.
If you wish to join an on-going class instead of awaiting a new term to start, the school fee will be pro-rated accordingly.
For payment, please note that to avoid any dispute, only payment via online bank transfer is accepted.
We regret to inform you that cash payment will not be accepted.
7. Can I join an ongoing class instead of waiting for a new term to start?
Yes, you're most welcomed to do so. Prior to joining an ongoing class, we will evaluate your current level of proficiency (if you're an experienced Japanese language learner) and place you in the appropriate class, subjected to availability.
In cases where you join an ongoing class, your course fee will be pro-rated accordingly. For instance, if you join the sixth lesson of an ongoing term (there's 10 lessons in 1 full term), you need to pay for only the remaining 5 lessons, which is $195. (GST(8%) will be charged)
8. As I progress up the Courses, does my lesson time slot follow the existing time table shown on the website?
No, your lesson time slot will remain the same (unless you request to switch to another class). Students in each batch will progress together, sticking to the same time slot. For instance, if you join a Beginner Course held on Sunday (10AM-12PM), as you and your peers in this batch progress to Basic Course (and further), the time slot will remain as Sunday (10AM-12PM).
Should you need to change to another class, please feel free to discuss with your teacher.
9. How many lessons are there in 1 term? And what is the duration of each lesson?
There are 10 lessons per term. Each lesson is 2 hours.
10. What is the difference between Beginner Course and Basic Course?
The Beginner Course is for those who have absolutely no experience in learning the Japanese language. If you have studied some Japanese by yourself but want to learn Japanese systemically, you can also join the Beginner Course.
In comparison, the Basic Course is suitable for those who have a slight experience in learning Japanese (for instance, hiragana, katakana) for at least 3 months. You might have learned it in your university, polytechnic or a language school. After joining the Basic Course, you can probably master Japanese in 3 years.
If we are to use running as a metaphor, you can think of the Beginner Course as a runner at the starting line, and the Basic Course as someone who has run 50 metres. We hope you, as a Japanese language learner, can run an ultramarathon with Tomo Japanese Language School and communicate in the language like a native.
11. Does the course prepare me for JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)?
Yes, Tomo Japanese Language Centre not only prepares you for JLPT exams, but also to write, speak and read like a native with our Unique Tomo Teaching Method.
There's probably no other Japanese language school in Singapore which will equip you with such a wide range of language skills at the same time.
12. How long must I study for to pass JLPT N5?
To pass JLPT N5, you need to study for about 100 hrs in class. It might be difficult to pass the JLPT N5 after completing only the Beginner Course, but you will most probably pass it after completing Basic Course (Part 1-Part 6).
13. What happens if I miss a lesson? Can I join a make-up lesson?
Students attending all of our courses who miss a lesson will be offered a free make-up lesson, which will be conducted 30 mins after your lesson in the subsequent week. For instance, if you miss a lesson on 1 June, 10am-12pm, the make up lesson will be on 8 June, 12pm-12.30pm.
Before you have the make-up lesson, your teacher will also send you a soft copy of the notes and materials given out during the lesson which you miss.
14. Are there any tests in class?
There is no test at the end of each term and course.
Our focus is to provide a suitable environment for students to improve their communication skill in Japanese, not to assess students' ability to pass exams.
At the end of each term and course, you will be able to move on to the next level of your own volition.
15. Will a certificate be issued for each course?
Upon completion of each course, We will issue a certificate of completion.
The certificate is handed out by the teacher at the end of the course.
16. I feel intimidated to join the class by myself. What should I do?
The students at Tomo Japanese Language School have one thing in common -- they all love Japanese culture and are interested to learn the language. To be able to meet people who have the same interest as you is very enjoyable and a precious opportunity.
As the lessons are very interactive, you will make many new friends within a short time. Also, the atmosphere of the lessons is very friendly and relaxing. So please don't worry about joining the class alone.
17. What is the classroom setting like?
Learning Japanese at Tomo Japanese Language School is definitely fun and stress-free.
You will have a fun-filled experience when learning Japanese with our professional and bubbly native Japanese teachers!