My first real day of classes, and boy did I get my ass handed to me! When I signed up months ago for a program here at Yamasa, I went for what was recommended as the "fastest way to gain language proficiency in a short period of time," the ACCP or acceleration program. Boy they weren't kidding about the fast pace. We have six fifty minute classes a day (9:00 - 3:30), five days a week, and they are packed with content.
I am very impressed with the teachers. They are patient, friendly, know what they're doing pedagogically, and use a variety of learning techniques. I must say, we cover more content in a fifty minute class than I've ever experienced in any other form of academic course I've taken (and I've taken quite a few). I definitely feel I'm going to get my money's worth. Whether or not I will be able to survive it is more the question.
Also, given the fact that there's only two of us in the class, I am going to get a huge amount of personalized instruction. The acceleration program is more expensive than other Yamasa offerings, due to the generally lower class sizes (they promise no more than 8 students per intake), but I think due to the earthquake and people's fears in traveling to Japan at this time, coupled with it not being a "peak" season, the numbers are even lower than usual. Much better value though, for me!
It does mean that I am going to have to study like crazy, beginning now! There's a large focus on conversation, but grammar, reading and writing is also included, so I am going to try and memorize as many hiragana and katakana characters as I can this weekend. No going to the Hanami festival to see the cherry trees tomorrow for me!
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