Schools/Tokyo/
ICA International Conversation Academy
Tokyo
·Ikebukuro
ICA International Conversation Academy
ICA国際会話学院
Teaching Japanese since 1963
By Ikebukuro Station
Classes of about 20
About the school
ICA is a small Japanese language school by the west exit of Ikebukuro Station. It opened in 1955 as an English conversation school and has taught Japanese since 1963, with classes of about 20 and a focus on real conversation and entry to Japanese colleges and universities.
Founded1990
Course length15 months – 2 years
IntakesApr · Jul · Oct · Jan
What makes it different
A conversation-first method and 60+ years by Ikebukuro Station
ICA opened in 1955 as an English conversation school and has taught Japanese since 1963. Real conversation is at the heart of its teaching — it is in the name, International Conversation Academy: students and staff speak Japanese all day, and every month the school runs events and trips.
Method
A focus on real conversation
The school grew out of a conversation academy: the emphasis is on speaking and daily Japanese practice with other students, teachers and staff.
Location
By the west exit of Ikebukuro Station
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s biggest transport hubs: the JR Yamanote, Saikyo and Shonan-Shinjuku lines, the Seibu and Tobu lines and three subway lines. Sunshine City, shops and cafés are nearby — handy for study and for finding a part-time job.
Small school
A friendly atmosphere and “meri-hari”
Small classes and a busy calendar: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observation deck, a cooking class, a fireworks festival, trips to Fuji-Q Highland and Disneyland, a sports day — a balance of study and fun.
University entrance
Graduates go on to Waseda, Meiji, Chuo
JLPT and EJU preparation and help choosing a university or college. Graduates have entered Waseda, Meiji, Chuo and Hosei universities, Yokohama National University and specialist vocational colleges.
ICA (ICA国際会話学院, International Conversation Academy) is in Nishi-Ikebukuro (Toshima ward), by the west exit of Ikebukuro Station — one of Tokyo’s biggest transport hubs. ICA began as an English conversation school in 1955, opened its Japanese department in 1963 and has accepted international students on student visas since 1990.
It is a small, close-knit school: classes of about 20, in the morning or afternoon. The program is built around three goals — conversation, further study and work. Most students start at N5, and the school takes them to the level they need to enter a Japanese vocational college or university. The atmosphere is friendly: the school believes in “meri-hari” (a balance of study and rest) and runs events every month.
ICA is part of the ICA group of schools, with campuses in Tokyo, Saitama, Shimane, Kyushu and Hokkaido. Graduates of the Tokyo campus have gone on to Waseda, Meiji, Chuo, Hosei and Teikyo universities and to vocational colleges for IT, business, tourism and anime.
Programs
Long-term university preparation course
For entry to Japanese universities, graduate schools and vocational colleges. You need 12 years of school education and JLPT N5 (or 150 hours of Japanese study). Monday to Friday, 4 lessons of 45 minutes, in the morning or afternoon. The method grows out of a conversation school: the school tries to keep Japanese the language of the whole day, and the study plan adapts to your goals.
Whole course¥1,064,300 – ¥1,635,000
Course levels
Beginner (about 6 months) — up to N3, about 1,500 words and 300 kanji. Intermediate (about 6 months) — up to N2, with EJU preparation. Advanced (6–12 months) — up to N1, academic Japanese, reading and writing papers. Every 3 months there is a test and classes are reassigned.
Short-term course and private lessons
Group classes: 1 month — ¥69,500, 3 months — ¥160,000, 6 months — ¥280,000, including the ¥20,000 enrollment fee. Private lessons from ¥6,000 for 90 minutes. The trial lesson is free.
First-year costs
Application fee¥30,000
Enrollment fee¥50,000
Tuition, first year¥680,000
Other fees, first year¥103,000
Total, first year¥863,000
Whole course, 2 years — ¥1,635,000
Payment terms and extra costs
Intakes
April Main intake, 2 years
The longest course — 1,520 hours. On the school’s schedule, applications run from September to 10 November of the previous year, and the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is issued in mid-February.
July Summer intake, 1 year 9 months
1,330 hours. Apply from February to 10 March.
October Autumn intake, 1 year 6 months
1,140 hours. Apply from March to 10 May.
January Winter intake, 1 year 3 months
950 hours. Apply from June to 10 September of the previous year. If places run out, the intake closes earlier.
The school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility; with the visa this takes about 4–6 months. Places are limited — apply early.
Student visa. For a long-term course you study on the Student status of residence: the school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility, then you get the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Student visa for Japan · Which documents do I need?
Working while you study. With permission, up to 28 hours a week: Part-time work for students
Housing
Through the school
Dormitories and apartments
ICA has no dormitory of its own, but the school finds dormitories and apartments for students — there are plenty of options around Ikebukuro. If your housing is arranged through the school, you pay for it together with your tuition.
When to start looking
Tell the school you would like help with housing as soon as you hear that your CoE has been issued — then a room can be ready when you arrive.
Photos and videos
Location
Ikebukuro West Bldg 2F, 3-31-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0021 — about 5 minutes on foot from the west exit of Ikebukuro Station
Questions about ICA International Conversation Academy
Can I apply after 11 years of school?
ICA requires 12 years of school education. With 11 years you need at least one more year at a college or university — we will check your documents and suggest options.
Can I start with no Japanese at all?
The school accepts students from N5 level. You can show it with a JLPT N5 or NAT-TEST certificate, or a certificate of 150 hours of Japanese study. You cannot enter on a student visa with no Japanese at all.
How much does the first year cost?
¥863,000: application fee ¥30,000, enrollment fee ¥50,000, tuition ¥680,000 and other costs ¥103,000, including textbooks. The whole course is ¥1,064,300 (1 year 3 months) to ¥1,635,000 (2 years).
What is special about ICA’s method?
ICA grew out of a conversation school (International Conversation Academy), so real conversation is at its core. The school tries to keep Japanese the language of the whole day, and the study plan adapts to each student’s goals.
Does the school help with housing?
Yes. There is no school dormitory, but staff find dormitories and apartments near the school. Ask as soon as your CoE is issued.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, with a student visa and permission from immigration: up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day in school holidays. Ikebukuro is a big shopping district with many cafés, restaurants and shops that are often hiring.
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