Ikoma Language School

すみません! As the resident Unilocaler of Ikoma, I really should have written this review much earlier but I was too busy doing the mountainload of 宿題(homework) that my Japanese teacher piled upon me… T_​T
Anyway, I started Japanese lessons at Ikoma about 2 months ago after a sudden URGE to relearn Japanese. I say relearn– I previously had lessons at another Japanese language school and I can tell you that it was nowhere as good as Ikoma! (stopped going after 1 term)
I’m attending classes once a week and all’s been great. The facility is HUGE (they have like 30 classrooms in this place??) and they’ve got this Japanese language-​teaching thing down pat. They are really REALLY structured. You get a textbook and tons of worksheets (and homework T_​T) every week. The teachers are all native Japanese who can hardly speak english so it really forces you to practice speaking the language in class. There’s also plenty of conversation practice during lessons, a lot of drilling of vocabulary and sentence structures. Sounds boring (it isn’t, actually) but it works. For some reason I find myself remembering the 40-​odd new words every week quite easily after class but I can NEVER remember the same number of words when reading my JLPT N5 vocabulary book at home. The Japanese teachers, while young, are enthustiastic, and are really good. 楽しいですね！
Besides, they have lessons 10 times a week which is really convenient if you can’t make it for your usual slot — they’re really flexible with make-​up lessons. Class sizes can get a bit big (the range is from 6 – 14 thereabouts) but not so big that it disrupts the lesson.
In short: come here if you’re looking for the best Japanese language school in Singapore!

I took intensive classes here too, and I had a great time — all three teachers were Japanese nationals, and were patient and engaging, which made for good learning.
My class was an interesting mix of people: students waiting for A level results, a post-​ORD NSman, a pre-​enlistee, a housewife, and a businessman thinking about opportunities in Japan, and the senseis kept us all engaged despite our different learning levels.
They offer a variety of schedules too, from the once or twice a week kind to a daily intensive class which I took. I’ve also seen one-​on-​ones, so I’m sure they can find something that suits your desire to learn.
I had to stop classes earlier than I’d intended when I found a new job, but I’m definitely heading back this year to make sure I cross this off my bucket list!

Can’t say I have taken classes at other Japanese schools but nonetheless, I would go on a limb and say this is one of the best Japanese language schools in Singapore.
For one, many random people I’ve encountered who are learning Japanese are all doing it at Ikoma. They are also using the same syllabus and textbook that NUS japanese language teachers are using. The facilities itself is pretty large and well organised for a commercial language school.
They have full time and part time classes which is a draw. If you have the time I would strongly recommend the full time intensive classes as it would immerse you and give you some basic language proficiency very quickly. The teachers are from Japan and my teacher was a fresh grad with teaching training who is in Singapore for gap year experience. Very good experience in general, would highly recommend anyone interest in learning Japanese to do it at Ikoma. The counter staff could be friendlier but I guess we can’t ask for everything.