Shannon Jacobs wrote:
> Giny wrote:
> 
>>I am often asked by Dutch students of our Japanese Cultural Centre
>>in Amsterdam where we teach Japanese to Dutch people (beginners to
>>advanced) , about  good Japanese language schools in Tokyo.
>>When I lived in Tokyo  the Naganuma School was a good school.
>>Does anyone know whether they still are good or whether there is
>>perhaps a survey or so  about good language schools in Tokyo?
>>
>>Giny
> 
> No one can be bothered to reply, eh? Apparently not relevant enough to
> fj.life.in-japan?

The question referred to "in Tokyo", so not particularly relevant for
more of us than you may realise.

> Anyway, your post caught my eye, but unfortunately I can't help too much.
> The Naganuma school still exists, though they changed the name years ago,

The school hasn't changed its name at all. The official name has never
been Naganuma, and yet has always been known by it. FWIW I visit it
about once a year on business.

> ALA (Ichigaya) and Nichibei (Yotsuya) were probably the two most
> consistent in terms of quality teaching for the money paid. I think Nichibei
> called the Japanese part the Japanese Language Institute. I'm inclined to
> recommend the YMCA because they are consistently inexpensive, but the
> quality of the actual class will be very much luck of the draw.

I often receive emails asking me to advise a good school in Tokyo,
mostly from people who are either being transferred there for work or
who have to study there due to the presence of relatives etc. I
generally suggest avoiding schools that in addition to Japanese language
education also teach foreign languages. My theory being that if a
Japanese language school can't support itself entirely from its chosen
specialty, there is something wrong with it. Of the current crop of the
lower cost Tokyo based schools, probably Kai is the more consistent in
terms of quality amongst the APJLE accredited group, slightly ahead of
Naganuma & ALA. IUC or the Japan Foundation's institute in Urawa are
both better in terms of teaching quality, but not as flexible in
admissions or schedules. Personally I found it difficult to study
Japanese in Tokyo and its one of the many reasons I left the place, but
for those who have no choice as to where they are, or when they can
study, IUC and Urawa aren't much of an option.

-- 
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on"