Japanese-Language Education Overseas [Language]

To make the Japanese language easier to learn and teach, the Japan Foundation develops infrastructures and environments for Japanese-language education overseas. In addition, it promotes Japanese-language education according to the circumstances by country and region through various activities, such as dispatching Japanese-language specialists and conducting Japanese-language training.

  • *We are no longer accepting applications for FY 2024, except for the following programs:
    Japanese-Language Education Assistant Program: J-LEAP, NIHONGO Partners Program

1. Japanese-Language Education Assistant Program: J-LEAP

J-LEAP aims to strengthen and maintain the basic infrastructure of Japanese-language education and the understanding of Japan in the U.S. By dispatching Japanese Assistant Teachers (ATs), J-LEAP endeavors to serve the needs of U.S. K-12 educational institutions seeking to strengthen their Japanese-language programs. ATs will engage in Japanese classes with and under the instruction of their supervisors (Japanese-class teachers). ATs will help with creating materials and curriculums, preparing homework and tests, and will also assist or conduct other Japan-related activities at schools and in the community to contribute to a better understanding of Japanese culture and society.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Japan / Overseas*
Applicant Individual*
*Japanese nationals whose native language is Japanese and who reside in Japan or overseas.
Application Deadline January 16, 2024
Application Instructions / Application Form Available in Japanese only.
Reference Program Overview

2 NIHONGO Partners Program

This program dispatches NIHONGO Partners to secondary educational institutions etc. in Asia, mainly 10 ASEAN countries in order to support the local Japanese-language teachers and students.
The NIHONGO Partners will support not only the educational activities of the local Japanese teachers but also aim to spread the charms of the Japanese language and cultures through their learning support and cultural activities inside and outside the classroom.

Through local activities and people-to-people exchanges, NIHONGO Partners themselves are also expected to deepen their understandings toward the language and cultures of the area or country where they stay, and serve as liaisons within Asian countries in the future.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Japan
Applicant Individual
Application Instructions / Application Form

Once the details are available, the application instructions and application forms will be available on the Japan Foundation NIHONGO Partners Program’s website.

3. Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields

With the aim of providing support to specialists who require Japanese-language proficiency in order to smoothly execute their specialist work and research activities (such as researchers, graduate students, librarians, and museum and art museum curators), this program provides training for the acquisition of practical Japanese-language proficiency through a curriculum that is tailored to the characteristics of the respective specialist work, conducted at the Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas
Applicant Individual
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form KC-G
Application Instructions / Application Form

4. Support Program for Organizations in Japanese-Language Education (Grants)

This program aims to support Japanese-language education activities by targeting Japanese-language teachers and students of overseas Japanese-language institutions and organizations.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas*
+*For countries that have the Japan Foundation's overseas offices (except for Russia, Cambodia and Laos), support is provided through that local office. Please contact the Foundation's local office for details. (JF overseas offices info)
Applicant Organization
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form JN-FK
Application Instructions / Application Form
Reference

5. Training Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language

The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa (JFJLI, Urawa) provides training opportunities in Japan (Saitama Prefecture) or online for Japanese-language teachers teaching outside of Japan.
The eligibility, duration, and content differ in every program.

5 (1) Basic Training Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language

This program is a six months program designed for teachers who are early in their career with an opportunity to improve their Japanese-language skills, acquire the basic teaching methodology, and deepen their knowledge of Japan.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas
Applicant Organization
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form NC-BT
Application Instructions / Application Form

5 (2) Japanese-Language Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language

This program is a six weeks program designed to provide an opportunity to improve their Japanese-language skill which is necessary as teachers of Japanese language. There will be NO lessons of Japanese-language teaching methodology.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas
Applicant Organization
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form NC-JT
Application Instructions / Application Form

5 (3) (4) Comprehensive Japanese Teaching Methods Program for Teachers of the Japanese Language (Summer/Autumn)

This program is a six weeks program designed to provide an opportunity to improve the teaching methodology. This program will be conducted twice in FY 2024. There will be NO lessons for improving Japanese-language skill.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas
Applicant Organization
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form NC-MT-S/NC-MT-A
Application Instructions / Application Form

5 (5) Japanese Teaching Methods Program for Teachers of Specified Skilled Worker Candidates (Onsite)

This program is a 4-week onsite training program for teachers of the Japanese language at overseas organizations that provide Japanese-language education, with the aim of supporting Japanese-language educational programs for those who come to Japan on the working visa: Specified Skilled Worker (i). The aim of the program is for participants to improve their teaching skills and to deepen their knowledge on Japanese affairs, society, and culture.

Last updated September 4, 2023

Eligibility Area Overseas (designated countries/areas)
Applicant Organization
Application Deadline Apply through Online Application Portal by 1 p.m., November 30, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
Application Form NC-SC-ST
Application Instructions / Application Form