International students can choose to learn practical Japanese language skills in the Japanese Language Program* as part of FILA’s formal curriculum. This Japanese program is recommended for students who aim to obtain Japanese language proficiency test level N2 (N1 may be possible for students with Japanese language skills prior to enrollment) that is necessary to work for Japan-based global corporations. Evidence of high English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 80/IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6) or higher is required at registration (the end of March) to be eligible to join the Japanese language program.

Note: Please note that the above-mentioned (TOEFL iBT 80/IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6) or higher is NOT the threshold for FILA admissions. International students with a score lower than (TOEFL iBT 80/IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6) will instead study abroad outside of Japan to further develop English language skills and improve cross-cultural understanding.

*The FILA Practical Japanese Language Program may not be suitable for prospective students who have already achieved high Japanese language proficiency (e.g. students with Japanese Language Proficiency test level N2).

Semester	Credits	Khoma *	/Hours	Total Study Hours	Cumulative Study Hours	Course Level	JLPT
1st Semester	5	5	7.5	112.5	/	E0
2nd Semester	5	5	7.5	112.5	225	E1
Spring Break (2weeks)	2	15	22.5	45	270	Special Course	N4 Level
3rd Semester	8	8	12	180	450	E2	N3 Level
4th Semester	2	2	3	45	495	E3
5th Semester	2	2	3	45	540	E3/E4
6th Semester	2	2	3	45	585	E3/E4	N2 Level

* 1 Khoma is equal to one 90 minute class. Thus, a five Khoma class meets for five 90-minute classes per week.

Semester	FILA	Other Faculties
Spring	Ｅ0）General Japanese for Beginners 日本語総合入門 (5 khoma)
Fall	Ｅ1）General Japanese I 日本語総合Ⅰ(5 khoma)	Ｅ0）General Japanese for Beginners日本語総合入門 (5 khoma)
Spring Break (2weeks)	Japanese Practice for Beginners 日本語演習入門 (1 khoma) 単）Japanese Practice I 日本語演習Ⅰ (1 khoma)
Spring	Ｅ2）Japanese Practice II 日本語総合Ⅱ(5 khoma) Ｅ2）Japanese Reading II 日本語読解Ⅱ(1 khoma) Ｅ2）Japanese Listening 日本語聴解Ⅱ(1 khoma) Ｅ2）Japanese Grammar 日本語文法Ⅱ(1 Khoma)	Ｅ1）General Japanese I 日本語総合Ⅰ(5 khoma)
Fall	Ｅ3 Elective Courses	Ｅ2）日本語総合Ⅱ⑤
Spring	Ｅ3/E4 Elective Courses	Ｅ2 選択
Fall	Ｅ3/E4 Elective Courses	Ｅ3選択

Students who attain (TOEFL iBT 80/IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6) or higher before the beginning of the Spring Semester, Year 1 (the end of March) will obtain credits for the following English language courses.

Academic Foundations Study Abroad (4 credits)

Students who attain TOEFL iBT 90/IELTS 7 (no subscore below 6.5) or higher before the beginning of the Spring Semester, Year 1 (the end of March) will obtain the credits for the following English language courses.

Academic Foundations Study Abroad (4 credits)
Academic Foundations I and II (2+4= 6 credits)
English for Academic Purposes II (2 credits)

Students who attain TOEFLiBT 90/IELTS 7 (no subscore below 6.5) or higher before the beginning of the fall semester, Year 1 (mid-September) will obtain credits of the following courses.
 

Academic Foundations Study Abroad (4 credits)
Academic Foundations II (4 credits)
English for Academic Purposes II (2 credits)

International students who do not meet the minimum English language criteria to qualify for the Japanese language program (TOEFL iBT 80 / IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6) or higher are required to study abroad to further develop English language skills for one semester during Semester 1, Year 2.  Students have two study abroad choices; 1) English as a Second Language Programs (ESL) or 2) Undergraduate Study Programs (USP). We highly recommend USPs for students who have proficient English skills (e.g. TOEFL-iBT70/IELTS 5.5). In fact, some ESL programs will not accept students with high English proficiency. Please see details below.  

Location: USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the Philippines
Duration: One semester, Semester 1 of Year 2
Host Universities:

[Australia] Brisbane: Griffith University: USP and ESL programs available
[New Zealand] Auckland: University of Auckland: ESL program only
[USA] Los Angeles: University of Southern California: ESL program only
[Canada] Vancouver: Simon Fraser University: ESL prorgam only
[The Philippines] Manila: Ateneo de Manila University: USP program only

Tuition at universities during study abroad will be included in the academic fees paid to Soka University. Students will bear living expenses (room, board and living expenses etc.) Although costs borne by students will vary depending on destination countries, lifestyle, and currency exchange rate, the estimated minimum cost will be 600,000 to 1,000,000 yen.

Course Credits for study abroad = 16 credits