語学体験レッスン

 

TESTIMONIALS

Many of our students have decided to study at ICC by being introduced to us by one of their friends or family members. Many of them continue to study at our schools for years or come back to learn a different language after they have completed their course. To keep improving the quality of our programs and services, our students’ and clients’ feedback is greatly appreciated. Please listen to the voices of some of the current students and graduates.

"ICC has been a godsend to our organization's linguists"

ICC has been a godsend to our organization's linguists and language training programs. ICC could provide, locally, top-notch instructors in a wide variety of languages, which both satisfied complex training requirements and saved us thousands of dollars in travel costs. We were particularly delighted in the professionalism and flexibility of the instructors who tailored the training materials to the needs of each student.

K. Smith, U.S. Navy

“ICC enabled me to advance my language skills far beyond my expectations!”

ICC was very accommodating and responded to my specific language needs. Unlike other language schools, ICC had a less ridged approach to language instruction and allowed the student to articulate specific language objectives and modify them as appropriate. This, in conjunction with lesson plans that adapted to specific student strengths and weaknesses, enabled me to advance my speaking and listening abilities far beyond expectations. ICC is particularly appropriate for students who are enthusiastic about language learning and are willing to take a proactive role in their language studies.

Geoff Goodman, US Department of Defense

I have found the lessons at ICC to be very conductive to meeting my aim.

If you want to improve your Japanese beyond a basic level, then I can recommend the one-to-one lessons offered by ICC. When I became a student at ICC, I could already speak some basic everyday Japanese, but needed to improve my ability substantially for business purposes. I have found the friendly, un-pressured atmosphere of the lessons at ICC to be very conductive to meeting this aim.

 

Richard　Metcalfe

 

“A real enjoyment of experiencing different cultures and the unknown world"

When I was a university student, my second foreign language was French. But I became addicted to learning German after I started to learn it at ICC more than 10 years ago. After German, I added Spanish, followed by Italian, and then by Chinese, so now I am taking courses in four different languages. Through the guidance by kind and motivated native instructors who come from all over the world, I gained not only the joy of learning languages, but also a chance to experience different cultures and the unknown world. It has become a great pleasure for me to attend ICC courses. I actually use what I have learned by traveling overseas at least twice a year, and write letters in pen pals’ language. What I have gained from these experiences will become a great treasure for me which cannot be substituted by anything else. I feel that learning a foreign language is indeed the best mental exercise, and it broadens your vision, and also gives great pleasure and richness to your life.

 

Hiroshi Ono, University Professor

“ICC was recommended to me by my father who was also learning at ICC”

Because I had plans to study in Norway, I wanted to become a little familiar with the local language and culture before moving there, so I started to learn Norwegian at ICC when I was in my mid-teens. My father who was also learning Hebrew and Korean at ICC recommended me to learn there too. I think that the advantages of choosing ICC are the wide range of languages offered there and the quality of the teachers they have. I have already graduated from university and have become a member of society, but I am still learning Norwegian at ICC, and I am very pleased with my lessons that my teachers have tailored for me to meet my interests and personality. In my lessons, I mainly read Norwegian newspaper articles and discuss the content in Norwegian with my teachers. I find that every lesson is very efficient and meaningful because in addition to learning the Norwegian language, I can also stay in touch with current events in Norway. Now, I am thinking of learning another minor language such as Hebrew in addition to Norwegian.

 

C.Y. office employee

“ICC lessons give full satisfaction to all class participants”

I am a member of the human resources department’s staff of our company in charge of language training of our employees. Our relationship with ICC has already exceeded 4 years. Currently, we have 6 classes. The satisfaction level of all participants is very high, and almost all participants continue to attend classes after a course term has been completed. One of the reasons for this is that everyone at ICC, including its president Mr. Knafo, is kind and always gives our staff and the participants good and useful advice, which enables the students to learn more effectively and helps us to organize and manage the classes in an effective manner. When the instructors come to our office, even employees who do not attend the classes stop their work to enjoy chatting with them. This opportunity to chat with the instructors who have become so close to us like members of our staff, made me start taking lessons privately too at one of ICC’s schools. I hope that this wonderful relationship will last forever.

Chemical manufacturer, Human Resources Department’s employee

 

“ICC gives us a great pleasure to learn

I started learning Italian at ICC about 10 years ago. I was interested in studying this language　for a long time, but because of my busy schedule and the fact that a long time had passed since I was a student, I was reluctant to decide whether or not to take Italian lessons. However, in the trial lesson at ICC the instructor motivated me to join the school. Since then the friendly instructors have been guiding me to master the Italian language and culture. And above all, despite my busy schedule I discovered the pleasure of learning a foreign language and I have also gained more confidence in myself.

 

Asako Ikeda, office employee

 

“Fun lessons with a focus on role play"

The Chinese language course began in 2009, and Ms. Choi has been in charge of this course since. Although the group is made up of participants with different levels and skills, everyone has been enjoying the lessons because the teacher uses a practical approach and includes current topics, culture and customs in the class curriculum. Ms. Choi gives us homework regularly using words and sentences that we have learned in the lesson. In the following lesson, we have to submit our completed homework and do role playing as we revise the previous lesson. We are given constant support not only by the instructor, but also by the friendly office staff of ICC, who do care about our progress. Among many other schools, we sincerely believe that ICC was our best choice. Thank you very much for your guidance and your continued support.

 

Makino Trading Co., Chinese language classes

 

“In the one to one lessons, the instructors teach me patiently”

In my school, there are French classes from kindergarten to college, so in order to be able to follow classes at my school, I started taking French lessons at ICC six years ago. In the one to one lessons, the instructors teach me patiently. All the instructors are cheerful, so I have been enjoying every lesson. Although I am not yet perfect, I can now somehow communicate in French, but I wish to learn more at ICC, so that I can talk with French people more fluently one day.

 

Kaede Kato, student

 

“For those who feel reluctant to learn a foreign language, I recommend ICC"

I took English lessons at ICC for 2 months before being dispatched to Russia. Since I had to live in Moscow for my work, for an extended period of time, English and Russian were required for my work there. The teachers in charge of my classes were Mr. Knafo and Mr. Coulter. They taught me in great detail, not only fine grammar points, but also how to communicate more effectively with people overseas and how to liven up a conversation.. They also helped me acquire more knowledge on international rules and manners needed in social occasions. I’m convinced that I have gained overall communication skills in such a short term. If you have any specific needs, ICC’s staff and instructors will guide you and help you to ensure that you achieve your study goals. More importantly, ICC teachers are amazingly friendly, so even those who feel reluctant to learn a foreign language can begin learning it with no worries at all. I learned Russian in another language school before joining ICC, but I regret it. I should have chosen ICC, so If you are wondering which language school to choose, I suggest that you once meet Mr. Knafo and the ICC’s staff.

H.N., Japanese Diplomat

“All ICC instructors are real professionals"

It has been 15 years now since I started taking lessons at ICC, and I think I am one of the oldest students. Previously, I studied at other famous language schools, but I wouldn’t describe those schools as schools. The teachers were actually foreign students working part-time as teachers in Japan without any previous teaching experience. I am Japanese, but I don’t think I could teach Japanese to foreigners, just because I am Japanese. I need to have a license for that or at least some experience to do so. At ICC, everyone, including the principal, the staff and the instructors, is a real professional, and they are very serious about helping students improve their language skills. The instructors use a very effective method. However, every student needs to make extra efforts to improve his or her skills. Students who do not make much effort will become like me - a student that cannot break the language barrier even after 15 years. Just kidding, because ICC is so cozy…. Studying at ICC has been really fun!

Akihiko Hasegawa, businessman

“A Russian novel compilation under the guidance of my ICC instructors"

More than 15 years have passed since I started taking lessons at ICC after my retirement. In the past, I have read original documents in Russian for many years, but I have always wished I could learn Russian from native speakers properly, because I couldn’t go above the self-taught level. My first motivation to start taking lessons at ICC was to refine my conversational skills for a trip to Russia. At first, the textbooks that we used in class centered on conversational Russian, but in the fifth year, after steady progress and because one of the instructors was an outstanding intellectual who was most suitable for teaching translation, I started learning translation undauntedly. With his kind guidance, I spent three and half years on translating a Russian novel titled “The Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov. The translation and publication of this book have become a spiritual wealth for me. Studying at ICC for so many years has been a great joy and dream fulfillment for me.

 

Yasushi Nakata, former school teacher

 

“The results could be proven by my high TOEIC score"

I have been taking private English lessons at ICC, and because of the flexible system, the course is perfect for me. I can choose the teachers, the method, the teaching materials and the lessons’ schedule. It has become a great enjoyment for me to attend the lessons every week, because I can study at my own pace. Although it is still only a year since I started learning, I can tell that all my language skills have greatly improved. This can be proven by the high score I have gotten in my last TOEIC test. Motivation, enjoyment and speed of studying a foreign language increase if you see the positive outcome. There are many teachers at ICC who can speak two, three or even more languages. I have noticed something important speaking with these teachers. "There is no need for special talents to learn foreign languages. Languages can be mastered by anyone if you choose the right school, study the right way and invest some time and effort in studying" To those who are serious about studying a foreign language, I sincerely recommend to you to visit ICC once and check it for yourself.

Takao Nakagawa, businessman

“Language learning at ICC has become a golden fortune for me"

My relationship with the ICC Language School has begun with my father studying there, and it has passed down to me across two generations. My father was studying English at ICC first, but I took over because he has become busy, and because I was interested in studying English myself. I feel very glad that I could acquire considerable knowledge of the language thanks to my lessons at ICC. Being able to communicate freely in English makes me very happy. With my lessons, I feel that I have gotten a new understanding of something I can call the essence of communication. Sometimes I get spoken to by foreigners in English at places such as train stations, and in such cases, I realize the importance and blessing of the lessons I have been taking at ICC. Every time I encounter a foreign person and manage to communicate with him in proper English, I firmly believe that my language learning at ICC has become a golden fortune for me.

 

Akihito Shimura, company employee

“At ICC, the teachers teach us foreign culture and customs too"

I tried various language schools before, but most of their lessons were given centering on using textbooks only. I wanted to learn more about the educational system of the United States, the difference between American and Japanese companies, the American public welfare system, etc., but couldn’t get the opportunity to ask about these matters in those schools. I found out on the internet that you can learn many languages at ICC, so I asked for a trial lesson thinking that perhaps the lessons there might include not just language instruction, but also something that would make me feel somehow being in a foreign country. When I took the trial lesson, the content was far more satisfactory than what I had expected, so I decided to join the school immediately, without any hesitation. One of the attractive things about ICC is that there is a chance to interact with teachers from various countries, and it is really fun to keep studying there. "An eyewitness is better than hearsay". Therefore, I recommend to you all to take a trial lesson at ICC once. I’m sure that you will become fascinated by it.

Yoshiko Okada, housewife

 

“Thorough and fun lessons are my enjoyment after work"

Four years have already passed since our company started on-site lessons conducted by teachers from ICC. Mr. Coulter, our kind teacher always adapts the progress of the lessons to each one of us. In addition to language instruction, he teaches us with humor about the lifestyles and customs of England and America, which we cannot experience here in Japan. I want to keep on learning about life styles and culture of other countries while improving my conversational language skills in order to be able to communicate freely with foreign people.

 

Makino Trading Co., English language classes

“The more I learn at ICC, the more fun it becomes.”

I am now 70 years old. I started learning Chinese as “a dementia prevention” at the age of 65, but because of my week memory and laziness, it has been a little bit difficult for me to retain the words and phrases that I have learned. Four years have already passed since I joined ICC, and I have a teacher who has been teaching me really kindly and thoroughly. I take one-to-one lessons, and although we use a textbook and other teaching materials in class, I especially enjoy the free-spirited and realistic conversations with my teacher, so I feel like actually being and studying in China. I have been to China five times. At first, I couldn’t speak or understand Chinese at all, so I traveled around just for sightseeing. But now I can manage somehow to communicate with Chinese people, so it has become really fun to study Chinese at ICC, and my trips to China have become more joyful and meaningful. I also have made friends in China. Now I’m at the most enjoyable stage of learning. “Slow but steady wins the race” I’m planning to continue enjoying my Chinese lessons at ICC for as long as possible!

Shigeru Kimoto, retiree

“My lessons at ICC are ideal for me"

When I first thought of studying Russian, I started learning by myself using store-bought textbooks with tapes. But after just listening to the same conversations in the tapes again and again, I realized that in order to make real progress and become fluent in the language, I needed the guidance of a native speaker, so I decided to enroll at ICC. My lessons at ICC are ideal for persons like me, because they are one-to-one lessons, and my teacher always adapts them to my pace. The conversations in class become lively because the chosen themes suit my interest. I’m very impressed with the precise way my teacher explains to me the essential words and commonly used idioms coming up in the conversations! I have been enjoying my lessons so much, and more than three years have already passed since I Joined ICC. Of course, I would like to continue studying Russian at ICC as long as possible from now on too.

Azusa Kato, office employee

 

“My lessons at ICC are tailor-made to suit my specific level and needs"

I started learning at ICC with an utter coincidence. Because of my busy schedule, I had stopped learning Chinese at another school after a short time, a long time ago, but a few years ago, I started thinking about learning it again. One day when I was taking a walk near my home, I suddenly saw a big sign of ICC on the roof of a building nearby, and then I was wondering: Are they teaching Chinese there? Can an old man like me learn there or is it a place for young people only? In my head, there were many doubts and anxiety, but I decided to go there to get some information about the school anyway, because I thought that the anxiety that comes from doing nothing is worse than any danger a person might face. When I went there, the school advisor was very friendly and the trial lesson was very satisfactory, so I decided to join the school on that day. My teacher has designed the course curriculum to suit my level and specific needs and I have been enjoying my classes since, and progressing smoothly. Now, with the guidance of my friendly teacher, I continue to study at ICC by mainly translating some Chinese short stories and checking my diary I have been writing in Chinese.

Kentaro Ikeda

"Hearty guidance and support"

I have been studying English at ICC for 7 years now. I think that one of the most important things in learning a foreign language is that the lessons are enjoyable, otherwise the motivation won’t last for a long time. I started working in July of this year as a Japanese language teacher, keeping in mind to make my students feel “Oh, today’s lesson was fun too!” at the end of each lesson. At ICC, I found out that in order to be able to do so, I have to enjoy the lessons myself. Because the lessons at ICC are real fun, I can see and feel that the teachers have been enjoying the lessons themselves. Therefore, many students, including me, keep taking lessons at ICC for years. Also, I decided to become a language teacher myself because I was motivated by the teachers at ICC. Not only the teachers but also the staff give the students hearty guidance and support. The atmosphere within the school is very good and I always look forward to my next lesson there. I would like to continue learning at ICC as much as possible from now on too.

Ikuyo Doi, Japanese language teacher

"I like the unique and homelike atmosphere at ICC"

Seven or eight years ago I visited Europe with my family. Before the trip, I assured my family members that they should not worry, and that I would manage to communicate in English with the local people somehow to make them feel at ease, but when we were there, I found out how poor my English was. I couldn’t understand what people were saying, and I got headaches when I realized that I couldn’t say what I needed to say properly. After my return to Japan, I decided to take English lessons at ICC immediately. By having contact with native teachers on a regular basis, my ears have become accustomed to English and I can now understand what I hear, and can say what I want to say. With some of my former ICC teachers who have returned to their home country, I still keep exchanging letters and cards, and our relationship still continues. I’m very pleased with this, and I hope this relationship will continue forever. I think that this is unique to ICC because of its homelike atmosphere. Recently, inspired by my high school daughter who has studied in France, I began to learn French at ICC too, dreaming of communicating with her French friends in French someday…. I wish to continue studying at ICC for many years to come.

Mariko Machino, housewife

 

“The teachers adapt the lessons to my specific level and needs"

I was interested in Russian from my childhood on. I tried learning it by myself in various ways such as using textbooks, watching Russian language courses on TV or listening to Russian courses on the radio, but because of the complicated grammar and the slow progress of the courses, I often felt frustrated, so I decided to join ICC. Since my first lesson, I have never felt frustrated anymore, and I have been enjoying my lessons very much since. I can ask questions about anything that I do not understand, and the friendly instructors will always explain to me until I understand. Since I joined ICC, I no longer get discouraged by complicated grammar or the slight difference in meaning of words. In addition to the textbooks we have been using, we also watch DVDs, listen to CDs, and before going to Russia on a trip, the instructors teach me a lot of useful expressions that I might need to use on my trip. All the lessons are really fun because they are tailored to fit my level and interest. Hearing stories about Russian culture, history and everyday life in Russia in class is also a valuable experience. In my last trip to Russia this year, I was able to communicate in Russian, which made me very happy for feeling that I’m really mastering the language little by little. My dream is to be able to communicate with Russian people freely in Russian someday, but to realize this dream, I need to make more efforts and keep studying, so I would like to continue to study at ICC as long as I can.

Yukiko Ishikawa, company employee

"You need patience to study a foreign language"

Influenced by my daughter, I started taking Spanish lessons at ICC six years ago. In the beginning, I had a lot of trouble following the classes, but thanks to the kindness　and personality of my teacher, I have been enjoying my lessons and managed to continue for so long. Hoping to go to Spain one day, from now on, I'll make more efforts to acquire all the language skills I need to communicate with Spanish people more fluently!

Harumi Kawabuchi

"The stress I had looking up every word in the dictionary has gone "

When I began studying music I had to sing many songs in Italian, so I wanted to understand the meaning of the words. Although I had a good dictionary, it was difficult for me to look up the words, because I had no previous knowledge of the Italian language at all. Now, thanks to the kind guidance of my ICC teacher, and with the help of my dictionary, I don’t have much trouble understanding the lyrics anymore. The stress I had looking up every word in the dictionary has gone, and it has become even more fun for me to sing songs in Italian. As I do not have much spare time to study at home, I wish to continue enjoying my lessons with my teacher at ICC for as long as possible.

Y.I.

 

"Not only my French ability, but also my way of thinking has greatly improved “

My dream has always been to be able to work in France one day, so a few years ago I decided to take French lessons at ICC. In addition to the textbooks, before very lesson, my teacher prepares some prints with subjects adapted to my level and related to my specific needs. If I tell the teacher what I want to learn in the next lesson, he would prepare original materials for that specific purpose, and would teach me that subject until I can understand it fully. Sometimes the teacher teaches me many things other than the French language, such as things about France, the lifestyle of the French people, world affairs, and so on… So now, not only my French language ability has greatly improved, my way of thinking has positively changed too. I sincerely think that ICC is an ideal place for international exchange and also a place where I can practice life in France before going to France in the future. Now, I’m having real fun going to ICC every week!

Taku Sasao, baker and confectioner

"After giving up and a long blank, I am experiencing the enjoyment of learning again"

To learn a language properly, you have to master all the four skills, reading, writing, listening and of course speaking. It is quite overwhelming, particularly speaking, even for those who have studied the language for a long time. I always wished I could speak French fluently one day. First, I decided to take French lessons at other famous language schools, specializing in the French language, but unfortunately my dream of becoming fluent fell through every time I tried another school. After giving up and after a long blank, I have decided to give it a try again, and decided to join ICC. Here at ICC, I have been experiencing the real enjoyment of learning a foreign language. My progress is a bit slow, but as the saying goes: "Slow, but steady wins the race". Now, thanks to my kind teachers at ICC, I feel that I have stepped forward towards my dream of speaking French fluently, and studying French has become my hope for tomorrow!

Reiko Hotta, office employee

“Now, It is a great pleasure for me to be able to understand Arabic news!”

I was interested in the Arab world for a long time. I think that the trigger for my interest was the beautiful Arabic letters. When I first saw them, I wished I could write and read them. I was looking for a school teaching Arabic, and I found ICC on the internet, so I immediately applied for a trial lesson. A native teacher taught me, starting with the alphabet, and the trial lessons was very interesting. After the trial lesson, I decided to join the school. Now, seven years have already passed since I started taking lessons at ICC, and I have been enjoying my lessons since then. My progress has been smooth, and now, it is a great pleasure for me to be able to understand a part of the Al Jazeera Arabic news among other things. I hope that, with the help of my ICC teachers, one day I will be able to enjoy talking with Arab people more fluently.

M.W.