< See All PostsWhat to expect from language school interview/test?
by Trick-Maintenance-42 on May 18, 2026
Hello everyone, I’m applying for an October 2026 intake at a Japanese language school and I have my interview/test in 5 days. I’m around N5 level and only started learning Japanese a couple of months ago, so I’m honestly really nervous.
The school said the interview will be over Zoom and includes:
\- listening
\- basic conversation
\- short writing/dictation
They mentioned it will be based on Genki / Minna no Nihongo beginner level.
For people who already went through this process:
What was the interview actually like?
How difficult was it?
What kind of questions did they ask?
Was the writing part hard?
Are they strict with beginners now because of the new immigration requirements?
I’m especially worried because October intake timing is tight and I probably don’t have much room for delays or retakes.
Any advice or experiences would really help 😅
Comments
by quietfigures on May 18, 2026
No real advice here, unfortunately, but you're definitely not alone, I'm in the exact same boat. I have my interview tomorrow and I'm incredibly nervous. Like you, I only started studying Japanese a few months ago, and I'm barely at an N5 level. There really won't be much time left to study if I fail this interview. My school accepted self-study for the 150-hour requirement, so I was pretty laid back about my studies, which has definitely backfired now.
Fingers crossed for both of us!
by swimcobra5 on May 18, 2026
Good luck on your interview. If you don’t mind could you share how it went after the interview?
by quietfigures on May 18, 2026
Thanks! Yes absolutely, I'll let you know how it went.
by Artistic-Alchemy on May 18, 2026
I answered this after you, so I am just copy-pasting it under your comment as well so u get notified.
I gave 2 interviews and got selected in both. It wasn't like that at all. Yes, do brush up the basics, know the days and the dates.
I was asked to give my じこしょうかい (introduction), why japanese, why japan, who my sponsor would be, how much is my sponsor's annual income and how much he has in his bank account. Then, what I wanted to do after language school, which level I am studying.
They all know english and they help u if u don't understand something. for example I mentioned that I am a graphic designer, and he asked if I work on my own or with a company, which I didn't understand, so he repeated it in English and then I answered half in English, half in Japanese. They know you are going there to learn. They mostly judge your attitude and willingness
For reference, I gave interviews for Human Academy Tokyo, and Tokyo Foreign Language College. If you are giving interviews for any of them, this is what they generally ask. They might ask you birthday and age, there are two ways to ask age, so u may get confused, but it's just to check your basics. The two ways are - おいくつですか (Oikutsu des ka), and なん最高ですか (Nan sai des ka)
by quietfigures on May 18, 2026
Thanks so much! I think I've got the basics covered, but I'm still a bit nervous about it. Worried my anxiety might get the best of me, but I'm gonna give it my best shot. This definitely makes me feel a bit better though!
by Artistic-Alchemy on May 19, 2026
No problem! Good luck for your interview. You will ace it, がんばれ💪🏻
by HokageRunner on May 18, 2026
hey, Which school are you going to?
im also planning to join language school in japan
by Artistic-Alchemy on May 19, 2026
I will be going to Human Academy Tokyo in Obctober 2026
by Competitive-Day-7464 on May 19, 2026
Oh which school will u attend? I sent you a dm :)
by Competitive-Day-7464 on May 19, 2026
planning or already inside of the intake process :D?
by HokageRunner on May 19, 2026
I am planning to apply for the April intake next year.
I am currently studying for the N5 and will be taking the exam this July. Hopefully, I will pass🤞
by Competitive-Day-7464 on May 19, 2026
I guess just normal experience haha. Which language school do u attend?
by Artistic-Alchemy on May 18, 2026
I gave 2 interviews and got selected in both. It wasn't like that at all. Yes, do brush up the basics, know the days and the dates.
I was asked to give my じこしょうかい (introduction), why japanese, why japan, who my sponsor would be, how much is my sponsor's annual income and how much he has in his bank account. Then, what I wanted to do after language school, which level I am studying.
They all know english and they help u if u don't understand something. for example I mentioned that I am a graphic designer, and he asked if I work on my own or with a company, which I didn't understand, so he repeated it in English and then I answered half in English, half in Japanese. They know you are going there to learn. They mostly judge your attitude and willingness
For reference, I gave interviews for Human Academy Tokyo, and Tokyo Foreign Language College. If you are giving interviews for any of them, this is what they generally ask. They might ask you birthday and age, there are two ways to ask age, so u may get confused, but it's just to check your basics. The two ways are - おいくつですか (Oikutsu des ka), and なん最高ですか (Nan sai des ka)
by Trick-Maintenance-42 on May 19, 2026
Hey, thank you so much for your feedback, this does brighten me up quite a bit. I will focus also on remembering some lines over the next days and some writings. Thanks again and all the best. 🫡
by Artistic-Alchemy on May 19, 2026
good luck for you interview, you will ace it! がんばれ💪🏻
by Kai-kun-desu on May 19, 2026
Know your hiragana and katakana. Writing and reading. The teachers instructions will be in Japanese, so they want to know if you can follow the teachers instructions such as open your book to page ... Basic greeting and as mentioned above, your introduction. Remember, this is a business and need your money! So they basically accept anyone that can pay with the basic Japanese level mentioned above. Too easy.
by Competitive-Day-7464 on May 19, 2026
They usually just ask really basic stuff like reading some Hira/Kata and ask you stuff like "whats your name" or "how old are you and what are u doing". Btw I send you a dm about the language school because I am interested :))