Tokyo Academy of Communications (TAC) Language Institute offers customized Japanese classes for companies, missionaries, embassies and individuals. Classes are based on the coaching method. English lessons and teaching method seminars are also provided.

About Us

Introduction

Tokyo Academy of Communications (TAC) Language Institute started in 1985 under the direction of Hideo Takahashi. Drawing from his extensive background teaching language at various colleges and academic institutes, Takahashi has developed an innovative approach to language learning. This approach, which encourages students to try to get across what they have to say using the vocabulary they have available, sets them free from the burdens of grammar and memorization. The process towards the target language is called "Inter-language (*)" and is based on the philosophy that, the more you speak, the more progress you will make. Inter-language makes you amazingly confident in the skill of handling the target language.

(*) Inter-language is like a bridge you walk across when you go from Japanese to English, a strange language you speak with the vocabulary you have available.

At TAC Language Institute we do not use textbooks. Otherwise the learner tends to depend too much on the written materials, believing them to be the only correct grammar, and becomes intimidated to speak. Instead, we encourage the learner to enjoy coming up with his own verbalization, the guessing or make judgments that mobilize his current knowledge so he can learn how to handle various situations. People might call it "the inductive method".

This unique method facilitating "the right growth" instead of "the right grammar" has been highly appreciated by busy business people who need quick and practical communication skills. Motivated by a professional business coach who told us our approach is the same as the coaching approach used in business, TAC Language Institute began to expand into the business world. In 1994 Takahashi was approved as a coach for the then Alexander Corporation and began business coaching for foreign firms operating in Japan. TAC Language Institute incorporated the coaching approach formally into language lessons in 1995, probably the first language school in Japan to do so.

Currently along with teaching languages using the coaching method, TAC Language Institute conducts workshops from time to time for professional language teachers on how to teach using coaching. Coaching is a significant part of our business both in the business and in the academic world.

The "journey" of Coaching never comes to an end. But we believe, if you are struggling for better performance, either in growing people in business or in education, you will surely find this approach exciting and eye-opening.

TAC Language Institute Advisor is Dr. Noah Brannen, former professor at International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo.

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FAQ

Q1: What kind of projects have you been involved in so far?
Since our establishment, we have been involved in teaching the Japanese language to securities firms, investment banks, law firms and consulting firms. We were also involved for several years in a big Japanese language training project for the crew members of the cruise ship "Asuka", owned by NYK, which was the first Japanese luxury cruise ship in history.
Q2: How effective is the coaching method?
A recent project was to teach IT consultants Japanese within 5 months from scratch. Normally it would take 1.5 years from scratch to be fluent enough (equivalent to Level 1 in Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)) to do business if you do not have any knowledge of Chinese characters (Kanji). Using the coaching method, however, with 7 hours a day for 5 months we made them bi-lingual consultants, competent enough to do debates, discussions and presentations with confidence. We have been teaching people from Infosys, one of the most innovative IT firms in India since 1999, and we just finished the 3rd batch this June 2005.
Starting in November 2005 anyone can join this immersion program as an individual.
We have another important class. This is for missionaries, embassy workers, and business people with their family members.
Q3: Do you teach English also?
Yes. Besides the Japanese language we also teach English, mostly one-on-one. Courses are available from the basic to the advanced level. Some students come for traveling or just studying, and some come to prepare for post graduate study abroad.
Q4: Do you also teach business English?
We believe "business English" as such does not exist. The most significant skill in business is the power of judgment. In order to grow this skill we prepare sessions of debate, discussion and presentation in a workshop with several people per class.
Q5: What is unique to TAC Language Institute?
We have skillful and engaging teachers interested in and committed to the Coaching method.
Q6: Do you mean people learn something else not just the language?
We believe that the ultimate goal of teaching language lies in growing people, and also in growing yourself by interacting with them. Learning language is not just to acquire a new skill but is a mental journey.
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