What's On

Is your school interested in starting a Japanese Club? Are your pupils or students interested in Japanese?

Sign up now to receive a Japanese Club package (including teacher training) so your school can be ready to run a Japanese Club in near future! It can happen through this project even though there are no teachers who have experience about Japan/Japanese!

Applications from more than one teacher from the same school are very welcome as it will provide you with opportunities to use what you learn through the course!

(The course starts on 20th October, the deadline for applications is 14th October, 17:00)

What we provide (free of charge):

(1)    Teaching materials: “Kon-Kon! Konnichiwa Japanese Club”

• Material set about Japanese culture and language
• The materials consist of 10 topics for 30-60 minute club activities (KS 2-4)
  • *Examples of topics covered: Greetings, Self-introduction, Food, Numbers, Festivals, Manga etc.

(2)    Online teacher training course

• 10 x 1-hour online sessions
   * Please see the training schedule below.

(3)    Support and advice for teachers running the Japanese Club

The teaching materials and the training programme are designed for teachers who don’t have any experience of running Japanese clubs and/or don’t have any Japanese language knowledge.

Details

Aims of the online training programme:

• To learn how to use the set of materials.
• To learn basic knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language.
• To build a network of teachers who are interested in language and cultural education.

Eligibility:

• Primary or secondary schools that are interested in starting Japanese clubs.
• Schools that currently don’t have a Japanese programme as a part of curriculum.
• Schools that have a teacher who is available to attend the training programme and run a club at school.
  • * No prior experience of Japanese language learning and/or running a Japanese Club is required.
  • * Applications from more than one teacher from the same school are very  welcome.
  • * In case of a high number of applicants, those who have no or limited experience in Japanese will be prioritised.

Benefits:

• to be able to learn how to run a Japanese Club for at least 1 term (10 to 12 sessions).
• to be able to learn how to use the materials.
• to be able to gain basic knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language.
• to be able to expand your network.

Training Schedule:

* Participants are expected to attend all the sessions below:

   If possible, we would like all participants to attend both additional Tuesday sessions as well as the Monday sessions. As on Monday’s sessions, these Tuesday sessions will cover useful topics from the Kon-Kon materials.

• Every Monday (and two additional sessions on Tuesday), starting from 20th October, 16:00 to 17:00 (or 16:30 to 17:30). Please refer to the schedule below for precise dates.
• In total 10 sessions of 1h classes

• • October:     20th (Mon), 27th (Mon)
  • November: 3rd (Mon), 10th (Mon), 11th (Tue), 17th (Mon), 24th (Mon)
  • December: 1st (Mon), 2nd (Tue), 8th (Mon)

Venue: Online

Language Used: English

Fee: Free

Number of participants: around 10 teachers

Application Form

*Please ask your head teacher or other senior teachers acting on behalf of the head teachers at your school for permission before applying. 

Application deadline: 14th October 2025 at 17:00 

Enquiries:  Language Team, The Japan Foundation, London, events.japanese@jpf.go.jp (English/Japanese) 

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FAQ:

• Q: I am interested in working at a school but currently am not teaching at any school. Can I apply?
  • A: This course is designed mainly for teachers who are already employed by a school. You can apply but please note that school-employed teachers will be prioritised in the event of a high number of applicants. 

• Q: Can a teacher who is a native speaker of Japanese apply to this course?
  • A: Japanese native speakers with no experience of teaching Japanese can apply. For those experienced teachers of Japanese, we are going to provide another opportunity in future to introduce the set of materials over a shorter period of time.

• Q: Can I get support while running a Japanese club after the training?
  • A: Yes, you can contact us if you have any concerns.

• Q: Can I apply although we are not certain we can run a Japanese club this semester?
  • A: Yes, as long as you and your school have an active intention to start a Japanese club in the future. You don't necessarily have to start the club before finishing the course.

Autumn 2025 Applications Now OPEN! 

Institutions can apply for up to £2500 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK. Please see the attached documents at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.

We prioritise projects that fit into one of the four following categories:

• Category 1 - Newly Introducing Japanese into the curriculum

Up to £2,500 for projects that promote the introduction of Japanese into the curriculum (or onto the main school timetable) at primary and secondary schools. This grant covers staff costs and the cost of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline.

• Category 2 - Supporting GCSE or A-level courses

Up to £2,500 for projects that support GCSE or A-level courses. Particularly, if schools/organisations require support to ensure a large number of candidates are able to take formal qualifications in Japanese, they will be able to maintain their project by re-applying the following year. This means organisations will be able to apply for up to a total of £5,000 over two years. (Please note that we do not supplement the salary of teacher(s) already hired by the applying organisation.) Covers staff costs and costs of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline.

• Category 3 – New Japanese clubs

Up to £2,000 for organisations that newly introduce Japanese as an extracurricular activity or enrichment subject. In the case of schools, this is even if this is not within the school timetable. Covers staff cost, Japanese language book cost, some costs for items contributing to Japanese language learning, such as origami and calligraphy materials. Clubs may take place online or offline.

• Category 4 - Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education

Up to £2,500 for projects that strengthen connections between secondary institutions and institutions of higher education and create and/or strengthen networks among pupils, students, and teachers for the purpose of helping to promote Japanese language education in the UK. These projects can be aimed at both potential learners of Japanese and people who already are learning Japanese. This is a recently added category, so please contact us if you have any questions or would like to apply but are unsure as to whether your project is suitable. These projects may take place online or offline.

Application deadline: 30^th September 2025, 23:59 (Tuesday)

General Information document

LPSP 2025-2026 Grant Flowchart

Grant Application Form (Autumn 2025)

We would be grateful if you could read the General Information document and the Grant Flowchart document before submitting an application.

If you have any questions, please contact info.language@jpf.go.jp

Please also refer to the “General Information” document above for detailed answers to many frequently asked questions.

Related Event!

Click here to find out about our seminar for potential applications for the Local Project Support Programme!

Date:	29 August 2025 - 30 September 2025
Download LPSP General Information Autumn 2025-2026
Download LPSP Flowchart Autumn 2025-2026
Download LPSP Application Form Autumn 2025-2026

You can find information on the programme as well as links to download an application form by clicking here

Are you considering applying for funding but aren’t sure about how to go about it? Do you have a project in mind but aren’t sure if it’s eligible? We would strongly recommend that you sign up to take part in our Online Seminar and Q&A session.

During this half-hour session, a member of our staff will talk participants through the application process, and then open the floor to questions and answers. We want to make sure the application process is as easy-to-understand as possible.

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This session will be held twice:

Session One: 8^th September 2025 (Monday), 13:00 to 13:30

(Deadline: 7^th September 2025, 23:59)

Session Two: 18^th September 2025 (Thursday), 13:00 to 13:30

(Deadline: 17^th September 2025, 23:59)

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Attendance is free but booking is essential.

We will be using Zoom software. Once you have applied we will send you information on how to join the session.

This seminar will be held in English but the presenter is a bilingual Japanese-English speaker. Please use Japanese in this application form and at the Q&A if you would prefer.

Fill out the application form here

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with approximately 1.72 million people worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2024.

The next December JLPT will take place on Sunday, 7^th December 2025. Registration will start at each test centre from early/ mid-August.  

The December exam will be held at three test sites in the UK: SOAS University of London, the University of Leicester and the University of Edinburgh. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below (Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.):

×             Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London SOAS Applications have now closed

×             University of Leicester Applications at University of Leicester have now closed

×             University of Edinburgh Applications at University of Edinburgh have now closed

Important Changes

1. Starting from 2025, examinees are not allowed to use mobile phones and other devices, including smartwatches and all camera and communication devices, until the end of the entire test, including during breaks. Examinees must turn OFF their devices until the test is completed. If the devices are turned ON during breaks, it will be considered misconduct and their test scores will be invalidated.

2. Starting in December 2025, the Exam Start Time will be earlier and registration will take place in the morning. Please check the new test schedule at your test centre’s website and make sure that you will be able to arrive on time to register.

3. CEFR Levels will be added as reference information in JLPT score reports starting from the December 2025 JLPT. For details, please check here.  

For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.

Ø  Let’s Try Sample Questions!

We are delighted to announce that the 21st Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!

This contest gives students the chance to demonstrate their Japanese speaking skills and to make their voices heard in Japanese. Finalists will be invited to give their speeches and presentations at the Speech Contest Finals Day, which will be held at King’s College London on Saturday 7th March 2026.

There will be fantastic prizes to finalists.

:: Contest Aims

The main purpose of the event is to improve the speaking and presentation skills of students studying Japanese as a foreign language. Through this event, we hope to promote Japanese language learning at higher education level in the UK and Ireland.

:: Who can apply?

The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland.

There are three different categories*:

*Please be advised that contestants are expected to choose appropriate topics according to the category to which they are applying.

1. Speech Category

Aim:

To discuss and/or argue a topic of your choice and offer opinions, suggestions and/or solutions.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard C1 or C2* at a university in the UK or Ireland including, as an elective, optional or other university-based language course.

·       Those who have less than a total of three years’ residence in Japan since the age of six.

*      Five finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 10th November 2025  (15:00 GMT)

2. Individual Presentation Category

Aim:

To explain your chosen topic and to convey your opinion or message using PowerPoint slides.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard B1 or B2* at a university in the UK or Ireland.

·       Those who have spent not more than 12 months in total in Japan.

*      Five finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 8th December 2025 (15:00 GMT)

3. Group Presentation Category

Aim:

To introduce a topic related to the U.K. or another country outside of Japan.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard A1 or A2* at a university in the UK or Ireland.

·       Groups of two to four students.

·       Postgraduate students alongside undergraduate student(s).

*      Five finalist groups will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 15^th December 2025 (15:00 GMT)

*Details of JF Standard can be found here: https://www.jfstandard.jpf.go.jp/pdf/web_whole_en.pdf  

Please see the files below for the contest poster, FAQ, and application guidelines for each category. URL for online application form can be found in the Application Guidelines for each category.

Contest Poster

Frequently Asked Questions

Speech Category Application Guidelines

Individual Presentation Category Application Guidelines

Group Presentation Category Application Guidelines

See videos from previous University Speech Contest Finals Day here.

Please email speechcontest@jpf.go.jp if you have any questions.

Date:	1 September 2025 - 15 December 2025
Download 21st Speech Contest Application Poster
Download SpC21 Speech Category guidelines
Download SpC21 Indivi Presen Category guidelines
Download SpC21 Group Presen Category guidelines
Download SpC21 FAQ