Where to Get English-Language Computer Training in Japan

by Tina Lieu

Today, if you want to upgrade your computer hardware, you simply install the newest components and then "plug and play." When you want to upgrade your software, you just insert a set-up disk and double-click. But what if you need to upgrade your own (or your staff's) computer skills? Here things get a bit more difficult - especially if you're in Japan and don't understand Japanese.

But don't give up hope. There are schools in the Tokyo area that offer English-language computer training, either on a walk-in basis or on-site at your company (anywhere in Japan).

If your company has Japanese staff that needs computer training, the schools covered here (except Temple University) also offer courses in Japanese. These classes may include other courses not listed here. All classes are for IBM-compatible computers unless otherwise noted.

An alternative to classroom learning is computer-based training. NETG (National Education Training Group) says its "Precision Learning" allows students to target areas they need help in.

A pre-test determines the areas the student needs to learn and generates a personalized learning path of lesson topics, skipping topics the student already knows. Each lesson has the student actually clicking and dragging based on prompts to learn the functions. After-lesson exams determine if the student has learned all the topics.

The training may be deployed from CD-ROM, over an intranet, or downloaded from the Internet. There are well over 1000 NETG courses available, covering the range of business programs from desktop applications and systems applications to human resources applications - with more being added every year. NETG courses are sold directly to corporations and IT departments.

Through partnerships with software companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, Novell, and Netscape, which provide content, NETG uses its "Skill Builder" development engine to create new courses, each with a similar feel and interface.

NETG Corporate Headquarters (US), phone: +1-630-369-3000; fax +1-630-983-4863; http://www.netg.com. For Japanese NETG courses, contact Ms. Chizuru Tominaga of Toshiba Multimedia Group (in English or Japanese) at phone 03-3457-4297, fax 03-5444-9429, or e-mail 990095070011@tg-mail.toshiba.co.jp.

Class type: Walk-in and on-site at corporation
Maximum class size: 10
Class type: Individual and corporate classes
Course material: PTS-developed textbook
Current classes: Windows 95, LAN basics, Word (IBM & Mac), Lotus AmiPro, WordPerfect, MS Excel (IBM & Mac), Lotus 1-2-3, MS PowerPoint (IBM & Mac), MS Access, MS Project, Visual Basic, Introduction to the Internet, Netscape Navigator, MS Mail, Lotus cc:Mail, Windows NT 3.5 and 4.0 (various themes), Introduction to Unix, Unix Systems Administration. Other topics and customized courses by request.
Class format & fee: End-user classes: one-half day to full day (7 hours). Programming and systems administrator courses: three to five days (7 hours/day). Prices start from ¥20,000; special packages are available. Call for on-site class information.
Future classes: SQL Server Administrator, Sybase Administrator, Java, C++, SMS Server, Lotus Notes (Application Development and Development Consultancy): courses conducted in German.
Comments: PTS classes are geared for business use and designed for immediate practical application. Textbooks are for the students' after-class review. PTS does a lot of system administration training, and will train the corporate IT staff to use new/upgraded systems equipment. (PTS's technical support service can handle installation/upgrades.)

Professional Training Services , Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, phone 03-3357-8040, fax 03-3357-9141, e-mail info@ptstrain.co.jp. (PTS has branch offices at the Yokosuka US Naval Base, and in Korea and Hawaii.)

Class type: Walk-in and on-site at corporation
Maximum class size: 6
Class type: Individual and corporate classes
Course materials: Fourth R textbooks
Current classes: Windows 95, MS Word, WordPerfect, MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher. Other topics and customized courses by request.
Class format & fee: Eight hours per course, over four weeks; ¥40,000. Call for on-site class information.
Future classes: Internet-related topics
Comments: The Fourth R program originated in the US, targeting learners age 3 to adult. The emphasis in on personalized lessons that enable each student to reach his/her goals. About 70% of students are business people. Training courses can be requested in conjunction with computer consulting work from Inglehurst (phone 03-5269-1231, fax 03-5269-1232).

The Fourth R, Ichigayadaimachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo , phone 03-3359-6661, fax 03-5269-1232.

Class type: On-site at corporation only
Maximum class size: 16 per instructor
Class type: Corporate staff only
Course material: New Horizon textbooks
Current classes: Windows 95, Windows Workstation NT 4.0, MS Excel (IBM & Mac), MS Word (IBM & Mac), MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus Notes, Lotus cc:Mail and FileMaker Pro (Mac only). Other topics and customized courses by request.
Class format & fee: New Horizon teaching method; instructors teach standing behind students to better monitor student progress. Call for pricing.
Future classes: Internet-related topics, emerging new business applications.
Comments: New Horizons is reportedly the largest computer training school in the US. The Japanese school opened its doors in 1995. Textbooks are those used in the US, and are intended for after-class review along with a floppy disk of exercises. As needed, New Horizons can bring PC equipment to company sites for lessons, or rent its classrooms for lessons.

New Horizons Japan: Meguro School, Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, phone 03-5496-5567; Shinjuku School, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, phone 03-3225-7011; Kasumigaseki School (rental classrooms only) Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, phone 03-3580-5060.

Class type: Continuing Education (CE) - sign-up at least one week before the start of each trimester (which begin mid-May, mid-September, and mid-January); Part-Time Undergraduate (PTU).
Maximum class size: 10-16 (a student monitor is added if over 10)
Class type: Individual classes (corporate classes are possible)
Course material: teacher-designed course
Class topics: Topics vary by trimester. CE classes include Windows 95, Macintosh, Desktop Publishing, Power User Internet, and Web Page Design. PTU classes cover Pascal, FORTRAN, C++, and C++ data structures.
Class format & fee: Classes are academic in orientation. Fees for CE classes are ¥38,000 to ¥45,000, for 20 hours of classes over 10 weeks. Each PTU class meets twice a week, two hours per session, for one trimester. There are four classes in the PTU computer program; the fee for four credits is ¥206,900.
Future classes: Business applications, Internet, webpage design.
Comments: Temple University started offering computer classes last year. TUJ currently has about 15 different classes, and expects to increase that number to 20-30 next year. Certificates of completion are offered for the CE and PTU programs. All active students get a free e-mail account.

Temple University Japan, Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo ; CE Office phone 03-5441-9864, fax 03-5441-9822; Academic Advising Center (PTU program) phone 03-5441-9862; http://owls.tuj.ac.jp/computer/compcos.html.

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