BORDERLESSOnline Japanese Program
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MASTER · INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED

You have ideas.
Give them words.

You know some Japanese. Now you want to explain yourself clearly, understand more of what you read and take a fuller part in conversation.

Master brings together three kinds of class — Build, Flow and Speak — each with an advanced Plus version.

LEVELN3–N1+
WEEKLY RHYTHM2 or 3 lessons
EACH LESSON60 minutes
MONTHLY TUITIONFrom ¥18,000Tax included

SIX CLASSES. THREE DIFFERENT FOCUSES.

What do you want
to do more comfortably?

Start with the skill you want to work on. Then choose the level with Shintaro. Plus identifies the more advanced version of each class.

Make your own sentencesBuild / Build+Understand and use what you readFlow / Flow+Express yourself aloudSpeak / Speak+
INTERMEDIATE · N3–N2

Build · Flow · Speak

ADVANCED · N2–N1+

Build+ · Flow+ · Speak+

The level ranges overlap intentionally. A test result alone does not decide your class: your reading, writing and speaking may be at different stages. Shintaro helps you choose after the trial.

01 / GRAMMAR & WRITING

Build & Build+

Make a sentence that says what you mean. Then understand why it works.

INTERMEDIATE

Build

N3–N2

Put grammar into your own words.

You recognise grammar, but using it in your own sentences still takes thought.

Material
6 questions · mainly N3 grammar
Group
Up to 8 learners

What you do

  • Answer personal questions using a different grammar pattern each time.
  • Move from familiar facts and experiences to reasons, comparisons and your own ideas.
  • Discuss your wording with Shintaro and understand the correction.

ADVANCED

Build+

N2–N1+

Find the expression that fits.

You can form sentences and want more nuance, precision and freedom of expression.

Material
6 questions · N2 and N1 grammar
Group
Up to 8 learners

What you do

  • Work with three N2 and three N1 grammar patterns in each set.
  • Consider how similar expressions change the meaning or suit a different context.
  • Use Japanese to compare, explain a hypothetical situation or explore a more abstract idea.

The differenceBuild develops control of useful sentence patterns. Build+ asks you to choose more precisely between expressions, meanings and contexts.

Inside Build & Build+

Both classes have six original-answer preparation questions. Build uses either five N3 patterns and one N2 pattern, or four N3 and two N2. Build+ uses three N2 and three N1 patterns.

One short sentence can be a complete answer. More advanced work means greater precision and thought, rather than a requirement to write more. Optional English hints explain the target, offer useful language and show a different example.

In class, feedback can show your original wording, a suggested version, the reason for a change and another natural option. Your own meaning stays at the centre.

02 / READING & EXPRESSION

Flow & Flow+

Follow what a writer means. Take useful language into your own Japanese.

INTERMEDIATE

Flow

N3–N2

Read for the main idea.

You can read individual sentences but want to follow the whole point with confidence.

Material
Original article · about 750–800 characters
Group
Up to 8 learners

What you do

  • Read an original article in accessible Japanese, written in polite です・ます style.
  • Follow its main claim, reason, example and conclusion.
  • Express the main idea briefly and reuse useful expressions in your own context.

ADVANCED

Flow+

N2–N1+

Read between the lines.

You follow the main point and want to understand denser arguments and subtler meanings.

Material
Original article · about 1,100–1,300 characters
Group
Up to 8 learners

What you do

  • Read a longer article in plain だ・である style, with more demanding N2/N1 language.
  • Examine counterarguments, concessions, exceptions or an implied conclusion.
  • Explain how ideas connect and use natural expressions to make your own point.

The differenceFlow makes a clear argument accessible. Flow+ asks you to connect a longer argument, notice what is implied and consider another point of view.

Inside Flow & Flow+

Both classes use six tasks: three reading questions with four choices each, one summary response and two answers that reuse an expression from the article. The articles are written for Borderless from researched sources and reviewed by Shintaro.

Flow asks you to identify one central idea, usually in one or two short sentences. Flow+ may ask you to explain a key relationship within the argument. In both, you learn useful idioms, collocations and natural expressions from the passage.

Optional English hints help you find the relevant part, see the connection and think through the question. In the lesson, you discuss your reading and your own Japanese with the teacher and group.

03 / SPEAKING & DISCUSSION

Speak & Speak+

Have something to say. Find a clear way to say it, and keep the conversation going.

INTERMEDIATE

Speak

N3–N2

Go beyond a short reply.

You want to explain an experience, give a reason or share an opinion more smoothly.

Material
6 speaking prompts · everyday communication
Group
Up to 4 learners

What you do

  • Start by describing what you can see in a scene image.
  • Talk about experiences, preferences, reasons and practical situations.
  • Build a clear answer in your own words, without a required grammar pattern.

ADVANCED

Speak+

N2–N1+

Develop a point of view.

You can hold a conversation and want to develop, support and refine your position.

Material
6 speaking prompts · reasoning & response
Group
Up to 3 learners

What you do

  • Ground an interpretation of the scene in what you can actually see.
  • Compare possibilities, support an opinion and consider a counterargument or exception.
  • Respond to an unrehearsed follow-up from Shintaro when it fits the discussion.

The differenceSpeak develops a clear, natural response. Speak+ adds evidence, comparison and the ability to respond thoughtfully to a question you have not rehearsed.

Inside Speak & Speak+

Speaking preparation is rehearsal, not script writing. Keep private keywords or short notes in Japanese or English, then try saying your answer aloud. No target grammar pattern is required.

The first response has a 60-second practice window; the remaining five have 90 seconds each. The timer helps you organise a response. During class, the teacher guides the timing and your answer is not cut off when the timer ends.

Speak+ covers daily life, society, culture, relationships, technology and future choices, as well as occasional work situations. You do not need specialist business experience to participate.

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

Your thinking.
A lesson to build on.

Your materials, answers and released feedback stay together in the app, so the conversation has a useful life beyond the lesson.

  1. 01 / PREPARE

    Bring your own ideas.

    Usually 15–30 minutes. Write an answer for Build, read and respond for Flow, or rehearse aloud for Speak. Optional English hints help you get started.

  2. 02 / TAKE PART

    Work it through together.

    Explain your answer, hear other perspectives and ask why. Shintaro helps you understand the language and discusses feedback with you.

  3. 03 / RETURN

    Use it again.

    Revisit released feedback and lesson records. Recall the language with Memory Cards, then try it in another context with Practice.

Preparation, feedback and lesson structure

A regular 60-minute class has 50 minutes of Core learning and a 10-minute Sprint to revisit what you have worked on. The teacher guides the lesson and discussion.

You do not have to complete every preparation question. Begin with at least one answer or one speaking practice attempt; the remaining questions are optional. Your own words matter more than a polished response.

Shintaro owns the feedback you receive. AI can help organise a draft, but it is reviewed and released by the teacher. The lesson record gives you a place to revisit corrections, explanations and useful language.

TUITION & TIMES

A regular place
for Japanese.

Choose two or three lessons a week. Shintaro confirms the suitable classes, available places and scheduled days with you before enrollment.

YOUR PLANWEEKLY LESSONSMONTHLY TUITION

Master · 2 days

A regular place for Japanese in your week.

2 × 60-minute lessons / week

¥18,000tax included / month

Master · 3 days

More time to discuss, practise and ask questions.

3 × 60-minute lessons / week

¥27,000tax included / month

Original materials, the learning app, preparation, teacher-released feedback, Memory Cards and Practice are included. No enrollment fee. No required textbook purchase.

Morning

Tuesday–Sunday

10:00 / 11:00

Evening

Monday–Friday

19:30 / 21:00 / 22:00

All times are Japan time. These are the available timetable windows; individual classes run on their own days. Your exact class and seat are confirmed after the trial.

Can I start during the year?

Yes. Applications are open year-round, with no semester start dates. Shintaro confirms your start date and a suitable available class after the trial.

How do payments and cancellation work?

Tuition is paid monthly in advance by bank transfer, PayPal, PayPay or credit card. Master renews monthly. To stop renewal, the published Master terms require one month’s notice.

An absence may be moved to an equivalent class when one is available. See the Enrollment Terms for the full payment, absence and cancellation conditions.

How do I know whether Plus is right for me?

Plus classes work with more advanced language, reasoning and discussion. You do not have to decide on a label alone: Shintaro considers your actual Japanese and helps you choose a suitable class. Speak+ entry is based on readiness and teacher assessment.

Still building N5 or N4 foundations?

Explore Intensive

YOUR FIRST LESSON

Come for a lesson.
See how it feels.

A free lesson with Shintaro. Meet the group, try the app, and decide in your own time.

Book a free trialNo preparation required. No obligation to join.