Internationalization of Education

Fostering the development of practical English skills

          At the heart of our sister schools programs and the drive to internationalize our education lies the teaching of English. The uniqueness of our program lies in our educational framework, lesson contents, and examination system. Many of our English instructors have graduated from universities or graduate schools in English-speaking countries, and each year we welcome three or four teaching assistants from our affiliated universities (St. John’s University, the College of St. Benedict, St. Mary’s University), so that Japanese and US instructors are able to collaborate to provide the best possible English language instruction.

          All of our courses, not least of which is the International Department of Humanities and Sciences, aim to include practical English skills. Instruction during lessons is not only geared towards the university entrance examination, but it also works towards encouraging continued study of English after school. Our teaching assistants are instrumental in teaching “English that can be understood readily by all,” in preparation for the National Center for University Entrance Examinations (a.k.a. “Center Test”) Listening Test (Oral Comprehension). Both from the point of view of sitting the university entrance examinations and also the internationalization of education in general, undertaking the “Examination for the Recognition of Practical English Skills” is highly beneficial. Undertaking Level II of the examination ensures that a certain degree of communication is possible, whilst undertaking higher levels has a great deal of merit for university entrance examinations.

          In addition, a number of students take part in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs run by US specialists within the prefecture, as well as our own short term and one year study abroad programs, conducted in conjunction with US high schools.

Promoting English Proficiency

          We have established a target level of participation in English language proficiency for each year of study. In addition to practical conversation instruction in regular lessons, we offer ‘mock interview lessons’ etc. after school, so that we are not only preparing students for the examination, but we are also aiming to provide ‘practical English’ that will be useful in the future.

English Language Newspaper

          Students and teachers jointly produce an English-language newspaper called Shogaku Times, which disseminates information to an international society.

Studying Abroad and Affiliated Schools

          We have the largest number of education links of any school in the prefecture (US: four colleges & universities, two junior colleges, four junior & senior high schools; Australia: five junior & senior high schools; Taiwan: three high schools; Brazil: one junior & senior high school). Each year, over 70 students experience living and studying abroad by taking advantage of our own overseas English & cultural study programs. Some of these students benefit from national and prefectural financial assistance programs. What is more, students who graduate from our high school and progress to our affiliated US universities can benefit from our scholarship program. For more details, please refer to the section on Overseas Study.