About Japanese Education: A Quick Guide for Foreigners
When you move to a new country, as a parent, you obviously worry about the environment for your children and how they adapt to the culture and language. There is no need to worry, because there are many good international schools and preschools in Tokyo and Yokohama to choose from. Research their website before you make your selection.
International Schools
Photo by: tedxtokyo Tokyo International School – venue for TEDxYouth@TokyoThere is a good selection of international schools in Japan offering a diverse curriculum and student body not found in Japanese schools. They are expensive though (1 to 2 million yen per year), and places are limited. Research the curriculum of each of the schools to find the right one for your child. See the listings in this section for information on specific international schools.
Applying for an International School
Photo by: AdmissionsQuest – P1000441.JPGYou should apply at least 6 month in advance because it may take some time to prepare all the documents. Entry requirements for each school are different, and you can inquire by phone or check their website. It is useful to prepare transcripts from all the schools your child has attended in other countries. It may be necessary to take a health examination and entrance test. Some schools have a minimum English language requirement.
Japanese Schools
Photo by: Innocent Coppieters – Class 3-DEven if the cost of international schools is not an issue, there are still educational and other reasons for non-Japanese families to send their children to a Japanese school for at least part of their stay in Japan. In Kindergarten through grade 6, the focus is on morals, social and communication skills, an education that, once acquired, provides a lifetime of benefit to the child. Having a native grounding in the Japanese language and getting closer to the local community are other reasons to consider this option.
Private schools start at the kindergarten or elementary level and are seen as a fast track to a prestigious university. These schools can cost nearly as much as international schools or even elite universities in the United States. They have very competitive entrance requirements and procedures, including examinations and interviews for both the child (even 4 or 5 years olds) and the parents.
At public schools, there is no cost for education, but you have to cover associated costs such as uniforms and school lunches. The Ministry of education standardizes the curriculum throughout Japan. The education level is high and accounts for why Japan has one of the uppermost literacy rates in the world, although they are often criticized for not producing critical, creative thinkers.
Applying for a Japanese School
Your local municipal office can give you information on Japanese schools in your area. Apply directly to the school of your choice. When your child has been accepted, you should register the result at the local municipal office. Applications are usually made by October before the start of the school year.
Japanese Grading System
Although neither Kindergarten nor senior high schools are compulsory, the majority of Japanese children do attend these levels. The Japanese school grading system is summarized below.
The Japanese system from Kindergarten through grade 12 is similar to the American system. Some of the larger private Japanese schools and international schools may have from Kindergarten through grade 12 curricula, either in a single facility or in separate facilities under the same name. In general, the school year starts in April and has 3 semesters, but recently, in larger cities the number of schools with just 2 semesters is increasing. Elementary and junior high school are compulsory for Japanese children, but not for non-Japanese, meaning that home schooling is also an option.
Tags: International School, Japanese education
Categorised in: Tokyo, Travel In Japan
This post was written by Mathew Ryan
About Japanese Education: A Quick Guide for Foreigners
When you move to a new country, as a parent, you obviously worry about the environment for your children and how they adapt to the culture and language. There is no need to worry, because there are many good international schools and preschools in Tokyo and Yokohama to choose from. Research their website before you make your selection.
International Schools
Photo by: tedxtokyo Tokyo International School – venue for TEDxYouth@TokyoThere is a good selection of international schools in Japan offering a diverse curriculum and student body not found in Japanese schools. They are expensive though (1 to 2 million yen per year), and places are limited. Research the curriculum of each of the schools to find the right one for your child. See the listings in this section for information on specific international schools.
Applying for an International School
Photo by: AdmissionsQuest – P1000441.JPGYou should apply at least 6 month in advance because it may take some time to prepare all the documents. Entry requirements for each school are different, and you can inquire by phone or check their website. It is useful to prepare transcripts from all the schools your child has attended in other countries. It may be necessary to take a health examination and entrance test. Some schools have a minimum English language requirement.
Japanese Schools
Photo by: Innocent Coppieters – Class 3-DEven if the cost of international schools is not an issue, there are still educational and other reasons for non-Japanese families to send their children to a Japanese school for at least part of their stay in Japan. In Kindergarten through grade 6, the focus is on morals, social and communication skills, an education that, once acquired, provides a lifetime of benefit to the child. Having a native grounding in the Japanese language and getting closer to the local community are other reasons to consider this option.
Private schools start at the kindergarten or elementary level and are seen as a fast track to a prestigious university. These schools can cost nearly as much as international schools or even elite universities in the United States. They have very competitive entrance requirements and procedures, including examinations and interviews for both the child (even 4 or 5 years olds) and the parents.
At public schools, there is no cost for education, but you have to cover associated costs such as uniforms and school lunches. The Ministry of education standardizes the curriculum throughout Japan. The education level is high and accounts for why Japan has one of the uppermost literacy rates in the world, although they are often criticized for not producing critical, creative thinkers.
Applying for a Japanese School
Your local municipal office can give you information on Japanese schools in your area. Apply directly to the school of your choice. When your child has been accepted, you should register the result at the local municipal office. Applications are usually made by October before the start of the school year.
Japanese Grading System
Although neither Kindergarten nor senior high schools are compulsory, the majority of Japanese children do attend these levels. The Japanese school grading system is summarized below.
The Japanese system from Kindergarten through grade 12 is similar to the American system. Some of the larger private Japanese schools and international schools may have from Kindergarten through grade 12 curricula, either in a single facility or in separate facilities under the same name. In general, the school year starts in April and has 3 semesters, but recently, in larger cities the number of schools with just 2 semesters is increasing. Elementary and junior high school are compulsory for Japanese children, but not for non-Japanese, meaning that home schooling is also an option.
Tags: International School, Japanese education
Categorised in: Tokyo, Travel In Japan
This post was written by Mathew Ryan