International Studies Curriculum General Studies Curriculum

	To become international citizens, students must first learn to communicate smoothly with persons from other countries. Learning English is essential in today’s world. At our school, students concentrate as much as possible on learning to speak English. They learn English not only in conversation classes but also in a variety of content classes taught in English. Furthermore, students go abroad New Zealand. Students also participate in English camps and prepare for standardized English aptitude tests. Using these various approaches, our school seeks to promote English language proficiency. The school also offers basic Chinese and French courses. • English In the international division of the high school we concentrate on teaching even content classes in English. We offer classes that take students from the novice level to a high level of proficiency, making use of fourteen full-time native speakers of English as well as Japanese teachers of the language. English-language classes are small. The average class has from seven to ten students. Because we offer so many small classes and because students are able to do a ten-week homestay in New Zealand, maintain e-mail correspondence with English speakers and so forth, our students quickly acquire proficiency in English. Our students consistently receive excellent scores on the national English proficiency examination, proof of the effectiveness of our program. These excellent scores give our students needed confidence. At our school, students can take elective courses designed to enhance their performance on the English proficiency examination and receive the support they need to pass that test with flying colors. • Chinese In the twenty-first century, China will emerge as one of the world's true superpowers. In response to this reality, we require our students in the international division to study Chinese with a native speaker of that language for at least two hours a week. • Students Experience Living in New Zealand for over Ten Weeks Students in the International Studies division spend ten weeks studying English and living with local families. Students learn English typically at two different colleges or language schools, usually near large cities such as Auckland or its suburbs. The great majority of students in the International Studies division, when asked what were the most impressive experiences that they had during their high school careers, point to the homestay experience in New Zealand. By living with families, the students learn not just English, but also New Zealand history and culture. The students not only acquire academic credits during this trip, they acquire memories that they will cherish for their whole lives. • Study Abroad : Testimonials From Students Kenji Hattori • Wonders of Nature and Down-To-Earth, Kind People Going to Australia has been the highlight of my high school years. Although I was very excited in the time approaching my departure for Australia, I didn't have much confidence and was feeling very nervous and uncomfortable. This feeling accompanied me to Sydney, our first destination. I was nervous about making a good impression on my kind host family, but the unfamiliar words were so great that it was difficult for me at first. By the time we got to our second destination -Canowindra - I finally realized that I had to "pull myself up by my own bootstraps". Gradually I grew more confident. Three people about my own age welcomed me there. It was a very enjoyable welcome. On weekends, these three friends took me to experience some beautiful natural scenery. I was able to see a duck-billed platypus in the wild. It made a lasting impression on me. At first, I communicated with my new friends more from the heart than through the use of words. After a while, though, I wasn't so nervous and I surprised myself by communicating fairly smoothly in English. Australia is a land of beautiful natural scenery and down-to-earth, kind people. It's the best! That is my lasting impression. Sayaka Odaka (from Toyoake Middle School) •  The Australians Welcomed Me Into Their Homes as One of the Family In Sydney, I was able to meet people from China, Thailand and other Asian countries. There were a lot of people there in the foreign language classroom and lots of laughter. In the mornings, we would study. In the afternoons, though, we made trips to see the sky-blue ocean and to see the famous Opera House. We also went shopping. Because we always did so many interesting things, the days passed in a flash. At the end of the day, I always talked for about an hour with my host mother. That occasion always served to help me collect and reflect upon my experiences. My host mother would put paper, pens and a Japanese dictionary on the table. She would patiently listen to me speak English. She spoke very politely and with English that was easy to understand. For me, the greatest lesson I learned was that people who speak different languages can communicate readily if they cooperate and approach the task with the right attitude. Right now I am wearing a sweater that my host mother sewed for me. I will never forget Australia, where I learned so many interesting lessons and had so much fun. I will also never forget the warmth of the people who welcomed me with open arms.   home > Senior High School > Lessons/Programs > International Studies