When families return to Japan after living overseas, their children may struggle to stay up with schoolwork and acquire English. As these early years are critical for language and education acquisition, many families are concerned about ensuring that their children keep the skills they learned outside Japan.
The Benefits of Being Bilingual
The cognitive and developmental benefits of speaking more than one language have been well-proven in many studies.
To begin with, bilingual or multilingual children are more efficient problem solvers. They are creative and able to focus on important information while disregarding distractions.
Furthermore, bilingual children have better math skills as they use the visual and spatial portions of their brains to solve arithmetic problems in ways that monolingual people do not.
Being multilingual may also help youngsters learn how to get along with others by expanding their worldview and making them more sensitive to diverse cultures.
Additionally, bilingualism or multilingualism is a true asset in our increasingly globalized world.
So, you may wish to look for a school with a low teacher-to-student ratio, where the instructor can pay careful attention to your child's physical, cognitive, and emotional requirements, answer their questions and learning gaps, and help maintain a native English language.
Kikokushijo Japan may be an answer to your family's needs. This school assists children in maintaining their independent thinking and reading abilities while preparing for the rigors of the Japanese education system. Students can continue to improve their English skills while being challenged by their studies, conversations, interactive lectures, and the general atmosphere of the classroom.
Is my Child Eligible for Kikokushijo Japan?
Kikokushijo Japan screens students based on their natural English proficiency, unlike cram schools and English conversation schools (juku and eikaiwa). As a result, we only accept students who can participate in a native-like English-speaking environment. As a result of our evaluation, which is based on more than 20 years of education experience, students with near-native English proficiency are favored.
For example, Kikokushijo students who went to English-speaking schools outside of Japan are given preference. However, we do accept students who graduated from international kindergartens or are enrolled in international elementary schools in Japan, as long as they meet the course's language proficiency standards.
What Does the Curriculum Look Like in Your School?
Kikokushijo Japan's curriculum is centered on retaining natural English language fluency. We achieve this goal by adhering to the basic tenets of future success:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Curiosity
- Creativity
- Competence
- Commitment
- Connection
- Confidence
- Craftsmanship
We allow learners to broaden their language and academic skills by developing these skills. As we plan our lessons, we use the above basic ideas to introduce subjects like history, geography, science, math, and writing.
Our main goal is to help students prepare for the challenging process of getting into junior high school.
What is the Purpose of This Course? How Can Our Family Benefit from It?
Students returning from abroad have unique perspectives and experiences. Our international staff and teachers understand and value such experiences, and they want to help returning students adjust to the new expectations they will face when they start school in Japan.
Additionally, retaining the values of international education in the face of the rigors of Japanese school life is an essential motivation for offering this course.
Kikokushijo Japan is a unique program that places a high value on examinations and grades. So, it focuses on giving students a high-quality experience by letting them grow intellectually without being forced to reach goals that aren't attainable.
Students are regularly challenged to grow and improve academically through our curriculum. We encourage students to take ownership of their academic progress. However, they are never pressured to perform or chastised for failing to complete a task.
Instead, we:
- track progress
- adapt courses to match the needs of the class and individual students
- use mistakes to help students grow
Our Joy Curriculum
Joy to the World's curriculum has been developed during the organization's 23-year history. We follow the model of the American curriculum, but we have changed our education to fit better with the Japanese culture in which we live. Our core tenants include fine and gross motor skills, reading, writing, social interaction, and problem-solving ability. The curriculum at Joy to the world is designed to be flexible and adaptable to each class and student. Every year is a new adventure, with the critical job of establishing an atmosphere where all children may be successful and happy.
Joy to the World American International School is a place where all children may learn and grow through creativity, thanks to our cheerful and qualified staff, the support of parents, and the expertise gained through our more than 20 years of service to the Bunkyo community.
We are excited to announce that a Kikokushijo course will be offered at Joy Studios shortly!
We are delighted to offer an opportunity for kids to continue progressing in their English abilities and academic capabilities for parents returning from overseas and children graduating from our elementary afterschool program from Grade 3 and 4 onwards.
The Joy to the World school community is a varied collection of families that have chosen Joy because of our educational philosophy and commitment to the quality of each learner's experience. Our program emphasizes learning by instilling trust, positivism, and encouragement. In addition, we can personalize each child's journey to their personality, level, and learning style by knowing what children are capable of via our expertise.
Joy to the World works with and has teachers from all over the world who give the kids and the school community experiences that enrich their lives.
English Conversation Lessons for Adults
English is also crucial for communicating with our school and the rest of the world. Therefore, many parents seek ways to help their children develop their English abilities in a relaxed setting. That is why we are pleased to offer English conversation lessons for adults, where parents can chat amongst themselves, share, laugh, and enhance their speaking skills with the assistance of our active and friendly teachers.
Meet Kikokushijo Japan Team
Kikokushijo Japan is built on the experience of its owner, Jerry Hanus. Jerry is a moTVate co-founder and the owner of Joy to the World American International School in Tokyo.
Hamid Heidrich has joined the team as Head Teacher. He has spent eleven years teaching in Japan. He has extensive expertise crafting interesting classes, talking with parents to assist children succeed, and motivating young students.
Opening Schedule
November 2022: Accepting Applications
Our initial openings are for elementary (3rd–6th grade) students. We will announce classes for younger students in 2023.
January 2023: Pre-Launch
We will select students who applied during our initial application period in November and December 2022 for the pre-launch period. They will start classes in January 2023.
April 2023: Grand Opening
From January, we will accept applications and students based on availability.
For more information, please visit: https://www.kikokushijojapan.com/
and https://www.mo-t-vate.com/
Note: Some of the school's families are seeking to enter, as listed below. Let us know which school you may be interested in if it is missing from this list.
- Makuhari Junior and Senior High School (学校法人 渋谷教育学園 幕張中学校・高等学校）
- Mita International School (三田国際学園中学校・高等学校）
- Shibuya Junior & Senior High School (渋谷中学高等学校)
- Hiroo Gakuen Junior & Senior Highs School (広尾学園中学校・高等学校）
- Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School (慶應義塾湘南藤沢中等部・高等部）
- Senzoku Gakuen Junior & Senior High School (洗足学園中学高等学校）
Winchester Shoei College (頌栄女子学院)
