The Japanese Education System - School Life in Japan

By Namiko Abe, About.com Guide See More About: japanese education

School System The Japanese educational system was reformed after World War II. The old 6-5-3-3 system was changed to a 6-3-3-4 system (6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of senior high school and 4 years of University) with reference to the American system. The gimukyoiku (compulsory education) time period is 9 years, 6 in shougakkou (elementary school) and 3 in chuugakkou (junior high school). Japan has one of the world's best-educated populations, with 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy. While not compulsory, high school (koukou) enrollment is over 96% nationwide and nearly 100% in the cities. The high school drop out rate is about 2% and has been increasing.About 46% of all high school graduates go on to university or junior college. The Ministry of Education closely supervises curriculum, textbooks, classes and maintains a uniform level of education throughout the country. As a result, a high standard of education is possible. Student Life Most schools operate on a three-term system with the new year starting in April. The modern educational system started in 1872, and is modeled after the French school system, which begins in April. The fiscal year in Japan also begins in April and ends in March of the following year, which is more convenient in many aspects. April is the height of spring when cherry blossom (the most loved flower of the Japanese!) bloom and a most suitable time for a new start in Japan. This difference in the school-year system causes some inconvenience to students who wish to study abroad in the U.S. A half year is wasted waiting to get in and often another year is wasted when coming back to the Japanese university system and having to repeat a year. Except for the lower grades of elementary school, the average school day on weekdays is 6 hours, which makes it one of the longest school days in the world. Even after school lets out, the children have drills and other homework to keep them busy. Vacations are 6 weeks in the

summer and about 2 weeks each for winter and spring breaks. There is often homework over these vacations. Every class has its own fixed classroom where its students take all the courses, except for practical trainings and laboratory work. During elementary education, in most cases, one teacher teaches all the subjects in each class. As a result of the rapid population growth after World War II, the numbers of students in a typical elementary or junior high school class once exceeded 50 students, but now it is kept under 40. At public elementary and junior high school, school lunch (kyuushoku) is provided on a standardized menu, and it is eaten in the classroom. Nearly all junior high schools require their students to wear a school uniform (seifuku). A big difference between the Japanese school system and the American School system is that Americans respect individuality while the Japanese control the individual by observing group rules. This helps to explains the Japanese characteristic of group behavior. Translation Exercise

Because of the rapid population growth after World War II, the number of students in a typical elementary or junior high school once exceeded 50. Dainiji sekai taisen no ato no kyuugekina jinkou zouka no tame, tenkeitekina shou-chuu gakkou no seitosu wa katsute go-juu nin o koemashita.

Grammar "~no tame" means "because of ~".

I didn't go to work because of a cold. Kaze no tame, shigoto ni ikimasen deshita.

Vocabulary
dainiji sekai taisen ato kyuugekina jinkou zouka tenkeitekina shou-chuu gakkou seitosu World War II after rapid population growth typical elementary and junior high schools the numbers of students
2

katsute go-juu koeru

Education in Japan

once fifty to exceed

Japanese Universities English Language Education in Japan Japanese Education System Vocabulary

More About Japanese School

Randoseru Summer Vacation Homework Graduation Season

Related Articles Japanese Education system (3) Gimukyoiku

U.S. School Enrollment Exceeds Baby-Boomer Days Junior High / Senior High School Memory Book - Chapter 10: High School Expe... Schools at Yokota Air Base, Japan

Namiko Abe Japanese Language Guide

Ads

Sign up for My Newsletter Headlines Forum

Want to Study Abroad?admissions.apu.ac.jpEnglish Courses provided in Japan Up to 100% University Scholarship

3

Home Tuition KL/Selangorwww.HomeTuition99.comTuition Teacher for UPSR, PMR, SPM, O/A-Level from RM300 per month! 21st Century Educationsmartconnectedcommunities.orgLearn how communities use online virtual learning Advertisement Related Searches japanese educational system high school graduates cherry blossom high school drop out rate school japan world war ii Explore Japanese Language Must Reads Free Japanese Lessons Learn to Speak Japanese

Japanese Audio Files Japanese Tattoos Japanese Writing for Beginners

Most Popular Simple Japanese Phrases I love you in Japanese

Greetings for Special Occasion Greetings and Daily Expression How to use ~san, ~kun and ~chan in Japanese

See More About: japanese education By Category Japanese Writing Free Japanese Lessons

Japanese Grammar/Expressions Japanese Vocabulary Japanese Pronunciation Japanese Dictionaries Japanese Translations Japanese Names
4

Japanese Quizzes Japanese Calligraphy Japanese Culture Jobs in Japan Displaying Characters Japanese Proficiency Tests Fun with Japanese

Source: http://japanese.about.com/od/japaneselessons/a/061000.htm