The Junior High School of Gyosei International School has four courses of study:
The International Course for students who have or will study abroad or who wish to enter Japanese universities using their advanced language skills, the Accelerated Learning Course and the Japanese University Track Course.
The International Course
The International Course at Gyosei provides students with a fully bilingual education. Students study in both English and Japanese, and learn how to live and work in both languages. The International Course is open to any student with a strong desire to learn and communicate in English. Staff at the International Course work hard to make sure students with native-level English and students coming from more traditional Japanese schools are given a chance to develop and improve their English ability and their intellectual skills.
For returnee students and others with very high or native-level English proficiency, the International Program provides an opportunity to further develop both their English without neglecting their Japanese language skills. For Japanese students who have studied abroad for a few years, or who have studied English intensively at a juku or a special English program at their school, the International Program offers them the chance to transition from studying English to using English in a natural and fluent manner. For Japanese students from more traditional backgrounds, the International Program provides a truly intensive, immersive experience that can jump-start their ability to use English proficiently.
Faculty in the International Course are native speakers of English, from the United States, Canada, Australia and other English speaking countries. The English speaking staff members are well-qualified and experienced professionals, with a variety of teaching credentials, advanced academic degrees, and teaching experience. All homeroom teachers in the International Course are native English-speakers. As much as possible, all interaction with the students is in English. Extra support and guidance by the Japanese staff is provided in High School 2 and 3 to students interested in studying at a Japanese university.
Curriculum Introduction
All English classes, and most content classes, are taught in English by native-speaking staff. At the Junior High level, students have 26-27 hours per week of instruction in English.
| Science | 5 | |
| Math | 5 | |
| 総合学習 | Reading & Writing | 5 |
| English | 6 | |
| Social Studies | 5 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 国語甲 | Japanese Literature | 3 |
| 国語乙 | Japanese Grammar | 2 |
| 音楽 | Music | 1 |
| 美術 | Art | 1 |
| 保健 | Health Education | 1 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 2 |
| 家庭科 | Home Economics | 1 |
| 技術 | Computer | 1 |
| 宗教 | Religion | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 13 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 27 | |
| Total | 40 | |
| Science | 5 | |
| Math | 5 | |
| 総合学習 | Reading & Writing | 5 |
| English | 6 | |
| Social Studies | 5 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 国語甲 | Japanese Literature | 3 |
| 国語乙 | Japanese Grammar | 2 |
| 音楽 | Music | 1 |
| 美術 | Art | 1 |
| 保健 | Health Education | 1 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 2 |
| 家庭科 | Home Economics | 1 |
| 技術 | Computer | 1 |
| 宗教 | Religion | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 13 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 27 | |
| Total | 40 | |
| Science | 5 | |
| Math | 5 | |
| 総合学習 | Reading & Writing | 5 |
| English | 6 | |
| Social Studies | 6 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 国語甲 | Japanese Literature | 3 |
| 国語乙 | Japanese Grammar | 2 |
| 音楽 | Music | 1 |
| 美術 | Art | 1 |
| 保健 | Health Education | 1 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 2 |
| 技術 | Computer | 1 |
| 宗教 | Religion | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 12 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 28 | |
| Total | 40 | |
All English-language content classes in the International Course are taught using American, Australian, or British textbooks. Our goal is to follow as closely as possible the standard curriculum for students in those countries, while keeping in mind that our students are not native English-speakers. While students in the International Course study different material than they would in a normal Japanese school, on average the same material is covered at a comparable level. Students in the International Course who have transferred to the regular program at Gyosei have had few difficulties getting used to the Japanese curriculum.
Native English Courses
The heart of the International Course is its Native English Program. The Native English Program gives motivated students with lower levels of English ability a chance to rapidly improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills. It also gives high-level students a chance to study in an environment like that of an English class in America or Canada. This is possible because the students are divided by ability into one of three levels.
Students are split into three levels according to their ability.
Junior High Level 1 - Eiken level 3 and below.
Junior High Level 2 - Eiken pre-2 and 2.
Junior High Level 3 - Eiken 2 and above, and native speakers.
Students are placed into a class after an evaluation by the International Course staff. This evaluation considers the student's ability, motivation, and fluency. At the end of a term, a student may move up to a higher level if they are ready.
Junior High English
At the Junior High level, students spend 5 hours in English Grammar, and 5 hours in English Reading and Writing. In Grammar Level 1 and 2 students focus on building their knowledge of basic and intermediate English grammar, and have a chance to practice the use of these grammar points while developing their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Vocabulary is also heavily emphasized. Students are expected to learn and remember a mix of 40 old and new words every week. Grammar Level 3 is customized to the needs of the students with the highest English ability in the Junior High course, many of them returnee students. Advanced vocabulary and its proper usage, essay form and structure, and newspaper writing are just some of the topics covered.
In the Reading and Writing classes, students are challenged with a variety of fiction and non-fiction readings chosen by their instructor. The goal is to challenge students with progressively longer and more difficult readings. Comprehension is constantly tested and evaluated by the instructor with questions and activities in English.
Content Courses
In addition to English, the International Course also has Math, Science, and Social Studies classes taught in English, using international textbooks, by native English-speakers. Content courses provide students with a chance to use their English in a variety of different settings, and to build their vocabulary by studying domain-specific vocabulary. At the Junior High level, an effort is made to introduce new vocabulary in content classes, and to review the use of that vocabulary in the Grammar classes.
Mathematics classes are taught in English using Australian textbooks. The required classes from J1 through J3 cover and extend the content required by the Japanese Junior High school curriculum.
Science is also taught using Australian textbooks. All students in the Junior High School take classes in General Science from J1 to J3. Students cover the full range of scientific topics, including elements of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. Lab work and projects are an important part of the curriculum.
The social science curriculum in the International Course has a strong focus on Geography. As an international program, teaching an international curriculum, we feel that it is important for the students to build a solid base of knowledge about the world around them. At the Junior High level, the Social Studies course strongly emphasizes Human Geography, with a particular focus on developing awareness of world regions and cultures.
Accelerated Learning and Japanese University Track Courses
Comprehensive Language Education
Emphasis is placed on English，the global language, taught by both native speakers and Japanese English teachers. There are two to three times as many English lessons per week as there are in public schools. The English program provides comprehensive coverage of the basic 4 skills, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students learn how to use English grammar to speak and write naturally. Texts are chosen to provide continuity in the program for the six years of Junior and Senior High. There are streamed classes, α and β. Students from Gyosei Elementary School who have studied English for six years are placed in α class and continue their studies using American texts. Beginners learn the basics step by step in β class. Student’s progress through courses at a pace determined by their understanding and as they progress students from β class may transfer to α class. One of the aims of the α class is to pass English Proficiency Pre 1 by the end of J3.
Working Ahead
After covering the basics in Math and Japanese, students will progress through the curriculum at an accelerated pace as school starts at 7.30 am with 7 lessons Monday to Friday and 5 lessons on Saturdays. Math and Japanese students begin High School courses in J3.
Accelerated Learning/University Track Courses
Students move between courses depending on their progress. By analyzing each student’s work the school sets goals for and motivates students. Movement between the courses increases motivation to learn.
Monitoring Student Progress
As well as in school exams, external exams are administered to monitor student progress. Goals are set for the English, Kanji and Math Proficiency Examinations.
Astra International Course
Striving for Excellence, Preparing people to shine on the World Stage.
The world around us, technical advances, changing attitudes to time and distance and peoples’ values are changing daily at an increasing rate. As many ways of thinking and doing things no longer hold so we too have to change our ideas on a daily basis.
At the same time, while times change, there are some things about being people that should not change. In the midst of rapid change, we need to look closely at ourselves and ensure we do not lose sight of things that are important. We need a strong sense of values and the ability to deal calmly with changing situations.
The aim of Astra International Course is to foster people who can deal flexibly with the changing times and environments, strong willed individuals who can choose and then proceed along the correct path.
In the world today both in Japan and overseas, situations in which people need to communicate with people from other countries are increasing. Society needs people who can take the lead in these situations. The Astra International Course aims to produce people with a strong spirit and the language skills necessary to take on the challenge of building positive relationships with other people through soccer both in Japan and overseas.
The Astra International Course aims to educate people through soccer and language. Through the number one sport in the world, and the values of sport itself, a healthy body, a sense of purpose, challenge, competitive spirit, good manners, a spirit of cooperation, creativity, adaptability the course aims to guide and develop both mind and body. Academic study is also an important part of the course, a daily routine of high quality lessons means students will receive a comprehensive education in all subjects. There are 12 hours of English and 3 hours of French per week to develop the ability to speak another language. Lessons from native speakers in both French and and English provide a living language education. Living in a dormitory means students will be able to make the best use of their time for study and sport.
In order to fulfill the course aims a high quality coaching and training staff including people with experience in soccer from around the world is provided.
