The 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, the Japanese University Track Course and the Astra International Soccer 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 that 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.
Students in the International Course graduate from the Senior High school with a Japanese diploma. Those students who are interested in studying at a Japanese university have many options after graduation. Many of our students apply to international studies or English language programs at prestigious private universities such as Waseda, Keio, and Sophia, using the Admissions Office or the Returnee application procedures. The strong English language skills gained in the International Program also give graduates from the International Course a good chance at normal admission to a variety of other private schools.
Many students from the International Course have gone abroad for their higher education after completing the Senior High school. The bi-lingual education provided in the International Course is an excellent preparation for what can be a very difficult transition. Depending on their academic achievement and level of preparation, there are a variety of schools in the United States and other countries to which Gyosei graduates can apply with a reasonable chance of admission. These include language and culture schools which cater to international students, 2-year community colleges from which a student may transfer to a 4-year university, and a variety of different private and state 4-year universities. Some students who have chosen to study at a university in an English-speaking country have transferred to a Senior High school in an English-speaking country after completing the Junior High course. For those students, the International Course at Gyosei provided an invaluable bridge between Japanese education and the experience of studying in an English-speaking country. Other students have gone abroad as exchange students during their time in the Senior High course. As all staff members in the International Course are from English-speaking countries, they are able to give students advice about the colleges and universities in their home countries.
Curriculum Introduction
All English classes, and most content classes, are taught in English by native-speaking staff. At the Senior High level, students have 20-29 hours per week of instruction in English.
| Math 1 | 3 | |
| Math A | 2 | |
| Chemistry | 2 | |
| General Science B | 2 | |
| Biology 1 | 2 | |
| English I | 4 | |
| English Writing | 3 | |
| 総合学習 | General Studies | 1 |
| World History B | 5 | |
| Geography B | 4 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 国総現 | Japanese | 6 |
| 美術 | Home Economics | 1 |
| 保健 | Health Education | 1 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 2 |
| 情報 | Computer | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 11 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 29 | |
| Total | 40 | |
| World History B | 4 | |
| Math II / Geography B | 5 | |
| Biology 1 / Chemistry 1 | 4 | |
| English II | 4 | |
| English Writing | 3 | |
| 総合学習 | General Studies | 1 |
| Contemporary Society | 4 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 現代文 | Modern Japanese | 3 |
| 古典 | Classic Japanese | 4 |
| 美術 | Art | 1 |
| 保健 | Health Education | 1 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 2 |
| 家庭科 | Home Economics | 1 |
| 情報 | Computer | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 13 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 26 | |
| Total | 39 | |
| World History B | 5 | |
| Contemporary Society / Math Ext. | 5 | |
| English III | 4 | |
| English Writing | 3 | |
| 総合学習 | General Studies | 1 |
| SAT/TOEFl English Elective | 3 | |
| SAT Math Elective | 2 | |
| Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Chemistry Elective | 4 | |
| Long Homeroom | 1 | |
| 現代文 | Modern Japanese | 3 |
| 古典 | Classic Japanese | 3 |
| 体育 | Physical Education | 3 |
| 家庭科 | Art | 1 |
| Course hours taught in Japanese | 10 | |
| Course hours taught in English | 19 | |
| Total Required Hours | 29 | |
| Elective Hours | 13 | |
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 in 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.
Senior High Level 1 - Eiken level pre-2 and 2.
Senior High Level 2 - Eiken level 2 and pre-1.
Senior High Level 3 - Eiken level pre-1 and 1, 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.
Senior High English
At the Senior High level, students spend 4 hours in English (Reading), and 4 hours in Native English Writing. As in the middle school, students are sorted into these classes by their English ability. In Reading level 1, students focus on reading and understanding a variety of materials, with an emphasis on novels. Leveled readers, like the Macmillan series, provide the students with a chance to read interesting and well-known stories that have been simplified to a level that they can understand. Reading level 2 focuses more on reading and understanding newspaper articles and short essays, material similar to that which they will face on a variety of tests, including the Eiken, TOEFL, SAT, and college entrance examinations. Reading level 3 models an English class as it might be taught in America. Students read native-level materials, both fiction and non-fiction, and discuss these works at a high level.
The English writing focuses on improving students' ability to write clear and coherent English sentences, paragraphs, essays, and stories. In Level 1, students review English grammar and practice its use through diaries, response essays, and sample-sentence writing. In Level 2, students practice writing essays and topic reports, using newspaper articles and opinion pieces as models. At this level, the focus is less on grammar and more on usage and style. In Level 3, students continue to practice writing from models, but with a further focus on creative and expressive writing. At all three levels, the goal is to build student ability in and comfort with using written English to communicate in an effective manner.
Content Courses
In addition to English, the International Course also has Math, Science, Social Studies, Contemporary Society, Geography, and World History 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.
Mathematics classes are taught in English using Australian textbooks. The required H1 class covers and extends the content required by the High School curriculum for Math I and Math A. In H2 and H3, Mathematics is an elective subject catering to students who may wish to study Science, Math, or related subjects at University.
Science is also taught using Australian textbooks. All students in H1 take a class in General Science, and have introductory courses in Chemistry and Biology. In H2 and H3 courses in Chemistry and Biology prepare students for study at University.
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 High School level, students do three years of World History, one to two years of Geography, and one to two years of Contemporary Society.
Accelerated Learning/ University Track Courses
Language learning is an important part of the High School curriculum. While preserving their Japanese identity students become global citizens. Building on the foundations laid in the Elementary and Junior High Schools. The English program provides comprehensive coverage of the 4 skills, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students learn how to use English grammar to speak and write naturally from native speakers. Texts are chosen to provide continuity in the program for the six years of Junior and Senior High. English speakers and Japanese teachers work together, the aim is for students to pass English Proficiency 1 before graduation.
Teaching System
Students choose Literature or Science track courses aiming to enter prestigious Universities both Public and Private. School starts at 7.30 am and extra lessons to prepare for University Entrance Tests are available after normal school lessons. Teachers provide detailed guidance on University entrance.
Educational Goal
The goal is to train students to think for themselves. Whatever situation students find themselves in, in society, they need to be able to make their own decisions and be independent.
The Guidance System
- 1. To be able to do.
- Regardless of their year level when students don’t understand we return to the basics and re-teach. This is the fastest way for students to be able to do, students progress more smoothly as they gain confidence.
- 2. The Joy of Insight, The Joy of Understanding.
- Lessons are designed to meet the students’ level of understanding. Praising progress and encouraging students to progress using the enjoyment they feel from understanding.
- 3. From Extra lessons to University Entrance Exams.
- By building from the basics and reinforcing in extra lessons, students progress to the level required to pass entrance examinations.
Guidance for Entrance to Medical School
In the 30 year history of the school many graduates have become medical professionals. The school’s philosophy of Christian Values, consideration for and helping other people, and the value of Human Life have probably helped our graduates in these professions. The school system supports those who dream of a career in medicine. This support includes, extra lessons, cooperation from external organizations, and detailed advice to both students and their parents in order to enter medical school.
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.
