THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606180119
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: 47 lines
``First, the school buildings are different. Since Japanese school buildings are three to four stories tall, it is hard for students to go to four stories of classrooms. We go up and down many stairs.''
Yasuko Tachibana
In Japan, all children between the ages of 6 and 15 are required to attend elementary and lower secondary schools or special schools for the handicapped. No tuition fees are charged in those schools, and textbooks are free.
Junior high, or middle school, in Japan means uniforms. At some schools, girls are required to wear sailor blouses, and boys must wear dark, close-buttoned jackets. Dress code rules include stipulations on the color of socks and shoes and the kind of school bag.
Students begin studying English at the junior high school level, but emphasis is on reading, writing and grammar rather than on listening and comprehending the spoken language.
At the same time, more complicated forms of mathematics are introduced, and the pace of classes becomes faster. Six, 50-minute classes are taught each day, which starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., much like American schools.
There are also several after-school activities and a private, ``juku'' or cram school available. After-school programs include extra lessons in English, math, piano, abacus, etc.
Almost 100 percent of junior high school students continue on to high school.
College-preparatory high schools are often private. Most students who attend them plan to go on to universities. ``Trial examinations,'' similar to American SAT's, are held several times throughout high school.
Studying for university entrance exams is described as grueling. Students or their families, most often, are required to pay their own entrance fees and tuition. One in three families meets expenses by taking out loans.
English is increasing throughout Japan as a major emphasis in the public educational system. Students are introduced to English in junior high, and it continues as a major course through high school.
When Tachibana returns to Japan, she will be eligible to teach in an after-school English program.
- Linda McNatt MEMO: [For a related story, see page 6 of The Citizen for this date.] by CNB