School education in Japan. Higher education system in Japan

The educational process for Japanese children begins from the moment they enter kindergarten and smoothly and continuously flows from one stage to another. The peculiarities of school education in Japan lie, firstly, in the unusual start date for the school year in Japanese schools.

For Japanese children, school starts in April. This is associated with the beginning of cherry blossoms. And why not, when the nature around us is renewed, perhaps the mood for learning in children should be higher.

The beginning of the school year, which by our standards comes at the end of the school year (pardon the pun), is unusual for us. In Russia, the school year begins on September 1; in almost all of Europe, children begin school in September, in some countries no later than October. In America, the school year in each state also has its own date, but in general the educational process in schools begins from August to September.

But for Asia, the beginning of the school year in March-April is not surprising (in Korea, the school year begins in March); in India, children generally begin to study in the summer - June 1. In the summer we want to relax, swim, sunbathe - but they always have summer. (I’m not being serious, of course, each country has its own reasons and arguments why, something is happening at this particular time, I haven’t studied this issue).

Let's return to Japan: there are three trimesters in the academic year and the first lasts from April to July 20, then the longest summer holidays are provided and the second stage of education begins on September 1, then winter holidays from December 26 to January 6 and the last trimester begins on January 7 , which ends on March 25 and with it the academic year ends. In a week, students will start classes again, but will be one grade older.

As we can see, the holidays for Russian children are much longer. But Japanese children do not stop studying during short holidays, as they are given homework, and some of them continue their studies in special schools and courses. Both parents and schoolchildren themselves know that studying at school will not provide them with a sufficient level of knowledge, thanks to which they will be able to enter a state university in the future.

Therefore, the vast majority of students attend private schools in parallel with their studies at school ( juku) and preparatory schools ( yobikoo). This training takes place after school and it is typical for Japan that at 9 pm the streets and public transport are filled with students with backpacks who, after finishing juku are returning home.

Children also attend additional educational institutions on Sunday, despite the fact that Saturday is considered a school day for them. Such intensive learning, which is of a mass nature, is another feature of school education in Japan.

Schools provide textbooks to students free of charge. All schools operate according to uniform programs approved by the Ministry of Education of Japan, but elite schools have the right to change and adjust them at their discretion, while slightly changing the number of hours or introducing additional subjects.

It is also considered a feature of school education in Japan that despite the fact that all schools operate according to uniform programs, there are nevertheless no uniform textbooks in Japan, especially in subjects related to history, geography, literature, etc. Since these issues are studied taking into account the region of residence of the students. That is, the school studies in depth its region, its nature, climate, the history of the region’s development, and famous people who lived in this area.

In state (public) schools, the class size is quite high, up to 40 people. The class is usually divided into groups of 4-6 people, each of which has its own leader. They go to school in groups, they communicate in groups outside of class, the child is never alone, he is always in society. The school continues to actively socialize students.

Schools are usually located close to where students live. The school has its own uniform; in primary school uniforms are not required, but from secondary school seifuku(school uniform) is required. And traditionally, military-style uniforms are provided for boys, and sailor suits for girls.

As mentioned, a complete education is not necessary for a Japanese schoolchild; it is enough to graduate from high school, but nevertheless, more than 95% of children continue their education in high school. And another feature of school education in Japan is that the percentage of public schools implementing high school programs is reduced from 99% to 75.7%; public schools are being replaced by private schools, the percentage of which increases to 24.

Just like our mothers do with their children at home, but much more intensively and actively, the mother takes part in the school life of her child, often visiting it. It should be borne in mind that, as a rule, he does not work or works part-time. For his part, the Japanese child (student) is quite disciplined and practically never misses classes. The percentage of children's attendance at classes is 99.98%. Which seems fantastic.

There is probably a secret to such high attendance. I don’t know how it is at school, but I can tell you how they motivate a student to attend classes: despite the fact that a lot of money is paid for training, if a student is sick, he is allowed not to come to classes, BUT in order to then receive a certificate of completion educational institution, the student needs to make up the missed classes, that is, to study additionally with the teacher, but for an additional fee and for one day of absence he had to pay additionally with our money - 6,000 rubles. After that, you’ll think about whether it’s worth getting sick or whether it’s better to go to classes. It is clear that this is a different situation, but the principle is that you can always find a stimulating beginning.

Which is supported by family, state and society.

Japan has a very special method of raising children.

Children under 5 years of age are treated like an emperor here., never punishing him or even raising his voice at him, after 5 and before 15 - like a slave, using almost cane discipline, and after 15 - as an equal.

In Japan, a 15-year-old teenager is a responsible adult who obeys the rules accepted in society and is responsible for himself, his family and the state as a whole.

There is strict subordination in Japanese families and society. The man is the unconditional head of the family, the mother raises the children and creates comfort in the house.

In Japan, elders are respected - both in age and in official position. The peculiarities of education in Japan are strict adherence to traditions and centuries-old way of life.

Attending kindergartens in Japan is not compulsory. Almost all preschool institutions here are private.

There are very few public kindergartens in Japan, and in order to get there, parents must provide the administration with very good reasons.

Mothers are mainly involved in raising children.

The mother never resists the will of the child; she can only warn him of danger. The mother influences the Japanese child indirectly: she can show that she is upset by his behavior or contrast his actions with the rules accepted in society.

Japan is a country of groups and communities: to be outside a certain circle of people, to remain isolated and alone is a tragedy for the Japanese.

In Japanese kindergartens (even private ones) there is always a modest, if not ascetic, atmosphere.

Children play, study, sleep and eat in the same room.

The groups here are small, 5-6 people each, and the composition of the children changes every six months.

Teachers in groups also change. This is necessary for the child’s development of communication skills with people.

The preschool education system in Japan is designed to make future team members out of little Japanese or corporations.

The education reform in Japan, which was carried out several decades ago, primarily affected preschool education and training.

Much attention began to focus on early childhood development. This happened thanks to the book of the Japanese teacher (and part-time founder of the Sony concern) Masaru Ibuki.

His work was called “After Three It’s Too Late,” and it argued for the need to develop the character and abilities of children from a very young age.

Schooling in Japan

Universities in Japan

Japanese universities also have their own hierarchy.

Several private Japanese universities occupy the highest level of prestige and popularity.

There are few of them, and among them are, for example, the following universities like Nihon, Waseda or Hokkaido Tokai University.

Graduates of these universities constitute the elite economy and politics of the country.

It is almost impossible to enter these universities without serious preparation and special recommendations.

A diploma from any of these universities provides a complete guarantee of successful employment, regardless of grades and sometimes even specialty.

A step below are several public universities that occupy the highest positions in Japanese university rankings. These include, for example, State Yokohama University or Tokyo Institute of Technology. The tuition fees at these universities are lower, but the competition is very high.

The tuition fee here is low and the competition is quite moderate.

The most “non-prestigious” are considered small private universities.

They are distinguished by high tuition fees and a diploma that is not highly valued when hiring.

The Japanese education system is one of the most well-structured and effective in Asia and throughout the world, and it is this system that ensures a high standard of living and economic growth in the country.

The basics of the Japanese school education program are determined by the standards approved by the Ministry of Education. Municipal authorities are responsible for financing, program implementation, and staffing of those school institutions that are located on their territory.

School in Japan is represented by three levels. This is elementary, middle, high school. Primary and middle school are compulsory levels of education; high school is optional, but over 90% of Japanese youth try to continue their studies in high school. Education in primary and secondary schools is free, but you have to pay for high school.

Little Japanese go to primary school from the age of six and continue their studies here until the 7th grade. Education in secondary school lasts from 7th to 9th grades. High school education lasts for 3 years, until the end of 12th grade.

Table clearly showing the education system in Japan

Features of Japanese schools

The uniqueness of Japanese schools is that the composition of the class changes annually, which allows students to develop communication skills and provides the opportunity to establish friendly relations with a large number of peers. Teachers in Japanese schools also change every year. Class sizes in Japanese schools are large, ranging from 30 to 40 students.

The academic year in Japanese schools begins on April 1, it consists of three trimesters, which are separated from each other by holidays. In spring and winter, schoolchildren rest for ten days; the summer vacation period is 40 days. The school week lasts from Monday to Friday, some schools have classes on Saturday, with schoolchildren resting every second Saturday.

Lessons in Japanese schools last for 50 minutes, for kids the lesson lasts 45 minutes, then there is a short break. The daily learning process for a Japanese schoolchild ends at 3 pm. In the elementary grades, Japanese language, social studies, science, mathematics, music, fine arts, physical education, and housekeeping are taught. Primary school students are not given homework and do not take exams.

Middle and high school education

Two years ago, English was introduced for compulsory education, it is taught from secondary school, only native speakers of the language are allowed to teach English. Secondary schools in Japan teach several more special subjects, their composition depends on the school itself.

Traditionally, the most difficult subjects in a Japanese school are the study of languages ​​- native and English. Students begin to be examined in high school. They take exams at the end of the trimester in all subjects; in the middle of the first and second trimester, exams are held in mathematics, natural science, social studies, Japanese, and English.

Japanese schoolchildren can eat lunch for an hour. There are no canteens in schools; hot lunches for children are prepared in a special sterile room, and here they are placed in individual boxes, which are brought to classes on carts.

School uniform

Each school chooses its own uniform, and it is mandatory to wear it. The uniform also includes a bright baseball cap, which is a kind of identification mark. Each school also has a uniform sports uniform.

The Japanese schoolchild is responsible for cleaning the school - there are no technical workers in the schools, the entire school territory is divided into areas, for the cleanliness of which a certain class is responsible. At the end of lessons, students clean their classroom and the school grounds assigned to them.

Education of foreign schoolchildren, schools for Russians

All foreign students living in Japan have the right to school education, which can be obtained in municipal schools. To do this, parents should contact the municipality, where they will be given information about which school their child can attend. To study at school, parents will only need to purchase notebooks for written calculations and other educational supplies for their child.

Japan is considered one of the most developed countries in the world. Indeed, it ranks third in terms of industrial production and GDP; life expectancy is highest here. Factories, clinics, resorts, as well as schools and universities in Japan are included in world rankings every year. Therefore, many people from the CIS would like to get an education in Japan. How the learning process works in this country, whether it is difficult to enter a Japanese university, and whether a foreigner can count on career growth after receiving an education in this country will be discussed further.

Japanese education system

As in most countries, education in Japan is divided into preschool, school and higher education. After graduating from university, you can continue your studies - enroll in graduate school and then doctoral studies. However, it is worth considering that in Japan, with a population of 127 million, there are only 2.8 million students, which is almost three times less than, for example, in Russia, where the population is 20 million more. Therefore, enrolling in a Japanese university requires enormous efforts and, of course, financial costs.

In order to “settle” in life in the future, children are accustomed to constant mental and physical labor from elementary school. Starting in the 4th grade (upon reaching the age of 10), schoolchildren in Japan take exams, since students are not automatically promoted from class to class. Therefore, in order to successfully move up the school “career” ladder, children try to regularly attend additional education centers - the so-called juku. Many schoolchildren and students are also undergoing distance learning.

Preschool education: nursery and kindergarten

Preschool education in Japan is not compulsory until the age of three. Kindergartens, mostly private, are divided into so-called authorized ones, which meet the highest educational standards, and unsanctioned ones. In the first, oddly enough, tuition fees are lower, since they are actively supported by the state and local authorities, so the queues are huge.

Depending on the age of the child, preschool institutions are divided into two types: hoikuen (nursery) - for children from 10 months to three years old and yochien (kindergarten) - for children from three to six years old. To send a child to hoikuen, parents must submit documents indicating that they cannot study with the child at home. This could be a certificate from the place of work or confirmation of a serious illness of the father or mother.

Yochien is a mandatory stage in a child’s education, which is why some kindergartens are created at schools and even universities.

Japanese children are “decided” on their future profession from an early age. Therefore, if potential migrants are interested, for example, in teaching children to draw in Japan, they should try to enroll their child in an elite kindergarten with a creative program. To enroll in such a yochien, children will have to pass mini-exams, and parents will have to generously pay for tuition (a regular kindergarten will cost $100-300, and an elite one will cost $1,500 per month, not counting fees for excursions).

School education

The school education system in Japan involves dividing the learning process into three stages. This division is common for immigrants from the CIS countries. Japanese children from 6-7 to 17-18 years old must attend three “schools”:

• primary;
• average;
• senior (formally attendance is not required, but after high school only 6% of students leave).

The general education program is designed for 12 years. How many grades in school a student has to complete depends on his own decision. For example, if a teenager decides not to enroll in high school and continue his studies in college, he only needs to complete 9 grades (that is, study 6 years in elementary school and 3 years in high school). Therefore, it is not difficult to calculate at what age Japanese schoolchildren graduate from school: if they completed 12 grades, then at 17 or 18 years old. Those students who went to local colleges or schools will already receive a diploma by age 18.

Speaking about how schools are organized in Japan, it should be noted that the school year here is divided into trimesters and begins on April 1, which is difficult for migrants to get used to. Another “strange thing”: every year the child’s classmates and teachers change. The Japanese believe that constant “shuffling” within groups helps schoolchildren to socialize and better find a common language with new people. But the holidays will not be something unusual for residents of the CIS - children here rest in winter, spring and, most of all, in summer, and study from Monday to Friday (in some schools, including Saturday).

Junior or primary school in Japan

Primary, or junior school, introduces children to basic disciplines. The list of required subjects for all subjects is as follows:

• Japanese language;
• calligraphy;
• mathematics;
• music;
• World Art;
• physical training;
• work.

Children with disabilities can receive inclusive education in primary school, that is, master the program together with physically healthy students. If desired, parents can send their special child to a specialized institution. In such educational institutions, schoolchildren can study anything - from secular ethics to the general theory of health.

The cost of such training will be approximately the same as in any private school - about $3,500 per year, not counting the entrance fee (up to $1,800) and expenses for excursions and textbooks.

High school in Japan

Secondary school - from 7th to 9th grade - is available to those who have successfully passed the final exams. This does not mean that a student who fails to score the minimum required number of points will be expelled from school after the 7th or 8th grade - in most cases, he will simply have to change his educational institution to a less prestigious one. This means that you will have to adapt to the new program, which each school in Japan chooses independently.

In high school, new humanities and sciences are added to study, as well as mastering a musical instrument. It is no coincidence that many children at this time begin to be interested in music school; Yamaha schools are especially popular. Local tutors train not only musicians, but also actors, however, it is expensive - about $53 for one lesson in a prestigious institution.

Also in secondary school, work with gifted children begins in earnest. For children 13-15 years old, there are many hobby groups or clubs (bukatsu), the cost of classes on average is $30 per month. Most popular destinations:

• sports (especially martial arts and baseball);
• programming;
• movie;
• photo;
• ikebana (the art of arranging bouquets).

High school in Japan

Speaking about the age at which people enter high school in Japan, let us remember: this happens mainly at the age of 14-15. By this time, schoolchildren have time to pass several exams, make friends in interest clubs and, of course, decide on their future profession. Based on the list of favorite subjects, teenagers will have to choose a specialization - the humanities or natural sciences, as well as additional subjects that will be needed to study for admission to university. Such disciplines may be:

• economics (in-depth study);
• agronomy;
• medicine;
• foreign language.

As already noted, about 6% of Japanese go to college after graduating from high school. The professions that can be obtained in these educational institutions are well known to residents of the CIS: hairdresser, cook, electrician, etc. The average cost of college is $7,000 per year, and the most expensive is to study to become a culinary specialist.

School at the Russian Embassy in Japan

Russian-speaking migrants from the CIS countries, who fear that their children will not cope with the increased workload in a Japanese school, may be interested in how the Russian school at the embassy in Japan works. There is an opinion that only children of embassy workers can be admitted to this institution, but this is not entirely true. This school can be accessed by appointment. However, the cost of training here is quite high, but renting housing will cost even more. Since the school is located in a prestigious area of ​​Tokyo, you can rent an apartment here for no less than $1,300 per month.

There is another way for a Russian-speaking child to receive an education in Japan: exchange education for schoolchildren is available to residents of the CIS. Teenagers aged 15-18 years can take part in such programs. The duration of the program is 12 months, the cost of participation is $9,100. The school at the Russian Embassy is also involved in organizing training and finding families for accommodation.

Getting higher education

With 94% of students planning to attend college, it appears that compulsory higher education exists in Japan. This is not actually true, but it is very close to the truth. There are a huge number of universities in the country - 728, and the competition in the most prestigious of them is prohibitive - from 20 to 200 people per place.

Education in Japan for foreigners is available on a competitive basis. In addition, a potential student must take preparatory courses in order to receive a qualifying diploma of knowledge of the Japanese language. The document must be certified by the All Japan Teachers Association and approved by the Ministry of Education.

However, it is worth going abroad for courses not only to “pull up” your language, but also to learn the specifics of studying at universities in Japan. The fact is that there are no mandatory lectures or seminars to attend - the student only has to earn 125-150 so-called credit units, and passing one test or exam is equivalent to 1-2 units. Thus, during 4-6 years of study, a student must choose subjects that interest him and master them. Cheating on exams is strictly prohibited - for this, the student will lose all credits and be expelled from the university, and the money spent will not be reimbursed.

Education for migrants from the CIS

In most universities, teaching is conducted in . So if you are interested, for example, in training for Kazakhstanis, you should not expect that abroad you will be able to speak your native language. Japan is an extremely closed country, and there are very few people from the CIS there (no more than 40,000 people in the entire country).

Studying for Ukrainians in Japan involves the following algorithm: first you improve your language, complete preparatory courses, and only then apply to a university. These rules are relevant for both future bachelors and graduate students.

Defense of a diploma/dissertation in any European language is permitted in exceptional cases.

However, in some cases it is still possible to get an education in Japan in English. This mainly happens in branches of US universities located in Japan (for example, Sophia University). In addition, at some universities you can take an entrance interview in English, but the training will be in Japanese.

How to enter a Japanese university

The first thing you need to do before enrolling is to save up a sufficient amount of money, since it will not be possible to recoup the costs of training while working and studying at the same time. There are very few options for going to study in Japan for free: no more than 200 people a year win grants for budget places, and there are over 2.8 million students here (and only local ones, i.e. Japanese citizens).

In addition, as already mentioned, you need to take preparatory courses lasting at least two semesters, preferably in Japan itself, and then start preparing documents.

Try to immediately decide whether you intend to continue your studies in a master’s program, since there are practically no opportunities to move from one university to another after admission. Also, get proof that you have completed at least 12 years of education in your home country (for CIS residents this is usually school plus the first year of university), and feel free to submit your documents!

If you are over 18 years old and have no problems with obtaining a visa (criminal records, dangerous diseases, etc.), you will be allowed to take exams common to all foreigners, namely:

• general education exam in the humanities or natural sciences;
• Japanese language test;
• entrance internal exams;
• interview.

Applying for a study visa

Grants and scholarships for foreigners

Successful students from the CIS countries can receive scholarships and grants to study in Japan. True, only 20% of future bachelors manage to take advantage of such programs - they receive up to $360 per month. Graduate students can earn more - up to $800 per month, but even this amount will not cover half of the costs of training, including indirect ones.

True, pleasant bonuses for successful students are not always expressed in monetary terms. Many colleges and universities offer guaranteed employment for graduates in Japan. Considering that in the state it is customary to get a job once and for all by concluding a lifelong contract, this is a very valuable bonus.

Pros and cons of studying in Japan

Each phenomenon has its own advantages and disadvantages. To sum it up, we can say that studying in Japan is very tempting. Despite all the difficulties, the applicant cannot but rejoice that:

• Japan has the highest quality of education - it was in this country that many Nobel laureates studied, mainly in chemistry and physics;
• a Japanese diploma will open the doors of almost any large international company to the graduate;
• e-learning in Japan is accessible even to people with disabilities;
• Japanese authorities annually allocate about $130 billion for scientific research, so initiatives will not go unnoticed.

However, for those who are not ready for physical and emotional overload, studying in Japan will be very difficult. In addition, as mentioned above, obtaining an education requires significant financial expenses. Therefore, you should only move to Japan and enroll in a university if you want to join a family already living in this country or plan to build a career in major companies.

Immigration for students

Do you want to get an education at a Japanese university and thus gain a foothold in the country? This is difficult to do, but possible. To obtain permanent residence and eventually apply for citizenship, it is advisable to start looking for work while still a student. But remember: according to Japanese law, a person enrolled in a university has the right to work no more than four hours a day.

However, combining study and work in Japan is very difficult. So there is another way: after receiving a diploma or winning a certificate, you can immediately get a job as an intern at any company. It will be better if you are already a highly qualified specialist and have work experience.

Study in Japan. Study visa. Move to Japan forever: Video

And finally, the most interesting thing is the restriction of travel abroad for debtors. It is the status of the debtor that is easiest to “forget” when getting ready for your next vacation abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid housing and communal services receipts, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten to restrict travel abroad in 2018; we recommend finding out information about the presence of debt using the proven service nevylet.rf

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We are here in website understood why all Japanese are such brilliant and unique people. And all because, it turns out, they have an impossibly cool education system. See for yourself.

First manners - then knowledge

Japanese schoolchildren do not take exams until the 4th grade (when they are 10 years old), only writing short independent ones. It is believed that in the first three years of study, academic knowledge is not the most important thing. The emphasis is on education: children are taught respect for other people and animals, generosity, empathy, the search for truth, self-control and respect for nature.

The start of the school year is April 1

When children graduate in most countries, the Japanese celebrate theirs on September 1st. N The beginning of the year coincides with one of the most beautiful phenomena - cherry blossoms. This is how they tune in to a sublime and serious mood. The academic year consists of three trimesters: from April 1 to July 20, from September 1 to December 26 and from January 7 to March 25. Thus, the Japanese rest for 6 weeks during the summer holidays and 2 weeks each in winter and spring.

There are no cleaners in Japanese schools; the children clean the rooms themselves

Each class takes turns cleaning classrooms, hallways, and even toilets. This is how children learn to work in a team and help each other from an early age. Besides, after students have spent so much time and effort cleaning, they are unlikely to want to litter. This teaches them respect for their work, as well as the work of other people, and respect for the environment.

Schools prepare only standardized lunches, which children eat in class with other students.

In primary and secondary schools, special lunches are prepared for children, the menu of which is developed not only by chefs, but also by medical workers, so that the food is as healthy and nutritious as possible. All classmates have lunch with the teacher in the office. In such an informal setting, they communicate more and build friendly relationships.

Continuing education is extremely popular

Already in the elementary grades, children begin to attend private and preparatory schools in order to get into a good middle and then high school. Classes in such places are held in the evenings, and in Japan it is a very typical phenomenon that at 21.00 public transport is filled with children who are rushing home after extra lessons. They study even on Sundays and during holidays, given that the average school day lasts from 6 to 8 hours. It is not surprising that, according to statistics, there are almost no repeaters in Japan.

In addition to regular lessons, schoolchildren are taught the art of Japanese calligraphy and poetry

The principle of Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, is very simple: a bamboo brush is dipped in ink and characters are drawn on rice paper with smooth strokes. In Japan, shodo is valued no less than ordinary painting. And haiku is a national form of poetry that succinctly presents nature and man as a single whole. Both items reflect one of the principles of oriental aesthetics - the relationship between the simple and the elegant. Classes teach children to appreciate and respect their culture with its age-old traditions.

All schoolchildren must wear a uniform

From middle school onwards, every student is required to wear a uniform. Many schools have their own uniform, but traditionally it is military-style clothing for boys, and sailor suits for girls. PThe rule is intended to discipline students, since the clothes themselves create a working mood. Also, the same uniform helps to unite classmates.

The school attendance rate is 99.99%

It is difficult to imagine one person who has never skipped school in his life, but here is an entire nation. Also, Japanese schoolchildren are almost never late for classes. A 91% of schoolchildren always listen to the teacher. What other country can boast such statistics?