Japanese elementary school subjects Check out this post to learn 70 Japanese school vocabulary words you’ll need to navigate any school-related situation. Each school day features a different combination of classes (Japanese, mathematics, life studies, music, drawing & crafts, physical education and ethics). Nov 19, 2024 · The curriculum in Japanese primary schools is comprehensive and includes a variety of subjects aimed at developing well-rounded individuals. Jan 8, 2025 · The Japanese education system is organized into three main stages: Elementary Education (Shōgakkō) Covers grades 1 to 6 (ages 6-12). Examples Oct 13, 2022 · Social Studies (Shakai – 社会） Social studies is a popular subject taught in elementary schools in Japan, the classes begin from the 3rd grade. Want to learn Japanese words essential for describing school subjects? In this FREE JapanesePod101. These numbers represent the Japanese education: 6-3-3-4. (Japanese Studies includes simpler Japanese language development as well as learning about Japanese culture and traditions. Ongaku/Music Zuga Kosaku /Drawing and crafts Doutoku /Moral education Gakkyu Katsudo /Classroom activities Seikatsu /Life Studies <Grade 1 & 2> Shakai /Social Studies <Grade 3 to 6> Rika/Science <Grade 3 to 6> Sogoteki na Gakusyu no Jikan /Integrated Studies <Grade 3 to 6> Apr 1, 2024 · But, Japanese elementary school gates open around 8:00~8:15 and school activities begin at 8:30. 6 days ago · The Japanese school system is known for its high academic standards and rigorous curriculum. Apr 23, 2023 · Japanese school vocabulary can be useful for tourists, students, volunteers and many other visitors to Japan. Oct 21, 2022 · The Japanese school year usually consists of three terms (学期 gakki), and there are short spring and winter breaks or a long summer break between each school term. Math- さんすう, 算数 (Sansu) Science- りか, 理科 (Rika) / かがく, 科学 Subjects in Japanese - JAP082A School Adjectives Japanese - School Subjects in Japanese Y8 - Months in Japanese - Japanese words - Reading a-so Balloon Pop During junior high school, the student is typically between 12 and 15 years of age [3] The standard curriculum for junior high school students requires the students to learn subjects such as Japanese language, social studies, mathematics, science, a foreign language, music, fine arts, health and physical education, and extracurricular activities. This page lists the kanji taught to children at Japanese elementary schools. ), Home Economics, and English. 美味い (umai)… A tale of two Japanese “because” words:… The Japanese volitional form (~しよう、〜しましょう): much… The lower secondary school curriculum in Japan includes eight required subjects and many elective subjects. May 4, 2025 · Ages 6–12: Grades 1–6 Elementary School (Shōgakkō – 小学校): This marks the beginning of formal education, and attendance is mandatory. Compulsory subjects: The compulsory subjects to be studies in Japan are Japanese language and literature, math, social studies, science, arts, music, and handicrafts, moral education and homemaking. The compulsory subjects are continued in lower secondary school, with the addition of fine arts, foreign languages (English, French, German, etc. According to the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Japanese students consistently rank among the top in reading literacy, mathematical literacy, and scientific literacy. A typical Japanese primary school is between Grades 1 to Grades 6 and each classroom has about 30 to 40 students, studying different subjects like Japanese, Arithmetics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Crafts, Physical Education, English, and Home Economics (to learn simple cooking and sewing skills). Factoring in travel time, usually a full day trip is about 4 or 5 period days? years of elementary school were extended to a 3-year middle school. The curriculum is standardized nationwide and encompasses core subjects such as Japanese language (kokugo – 国語), mathematics (sansū – 算数), science (rika – 理科), physical education (taiiku – 体育), music (ongaku – 音楽), and Additionally, it highlights key aspects such as the school year schedule, subjects taught, extracurricular activities, and the overall educational philosophy. SCHOOL SUBJECTS IN JAPANESE. 教科書 [きょうかしょ kyou ka sho] = textbook . About the kanji links: Choose the site for kanji links at the kanji. Students in Japan take all the basic subjects similar to those around the world. May 11, 2025 · The Japanese educational system was reformed after World War II. [2] Teachers usually major in the subjects they teach. Oct 17, 2024 · Japan’s mandatory education system, known as gimu kyoiku, covers nine years, split into two stages: elementary school (shōgakkō) and lower secondary school (chūgakkō). com lesson, you learn Japanese and get bonus audio lessons. The basic school system in Japan is composed of elementary school (lasting six years), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and university (four years). 3 Kagaku also means "chemistry" – in this case the Kanji is 化学. The curricula of schools in Japan consist of two areas: “subjects” and “non-subjects. PISA tests further prove this. Compulsory education lasts for 9 years through elementary and junior high school. sljfaq. Other subjects such as moral education (doutoku), Feb 9, 2025 · A documentary film that records the daily lives of children at a Japanese public elementary school has lessons for both domestic and overseas audiences. Standardised Learning Japanese students put in a whopping 240 days a year at school , a whole 60 days more than their American counterparts. （2 ＜Elementary School Subjects＞ Kokugo /Japanese Sansu/Math Taiiku/P. The Class lessons are normally conducted in Japanese. Elementary School: This stage lasts for six years, starting at age 6. Nonacademic subjects taught include art (including Japanese calligraphy) and handicrafts, music, haiku or Japanese traditional poetry, homemaking, physical education, and moral education. After 5th or 6th period, there is also an after school meeting. Moral education and physical education are integral components. In elementary school, "science" is 理科/rika rather than kagaku. Japanese School Curriculum . The number of youngsters returning to Japanese elementary and secondary schools in 1982 was 9,600. 3 This Jul 4, 2018 · How the Japanese education system works. org options page. In most cases, classes are conducted using textbooks and worksheets and cover both geography and history, which are the major pillars of social studies. School trips almost always take place in the final year of the school, and pupils generally visit scenic sites far away from home and stay overnight. Scott (1843-1922), who had been invited to Japan for consultation and research into the actual conditions of Japanese elementary education. Elementary school, or “shougakkou,” is mandatory for children aged 6 to 12, covering grades one through six. The elementary school curriculum was extended to include eight subjects: Japanese, social studies, arithmetic, science, music, arts and handi- Among the teachers of this School was an American named Marion M. " In the early years, the emphasis is on experiences and activities in contact with nature, such as keeping animals and growing vegetables, with attention also paid to life at school and in the home. Some subjects, such as Japanese language and mathematics, are coordinated with the elementary curriculum. Overview of Japanese School System. This article focuses on the unique curriculum of Japanese elementary schools. I think that’s how it is with most Japanese, public elementary schools (middle school I’m not sure, though). [2] Children also take part in "special activities," scheduled time each week to take care of class business, plan for field trips and ceremonies, and similar Elementary School, Junior High and High School Curriculums “The elementary school curriculum includes the following subjects: Japanese language, social studies, arithmetic, science, life environmental studies, music, arts and crafts, physical education, and homemaking. The subjects are written in Kanji with the reading in Hiragana above to assist children who are learning Japanese. Japanese is offered in two distinct classes: Japanese for native Japanese speakers (Kokugo) or Japanese Studies for Non-Native children. Japanese subjects include Japanese language, social studies, mathematics, science, music, arts, health and physical education, as well as different classes such as domestic and industrial work, moral education and citizenship. Dec 27, 2024 · Number of school hours spent on each subject in a Japanese Elementary School Below is the number of class hours that must be dedicated to each subject throughout the year according to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology . Financial Assistance Financial assistance can be received from the board of education of cities, towns or villages for school supplies and school lunches, if it is determined that there is a need for this. The following subjects are taught in junior high schools: Japanese, Social Mar 17, 2025 · Japanese elementary school education is highly regarded not only for academic excellence but also for fostering students' cooperation and social skills. School Subjects ① Elementary and Junior High Schools In elementary school, students study the subjects Japanese (kokugo), social studies (shakai), arithmetic (sansuu), science (rika), life studies (seikatsu), music (ongaku), drawing and crafts (zuga kousaku), home economics (katei) and May 18, 2020 · 1 I use the term coursebook to describe unregulated books available on the open market, equivalent to modern-day fukudokuhon; and textbooks to refer (historically) to mandated books and (currently) to books approved by the Ministry of Education to form a limited range of options for mandatory usage, both called kyōkasho. 2 The school of 700 students has had foreign students since 1994, and in 1999 the school had six students from Peru, one student from Brazil, and one student from China. Aug 21, 2024 · In Japan, compulsory education spans nine years, covering elementary and lower secondary education: Elementary Schools (小学校 Shogakko): Elementary education begins at age 6 and lasts for six years. English - 英語, Japanese - 国語, calligraphy - 書写, social studies - 社会, math - 算数, science - 理科, music - 音楽, arts and crafts - 図工, home Mar 11, 2015 · What makes Japanese school system so unique? Japanese state education system is a national pride in this country, with a traditional approach that has helped Japanese pupils easily outperform their counterparts all around the world. Elementary School: Building a Strong Foundation Ages and Duration. It’s also handy for watching TV shows. 2 In elementary school, "math" is 算数/sansuu ("arithmetic") rather than suugaku. *During Life and Environment classes, various topics will be discussed and decided on. Ume Elementary School in Marugame was designated as an Associated School for Research on the Education of Foreign Students for the 1998-9 and 1999-2000 school years. During these six years, children learn and develop a lot, both physically and mentally. Mar 27, 2017 · Japanese slang word: yabai (やばい）- when things get dangerous; Japanese Particle combination では (de wa) and じゃ (ja) Japanese word nuances: 美味しい (oishii) vs. The curriculum includes essential subjects such as: Japanese language; Arithmetic and mathematics; Science This matching game, complete with English and Japanese cards and lovely illustrations is a great resource to support learning in both Japanese and English. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In Japan, education is compulsory for children from the age of 6 to 15, which includes six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. Others, such as foreign-language study, begin at this level, though from April 2011, English became a compulsory part of the elementary school curriculum 教科 [きょうか kyou ka]／科目 [かもく ka moku] = subject. It will be interesting for Japanese Elementary School （1）Class Schedule *In elementary school, there may be times when Saturday classes are held. Below is the basic Japanese school system; Elementary school: 6 years (age 7 to 12) [Compulsory Education] Junior high school : 3 years (age 13 to 15) [Compulsory Education] There are nine subjects in elementary school; ‘Japanese language’, ‘social studies’, ‘arithmetic’, ‘science’, ‘life skils’, ‘music’, ‘drawing and handcrafts’, ‘home economies’ and ‘physical education. The gimukyoiku 義務教育 (compulsory education) time period is 9 6 days ago · The Japanese school system is known for its high academic standards and rigorous curriculum. Sep 24, 2024 · Most of these institutions are overseen by the local government and cater to children from kindergarten to senior high school. “The Making of a Japanese,” directed by A significant part of the school calendar is taken up by non-academic events such as sports days and school trips. These basic subjects are math, science, Japanese, Physical Education (P. 理科 [りか ri ka] = science The basic school system in Japan is composed of elementary school (lasting six years), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and university (four years). Oct 11, 2021 · A Guide to the Japanese School System. School Subjects In elementary school, students study Japanese (kokugo), social Survival Japanese is for people who are interested in communicating in Japanese but have no knowledge of the language. A 3-year high school was added. . These compulsory subjects go on in lower secondary school as well, along with a few more subjects such as fine arts, foreign languages and a larger - Subjects; The subjects to be taught in elementary school in Japan are stipulated in the School Education Law. In addition to the school buildings, most elementary schools have a playground, gymnasium, 1 In Japan, "Japanese" as a school subject is known as 国語/Kokugo ("national language") rather than Nihongo. Focuses on foundational subjects like mathematics, Japanese language, science, and social studies. 小学校 [しょうがっこう shou gakkou] = elementary school (6 years) 国語 [こくご koku go] = Japanese. Programming was added to the lower secondary curriculum in 2012. ), and a greater array of electives. Each class is assigned a homeroom teacher who doubles as counselor. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects, including Japanese language, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education. Yokohama Elementary School has taken steps to link the two by combining them in the general subject "Life Skills. In Foreign Language Activities, English is usually taught. ” For example, in elementary schools, according to the Courses of Study revised in 2008, there are nine subjects: “Japanese language,” “social studies,” “arithmetic,” “science,” “lifestyles,” “music,” “drawing and handcrafts engage parents in the competition. *Note: I didn’t put cafeteria in this list because in my elementary school, we generally eat in the classroom. Kindergartens remained private and were not incorporated into the public school system. ’ ‘Life skills’ is taught only in the first and second grades, while ‘science’ and ‘social studies Japan added computer programming as a compulsory subject in primary school in 2020. In this article, we are going to see a list of school subjects in Japanese. E. But really, there are a few things to understand about the Japanese school system. A typical elementary school day consists of 6-period days. 8% of students go on to high school. Examples The following subjects are taught in elementary schools: Japanese, Social Studies, Arithmetic, Science, Practical Studies, Music, Arts & Crafts, Home Economics, and Physical Education (PE). A four page PDF explaining the Japanese education system from elementary school to cram school. The kanji in the list are given in tables by grade. Shōgakkō (小学, Elementary school) from 6 to 12. 算数 [さんすう san suu] = elementary math. 1 In Japan, "Japanese" as a school subject is known as 国語/Kokugo ("national language") rather than Nihongo. The school day for first graders ends at around 13:30. A word quiz and a find-a-word about Japanese school subjects We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Education is compulsory only for the nine years of elementary and middle school, but 98. 13. The required subjects comprise Japanese, social studies, mathematics, science, music, art, health and physical education, and industrial arts- homemaking; the electives are foreign language, agriculture, industry, business, fishery and pay the fee of school lunch and school supplies every month. Dimensions of school buildings and schoolyards for the elementary schools are regulated by the minimum standards specified in regulations issued by MEXT. *Usually before the start of 1st period, there is a morning meeting. Another thing that teachers need to do when planning excursions is to plan according to a normal school day, and the school subject it aligns with. School is typically divided into five cycles: Yōchien (幼稚園, Nursery school) from 3 to 6 years old. Unlike elementary students, junior high school students have different teachers for different subjects. Core subjects such as Japanese language, mathematics, science, and social studies are supplemented by physical education, arts education, and moral education. Jul 13, 2024 · In Japan, school starts in April. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 attend elementary school. That’s 6 years for elementary school, 3 for junior high school, 3 for high school, and 4 for university, totaling to 16 years of studying. Continuity in school and with one's group of classmates is considered important, especially when the examination preparation stages are reached beyond elementary school. The common school subjects taught at elementary schools in Japan are included. Junior High School (Chūgakkō) School Subjects In elementary school, pupils study Japanese (kokugo), social studies (shakai), arithmetic (sansuu), science (rika), life studies (seikatsu), music (ongaku), drawing and crafts (zuga kousaku), home economics (katei) and physical education (taiiku). Kōkō (高校, High school) from 15 to 18. ) Japanese culture and traditions are further highlighted in school assemblies and events. The Japanese school system is divided into several stages: Elementary School (Shougakkou): 6 years (ages 6–12) Junior High School (Chuugakkou): 3 years (ages 12–15) High School (Koukou): 3 years (ages 15–18) not compulsory University (Daigaku): Usually 4 years (ages 18+) All course contents are specified in the Course of Study for Lower-Secondary Schools. Chūgakkō (中学, Middle School) from 12 to 15. 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. Within each grade, the kanji are ordered by the number of strokes. The Japanese school system primarily consists of six-year elementary schools, three-year junior high schools and three-year high schools, followed by a two-or-three-year junior colleges or a four-year colleges. In the first and second grades, instruction is provided in Japanese language, arithmetic, life skills (seikatsu; a class that combines science and social studies), music, art (drawing and crafts), physical education, ethics (dotoku), and special activities (tokubetsu katsudo, such as May 12, 2025 · The Structure of the Japanese School System. Japanese school system consists of: 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of Seasonal festivals and celebrations, like cherry blossom viewing in spring, are celebrated, providing children with an early introduction to Japanese cultural practices. The Normal School compiled new regulations for the course of study for each of the two divisions of the elementary school. -dsdqhvh 6fkrro (quroophqw *xlgh iru 3duhqwv *xdugldqv 1lljdwd &lw\ %rdug ri (gxfdwlrq (ohphqwdu\ -xqlru +ljk 6fkrrov lq -dsdq 1rq -dsdqhvh fkloguhq duh zhofrph wr hquroo lq sxeolf hohphqwdu\ dqg mxqlru kljk vfkrrov li wkh\ Jan 2, 2024 · In Japanese elementary school, each period is 45 minutes, while in junior high and high school, each period is 50 minutes, with a small break between periods. This guide aims to help international families understand and navigate the Japanese public school system, ensuring a smooth and informed transition for their children. szhi rlmz cqf hojs cev oblvl zlbsvxo alkbib vqkphix lxoc