English Honors Program Overview
(Course INTER)
The Fujimigaoka English Honors Program (EHP) is a comprehensive, six-year curriculum for advanced level English learners and Returnee students. The focus of the program is to foster a deep knowledge and understanding of English. This is done by using English as a tool to critically explore a multitude of topics and issues. In addition, students in the EHP are continually using the FOUR SKILLS of English to keep their proficiency high and challenge themselves to improve so they are ready for acceptance to both national and international universities upon graduation.
*NOTE* - Students in the Advanced Language Arts (Returnee/INTER) courses also take Advanced course classes in both junior and senior high. Students admitted to Advanced courses (Eitoku B/Ad-B) are not necessarily also admitted to the Advanced Language Arts (Returnee/INTER) courses.
JUNIOR HIGH ENGLISH HONORS PROGRAM
21st CENTURY ISSUES
Grades 1~3
3 classes per week (2 in Grade 1)
This is a content-based course for Returnee students that allows them to use their English skills to explore topics and issues that are important to society today and in the future. Students watch a TED TALK presentation in each unit as a starting point for discussions so students can build critical-thinking skills as well as confidence in expressing opinions and using new topic vocabulary. At the end of each unit, students give presentations on a related topic, focusing on specific presentation skills.
Grades 1~3
3 classes per week (2 in Grade 1)
This is a content-based course for Returnee students that allows them to use their English skills to explore topics and issues that are important to society today and in the future. Students watch a TED TALK presentation in each unit as a starting point for discussions so students can build critical-thinking skills as well as confidence in expressing opinions and using new topic vocabulary. At the end of each unit, students give presentations on a related topic, focusing on specific presentation skills.
DISCOVERY THROUGH FICTION
Grades 1~3
2 classes each week (3 in Grade 1)
This is a reading and writing based course for Returnee students that requires students to examine short stories of various authors and analyze their writing styles. Authors’ works that are studied include Isaac Asimov, Shirley Jackson, O. Henry, Mark Twain, and Kate Chopin. Students share their opinions and also practice different kinds of academic writing in class to help them maintain their high level of English. In their third year in the program, students take Written Expression Seminar to help them master the skills that they have learned in their first two years and to prepare them for the senior high English Honors Program. This class is taught by Jessica Simpson who worked as a professional writer in America prior to coming to Japan.
Grades 1~3
2 classes each week (3 in Grade 1)
This is a reading and writing based course for Returnee students that requires students to examine short stories of various authors and analyze their writing styles. Authors’ works that are studied include Isaac Asimov, Shirley Jackson, O. Henry, Mark Twain, and Kate Chopin. Students share their opinions and also practice different kinds of academic writing in class to help them maintain their high level of English. In their third year in the program, students take Written Expression Seminar to help them master the skills that they have learned in their first two years and to prepare them for the senior high English Honors Program. This class is taught by Jessica Simpson who worked as a professional writer in America prior to coming to Japan.
ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING
Grades 1~3
1 class each week
This class explores popular discussion topics in order to help students acquire new vocabulary, practice reading, writing, discussion, and formal presentation skills. The focus is on teaching students to explain Japan’s culture and issues in an international environment. Topics explored in this class include Society, Health, Education, Science, Technology, Art, and Culture.
Grades 1~3
1 class each week
This class explores popular discussion topics in order to help students acquire new vocabulary, practice reading, writing, discussion, and formal presentation skills. The focus is on teaching students to explain Japan’s culture and issues in an international environment. Topics explored in this class include Society, Health, Education, Science, Technology, Art, and Culture.
LITERATURE APPRECIATION
Jr. High 2 ~ Sr. High 2
1 class each week
This class is for both junior high and senior high students. The course focuses on reading for enjoyment and
sharing thoughts and feelings about what has been read. The class is designed to increase students’ fluency in
English while increasing retention of grammar and vocabulary through extensive reading for pleasure.
Jr. High 2 ~ Sr. High 2
1 class each week
This class is for both junior high and senior high students. The course focuses on reading for enjoyment and
sharing thoughts and feelings about what has been read. The class is designed to increase students’ fluency in
English while increasing retention of grammar and vocabulary through extensive reading for pleasure.
SENIOR HIGH ENGLISH HONORS PROGRAM
ADVANCED LANGUAGE ARTS –
Grades 1~3
3 classes each week
This course is a native level English Language Arts program that was created to provide Returnee students with a
continuation of their Language Arts education from overseas. The three year course focuses on classic literature
and social issues, in addition to improving overall communication and critical thinking skills.
Grades 1~3
3 classes each week
This course is a native level English Language Arts program that was created to provide Returnee students with a
continuation of their Language Arts education from overseas. The three year course focuses on classic literature
and social issues, in addition to improving overall communication and critical thinking skills.
ACADEMIC ENGLISH
IELTS/TOEFL
Grades 1~3
2-3 classes each week
This class prepares students for post-secondary life in their future university classes. The focus in Grade 1 starts with preparing students for improving their scores on standardized tests like the IELTS and TOEFL, and then focuses on essay writing and doing independent research on a variety of topics.
IELTS/TOEFL
Grades 1~3
2-3 classes each week
This class prepares students for post-secondary life in their future university classes. The focus in Grade 1 starts with preparing students for improving their scores on standardized tests like the IELTS and TOEFL, and then focuses on essay writing and doing independent research on a variety of topics.
ADVANCED ENGLISH EXPRESSION
Grades 1~3
2 classes each week
The Advanced English Expression program at Fujimigaoka is fully integrated with IT and the internet in order to prepare students for the changing world of international communication. Students use an Oxford University E-Textbook and online resources to help students become accustomed to using English not only in traditional ways, but also for expressing themselves in the digital world.
Grades 1~3
2 classes each week
The Advanced English Expression program at Fujimigaoka is fully integrated with IT and the internet in order to prepare students for the changing world of international communication. Students use an Oxford University E-Textbook and online resources to help students become accustomed to using English not only in traditional ways, but also for expressing themselves in the digital world.
LITERATURE APPRECIATION
Jr. High 2 ~ Sr. High 2
1 class each week
This class is for both junior high and senior high students. The course focuses on reading for enjoyment and
sharing thoughts and feelings about what has been read. The class is designed to increase students’ fluency in
English while increasing retention of grammar and vocabulary through extensive reading for pleasure.
Jr. High 2 ~ Sr. High 2
1 class each week
This class is for both junior high and senior high students. The course focuses on reading for enjoyment and
sharing thoughts and feelings about what has been read. The class is designed to increase students’ fluency in
English while increasing retention of grammar and vocabulary through extensive reading for pleasure.
CURRICULUM EXTRAS
* ALL classes in the EHP are taught by experienced native English teachers.
* Students in Jr. High Grade 3 & Sr. High Grade 1 take EXTENSIVE READING to naturally improve vocabulary knowledge, grammar, and reading fluency.
* ALL classes in the EHP are taught by experienced native English teachers.
* Students in Jr. High Grade 3 & Sr. High Grade 1 take EXTENSIVE READING to naturally improve vocabulary knowledge, grammar, and reading fluency.