In an effort to develop individuals who will be active in global society, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan’s Headquarters for the Revitalization of Education has compiled a draft proposal which includes making it a prerequisite to score above a certain number of points in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam before being allowed to enter university.
The proposal states, “The development of human resources is essential for achieving the Abe Cabinet’s most important issue, economic revitalization. Moving away from egalitarianism, strategic human resource development aimed at strengthening top achievers will be undertaken.”
In order to develop globally-active individuals, the draft recommends a three-pronged approach: drastically reforming English language education; revamping science and math education with an aim to promoting innovation and a doubling of PhDs; and enhancing education for information and communication technology.
For the English language component, the draft recommends setting a minimum score for an English proficiency test, such as TOEFL, as a university entrance requirement. To help students achieve the required grade, the proposal suggests, among other things, that class sizes be decreased by increasing the number of English teachers, and financial support be expanded to reduce the cost of studying overseas.
Additional suggestions include assigning full-time science teachers to elementary schools, and providing all elementary, junior and senior high school students with tablet computers.
The Headquarters for the Revitalization of Education plans to finalize its proposal and submit it to Prime Minister Abe this week.
Source: NHK News Web
Title image: Keepcalm-o-matic
Are Japan’s efforts at internationalization succeeding or not?
Japan’s prime minister wants to make it illegal for parents to hit kids when disciplining them
Under 35 percent of middle school English teachers in Japan meet government proficiency benchmark
Tokyo University students rank the top 12 video games for cultivating smart kids
Work-in-progress Japanese AI program could probably get into 474 universities in the country
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Take the Aunt Stella’s all-you-can-stuff cookie bag challenge in Japan!【Photos】
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Over half of Japanese students in nationwide test score zero percent in English speaking section
What’s wrong with English education in Japan? Pull up a chair…
A vision of the future? We can’t take our eyes off Shimizu Corporation’s “Ocean Spiral” design
Nintendo to give Labo kits to U.S. elementary schools, but not Japanese schools. Why?
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Japan chooses to go to the moon
Japanese student protesters announce “WE WILL STOP!!!!” in English on Twitter, get clowned for it
The number of doctorate students in Japan is now almost half of what it was 17 years ago
LDP deems gay rights legislation ‘unnecessary’ according to multi-party survey
Nihon-no: Is an entirely English-speaking village coming to Tokyo?
16-year-old Japanese girls will no longer be allowed to marry, age of legal adulthood moves to 18
Draft bill proposal seeks to curtail unconventional “kirakira” kanji name readings in Japan
Learn English with Assassination Classroom
Japanese politicians want workers across country to have option for three-day weekends every week
Japanese high schools stop asking students to specify their gender on application forms
Leave a Reply