Unique Features
Vision of Secondary School
Through a 12-year integrated curriculum, Gunma Kokusai Academy will empower its students with skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to and provide leadership in an ever-advancing global community.
In junior high school, students will lay a solid foundation for high school learning. Students will be able to easily learn abstract and academic content in English because of the many hands-on activities and experiences gained from elementary school.
In high school, students will deepen their knowledge in fields where they can realize their full potential based on individual interests and aptitudes. In addition, students will study advanced content in either a course targeted for entrance into a Japanese university or a course targeted for entrance into a foreign university in accordance with their future goals.
In a bilingual and multicultural environment, students will develop critical thinking skills through the use of English and will be nurtured into real international citizens; unbiased by race, nationality or view of the world.
6-year Plan for Secondary School
Secondary School Classes & Courses
Junior High School
In principle, subjects except Japanese, social studies, and technology/ home economics should be taught in English. However, terminology and math and science exercises should be taught in Japanese. Social studies should be taught partly in English. The ratio of lessons taught in English is about 60%.
The number of Japanese, math, science, social studies, and English classes is one hour more than the standard number and will make a solid foundation of high school. Furthermore, through activities such as research, report, presentation, and debate, critical thinking skills, expression, and communication should be improved.
Senior High School
Senior High School (Japanese University Course)
In the Center Exam, English, math, Japanese, science and social studies are tested for National university entrance. The science course requires two areas of science and the humanity course requires two areas of social studies. Since the format of the Center Exam doesn’t vary, lessons to obtain the best result based on that format are vital in order to obtain a high score. Thus, lessons need to be taught in Japanese for efficiency.
University (Japanese University Course)
- Specific departments in universities directly connect to related occupations(doctors, lawyers, etc)
- National universities
- Universities which allow admissions for students with high English abilities
Senior High School(Overseas University Course (IB Course))
In principle, subjects except Japanese should be taught in English. The ratio of lessons taught in English is as high as 85%.
University(Overseas University Course (IB Course))
Overseas colleges/universities have a wide range of programs, with differing levels. This ensures that the different needs of applicants who have various interests and different academic abilities can be catered to.
Students of GKA High School will be expected to have demonstrated high academic performance. Also they will be expected to have exhibited fluency in English. GKA students will apply to colleges/universities appropriate to their ability. Where the USA is concerned, they have the following four alternatives.
- Private colleges/universities
(In most cases, top-level colleges/universities in the USA are private.) - State colleges/universities
(They accept students with varying abilities, but they maintain certain academic criteria.) - Municipal colleges/universities
- Community colleges
(Transferring to four-year colleges/universities is also possible.)
Principal's Vision
Principal, Gunma Kokusai Academy Secondary School
Curriculum (J.H.) 2018〜
|
Subject |
Yearly Classes (Week) | Total | Language | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 7 | G 8 | G 9 | |||
| Japanese | 140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
420 | Japanese |
| Social Studies | 140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
420 | Japanese & English |
| Mathematics | 158 (4.5) |
158 (4.5) |
158 (4.5) |
473 | English & Japanese partially |
| Science | 140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
420 | English & Japanese partially |
| Music | 70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
210 | English |
| Fine Art | 53 (1.5) |
53 (1.5) |
53 (1.5) |
158 | English |
| Health & PE | 105 (3.0) |
105 (3.0) |
105 (3.0) |
315 | English |
| Tech. & Home | 70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
210 | Japanese & English partially |
| English | 140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
140 (4.0) |
420 | English |
| Morals | 35 (1.0) |
35 (1.0) |
35 (1.0) |
105 | Japanese |
| Homeroom | 35 (1.0) |
35 (1.0) |
35 (1.0) |
105 | English |
| Integrated Learning | 70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
70 (2.0) |
210 | English |
| TOTAL | 1,155 (33) |
1,155 (33) |
1,155 (33) |
3,465 (99) |
|
- Social Studies, Math and Science are taught in Japanese and English, 50% and 50% respectively.
Senior High School Curricula
The Senior High School Curricula is shown on the PDF file.
Please see the PDF below.
If you can’t open it, please download the Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader
IB Diploma Programme
On Oct 20, 2011 Gunma Kokusai Academy became an official IB World School authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme starting in April 2012. The school passed its first five-year evaluation in 2016. The full Diploma Programme is a broad-based 2-year course with a strong emphasis of encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding and critical thinking. The programme is very good preparation for Admissions Office entry into a large number of Japanese universities
and foreign universities.
The IB Programme at GKA aims to do the following things:
- promote critical thinking by focusing on problem solving and encouraging students to develop their own opinions.
- develop independence by requiring students choose and conduct their own research projects
- foster students’ academic curiosity by giving them choice over what they study.
- create well-rounded students by requiring students to study a range of subjects as well as extra-curricular activities through the CAS Programme.
- strengthen communication skills by requiring students to write and present their work in a variety of ways, in both English and Japanese.
All IB Diploma Programme students have to take three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three subjects at Standard Level (SL). At GKA, IB students either opt to specialize in the Humanities or the Sciences. The course options are listed below:
| Level | Humanities | Sciences | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Level |
Group 1 – Japanese A (Literature) or Japanese B |
Group 4 – Biology Or Physics | Level Higher |
| Group 2 – English B English A (Language and Literature) |
Group 4 – Chemistry |
||
| Group 3 – History or Geography | Group 5 – Mathematics | ||
| Level Standard |
Group 4 – Biology Or Chemistry | Group 1 – Japanese A (Language and Literature) | Level Standard |
| Group 5 – Mathematics or Mathematical Studies | Group 3 – History or Geography | ||
| Group 6 – Music Or Visual Arts | Group 2 – English A or English B |
Along with the six academic courses, students must complete the following core
components.
- Theory of Knowledge – students will learn about the complexity of knowledge.
- Extended Essay – a 4,000 word in-depth study researched and written by the student on a topic of their choice.
- Creativity Activity Service – students embark on different extra-curricular activities that develop their creativity, cause them to be active, and require them to serve others.
IB Diploma scores:
- students are given a score of 1-7 in each subject based on both internal and external assessments
- to achieve the full Diploma, students must complete the course earning a minimum of 24/45 points, including at least 9 points in their Standard Level subjects and 12 points in their Higher Level subjects.
- a ‘Good’ university will look for a student to achieve between 28 to 36 points.
Questions about IB
- What is the IB Diploma Programme?
- What are the IB courses to be offered at GKA?
- What is the Extended Essay?
- What is Theory of Knowledge?
- What is CAS?
- What are the CAS outcomes?
- How are IB students evaluated?
- Why should I pursue an IB diploma?
- Where is the IB diploma recognized?
- Recognition of the IB Diploma for admission to Japanese universities and colleges?
- Deadlines or Due Dates, are they firm?
- When do we & the universities get the grades/results?
- Will my son/daughter be accepted to a university?
- How do I attain recommendation letters from teachers?
- Can a student change his subjects or levels from HL to SL or vice versa?
- What happens during the summer break between Grade 11 & 12?
- Is there a penalty for incorrect answers on the multiple choice papers for group 4 subjects? Is a wrong answer scored the same as an omitted answer?
- Candidates often carry out practical work in groups. Is it acceptable for candidates in a group to produce identical work, or do they need to submit clearly different work?
TOEFL / TOEIC
About TOEFL
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an exam for your English proficiency and is conducted throughout the world. More than 9,000 institutions in 130 countries as well as almost all the universities in the U.S., the U.K, Australia, New Zealand and Canada implement this TOEFL exam as the means of verifying the applicants’ English ability, their admission to school, for their scholarships and grades.
TOEFL ITP：Institutional Test Program
The TOEFL ITP is typically used by organizations. The official certificate will not be issued, though, the score can be considered for admission by recommendation or the AO entrance examination. This is highly correlated with the public venue test with the full score of 677 points.
TOEFL ibt：Internet-based Test
An official test that can be only be taken place at a pre-determined venue. Each person will be provided with a computer for a speaking test. The full score is 120 points.
Why sit TOEFL ITP at GKA?
This exam aims to evaluate those whose mother tongue is not English and if their ability is up to the level of attending lectures at university and communicating others within the campus and the class. This exam is suitable for the GKA students who aim for the universities in overseas or those national universities where they can study in English.
How does it differ from TOEIC?
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) aims at evaluating ability in communicating with others about various things from daily stuff to business. Therefore, this is not suitable for evaluating communication skills required at universities. The full score is 990 points.
TOEIC Test Score results & analysis
November 11, 2011
Grade Average Score in 2011
| Grade | Number of Examinees (LR) |
Average Score | Number of Examinees (SW) |
Average Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Total | Speaking | Writing | |||
| G 7 | 97 | 346.4 | 188.4 | 534.8 | 0 | – | – |
| G 8 | 28 | 348.4 | 204.1 | 552.5 | 0 | – | – |
| G 9 | 20 | 346.8 | 225.3 | 572.0 | 19 | 92.6 | 127.9 |
| G 10 | 19 | 374.5 | 228.7 | 603.2 | 19 | 122.1 | 137.4 |
| Total | 164 | 350.1 | 200.2 | 550.3 | 38 | 107.4 | 132.6 |
Grade Average Score in 2010
| Grade | Number of Examinees (LR) |
Average Score | Number of Examinees (SW) |
Average Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Total | Speaking | Writing | |||
| G 7 | 33 | 292.7 | 159.7 | 452.4 | 0 | – | – |
| G 8 | 22 | 294.8 | 179.5 | 474.3 | 0 | – | – |
| G 9 | 34 | 363.7 | 218.1 | 581.8 | 33 | 120.3 | 121.8 |
| Total | 89 | 320.3 | 186.9 | 507.2 | 38 | 120.3 | 121.8 |
School Data (IP Test) in Japan
⟨ TOEIC L/R Average Score ⟩
Senior High Schools 398 ∗ English/International course 445
Colleges/Universities 444 ∗ English Major 510
Graduate Schools 513
(Listening 495 Reading 495 Full score 990)
⟨ SW Average Score ⟩
Colleges/Universities S:98.5 W:109.2
(Full Score: Speaking 200 Writing 200)
Business persons Data (IP Test)
⟨ TOEIC L/R Average Score ⟩
Trading company 598
Freight 449
New employees 485
Overseas 686
⟨ SW Average Score ⟩
Trading company S:127.2 W:133.8
Freight S:111.4 W:119.3
New employees S:138.0 W:130.5
Overseas S:128.4 W:146.4
〈TOEIC L/R〉
- The average scores of each grade is more than 530, which exceeds those of colleges/universities and graduate schools in Japan.
- Many companies in Japan set 600 points as the expected TOEIC points for their employees, which GKA’s Grade 10 students already exceeds.
〈SW〉
- In Writing section, the level of Grade 9 students is already higher than that of colleges/universities, though their level in Speaking section is slightly lower. (The levels of Grade 10 students are both higher than those of colleges/universities.)
- Japanese companies set Speaking Level 6(more than 130 points) and Writing Level 7(more than 140 points) as their target level. GKA’s Grade 10 students almost meet their levels.