ENGLISH LEVELS

▪          Typically are not returnees, or have lived overseas but attended Japanese schools.

▪          Are at or near the beginning stage of English learning. Those who enter at grade 7 without having lived overseas are not expected to have studied English, although some students have attended language schools.

▪          Spend middle-school years developing skills that help them confidently interact with others in high school, as well as other English-speaking environments.

▪          Take courses that prepare them for Literature and Culture classes, Structure, and Mastery courses.

▪          Automatically placed in i-Level after successfully completing all s-Level courses in middle school.

i (Intermediate) Level Students

▪          Generally have lived overseas for one or two years, or have had exposure to English in Japan.

▪          Have an intermediate degree of fluency in all areas of English (listening, speaking, reading, writing).

▪          Can read longer texts and write structured responses, with sufficient grammatical accuracy.

▪          Can make oral presentations, can express and summarize their own ideas and those of others, and participate in discussions.

▪          Continue to develop their individual writing and speaking styles through original writing and speeches.

▪          Are usually more proficient readers and listeners than writers and speakers.

h (Higher) Level Students

▪          Generally have lived overseas for three or more years, or had a great deal of exposure to English in Japan.

▪          Have attained an advanced degree of fluency in all areas of English (listening, speaking, reading, writing).

▪          Write proficiently, expressing their ideas freely and communicating with fewer grammatical errors than i-Level students.

▪          Are strong near-native speakers, able to initiate and maintain discussions and to elaborate on their ideas.

▪          Use a variety of vocabulary and incorporate more complex grammatical structures in their writing and speaking.

▪          Read long novels and complex texts as part of their course work.

▪          Respond to texts thoughtfully and critically, freely expressing ideas in discussions and in written work.

▪          Focus on expanding their language and thinking skills so they can communicate complex ideas, opinions, and feelings with comfort, confidence, and enthusiasm, English skills they will continue to use throughout their adult lives.

h+ (Higher Plus) Level Students

▪          Generally have lived overseas for four or more years, or have had extensive and consistent exposure to English in Japan.

▪          Have developed the same level of fluency as native speakers of English, with a wide variety of vocabulary, collocations, and idioms. For some, English is their first language.

▪          Use English naturally in their daily lives, without the difficulties that students in other levels face.

▪          Aim to become a bilingual student, balancing both Japanese and English with equal skill.

▪          Write and speak with a great deal of grammatical accuracy.

▪          Focus on expanding their language and thinking skills to prepare them for higher education overseas, if they choose to do so.

▪          Are eligible to take English courses in Osaka International School.
　

An Overview of High School Elective Courses

(Before choosing a class, make sure you check the detailed information in this book.)