兵庫県立国際高等学校 Hyogo Prefectural International High School
About Hyogo Prefectural International High School
Welcome to Hyogo Prefectural International High School website!
Unique Background
This high school is comprised only of an International Course in Hyogo prefecture, Japan. Hyogo Prefectural International High School evolved from the International Cultural Course at Ashiya-Minami High School, which was founded in 1980 and was the first department for such studies in Japan.
Ashiya-Minami High School had been committed to fostering students’ broader understanding and appreciation of the cultures of the rest of the world and graduated over 6,850 students in total until 2005.
Hyogo Prefectural International High School was established in 2003, emphasizing English studies, and was registered as a Super English Language High School (SELHi) by the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and given a 3-year-long governmental financial and professional assistance for enhancement of English education of students and teachers.
It is registered as a Super Global High School (SGH) (2015-2019).
Please click here for SGH information in English.
Vision of the School － What does this school aim to do ?
(1) To educate and train young people so that they can contribute to the global community in the future
In the current world where every aspect of society is rapidly changing due to globalization, a sense of multiculturalism is absolutely needed. This school will continue to help its students acquire such sense by having them consider various matters and problems in today’s world, and train them so that they can actively play a part in the global community.
(2) To train young people so that they can express themselves and be open to different cultures and languages of the world
This school will help its students cultivate their identity, based on a knowledge of Japan’s history and its traditional culture, and acquire communicative skills to enhance understanding with people from other countries so that they will be able to exchange their thoughts and opinions for contribution to the global community in the future.
Features of the School
(1) Full-time high school on a credit system
Students may graduate when they earn all required credits. In the first year, students take compulsory lessons that are essential to earning credits for graduation. In the second and third year, students choose from various lessons provided according to each student’s interests and needs. Students can focus on learning English, and can also allot more time to scientific subjects.
(2) Interaction with Ashiya International Secondary School
Hyogo Prefectural Ashiya International Secondary School and Hyogo Prefectural International High School, both located on the same campus, interact in everyday school life and some school activities. This enables our students to cooperate with other students of different ages and with different cultural backgrounds.
School policies － What does this school actually do?
(1) To build up expressiveness and creativity of students — an acquisition of higher level linguistic ability
The basis of mutual understanding in an international society is how to communicate in a mutually understandable language. From that point of view, improving students’ communicative skills is the most important thing and English lessons are focused at this school so that the students will be able to express themselves on a higher level.
(2) To broaden students’ intellectual horizons and to enhance their multicultural understanding — an acquisition of an international point of view by participating in CCC classes and in a study tour to foreign countries
As a “Period for Integrated Study”, we have Cross-Cultural Understanding , Contribution and Communication (CCC) classes for 1st and 2nd year students. In these classes, each student decides, studies and makes a presentation on his/her own theme. The study tours to foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America are conducted every year, and students have the opportunity to see in these countries what they learnt by themselves at school.
(*) Period for Integrated Study: This “Period for Integrated Study” was introduced into Japan’s education system in 2003 in order to grow an “integrated way of thinking” among young pupils and students. This is to develop a broad mind for study among students to get away from a traditional and overwhelming attitude of cramming them in each level of school including primary schools, junior high schools and high schools.
(3) To offer opportunities for students to study more widely and deeply
Various programs and activities, such as English speech, essay and debate contests, and special lectures by professors and specialists from universities and institutes are given to the students in order to encourage students’ motivation to study.
Curriculum Features
(1) Smaller size of class
At this school, lessons are, as far as possible, given in a small class. In English lessons, Discussion, Debate & Drama (DDD) classes, which are small and quite unique to this school, are required of all 1st year students. Students work on their English speaking ability and improve their creativity and ability to express themselves through interaction with ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) and classmates.
(2) Lessons to learn in, brush up, and utilize the English language
English lessons are given in English by ALTs and JTEs. Learning materials include not only English textbooks, but also English broadcasts, English newspapers, contents of webpages, and so on.
(3) Various choices for a second foreign language
Every student learns a second foreign language and culture in addition to English. Choices are: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Korean. A Japanese teacher and a native speaker of each language give lessons, aiming to achieve the level where students should be able to carry out everyday conversation. In classes, students also learn about various affairs related to the country, including but not limited to: history, society and the everyday way of life.
(4) Additional credits for successful results in qualifying examinations
Optional lessons for qualifying examinations, such as STEP(Society for Testing English Proficiency, Japan), TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language), TOEIC(Test of English for International Communication), and others, are available, and the successful results will be credited additionally.
(5) Various programs of international and multicultural activities
In addition to the regularly scheduled ‘International Seminar’ with ALTs , the school has exchange programs with schools in Germany and Korea.