Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 142

Lesson 144

Narration and the written language

91 lines

School reform, coeducation and electives · Narration 1 of 2

The new school system

*この 新制度 では 学校 系統 が 一本 に され* says that the new system unifies the school system.

Elementary education lasts six years. Secondary education has three years each of junior high and high school. Higher education lasts four years.

*つまり、六三三四制 の 学校 体系 に なった のである* means "In other words, it became a 6-3-3-4 school system."

Compulsory education and choice

*また 義務 教育 年限 は 六年 から 九年 に 延長 され、男女 共学 が 実施 られる 様 に なった* extends compulsory education and introduces coeducation.

High schools adopt *選択 教科 制*. Students can choose subjects for their future plans or individual aptitudes in addition to required subjects.

Kanji: 科

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 適

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 1

    がっこうきょういく(さん)ーこんにちのせいど

    School Education (3)—The Present System

    学校school
    教育education
    (三)part three
    ーdash
    今日present
    のof
    制度system
  2. 2

    せんきゅうひゃくよんじゅうろくねんにがっこうせいどにおおきなへんかくがおこった。

    In 1946, a major change took place in the school system.

  3. 3

    そのおもなものをみっつあげてみると、このしんせいどではがっこうけいとうがいっぽんにされ、しょとうきょういく(しょうがっこう)ろくねん、ちゅうとうきょういく(ちゅうがっこうさんねん、こうとうがっこうさんねん)ろくねん、こうとうきょういく(だいがく)よねんのみっつのだんかいにまとめられた。

    To name three of the main changes, under this new system the school system was unified and organized into three stages: six years of elementary education (elementary school), six years of secondary education (three years of junior high school and three years of high school), and four years of higher education (university).

  4. 4

    つまり、ろくさんさんしせいのがっこうたいけいになったのである。

    In other words, it became a 6-3-3-4 school system.

  5. 5

    またぎむきょういくねんげんはろくねんからきゅうねんにえんちょうされ、だんじょきょうがくがじっしられるようになった。

    The period of compulsory education was also extended from six years to nine years, and coeducation was introduced.

  6. 6

    しんせいこうとうがっこうでは、せんたくきょうかせいというせいどがさいようされ、ひっしゅうかもくのほかにおおくのせんたくかもくがもうけられて、じぶんのしょうらいのしんろにとってひつようなかもくやじぶんのこせいにてきしたかもくがじゆうにえらべるようになった。

    At the new high schools, a system of elective subjects was adopted, and many elective subjects were provided in addition to required subjects, so that students could freely choose subjects needed for their future plans or suited to their individual aptitudes.

The New Education System

1 With the enforcement of a new education law in 1947 the school courses were patterned after that of the United States. Under the new education system, the term of compulsory education was extended from 6 to 9 years, that is 6 years in primary schools and 3 years in junior high schools. There is another 3-year course in senior high schools, and a 4-year course in colleges or universities.

In addition to the foregoing, there are 2-year course colleges, whereas medical students at universities are required to complete a 6-year course, as well as further 4-year postgraduate course for doctorate theses.

1 Besides these, there are 5-year course technical institutes that follow the secondary schools. There are at present 291 colleges and universities and 339 junior colleges in Japan (1964).

Primary schools, which number 22,677, and junior high schools, totaling 11,765, are usually coeducational, but some of the junior high schools are not. There are also a few women’s colleges and universities, but all the men’s universities with a few exceptions now admit women students.

1 Due to the extremely high attendance ratio of children of school age, so-called illiteracy is practically nonexistent in Japan. With an aggregate total of 743,000 university students, Japan ranks among the leading nations in the world with regard to higher education facilities.

1 Many foreign students come to Japan each year to study in Japanese universities. Recently, students from many Asian countries are coming to Japan to receive training in industries and in many fields of science and technology.

1 Education for Japanese children is free and compulsory for six years of primary and three years of secondary school. English is widely taught as a secondary language beginning in the seventh grade. School sessions are usually from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and until noon on Saturdays. The school year begins in April and ends in March each year. There is summer vacation in August and winter vacation during the New Year holidays.

1 Admission to the three-year high school is by competitive examination and a nominal tuition is charged. The recently liberalized education system is administered through local school boards and legislatures.

Japanese children study much the same things as American children.
(三)
three
今日
today
の
See Grammar Notes
一
one
九
nine
四
four
六
six
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
変革
change; reform
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
もの
things (tangible)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
は
leaves
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
段階
steps; grade; rank
つまり、
in short, in another word
ある。
certain, some
また
thigh
年限
length of time; term
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
新制
new system
言う
to say
多く
many of them
自分
self
将来
future; in the future
進路
course; route; way
な
I wish, I hope, huh
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
個性
individuality; personality
自由
freedom

Clubs, homerooms and student government · Narration 2 of 2

Activities led by students

*生徒会、ホームルーム、クラブ など の 活動 が 重要 視 される 様 に なった* presents student government, homeroom, and clubs as important activities.

Homerooms address daily problems through open discussion. Clubs extend classroom study and develop personal interests and general education.

The work of student government

*生徒会 は 通常、全校 生徒 を もって 構成 されて おり* says that student government normally includes every student in the school.

Its work covers order, discipline, sanitation, beautification, and welfare. It also sets policies for cultural activities and athletic competitions.

Kanji: 構

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 厚

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 向

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 視

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 7

    とくべつかていとして、せいとかい、ホームルーム、クラブなどのかつどうがじゅうようしされるようになった。

    Activities such as student government, homeroom, and clubs came to be regarded as important parts of the special curriculum.

  2. 8

    ホームルームのかつどうはせいとのかつどうがちゅうしんとなってせいとのにちじょうのもんだいがとりあげられる。

    Homeroom activities center on the students themselves and deal with problems in their daily lives.

  3. 9

    そしてじゆうなはなしあいによってそのもんだいをかいけつするのである。

    The students then solve those problems through open discussion.

  4. 10

    クラブかつどうは、きょうかのがくしゅうのはってんとして、またせいとこじんのしゅみやきょうようのこうじょうをめざしておこなわれ、いっしゅうかんいっていのじかんにすくなくともいちじげんをこれにあてる。

    Club activities are conducted as an extension of classroom study and with the aim of developing each student’s interests and general education, and at least one class period at a set time each week is devoted to them.

  5. 11

    そして、このじかんがくると、せいとはえいかいわクラブ、ぶつりクラブ、さいほうクラブ、テニスクラブ、やきゅうクラブ、しゃしんクラブなどとじぶんのぞくしているクラブにいく。

    When this period comes, the students go to the clubs they belong to, such as the English conversation club, physics club, sewing club, tennis club, baseball club, or photography club.

  6. 12

    せいとかいはつうじょう、ぜんこうせいとをもってこうせいされており、こうないちつじょ、ふうき、えいせい、びか、こうせいなどのかくぶめんのかつどうをはじめ、クラブをつうじてのぶんかかつどうやうんどうきょうぎのほうしんのけっていなどがそのたいせつなしごとである。

    The student government is normally made up of all the students in the school, and its important duties include activities concerning order, discipline, sanitation, beautification, and welfare within the school, as well as deciding policies for cultural activities and athletic competitions conducted through the clubs.

課程
course of study
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
ホームルーム、
homeroom (See Notes)
など
and so forth, etc.
活動
activity
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
話し合い
discussion
学習
study; learning
個人
individual
教養
education; culture; refinement
時間
hour, time
時
time
あてる。
address; direct
物理
physics
裁縫
sewing
テニス
tennis
野球
baseball
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
全校
whole school
校内
within a school; interclass
秩序、
order; discipline
風紀、
discipline; public morals
美化、
beautification
厚生
public welfare
はじめ、
beginning
文化
culture
運動
movement
競技
athletic events; athletic competition
方針
policy
決定
decision; conclusion

Old and new school levels · Questions 1 of 4

School levels in two systems

The prompts place school levels under *新制度*, "New system," and *旧制度*, "Old system."

The levels range from *幼稚園*, "Kindergarten," through *大学*, "University," and *短期大学*, "Junior college." An answer names the matching school level.

  1. 13

    しんせいど

    New system

  2. 14

    きゅうせいど

    Old system

  3. 15

    ようちえん

    Kindergarten

  4. 16

    しょうがっこう

    Elementary school

  5. 17

    ちゅうがっこう

    Junior high school

  6. 18

    こうとうがっこう

    High school

  7. 19

    だいがく

    University

  8. 20

    たんきだいがく

    Junior college

Types of Japanese schools · Questions 2 of 4

Specialized schools and courses

The prompts name medical, national, secondary, specialized, normal, preparatory, and higher-school institutions.

*専門学校* means "Specialized school," and *大学予科* means "University preparatory course." An answer identifies the institution or course.

  1. 21

    (いか)

    Medical school

  2. 22

    こくみんがっこうしょとうか

    Primary division of national school

  3. 23

    こくみんがっこうこうとうか

    Higher division of national school

  4. 24

    ちゅうとうがっこう

    Secondary school

  5. 25

    せんもんがっこう

    Specialized school

  6. 26

    こうとうしはんがっこう

    Higher normal school

  7. 27

    だいがくよか

    University preparatory course

  8. 28

    こうとうがっこう

    Higher school

School reform and education levels · Questions 3 of 4

What changed under the new system

The questions ask when the reform occurred, how the system was organized, and what changed in compulsory education and coeducation.

*義務教育 年限 は どう なりましたか* means "What happened to the period of compulsory education?" An answer states that it increased from six years to nine.

  1. 29

    だいがく

    University

  2. 30

    がっこうせいどにおおきなへんかくがおこったのはいつですか。

    When did the major change in the school system take place?

  3. 31

    このしんせいどでがっこうけいとうはどんなになりましたか。

    What did the school system become like under this new system?

  4. 32

    しょとうきょういくとは、どんなきょういくですか。

    What kind of education is elementary education?

  5. 33

    ちゅうとうきょういくとは、どんなきょういくですか。

    What kind of education is secondary education?

  6. 34

    こうとうきょういくとは、どんなきょういくですか。

    What kind of education is higher education?

  7. 35

    ぎむきょういくねんげんはどうなりましたか。

    What happened to the period of compulsory education?

  8. 36

    だんじょきょうがくはどうですか。

    What about coeducation?

いつ
when?
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Clubs and student government · Questions 4 of 4

Purposes and participants

The questions ask what elective subjects, homerooms, clubs, and student government are, what they do, and who takes part.

*生徒会 は だれ に よって 構成 されて いますか* means "Who makes up the student government?" An answer names the people who compose it.

  1. 37

    せんたくきょうかせいというのは、どんなことですか。

    What is the elective-subject system?

  2. 38

    とくべつかていとしてどんなものができましたか。

    What kinds of activities were established as part of the special curriculum?

  3. 39

    ホームルームのかつどうというのは、どんなことですか。

    What are homeroom activities?

  4. 40

    クラブかつどうというのは、どんなことですか。

    What are club activities?

  5. 41

    クラブかつどうはなにをめざしておこなわれるのですか。

    What goals are club activities conducted to achieve?

  6. 42

    クラブかつどうではどんなことをしますか。

    What kinds of things do students do in club activities?

  7. 43

    せいとかいはだれによってこうせいされていますか。

    Who makes up the student government?

  8. 44

    せいとかいではどんなことをしますか。

    What kinds of things does the student government do?

は、
leaves
ホームルーム
homeroom (See Notes)
ます
trout
だれ
who?
い
stomach

School reform vocabulary · Word list 1 of 4

Reform and the new system

These words cover school reform, education levels, compulsory education, coeducation, and electives.

*変革* means "change" or "reform." *六三三四制* names the 6-3-3-4 system, and *選択教科制* means "elective subject system."

  1. 45

    へんかく

    change; reform

  2. 46

    がっこうけいとう

    school system

  3. 47

    しょとうきょういく

    elementary education

  4. 48

    ちゅうとうきょういく

    secondai , education

  5. 49

    まとめる

    uriu'v; coordinate (v.t'.)

  6. 50

    ろくさんさんしせい

    6-3-3-4 system

  7. 51

    がっこうたいけい

    school system

  8. 52

    えんちょうする

    extend; /-'olong (v.t.)

  9. 53

    だんじょきょうがく

    coeducation

  10. 54

    じっしする

    bring into operation; take effect (v.t.)

  11. 55

    しんせい

    new system

  12. 56

    せんたくきょうかせい

    elective subject system

学校系統
school system
初等教育
elementary education
中等教育
secondai , education
まとめる
uriu'v; coordinate (v.t'.)
六三三四制
6-3-3-4 system
学校体系
school system
延長する
extend; /-'olong (v.t.)
男女共学
coeducation
実施する
bring into operation; take effect (v.t.)
選択教科制
elective subject system

Subjects, curricula and activities · Word list 2 of 4

Subjects and student choices

These words cover subjects, curricula, educational choices, and student activities.

*必修 科目* means "required subject," while *選択 科目* means "elective subject." *ホームルーム* means "homeroom."

  1. 57

    さいようする

    adopt; use (v.t.)

  2. 58

    ひっしゅうかもく

    required subject

  3. 59

    せんたくかもく

    elect-vo subject

  4. 60

    しんろ

    course; route; way

  5. 61

    こせい

    individuality; personality

  6. 62

    じゆうに

    freely

  7. 63

    かてい

    course; curriculum

  8. 64

    せいとかい

    students’ association

  9. 65

    ホームルーム

    homeroom (See Notes)

  10. 66

    かつどう

    activity

  11. 67

    じゅうようしされる

    be regarded as important (v.i.)

  12. 68

    にちじょうの

    daily; usual; ordinary

採用する
adopt; use (v.t.)
必修科目
required subject
選択科目
elect-vo subject
自由に
freely
生徒会
students’ association
重要視される
be regarded as important (v.i.)
日常の
daily; usual; ordinary

Study, discussion and clubs · Word list 3 of 4

Discussion and club time

These words cover discussion, study, personal development, scheduled club time, and school clubs.

*話し合い* means "discussion," and *解決 する* means "solve." *一時限* means "one period."

  1. 69

    とりあげる

    take up (v.t.)

  2. 70

    はなしあい

    discussion

  3. 71

    かいけつする

    solve (v.t.)

  4. 72

    がくしゅう

    study; learning

  5. 73

    こじん

    individual

  6. 74

    きょうよう

    education; culture; refinement

  7. 75

    めざす

    aim at (v.t.)

  8. 76

    いちじげん

    one period

  9. 77

    ーーにあてる

    allocate; devote (v.t.)

  10. 78

    えいかいわクラブ

    English conversation club

  11. 79

    ぶつり

    physics

  12. 80

    さいほう

    sewing

取り上げる
take up (v.t.)
解決する
solve (v.t.)
目ざす
aim at (v.t.)
一時限
one period
ーーにあてる
allocate; devote (v.t.)
英会話クラブ
English conversation club

School discipline, welfare and sports · Word list 4 of 4

Schoolwide duties

These words cover schoolwide organization, discipline, welfare, cultural activities, and athletic competition.

*全校* means "whole school," and *校内* means "within a school" or "interclass." *運動 競技* means "athletic sports."

  1. 81

    ぜんこう

    whole school

  2. 82

    こうせいする

    compose; organize (v.t.)

  3. 83

    こうない

    within a school; interclass

  4. 84

    ちつじょ

    order; discipline

  5. 85

    ふうき

    discipline; public morals

  6. 86

    びか

    beautification

  7. 87

    こうせい

    public welfare

  8. 88

    かくぶめんの

    -- of various aspect

  9. 89

    ーーをつうじて

    through ---; via --

  10. 90

    うんどうきょうぎ

    athletic sports

  11. 91

    けってい

    decision; conclusion

Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise

1 Topics:

a Talk about the following topics in Japanese with your classmates,

(1) 6-3-3-4 school system.

(2) Special curriculum--student association, homeroom activity, and club activity.

2 Exercise:

a Interpretation Exercise:

(1) What is meant by 6-3-3-4 school system?

(1) それ は 小学校 が 六年、中学校 が 三年、高等学校 が 三年、大学 が 四年 と いう 意味 です。

(2) Besides the regular curriculum, what kind of special curriculum is given these days?

(2) 生徒会、ホームルーム、クラブ など の 活動 が 重要視 される 様 に なりました。

(3) What sort of activity is a homeroom activity?

(3) それ は 生徒 の 日常 の 問題 を 取り上げて 自由 な 話し合い に よって その 問題 を 解決 する のです。

(4) What is a club activity?

(4) 生徒 は 一週間 一定 の 時間 に 英会話 クラブ、物理 クラブ、裁縫 クラブ、テニス クラブ、野球 クラブ、写真 クラブ など と 自分 の 属 して いる クラブ へ 行って、少くとも 一時限 を それ に あてる のです。

(5) What is the purpose of a club activity?

(5) 生徒 個人 の 趣味 や 教養 の 向上 を 目ざして 行なわれる のです。
Homework

1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.

2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.

3 Learn to read and write the new Kanji.

4 Read the Cultural Notes.
構成する
compose; organize (v.t.)
秩序
order; discipline
風紀
discipline; public morals
美化
beautification
各部面の
-- of various aspect
ーーを通じて
through ---; via --
運動競技
athletic sports

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.