How do ICU students acquire world-class English proficiency at ICU?

ICU aims to cultivate individuals who can contribute to peace in international society. Therefore, students need to be able to engage with unfamiliar values and ideas unfettered by the beliefs that govern the society in which they were raised. They need to be able to search for a common language, deepen mutual understanding, and build relationships of trust. This kind of intercultural communication competence requires proficiency in both Japanese and English. Thus ICU has been fully committed to bilingual education in Japanese and English since it was founded.

One indispensable component of this bilingual education at ICU is the English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA). In addition to increasing students' facility with English, this program enhances their capacity for critical thinking and cultivates the skills necessary to study effectively at ICU. Consequently, this is an important introduction to ICU's liberal arts education.

ELA courses are conducted in small-size classes of approximately 20 students, and instructors provide thorough and attentive guidance tailored to the English proficiency and needs of each student. Students read college-level articles on topics such as intercultural communication and bioethics, discuss and present ideas and opinions, and write papers on each topic. Through such academic activities, students learn to be critical, creative, and independent thinkers. This intensive English learning environment prepares students to take liberal arts courses in English after they finish the ELA.