Every Day is “Global” at ICU.

Global ICU

Build Flexible Language Programs to Better Respond to the Linguistic Background of Every Student

Concept

Towards language education programs that meet the linguistic needs of every student

Students enter ICU in April or September. Until now, April entrants would study English through the English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA), and September entrants would enter the Japanese Language Programs (JLP) to study Japanese. However, the continued globalization of society around the world has led to an increase in student diversity, with more students who need to improve Japanese in April or English in September.

For this reason, ICU has decided to provide the language programs with more flexibility such that students can take English or Japanese whether they begin in April or September. The ELA program will be offered not only to April entrants but also to those September entrants who need to improve their command of English. In the same way, the JLP will be offered not only to September entrants, but also to April entrants who need to improve their Japanese proficiency.

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Progress (as of September, 2018)

Changes to language requirements to better meet the linguistic background of every student

With the introduction of universal admissions, we have established the required language subjects and made changes to the language requirements.

Previously, April entrants would study English through the English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA), and September entrants would start the Japanese Language Programs (JLP) to study Japanese. These divisions in language requirements based on the timing of enrolment have been abolished and new requirements based on the entrance examinations have been established.

Admissions Languages program required for graduation
General Admissions
Sogogata Sembatsu
Admissions for Recommendees
 
■ Universal Admissions
  • April Admissions for Returnees
  • EJU Based Admissions (April / September Entry)
English for
Liberal Arts Program
■ Universal Admissions
  • English Language Based Admissions(April / September Entry)
Japanese Languages
Programs
* Scroll sideways to view the entire chart.

Further enhancement of English language education

An academic writing subject has been added to the 1st-Year English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA). Also, two new subjects have been introduced for students who have completed the compulsory subjects in the English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA). Senior Thesis Science Writing (English) for Science Students was established in the 2017 academic year for natural sciences majors and Senior Thesis Writing for Social Sciences (English) for Social Sciences Students has been offered for social sciences majors since the 2018 academic year. These new subjects focus on mastering academic writing methods to prepare students for writing their senior theses in English. Further, The Foundations of Tutoring Academic Writing (English) was added from the 2019 academic year to assist with the development of student tutors through the study of effective tutoring techniques.

Enhancement of Japanese language education

We have established a framework in which students in the higher levels of the ELA who have lived overseas for extended periods, as well as students who enrolled through universal admissions and have ELA as their language requirement, are able to study in the JLP if deemed necessary by the JLP director.

Also, from the 2016 academic year, Japanese language course with small number of credits for exchange students and graduate students was introduced for exchange students and post-graduate students. (As of AY2022, it is offered in the spring term and the autumn term.). For students in higher levels, two practical Japanese language courses are offered that emphasize the writing and reading of academic reports and listening comprehension and oral expression in academic contexts.