A lot of the themes of anime out there today revolves around school life. Though generally the education system are the same between countries, there are significant differences. This week we will learn about the Japanese education system to give us a clearer idea of a Japanese student's quest in learning.From as early as three years old, little children are sent to kindergartens in their areas for early education. This might be due to working parents, and also the pressure on a Japanese student to excel in their studies. Students normally study in a school in their prefecture up to Junior High School. However, there is high competition between students to enroll in a good Senior High School as it is usual to have several Senior High Schools in the same prefecture. Over one-quarter of Senior High Schools are private, indicating the extent of the competition - parents are willing to pay substantial amounts for their children's education.The SchoolGakkou: School (General)Youchien/Hoikuen: Kindergarten/Pre-school (from age 3)Shougakkou: Elementary school/Primary school (from age 6 to 12)Cyuugakkou: Junior Highschool/Lower secondary school (from age 12 to 15)Koukou(Koutou-Gakkou): Senior Highschool/Upper secondary school (from age 16 to 18) - the peak of pressure for a Japanese student as entry to senior highschool is by an entrance exam.Daigaku: UniversitySenmon Gakkou: Special technical/vocational school - offer students the chance to combine Senior Highschool studies with a vocational subject such as motor mechanics, hairdressing, architecture and so on. These are generally four-year courses, and start after Junior High School.Daigakuin: Graduate school - Masters & Doctoral coursesJyoshikou: All girls' schoolJyoshidai: Girl's collegeDanshikou: All boys' schoolTandai: Junior college - in contrast to university education that put emphasis on scientific principles or theoretical research and education, junior colleges focus on education that allow students to learn skills useful to them after their graduation. Approximately one-third of the junior colleges are women's colleges where a majority of the courses offered are on humanities, home sciences, education and social sciences. Juku: Cram school - extra lessons to help push bright students further or help others to catch up to the crowd. The classes may run until late and a 12-hour day is not unusual for a Japanese highschool student (before homework)The StudentGakusei: StudentShougakusei: Elementary school/Primary school studentCyuugakusei: Junior Highschool/Lower Secondary School studentKoukousei: Senior Highschool/Upper Secondary School studentDaigakusei: University studentJyoshikousei: Highschool girlRonin: A student who failed the university entrance exam and is waiting for his/her next chanceDaburi: A student who's repeating a yearChuubou: A slang referring to Junior Highschool studentDoukyuusei: ClassmateJyoukyuusei: Upper-class studentKakyuusei: Student in a lower gradeTenkousei: transfer studentRyuugakusei: A student studying abroadSchool ActivitiesBukatsu: Club activityBushitsu: Clubhouse/roomTesto: Examination Kuizu: QuizCyuukan-Testo: Mid-term examKimatsu-Testo: Term-end examHosyuu: Supplementary lesson, an extra lectureHoukago: AfterschoolSaboru: Play truant from school, cut classes.
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