Cultivating English Proficiency to Connect with People around the World
From kindergarten through university, Japan Women’s University provides English education with the aim of cultivating English proficiency that fosters heartfelt connections with people around the world. True mutual understanding is achieved by listening earnestly to those with different values, accepting their perspectives, and clearly expressing one’s own opinions. The essential requirement for this is the English ability to engage sincerely in repeated dialogue and collaborate with the person in front of you.
JWU supports students’ steady efforts to acquire English through a detailed support system, and offers programs that enable students to experience life abroad from the elementary school level. We accompany students in their ambitious English learning, enabling them to accumulate numerous experiences of engaging in dialogue with a wide variety of people in English.
Goals for Participants in the Integrated Education English Program
Aims of English Education and Program Characteristics at Each Educational Stage
University
Becoming a Person Who Can Be Active in the World
Goal
- Earn academic credits at an overseas university.
- Understand information disseminated in English and engage in interactive communication in English in an increasingly complex and fast-paced society.
Participant Achievement Targets
- CEFR: High B1 level
- EIKEN Grade Pre-1
- TOEFL iBT®: 61 or higher
- IELTS: 5.0 or higher
- Duolingo English Test: 95 or higher
Programs
- 25 students selected in AY2025 (to study abroad in 2026) as exchange or recognized students to partner universities in English-speaking countries/English programs (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Short-term training programs requiring English communication skills (7 courses, target of 190 participants) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Use of portfolios (manaba) to monitor the English learning process
- TOEFL iBT® preparation course (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Ongoing measurement of English proficiency using the Duolingo English Test (Department of International Culture, Department of Architecture and Design)
- Global Leadership Program (Department of English) (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Exchange events with international students from partner universities and foreign internship trainees (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Consideration of granting credits for online English classes offered by universities in English-speaking countries
High School Affiliated with JWU
Preparing to Spread One’s Wings to the World
(Study program in New Zealand) Goal
- Read, listen, speak, and write extensively in English.
Participant Achievement Targets
Acquire balanced skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing, and develop English proficiency with study abroad in mind.
- CEFR B1 level
- EIKEN Grade Pre-1 or Grade 2
- TOEFL iBT® 50 or higher
- TOEFL Junior® 745 or higher
- Duolingo English Test 80 or higher
Programs
- New Zealand Study Program (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College Summer School (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- University of Stirling Summer Online English Program
- Participation of 20 students in the University’s TOEFL iBT® preparation course (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Introductory TOEFL preparation course, EIKEN preparation course, and EIKEN writing course
- TOEIC preparation course and English e-learning (all grades)
- Portfolios (manaba) to track the English learning process
- Recommendation to partner school Massey University
Junior High School Affiliated with JWU
Developing One’s Potential
(Cheltenham Ladies’ College, United Kingdom) Goal
- Use English frequently.
- Learn subjects of interest in English.
Participant Achievement Targets
Be able to study English proactively while having fun.
- CEFR A2 level
- EIKEN Grade Pre-2
- TOEFL Primary® 212 or higher
- TOEFL Junior® 645 or higher
Programs
- Term study abroad for four 3rd-year junior high students at Epsom Girls Grammar School, New Zealand
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College Summer School (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Vancouver homestay and university summer school (scheduled for AY2025)
- English program at Tokyo Global Gateway (Tachikawa) for 24 2nd-year junior high students (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Intensive spring English conversation program for 1st-year junior high students (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Online EIKEN preparation course
- EIKEN writing correction course
- Online English conversation (all grades, in class)
- Oxford Reading Club graded readers (all grades)
- Subsidies for 75 students to cover test fees for TOEFL Junior® and Primary® to encourage participation
Homei Elementary School Affiliated with JWU
Learning About the World and Expressing Oneself
(JWU Homei Summer School 2024, held at Homei Elementary School) Goal
- Express oneself in English.
- Broaden one’s world through English.
- Build communication skills.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Gain the ability to express oneself in English.
- CEFR A1 level
Programs
- AI learning with Smile Textbook Premium (all 5th- and 6th-grade students)
- Homei Summer School 2025 (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- New Zealand homestay program:
1. Departure (opens in new tab)
2. Visit to St Margaret’s College (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
3. English classes and Māori cultural activities (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
4. Time with “buddy” students (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
5. Visit to Hanmer Springs (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
6. Final day at St Margaret’s College (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
7. Farewell to host families (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
Homei Kindergarten Affiliated with JWU
Becoming Familiar with and Interested in What is Different
(JWU Homei Summer School 2024, held at Homei Elementary School) Goal
- Play using English.
- Gain exposure to multiple cultures and develop diverse interests.
Participant Achievement Targets
- Become familiar and comfortable with English teachers and the English language.
- Be willing to try using English during play.
Programs
- JWU Homei Summer School (in Japanese, opens in new tab)
- Increase opportunities to play with English teachers
Program Details for Junior High, High School, and University
Improving English Proficiency with a Focus on TOEFL®
When studying abroad at a university in an English-speaking country, the IELTS and TOEFL® tests are widely recognized as measures of English proficiency. JWU focuses on the TOEFL® to prepare students not only for study abroad but also for life and learning afterward.
Junior high school students are encouraged to take the TOEFL Primary® and the TOEFL Junior®, which is also used for admission screening to high schools in English-speaking countries. Test fees are covered by the school.
High school students may take the University’s TOEFL iBT® preparation course, which is normally offered to undergraduates.
Features of the TOEFL iBT® Preparation Course
- Learning with peers who share the common goal of studying abroad, encouraging each other toward target scores
- Four special lectures by one of only seven certified TOEFL® trainers in Japan
- Targeted training in speaking and writing, often difficult to improve through self-study, provided by native instructors
- Test practice through mock exams such as TOEFL ITP® and TOEFL iBT® before taking the actual TOEFL iBT®
- Full refund of course fees if the course is completed
