Recap of the 5th International Islamic Schools Workshop at Toyo University

Strengthening Pathways to University and English Immersion Education in Japan

Educators attending the 5th International Islamic Schools Workshop at Toyo University Hakusan Campus.

On October 25, educators and school leaders gathered at Toyo University’s Hakusan Campus for a full-day workshop organized by IISO (International Islamia School Otsuka) and hosted by Toyo University. The event brought together experts from leading international schools—Everest International School Japan (EISJ), YUAI/FGA Education, the British International School (BIS), IISO, and Katoh Gakuen—to share evidence-based strategies for university admissions, international pathways, and effective English immersion education.

This workshop marked an important step in supporting the diverse academic futures of international and multilingual learners living in Japan.

A Smooth Start at Toyo University Hakusan Campus

The workshop officially opened at 9:00, outlining the goals of the event:

• Strengthening understanding of university pathways for international students

• Providing clarity on Japanese and global admission systems

• Sharing best practices for English immersion and integrated language teaching

• Enhancing collaboration among international schools serving multilingual communities in Japan

Session 1: University Pathways & Entrance Exams (09:20–11:40)

This session brought three perspectives from three different international school systems, offering a comprehensive view of how students can access higher education in Japan and abroad.

Everest International School Japan (EISJ): Multiple Pathways to Japanese and Global Universities

EISJ showcased their multi-pathway model that enables graduates to enter national, public, and private universities in Japan as well as top universities overseas.

Key insights from EISJ:

• Students can choose between English-taught programs (e.g., Tokyo University’s PEAK, Waseda SILS, Keio PEARL, Sophia FLA, ICU) or Japanese-medium programs, which require EJU and JLPT N2–N1.

• Documents such as transcripts, recommendations, essays, and interviews remain core to all applications.

• Overseas pathways require IELTS/TOEFL, strong academic records, and well-crafted personal statements.

• EISJ graduates have successfully enrolled in universities like Hosei University, Tokyo International University, Temple University, Ritsumeikan, KUAS, and institutions in the USA and Australia.

• Scholarships such as MEXT and JASSO remain important opportunities for early applicants.

EISJ emphasized early planning, strong documentation, and consistent counseling as the backbone of successful university admissions.

YUAI / FGA Education Schools: Integrated Islamic and Global Academic Pathways

YUAI presented its structured approach to helping students transition from high school into university—either in Japan or internationally.

Highlights from YUAI:

• Students follow a hybrid curriculum integrating IGCSE, A-Levels, or the Japanese High School Certificate through a recognized distance-learning partner.

• The program supports students targeting English-speaking universities as well as Japanese national universities.

• They focus strongly on Islamic values, global citizenship, academic rigor, and language proficiency (Japanese and English).

• 100% of YUAI graduates successfully enroll in universities or colleges.

• Alumni have progressed to institutions such as Keio University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chuo University, and international universities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, and more.

YUAI’s model demonstrates how multilingual, faith-based education can fully align with Japanese higher-education pathways.

British International School (BIS): Graduate Survey & Performance Trends

BIS shared data from its graduate outcomes, offering a quantitative look at academic performance and university destinations.

Key Data Points from the BIS Graduate Survey:

• BIS students typically excel in English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, ICT, and Business Studies.

• Many pursue A-Levels focused on Math, Sciences, ICT, Business, Economics, and Accounting.

• Japanese language proficiency is crucial. Students often prepare for JLPT N4–N2, depending on grade level.

• Graduates continue to medical programs, online A-Levels, or enroll in Japanese and international sixth-form colleges.

This data reinforced a consistent theme across schools: strong English and Japanese foundations are both essential for success in Japan’s competitive university environment.

Discussion and Q&A: Navigating Admissions for International Students in Japan

During the open discussion, participants compared challenges across schools, such as:

• Balancing English-medium instruction with the need for JLPT credentials

• Choosing between Japanese universities and overseas options

• Understanding scholarship systems

• Preparing transcripts, school profiles, recommendation letters, and activity records to match Japanese admission expectations

This exchange helped clarify practical steps that international schools can follow to better support their students.

Lunch Break (11:40–13:00)

Session 2: English Immersion Education with Katoh Gakuen (13:00–14:30)

The afternoon session was led by Gay-Ann Bagotchay, a highly experienced IB educator and immersion program leader at Katoh Gakuen, one of Japan’s leading bilingual immersion schools.

Core Themes:

• All teachers are language teachers, regardless of subject.

• Effective immersion requires structured planning of content, language forms, and vocabulary.

• Research supports learning language through content rather than in isolated language classes (Munoz & Spada, 2019).

• Immersion teaching must include:

  • Comprehensible input

  • Focus on form

  • Structured and extended output

Pedagogical Strategies Discussed:

• Using command terms to define content expectations

• Teaching subject-specific vocabulary explicitly

• Scaffolding speaking and writing with sentence frames

• Activating prior knowledge before instruction

• Checking comprehension frequently

• Designing tasks that require students to produce language with increasing complexity and accuracy

University Preparation Guidance:

Gay-Ann also highlighted essential strategies for university readiness:

• Start planning early (Grades 9–12)

• Align coursework, assessments, and extracurriculars with future university goals

• Deconstruct the components of personal statements

• Manage stress and organize resources for students and families

This session provided schools with a sophisticated toolkit for improving language development while maintaining rigorous content instruction.

IISO High School: Dual Pathways Launched in April 2025

In April 2025, IISO launched its own high school division, offering two strategic pathways designed to meet the diverse needs of international and multilingual learners in Japan. Students may choose between the English Stream and the Japanese Stream, giving them the flexibility to align their studies with future academic goals. The English Pathway leads to a U.S. High School Diploma, a globally recognized qualification that is widely accepted by universities both in Japan and overseas. Meanwhile, the Japanese Pathway awards the Japanese High School Diploma, enabling students to access Japanese national, public, and private universities as well as institutions abroad that recognize Japan’s official secondary credential. This dual-path system allows IISO students to select the most suitable route for university admissions—whether they aim for English-medium programs, Japanese-medium programs, or international universities worldwide—significantly expanding their post-secondary opportunities.

IISO High school grade 1 students explaining Sustainable Smart Cities concept to Grade 4 students.

 Concluding Remarks (14:30–15:00)

The workshop closed with reflections on how international schools can collaborate to:

• Strengthen multilingual education in Japan

• Provide clearer university pathways for immigrant and international communities

• Support students’ academic and emotional preparation for higher education

• Share resources and professional expertise across institutions

Participants left with practical frameworks, comparative insights, and renewed commitment to supporting diverse student populations.

Why This Workshop Matters

Japan’s international and Muslim communities face unique challenges when navigating university admissions and language demands. Schools such as IISO, EISJ, YUAI, BIS, and Katoh Gakuen each bring a different perspective—from immersion schooling to IGCSE/A-Level pathways to Japanese high school certification models.

This workshop represents a model of collaboration: International schools working together to open more doors for students in Japan and worldwide.