How does the Japanese teaching style differ from other countries?
Many think that Japan has one of the finest education systems in the world.
With a reputation for students who are well-behaved and dedicated to their studies, and high rates of both numeracy and literacy among its people, many studies have been conducted into what makes Japanese schools so successful.
In this article, we’ll explore the main characteristics of the Japanese teaching style, how it differs from other countries, and how the attitude to education has developed over several years.
How effective is the Japanese teaching style?
When we discuss the effectiveness of Japanese teaching styles and the country’s education system, we frequently discuss the consistently high rankings that Japanese students and adults achieve in global numeracy and literacy ratings.
Japan has a 99% rate of literacy among its population, which is much higher than the global average of 88%.
According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global study which is repeated every 3 years and focuses on academic performance, Japan places consistently high. This study analyses adolescents of school age, and is used as a metric to assess the impact of different education systems across the world.
In the most recent iteration of this study in 2022, Japan placed #5 out of 78 countries for performance in mathematics, compared to Canada which ranked #9, the United Kingdom which ranked #14, and the United States which ranked #34. Teaching maths in Japan is quite different from other countries, being both challenging and rewarding!
When it came to performance in reading, Japanese students placed even higher at rank #3, and were surpassed only by Singapore and Ireland. In Science, Japan placed #2, with Singapore once again achieving the #1 ranking position.
Given the consistent success of Japan’s student population in global tests, many countries have shown an interest in Japan’s education system and methods of teaching, and some have tried to replicate these in their own country.
What is the Japanese teaching style?
Whilst there is no single teaching method common to all schools and teachers in Japan, there are a number of characteristics which are common among Japanese teachers, as well as a shared attitude towards education and schooling.
This is what many people are referring to when they speak about the ‘Japanese teaching style’.
While there may be some variation in the curriculum between private and public schools, Japan’s education system is seen to promote equality between students, regardless of their social class or location. Most prefectures and schools in Japan follow the same core curriculum, meaning that the majority of students receive access to the same high standard of education.
Meanwhile, in countries like the United States, policies around education can vary from state to state, and even from school board to school board. This means that education isn’t standardized across the country, and students from different schools may have very different experiences of the school system.
What are the main characteristics of the Japanese teaching style?
While all students in Japan typically have access to the same core education and curriculum, the attitude and strategies that Japanese teachers use often share some similar characteristics. Some of these include:
- Formality. Teachers in Japan are expected to maintain a high standard when it comes to their conduct, and even how they dress. Although many Japanese teachers maintain friendly relationships with their students, they also enforce clear boundaries about what is appropriate behavior and what isn’t. Students understand these boundaries, and while they may be friendly or engage in light teasing, they will rarely disrespect their teachers or act over-familiar.
- Consistency. Similar to how teachers in Japan enforce clear personal boundaries with their students, they also demand total adherence to school rules and policies. School rules are enforced without prejudice, and Japanese teachers can rarely, if ever, be won over with smooth-talk or excuses from students. Schools in Japan value equality and order among students, so Japanese teachers tend not to play favorites with students, and certainly can’t be walked all over.
- Diligence. Although teachers in Japan may be seen as quite strict, this is only because they hold their students to the same high standards that they maintain themselves. Japanese teachers will work hard to ensure that their class achieves good results in exams, and due to the positive relationships they often maintain with students, care deeply that they go on to succeed.
Are Japanese teachers strict?
There is a misconception that exists among foreigners that Japanese teachers are very strict — however, we wouldn’t necessarily agree.
Many students enjoy a friendly and supportive relationship with their teachers, and misbehavior is rare in most Japanese classrooms. There is typically no need for teachers in Japan to raise their voices or be strict with students. Teachers in Japan are considered to be a type of “third parent” for the students.
However, it is true that Japanese schools tend to have strict rules, which teachers will enforce when they are broken. Many foreign teachers are surprised to learn that most schools in Japan do not allow students to dye their hair, have pierced ears, or even wear natural-looking make-up. Uniform policy, in particular, must be strictly adhered to in Japanese schools.
It’s also true that students in Japan are raised from a young age to have respect for their elders, and particularly their teachers. Japanese students are less likely to talk back during lessons, act rowdy, or swear at their teachers — though of course, this does still happen in rare instances!
If you’ve only ever seen Japanese schools in shows like “My Hero Academia”, take a look at our article about how Japanese school in real life differs from in anime!
While Japanese students are known to be disciplined and well-mannered, when the rules are broken, teachers are not afraid to give out punishment, which may be the reason they have the reputation of being strict.
What makes the Japanese teaching style so different to other countries?
We’ve discussed some key aspects of the Japanese teaching style, and the reasons why it may be so effective at producing high-performing students.
But how does it compare to other standards of teaching across the world?
According to our Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), who work alongside Japanese teachers in the classroom, some key differences between the Japanese teaching style and teaching in their home countries include:
- “One would be the way classroom management is handled. Also, the approach of being extra careful to keep students on the same footing. Traditionally, Japanese style is more about perfecting your understanding than trying and learning as you go.” — Jessica
- “In Japan, the teacher (or instructor) is much more likely to be seen as the source of all verified knowledge, to serve as the “arbiter of truth”, in a sense. In many other countries, learning tends to lean towards a shared journey, with the interactions being not only ‘from teacher to students’, but also ‘student to student’, and sometimes ‘from students to teachers’. As an analogy, it’s like the difference between a march and a hike. In a march, you have a leader, a point, someone who is in charge of the destination, the route, the timing, the tempo, everything that makes a march. In a hike, there will often be someone who knows the area, has selected a destination, but there’s less emphasis on keeping strict tempo. As long as everyone reaches the destination safely and within the same general timeframe, participants are free to look around and take in the sights a bit more.” — Joshua
- “For me, the main difference is that Japanese style teaching is all about memorization. While in my home country, we’re taught to understand the material and apply what we have learned.” — Kamilah
- “Firstly, you are not allowed to discipline Japanese children. Secondly, usually you don’t have to prepare a lesson plan for others to review. You can prepare one for yourself, but it’s not a requirement to prepare a lesson plan for reviewing by a superior. Finally, you may be asked to be the lead teacher or just to support the lead teacher or both” — Dave
The Importance of Responsibility in Japanese Schools
Japanese schools, like many institutions in Japan, place a high value on individual responsibility and showing respect for your fellow citizens — or in the environment of a school, your classmates. One of the ways in which this is encouraged in schools is for students to be assigned classroom duty, or Toban Katsudo, on a regular basis.
Each student in a class will take turns over the semester to carry out tasks for the benefit of the school, and their fellow students.
Classroom duty may include cleaning the classroom, serving lunch, or taking out trash. It is thought that by contributing positively to the school environment, students will learn the values of duty and pride in their community. Many foreign teachers note how clean and well-kept Japanese schools are, due to Toban Katsudo and the conscientiousness of the student body.
As well as completing after-school duties, students in Japan are known to study diligently, even outside of school hours.
Many even attend Juku, or cram schools, on evenings and weekends. These private, after-school classes offer supplementary lessons for students, and often specialize in exam preparation for high school and university entrance exams. Students in Japan are aware from an early age that they must take an active role in their education, and take responsibility for their academic future.
Why do Japanese people place so much importance on education?
While many countries offer after-school programs and tutoring, it is typically not the norm in western countries like the US, and attendance in Japan tends to be much higher on average.
To some foreigners, the emphasis that many Japanese parents place on their child’s education may seem over-zealous, and result in students feeling a great deal of pressure to succeed. However, there are a number of reasons why education in Japan is so highly valued:
Social mobility
Across the world, a good education is seen as the key to a better way of life, offering greater opportunities for employment, and the ability to move up in terms of social class. In this respect, Japan is no different, and students know exactly what they must do to achieve admission to the best schools.
Some schools employ student ranking systems, where results of tests will be published on noticeboards (but often anonymized with numbers in place of name, to avoid embarrassment) and students can see exactly where they place in terms of performance against their peers. This is just one part of a socio-educational system, known as hensachi, where the student body is scored and organized into a hierarchy, with only the high-achieving students having a chance of entry into Japan’s top schools and universities. Attending an elite high-hensachi school is a strong predictor for future success, which is why these places are so sought after, and students in Japan are encouraged to be competitive.
Whilst this system has been criticized, many Japanese parents see it as a motivating tool, allowing their children to see exactly how hard they must push themselves to achieve top rankings in their class. By outperforming their immediate peers, students have a clearer idea of what the competition is like, when trying to secure a spot at a top high school or university.
Economic factors
Japan’s education system and diligence of its students has been admired across the world, but due to the current economic landscape of the country, there is stiff competition for jobs. Therefore, students place a high value on their education to ensure they fare well in Japan’s competitive job market in the future.
Whilst the unemployment rate in Japan is low at only 3%, companies are reporting a labor shortage when hiring for skilled jobs in sectors such as engineering in IT.
As these job markets have a high demand and often require educated applicants with university degrees, Japanese students understand that to achieve these high-paying, low-competition roles, they must invest in their education from an early age.
Responsibility to family
Japan, like many Asian countries, is a collectivist society that places a lot of significance on family bonds, and a child’s responsibility to their parents.
As well as wanting to please their parents by achieving good grades, there is a cultural expectation that adult children will also care for their parents in their old age. Therefore, they must gain a good education to pursue a prosperous career.
In Japan, adults not only plan their careers to provide for their children, but also to ensure they can care for and support their retired parents in the future. Education is the first step in ensuring security for every generation of the family, so children often feel a sense of duty to do their best.
Begin your Teaching Career in Japan with Interac
If you’re interested in developing and inspiring young minds through education, then teaching English in Japan could be the perfect occupation for you.
At Interac, we connect assistant language teachers (ALTs) with suitable schools in Japan, so they can begin their journey of teaching English as a foreign language.
Submit your application today, or visit our website to learn more about our available ALT roles.