- Elementary School
In an age of rapid globalisation, countless issues relating to the economy, environment and infectious diseases are arising that cannot be resolved through the efforts of one nation alone. International collaboration, in our times, is critical.
The need to develop citizens who can utilise English fluently in various intercultural settings is increasingly apparent. For youth to actively contribute to today’s society, English ability and open-mindedness are musts.
As nations, each with their unique identities and cultures, collaborate to tackle global issues, citizens need to possess a clear understanding of their own national identities. Those who play an active role on the global stage necessarily become representatives and ambassadors for their own countries. They can expect to be asked questions such as “How is this issue understood or handled in Japan?” or “What are your perspectives as a Japanese citizen?” Therefore, at our school, we provide ample opportunities to develop both English language competency and Japanese cultural values through programmes grounded in our educational motto, WAKON EISAI.
It is our firm belief that, through a Japanese-English bilingual education, our students can deepen their understanding of their national identity while gaining a respect for multiple viewpoints, thereby cultivating the self-confidence to impact the world for the better.
“Develop students’ identities, give them self-confidence, and send them out into the world.”
This is Linden Hall School’s vision and mission.
During the Meiji Restoration, the new government in Japan promoted the idea of WAKON YOSAI. This philosophy reflected the aims of respecting Japanese traditions and values while furthering relations with more developed countries in Europe and North America. By actively incorporating new technologies and academic advancements from overseas, the Japanese government strove for the mutual development of all parties involved. WAKON YOSAI can be traced back even further to the idea of WAKON KANSAI, proposed about 1000 years ago by Sugawara Michizane, also known as the god of academic learning. This thought-provoking phrase emphasises the Japanese spirit of harmony, is influenced by Chinese history and culture, and fosters the capacity for decision-making through considering issues from all angles. In this way, the importance of incorporating foreign thought and cultures while retaining the Japanese spirit has been passed down steadily since ancient times. Our school’s educational philosophy of WAKON EISAI recognises and develops further these ideas. WAKON EISAI was born with the wish to educate global citizens who use English skillfully and put forth the best of Japan to the world.
The first six years of schooling are crucial in human development. Students will learn to examine themselves and the world around them from a range of perspectives whilst developing their individuality.
Our school has adopted “English immersion education” which means almost all classes, except Japanese and Moral Education, are conducted in English. Although the classes are conducted in English, we have put into practice a team-teaching system (each class is run by an English teacher and supported by a Japanese teacher) to supplement the children's understanding and provide an environment where they can study with peace of mind.
Along with the acquisition of English, the primary school focuses on hands-on classes in which students learn about and experience Japanese culture and develop their unique Japanese identity. Students grow rice in a rice paddy on the school grounds, use this in making rice-cakes, burn the harvested rice straw ( kariho ) to make glaze ( uwagusuri ), use the glaze to make pottery, and the students then use the bowl they have made in the Tea Ceremony. Experiencing and learning about Japan's unique four beautiful seasons and nature’s cycle will give students an opportunity to develop a deep love for nature and acquire an identity, politeness and consideration for others as a Japanese. The “Yamatogokoro” that is the Japanese mindset will become vital in the global society in the future.
We also offer classes unique to Linden Hall: IT, Presentation and Environmental Studies. Within our modern, internationalised curriculum students will have countless opportunities to think about the world, engage in problem-solving and self-expression.
We will implement an international curriculum that employs excellent foreign teachers, and respects the individuality and dreams of each student through in-depth Japanese cultural experiences. We aim to create global citizens who can work on the world stage.
Chief Executive Officer of Tsuzuki Education Group. Founded Linden Hall School in 2004. She is deeply committed to the founding educational spirit of “cultivating life skills by encouraging each student’s individual sense of identity” and developing human resources with that can contribute to a globalising world. A Representative Sample of Her Awards: Order of the Rising Sun (2020) / Austrian Gold Medal /Oxford University Honorary Fellowship (UK) /Cambridge University Patron (UK)
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