学校 (gakkou) - school

 

1. Today's Japanese words

Here's some Japanese vocabulary about school and school life:

* **Schools:**

    * 学校 (gakkou) - school

    * 幼稚園 (youchien) - kindergarten

    * 小学校 (shougakkou) - elementary school

    * 中学校 (chuugakkou) - junior high school

    * 高校 (koukou) - high school

    * 大学 (daigaku) - university

* **School life:**

    * 先生 (sensei) - teacher

    * 生徒 (seito) - student

    * 授業 (jugyou) - class

    * 部活 (bukatsu) - club activity

    * 宿題 (shukudai) - homework

    * 制服 (seifuku) - uniform

* **School Facilities:**

    * 教室 (kyoushitsu) - classroom

    * 図書館 (toshokan) - library

    * 体育館 (taikiikan) - gymnasium

    * 校長先生 (kouchou sensei) - principal

* **School Events:**

    * 運動会 (undoukai) - sports day

    * 文化祭 (bunka sai) - cultural festival

    * 卒業式 (sotsugyou shiki) - graduation ceremony

2. Today's topic

The main difference between the school start in April in Japan and Fall in Western countries is the timing of the school breaks. 

**Japan (April Start)**

* **Pros:** Aligns with the fiscal year, potentially allowing for better budgeting for schools.

* **Cons:** Short break between school years, hot and humid classrooms in summer.

**Western Countries (Fall Start)**

* **Pros:** Longer break between school years, cooler weather at the start of the new semester.

* **Cons:** Doesn't align with the fiscal year, potentially leading to budget challenges for schools.

* **Short break between school years:** The school year ends in March and starts again in April, leaving a very short break for students and teachers. This can make it difficult to adjust to a new grade or school.

* **Hot and humid classrooms in summer:** Since summer is the longest school break (from July to September), students don't get to enjoy the most pleasant weather for their vacation. This can also make classrooms uncomfortably hot and humid during the early weeks of the new semester.

In Japanese schools, cleaning activities are an integral part of the educational experience. This practice, called gakko soji (学校掃除), translates to "school cleaning" and is ingrained in the concept of fostering responsibility, community, and respect. Here's a breakdown of how cleaning works in Japanese schools:

* **Student-driven cleaning:** Unlike schools in many Western countries that have janitorial staff, students in Japan take on the responsibility of cleaning their classrooms, hallways, and sometimes even toilets.

* **Rotational duties:** Students are typically divided into groups and assigned cleaning tasks on a rotating basis. This ensures everyone participates and develops cleaning skills.

* **Emphasis on teamwork:** Working together to clean the school fosters a sense of community and responsibility for shared spaces.

3- Today’s news

Sushi chains accelerate spin away from iconic conveyor belts

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15174317

The hygiene issue was further heightened after sushi chains were plagued by viral videos of customers licking and putting back utensils, soy sauce bottles, teacups and even the food traveling around on the conveyor belts.

University in Osaka plans to start school year in the autumn

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15202034

The goal for the switch from spring to autumn is to match the starting times of overseas schools, making it easier for international students to enroll at the university and for Japanese students to study abroad.