ISI Group Educational Quality Assurance Initiatives
POINT1 Unique Curriculum Development
At ISI, we have an educational system to maximize students’ Japanese language skills not only in the classroom but also in the entire process of learning Japanese.
In the beginner’s class, as shown in the figure on the right, learners are shown videos of familiar situations to help them understand the day’s learning objectives and draw out their interest by putting them into their own context. Classes are taught by experienced and qualified Japanese language teachers. With ISI’s original teaching materials and communication-oriented classes that aim to help students “be able to say what they want to say”, students can learn in a fun atmosphere while gaining a sense of accomplishment.
All of the supplementary materials for beginner level students to develop their speaking, presentation, and writing skills, as well as the cultural understanding activity materials are all ISI originals, carefully selected and prepared by ISI’s professional teachers.
POINT2 Training Excellent Japanese Language Teachers
Training Japanese language teachers is one of the most important activities to improve the quality of education. For this reason, ISI has established training areas based on the 3 areas, 5 categories, and 16 sub-categories of the Agency for Cultural Affairs regulations, conducts systematic and planned education and training as an OFF-JT support system based on OJT.
For example, through the use of online training and videos, teachers will acquire basic knowledge of the work required to work at a Japanese language school and knowledge of life guidance. In addition, we provides training tailored to each teacher’s years of experience and stage of growth (ability improvement), such as skill improvement training to improve daily teaching skills, educating skills, and career guidance skills, and is designed so that each teacher can choose the training that best meets his or her needs.
We are also striving to develop excellent Japanese language teachers and improve their educational skills by improving their teaching skills and researching effective ways to use teaching materials.
POINT3 Conducting Student Satisfaction Surveys
ISI Group conducts an annual student survey to determine the level of satisfaction with the curriculum, coursework, faculty and services offered.
Among others, we analyze the following evaluation items related to education and conduct activities to improve the quality of education through the R-PDCA cycle.
ISI Japanese Language School – Overall satisfaction：78.9％ (December 2023 survey)
| Evaluation items related to educational content | |
| 1 | Do you understand the learning objectives of the course? |
| 2 | Do you achieve your learning objectives? |
| 3 | Are you satisfied with the structure of the curriculum? |
| 4 | Are you satisfied with the progress of the class? |
| 5 | Are you satisfied with your teachers in general? |
Analysis of Survey Results and Examples of Improvement Measures
Improvement of Teacher Quality
Curriculum Progression Adjustment
* Shadowing: A method of practicing reading aloud while listening to a model Japanese voice, as if one’s own voice were covering the model.
POINT4 Conducting Internal Audits
In accordance with the policy of ISO 29991 certification, internal audits are conducted as a preliminary step to external audits.
Top management, the general manager, and the audit secretariat are located at the headquarters, and the principals and management staff of each ISI Group school serve as internal auditors. The internal auditors are appointed by the director, and are members who have received prior ISO training, are not directly involved in the work, and have a thorough understanding of the work.
Internal audits aim to continuously improve quality by verifying that language learning services meet the requirements set forth by the ISO, and by examining issues and improvements made since the last time the audit was conducted.
The ISI Group conducts regular audits every year, and a renewal audit once every three years to evaluate all items.
POINT5 Self-inspection and Evaluation
ISI Group conducts self-inspection and self-evaluation at all schools every year with the aim of improving the quality of overall school operations, including education and services.
Always setting our own agenda, our basic policy is to work autonomously and diligently, and while organizing a “self-assessment committee” at each school, we will conduct self-assessment and self-evaluation activities in line with the structure of each department. Each school always shares issues and incorporates priority issues into its activities in conjunction with its business plan.
The results of “self-inspection and self-evaluation” are disclosed on the website, and efforts are made to improve and reform education and research, facility improvement, administration and organizational management.
Self-assessment Report (Japanese)
FY2023
*Past self-assessment reports are available on the Information Disclosure page.
POINT6 Evaluation and Certification from External Organizations
Obtained certification under the international standard ISO29991
ISO 29991 is a set of requirements specifically for language learning service providers, aimed at improving the quality of language learning services and the resulting customer satisfaction.
The certification recognizes that the school’s management system, learning programs, instructors, learning environment including learning materials, sales promotion and publicity, and provision of information to customers meet the requirements of international standards, and that the school maintains a high level of quality in the language learning services it provides.
The highest level of Japanese language study, certified by international organizations.
ISI Group has been certified by a number of international organizations. At the “Study Star Awards,” which is said to be the “Academy Award for the study abroad industry,” we received the grand prize (Winner title) as the language education institution with the best quality and service of education. As one of the world’s top language schools, we strive every day to provide the best service to our customers.
Award history
