{"id":27127,"date":"2025-12-06T18:10:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T09:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/summerinjapan.com\/?page_id=27127"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:30:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T06:30:40","slug":"apply","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/summerinjapan.com\/en\/apply","title":{"rendered":"Student Application"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Application Guidelines Summer in JAPAN 2026
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Let students shine under the guidance of Harvard instructors! 7 key features of SIJ<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Through three workshops taught by Harvard students, children actively discover and pursue what they love and what they are good at<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. By exchanging ideas with Harvard students, children develop leadership and teamwork skills at an early age, those that last a lifetime<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. With Harvard students as role models, children grow into people who can ask good questions and solve problems in English<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Genuine admissions advice for applying to top schools overseas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Private violin lessons by violinist Sumire Hirotsuru (limited to 3 students)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Sumire Hirotsuru\u2019s SIJ Concert <\/a>(scheduled on a weekend so parents can also attend). To be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Oita City \u201cOto no Izumi Hall\u201d (open to the public \/ paid event)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Children make new friends from across Japan and around the world, inspiring each other, clarifying their goals, and making rapid progress<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. SIJ2026 Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Summer in JAPAN is a non-profit educational support organization. Since 2013, a summer English program taught by Harvard University students has been held every year in Oita City, the hometown of founders Mari Hirotsuru and Sumire Hirotsuru. We warmly invite you to join the 14th Summer in JAPAN English Summer School in 2026. The application deadline is February 28, 2026. Wishing you an unforgettable 8 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Schedule<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    An eight-day program from Saturday, August 1, 2026, to Saturday, August 8, 2026.
    Day 1: After arriving in Oita City, participants will attend the \u201c13th Sumire Hirotsuru & Friends Concert,\u201d which starts at 7:00 p.m. on August 1.
    From Day 2 onward: Classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day from August 2 to August 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Venue<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Oita City, Oita Prefecture, 3-minute walk from the JR Oita Station<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Application Eligibility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Students aged 7 to 18 with English proficiency at CEFR A2 and above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Open to students from all countries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Faculty<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      \u30fbHarvard students and alumni: Among approximately 100 applicants, only a few are selected through written examinations and interviews, with emphasis placed on exceptional talent and character.
      \u30fb      Mari Hirotsuru <\/a>\u2014 SIJ Founder and President (CEO of Dirigo English School<\/a>)
      \u30fb      Sumire Hirotsuru<\/a> \u2014 SIJ Co-founder (B.A. from Harvard University with the David McCord Prize, M.M. from The Juilliard School with the William Schuman Prize)

      The profiles of the Harvard student instructors will be posted on our official Facebook and Instagram once finalized. (Click       here<\/a> to see our past instructors.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Teaching Assistant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      \u30fbUniversity students currently studying in Japan who have acquired English as a native or second language and demonstrate exceptional character.
      \u30fbExperienced instructors from the Dirigo English School who are well-versed in the Hirotsuru Method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Enrollment Cap<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Limited to 45<\/strong> participants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Application Period and How to Apply<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Applications for SIJ 2026 from January 12 to February 28, 2026.
      How to apply: Please fill out the form below.
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      2. Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Morning: Language Arts Classes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      An intensive summer program designed to significantly strengthen English skills. Students will markedly improve their reading and writing abilities, and develop exceptional proficiency in English under the leadership and care of Harvard instructors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The classes are divided into 4 levels (note that these ranges are used as reference, not requirement)
      Foundation\uff1aElementary Students at CEFR A2 Level
      Fundamental\uff1aElementary and Junior High Students at CEFR A2-B1 Level
      Intermediate\uff1aElementary and Junior High Students at CEFR B1-B2 Level, TOEFL iBT 72-94
      Advanced\uff1aStudents who are at level B2-C1 and above, TOEFL iBT 95-120
                (We provide college essay practice)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u203b Class placement will be determined based on SIJ English placement test and a comprehensive evaluation of various English proficiency exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Afternoon: Specialized Workshops to Nurture Your Passion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Choose your favorite from three courses. Get excited together with Harvard students and your peers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Public Speaking:<\/strong> Three-part program \u2460 Writing a speech \u2461 Practicing the speech \u2462 Confidently presenting on stage
      Performing Arts:<\/strong> Two-part program \u2460 Creating a musical together, including script, acting, dance, singing, and stage design \u2461 Shining on stage during the performance
      Computer Science:<\/strong> Three-part program \u2460 Fundamentals of theory \u2461 Creating fun games and apps with programming and AI \u2462 Presenting the final product on stage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      After graduating, Harvard students who previously participated in our program went on to earn numerous exceptional achievements:
      \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Public Speaking Class: Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, UN consultant, member of Parliament, prestigious university professors and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \ud83c\udfad Performing Arts Class: Netflix producer, New York Times Best-Sellers author, professional dancer, theater director, Film director and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \ud83d\udcbb Computer Science: Engineers at major IT companies, resident doctors and specialists at Stanford, Harvard, NYU and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      3. Events During the Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n