Okinawa International School

Languages taught are English and Japanese as core languages. The English program uses a four-skills approach with grade-based targets: Grade 3 EIKEN Grade 3; Grades 4–5 Pre-2; Grades 5–6 Grade 2; middle school Pre-1. From Grade 1, Japanese language instruction is paired with separate Japanese literature to develop the four Japanese language skills. An Okinawan language component, shima kutuba, is included in an inquiry-based class to connect language learning with local culture and IB-style multicultural understanding.

OIS is a bilingual school offering instruction in English and Japanese. The English program develops the four language skills through a graded progression: by Grade 3, students target EIKEN Grade 3; by Grades 4–5, Pre-2; by Grades 5–6, Grade 2; and in middle school, Pre-1; by Grades 5–6, students are expected to reach bilingual status. From Grade 1, Japanese language instruction is paired with a separate Japanese literature component to build the four Japanese language skills. The school uses team teaching by foreign and Japanese teachers to support bilingual learning.

Immersion is provided through a bilingual English–Japanese learning environment and a team-teaching model where foreign and Japanese teachers collaborate in class. The curriculum includes an Okinawan language and culture module called shima kutuba, studied as an inquiry-based program to connect language learning with local identity and IB-style multicultural understanding. There is also a Summer Program that uses English for inquiry-based learning around SDGs, offering additional English-language immersion opportunities.