What an International School in Tokyo Japan is like

An English International school in Tokyo’s Shibuya area, called OLIVE TREE, located right next to Yoyogi Park, and she kindly invited Wolfy for a one-day trial. Maiko and I are considering international school as a future option for Wolfy so this was a perfect opportunity to see how it goes. Up until now, his Nursery has been strictly in Japanese so it will be interesting to see how he handles a day in English.
*This was filmed in 2023.
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[@LancerX916]

The lead singer of the Japanese rock band Coldrain is also like Wolfie, half Japanese, half American. His mother who is a teacher made him and his brother learn English as a kid. He said growing up he hated it, but now that he is an adult, he is glad his mother made him learn. He said he had way more advantages, knowing both languages and cultures. I have a feeling your son will feel the same way.

[@yo2trader539]

It really depends on each situation, especially what language they speak at home and the type of cultural upbringing. I've worked with Japanese and half-Japanese kids who've attended International/American schools in Tokyo and Kobe. Some of them really struggle with formal Japanese language, culture, and mannerism despite being Japanese citizens. Knowing foreign languages is a wonderful thing, but the brutal reality is it's unlikely you'll be perceived as Japanese by other Japanese people if you haven't received formal Japanese education. International/American school is useful if the idea is to live/work an English-speaking country. But in Japan, I think they can only survive among their international school friends and an expat bubble, because they have difficulty connecting with the rest of the population. With their lack of proper Japanese education, they'll most likely never be doctors, lawyers, or accountants in Japan either. It's because Japanese people share a common language, culture, history, norms, and identity which are obtained through Japanese education and upbringing. And those traits are how we identity a Japanese person. It's also why people with Japanese ancestry who don't share our language and culture aren't perceived as Nihon-jin. Rather we refer to them as Nikkei-jin (i.e. Japanese Descendants) and differentiate them from Japanese expats living abroad.

[@LancerX916]

@@yo2trader539 Sounds like a Japan problem to me. If you are too closed-minded to not accept people because they did not grow up the same way you did, I feel sorry for them. I grew up in a very diverse area in California, and I am glad I did because I was exposed to different cultures growing up, and it helped me grow as a person. If I was stuck with the same people as me growing up, I know I would probably be closed-minded about anything new.

[@hannah60000]

@@yo2trader539 I agree with a lot of what you have said here. When I lived in Japan, I even had this mindset confirmed by some Japanese people. It’s an interesting phenomenon and it would be good if this mindset was explored further academically. I am British Nigerian, of course, Nigerians “back home” see us differently to themselves (we are part of the diaspora). However, based on how Nigerian nationality works and cultural values - few would say I am not Nigerian, because I was born and raised in London. Contrasting the above to when one of my Japanese students said they would not see a Japanese American (third second generation Americans) a skating duo as Japanese because they were born, raised and lived in America. It is almost as if they’ve “lost” their heritage by not being raised on Japanese soil… Definitely, keen to read more about this mindset from an academic sense.

[@liizzset]

I haven't heard about Coldrain in a long while. And I forgot that this fact was mentioned before by the lead singer. The first song I heard from them was "We Are Not Alone" for the anime named Rainbow. Not sure of the name of the anime.

[@lainiwakura1776]

@@hannah60000 You have Nigerian heritage, but you are British if you were born and raised there.

[@GIChiyo]

He is growing so fast, time flies Edit: I love that the main teacher seems so passionate and happy about his job, that is wonderful as a role model for kids!

[@PugZeke]

The male educator is amazingly enthusiastic good school

[@Jae..9..]

I think Wolfy would definitely benefit from this type of environment. He would thrive and end up loving it.

[@karmaoutlaw]

Wow! As a former early childhood educator, this school looks fantastic!

[@JoeyBonzo]

I went to an international school from grade 4 to 6! I found it to be a really wonderful experience because of not only the oppurtunities I would not have gotten from a public school but also the access to the various cultures, nationalities and ethnicities was wonderful as well.

[@jackieware8939]

I went to ISSH in Tokyo…7-12 grade….best education and experience of my life! I had 50 classmates my senior year and 23 different nationalities…we still have reunions and we’re 63 years old! Just had a mini reunion in NYC a few weeks ago….laughed for 4 days straight😂

[@seaweebjoc]

I resonate with wolfy after his nap. I too wake up, realize I'm awake, and bust into tears 😂

[@claretheworm]

lol my daughter is the same XD, just miss grumpalot after naps

[@joannapolowy4647]

to be fair, he should be exposed to both cultures. I'm the child of two different country parents. I grew up in one of my parents native country. My parents sent me to school of my other parents heritage and culture. It made me feel that belong to both cultures.

[@photogsherry]

OH, this made me think of my days teaching Kindergarten! I would LOVE to run an International School for littles. So sweet! This is very similar to how I taught my Ks. People thought I was nuts with what I taught them but, heck, little kids learn a LOT more than you think!!! Normal-size hammers and nails? Yep, we pounded. Cooking? Got it. Sewing? Of course? Science? TONS (we even were winners in an Animal Planet contest).

[@lz738]

I teach preschool in the US and that school seemed very similar. And Wolfy's reaction was very typical too.

[@tainajohnson4154]

wolfy is adorable 🥺 i’m so glad he was able to enjoy himself and warm up to the other kids!

[@jennifer_mertens]

Wolfie looking like a cat trying to avoid the water in a bathtub (when Paolo was trying to get him down for his nap)😂. This looks like an amazing school, what a fun environment❤.

[@selenazc]

Yea this is more like a American school for sure! I love they go outside all the time!

[@Zenkyuu8921]

This video actually unlocked so many memories of when I was in daycare during the 2000s, and it made so many things make so much more sense like why every TV show was so educational and fun to watch, why I remember so much of my daycare experience, and the funny one, why other kids got their diapers changed when we were the same age, three years old. I just remember wondering why other kids weren’t potty trained but I was, and looking back now, it makes sense and is very normal lol. It really makes me look forward to being a parent too because I want to make these memories the same way they were given to me.

[@caitlinmsacayan2996]

I am a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in San Diego and have a daughter like Wolfy's age. Love this video, Paolo! Great work! Wolfy did amazing on his first time in an international school! The teachers are amazing! Keep up with more videos!

[@MzzzNettie]

I taught preschool for many years here in the States, and it's fun to see the similarities between this school and ours.

[@prushaglli9026]

wolfie is growing so fast and so great to see he actually opens up

[@HazelHammond1505]

I think Wolfy would do better without his parents there. It very good to learn and use both languages.

[@hollyhummel9774]

Hope Wolfie gets to go there. Looks like fun! And agree, the educators seem so great and caring.

[@kristeng8325]

would love to hear if Wolfy comes to like this school more

[@paulccrimmins]

I ❤️ these family videos with you, Wolfy, and mom doing stuff together. It looks like Wolfy will be a great fit at this school. And the staff looks good also.

[@specialk9999]

I went to an international school in Tokyo for grades 4-9 after going to a Japanese school for grades k-2.

[@francisnguyen6349]

Nice work, Paolo. That was an amazing start.

[@CzarlsV]

personally i loved this video. was very interesting to watch!

[@ldpuprazr]

Thank you for sharing!

[@mint_meringue659]

Fhank you so much for this video! Im moving to japan in a few months with a toddler and we are looking at international preschools so this is so helpful.

[@harvestmoon_autumnsky]

I taught preschool for a few years. Nap time was my least favorite, because of trying to get cranky kids to fall asleep. I was only in my early 20's. Nowadays, closer to 50, I think it wouldn't be so bad. School looked great. Academics very lowkey and yet still present, outside learning is definitely best for kids

[@JerryLPham]

SO AWESOME!!

[@Lumen_lune]

I first saw this video come up on FB and decided to check out the OG.

[@LogicalVelocity]

Looks like an amazing place. What a wonderful environment.

[@user-sy9zs5ur6l]

> really enjoyed watching Wolfy take to the new environment - he's a great kid !

[@shravanic3399]

It was such an interesting video, loved it 😁

[@MC-bw5fc]

So adorable!..🎉

[@jenniferlyons4150]

What a nice experience. I think it's good that they have options. 😊

[@lruss5050]

This looks like a wonderful school. I suspect it’s not cheap! But worth it!❤

[@LivvyAlexW]

Awww. So sweet

[@LhamoEx]

Aww Wolfy! Hope he ended up liking the school ❤

[@lauracunningham4957]

Such a cute school!!

[@otter-pro]

international school is also very popular in korea, but it is expensive, and not everyone can get in. It's more like expensive private school than public school.

[@kazuoyumeno1759]

What a cool little school. 🙂

[@yoroshikune08]

I went to St. Mary's Int. for 2 years. Unforgettable experience of my life. All the best.

[@stargazer5073]

Lovely school ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@shirleylee7474]

the mini stareoff was so cute

[@kareendelara6384]

Wolfie is so cute 🥰

[@BERANABUS]

Man that kid gonna change his name when he grows up lol 😂😂😂 "why Wolfie Dad?? Why Mom??" 😂😂😂😂

[@oh.s]

I'm hoping that's not actually this kid's name and that Paolo just came up with a fake name to use online, or that it's maybe just a nickname/pet name.

[@jeanbaguio7919]

The way I laughed at the staredown😂

[@victoriap9151]

Poor wolfy. You got this little man. 😊

[@Solko]

Oh man poor little fella, he reminds my son sooo much

[@daniellepatton2665]

I think it’s a great school for Wolfe ❤👍

[@franzfms86]

Coooooool😮

[@junegarcia6623]

Yay I am glad that japanese have school in English that is a amazing 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😁

[@junegarcia6623]

I remember when I was at school I miss it

[@frankrispian5758]

grow up fast Wolfy❤

[@gandzsaman]

The black hoodie guy is 10/10 :D

[@ltessler1]

I went to Seisen in Gotanda with the Spanish nuns and my brother went to St. Mary’s. Both Int’l schools.

[@spottedsaddlebredparaplegicpup]

I went to St. Maur Int’l in Yokohama

[@azariahspence8551]

Now he's going to school?! He's so grown up now...

[@AutobotSimmer]

I'm not sure if I'm missing why it's an international school other than English is spoken and it seems like an American preschool and nursery school is like daycare. 🤔 It's still interesting.

[@Aubscatrescue]

I know this was filed quite some time ago, did Wolfy ever end up going to this school? Either way im sure it was a fun experience for him. I love how caring the staff seems. International school seems like an awesome way to keep Wolfy in touch with some of the things you might have experienced growing up in the U.S, with the added bonus of Japanese health & safety standards!

[@thesinglechronicleswitheli2337]

I’m curious how the school handles outdoor playtime when parents aren’t around and the kids are slightly hurt? Sorry for the run on sentence? Poor Wolfie at nap time 😢 geez I miss that age

[@fatimacortes-yz5ov]

In Mexico’s kindergarten your kid must go to the bathroom by himself, they tell you is not daycare anymore, so here kids dont use diapers that old…

[@ando1135]

are they hiring for the next year?

[@sophieadam9702]

I think you have become helicopter parents

[@AJDraws]

If you two dressed the same it would look like the same person in different stages of life.

[@vincentnnyc]

What is the tuition for that international school?

[@triciabuenaluz6438]

Do they have classes till HS or middle school?

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job bro drop a line for you

[@AliceLee-rj2ew]

So, what's the decision on the school?

[@betsylindsay8480]

Good deal for such a healthy lunch. If my calculations are correct, it’s $3.11 USD.

[@13trix63]

Howold is Wolfies now? Is it a kindergarten?

[@jamestoney6108]

Such a large adult to children ratio, I work wit n 4 to 5 year olds in UK with 2 adults to 15 with a much larger range of needs

[@jamestoney6108]

1 adult to 15 children

[@gabrielegener7331]

In germany is this a Kindergarten 2 by 5 years old childen.

[@michaelleary9233]

The Japanese elementary schools are great like this one, just can't see why they stick them in those stuffy uniforms in junior high. A polo shirt and khakis would be fine.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

My daughters attended an International school in Isreal, which was very large. They had every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12, yes, a very heavy American curriculum, but we did find that it blended well with the Canadian schools when we were evacuated to Germany during the Gulf War in 1990.

[@kamilatusovamisezivot8326]

Do you prefer this highly organized schedule over creative free play which naturally supports children’s development without too much of adults’ intervention?

[@kingpin3690]

Very interesting question i never thought about. Do i want to first introduce what fun things can be done ie structured learning or let them learn how to find things on their own but take up more time hoping they find it ie encouraged creativity.

[@gardenknitter4]

I think Wolfie will do better with mom and dad not there.

[@charlene6306]

Yah, wake me up from a nap and see what happens

[@finding13emo]

the fact that japanese nurseries don't focus on teaching is interesting, arent these prime learning years for kids, you'd think they'd (parents and teachers/ the system) want to take advantage of that more.

[@ashleybishopfitness]

I think there was a huge study in Germany that showed children under age of 6 that were forced to “learn academics” were actually worse off than their peers who just played up to age 6. I think that’s why we are seeing a big push for play learning.

[@DanihelMetalPromotion]

So do they also teach Japanese at this school? I mean it seems it is all English. It would be useful to know the language of the country you live in. I dont get why these things are needed though, if the standard educational system would simply put more effort into teaching English and maybe even a third language. Here in Holland this is well implemented. Dutch and English are mandatory and if you want more there are options. Depending on what level you do in high school more might be mandatory. I think we should teach more Asian languages here though. Even if it sjust the basics so people understand how many types of writing there are and how many alphabets exists. Same goes for cyrillic. Way more important than maths (kidding of course) but for me personally WAY more interesting to be honest.

[@oh.s]

The kids will get exposure to the Japanese language outside of the school, and if the school's in Japan, Japanese is probably one of the main languages of instruction, so there isn't much to worry about.

[@charlene6306]

That bug on the child! I’d die. Are there so many bugs in Japan?!

[@spottedsaddlebredparaplegicpup]

That was a smaller beetle. Japan, being a tropical island, has one of the most diverse flora and fauna and reportedly the largest area of unexplored or minimally explored and maximally protected land.

[@sophieadam9702]

Wow more than 6 months old … why

[@kzm-cb5mr]

Mariko is a babe

[@aapoetik]

3:59 ...transparent toilets? 🧐

[@ayakotami3318]

It was an interesting video about them too. The leader of Nippon Foundation social innovation team did it because of the thought that public toilets are dark, scary, and smelly. Basically to demonstrate they're safe. And only in Japan I tell ya. 😅

[@lorenzechristiancruz5319]

Very useful to know if its occupied or not as well.

[@user-jd3gf5xw1x]

4:00 transparent... toilet...?

[@iliaderry8212]

The glasses completely turn opaque when you lock from inside

[@stargazer5073]

Is your son bilingual????

[@adrianagonia2265]

I think so he happens to be a half Filipino-American/Japanese just like his Father & Mother.

[@nicolewilson4058]

He is bilingual. He primarily speaks Japanese with his grandparents. A mixture of English and Japanese with his parents at home.

[@user-jc1zi5xq4k]

omg i hold a special place in my heart for all Thumb suckers. yas 43 NOOO buck teeth any issues. my teeth are straight and perfect. just fyi. dont try to break him of it. im 43 years old mom of 3 . my husbands just excepts it. and i still love my thumb and blanly.lol i seen him napping and i thought being a 43 year old lifer thumb sucker. don't believe the myths. just let him do it. if he stops on his own great if he doesn't its great also. his teeth will be fine.

[@FolkLordll]

I love your channel, and I think you both are amazing parents. I mean NO disrespect to you or Maiko with my opinion. However, is it not more beneficial to place Wolfy in more situations where he may need to learn from, or over come situations when mommy or daddy aren't there? Example: Someone else changing his diaper? Again, this question may sound mean when reading it, but text only does so much. I honestly think you guys are doing an awesome job with raising him. Just an honest question I had when compared to other Japanese family practices.

[@jasperherr8694]

Your wife seems possessive over your kid

[@skyaqua8297]

Please don't compare a private facility that costs 2 million yen per year with a public facility that costs 200,000 yen per year. lool

[@vincentnnyc]

How do you know this international school cost $2 million yen per year?

[@skyaqua8297]

@@vincentnnyc The school has a price list on its website. This international school is for rich people

[@user-jc1zi5xq4k]

Who put the Bib on wolfy? come on mom he wants to fit in. Same with the mask u are doing more harm to your lungs by wearing it

[@MissNCGirl]

I believe it's part of the culture that if someone isn't feeling well, they wear a mask while in public.

[@indonesianchinese5724]

Deport

[@fifik2108]

Huh?

[@sitiannisaicong]

I love Maiko style