TUJ’s English Teacher Training Program Highlighted at Regular Session of Osaka Prefectural Assembly Session

English teachers from Japanese schools attend a professional development course at TUJ in Tokyo.

Osaka officials highlighted TUJ as a key partner in strengthening English teacher training and global education
Under a new partnership, 50 English teachers will be trained by faculty from TUJ’s Graduate College of Education and 15 will study at Temple University in Philadelphia
TUJ continues expanding its educational partnerships across Japan, strengthening its presence in the Kansai region

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) was highlighted during a plenary session of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly on June 9, 2026, as the prefecture’s board of education outlined fresh initiatives to strengthen English education and develop globally minded students.

During the session, Osaka Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent Tatsuro Mizuno explained the board’s collaboration with TUJ to enhance the English proficiency and teaching skills of high school educators across Osaka Prefecture. Responding to a question from Assembly Member Hayato Ichiki of the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), Mizuno said the board is expanding its efforts to provide advanced professional development opportunities for English teachers.

Mizuno explained that the prefecture will launch new domestic and overseas training programs beginning this fiscal year. He said 50 English teachers from Osaka Prefectural high schools will participate in training led by TUJ faculty members, focusing on English-language teaching methodologies and classroom instruction.

In addition, 15 English teachers will travel to the United States to participate in a three-week program at Temple University’s main campus in Philadelphia. The program will provide participants with opportunities to study language acquisition, explore effective teaching practices and engage in discussions on education with educators from around the world.

Mizuno said the initiative is designed to strengthen both teachers’ practical English proficiency and instructional expertise.

“In promoting the development of global talent, it is important not only to help students acquire intercultural understanding and English communication skills, but also to foster individuals who can think independently, take initiative, and act on their own judgment,” Mizuno told the assembly. “We aim to broaden students’ international perspectives and cultivate the next generation of leaders who will help shape Osaka’s future.”

TUJ Broadens Collaborations

TUJ and the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education signed a memorandum of understanding on November 25, 2024. The agreement aims to expand global learning opportunities for students while supporting English-language professional development for educators.

TUJ strengthened its presence in the Kansai region with the opening of TUJ Kyoto in January 2025. The campus expansion reflects the university’s growing role in advancing international education, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and preparing students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

Temple’s Graduate College of Education and Academic English Program offers English-language courses for students as well as professional development programs for educators through partnerships with local governments and boards of education across Japan. In recent years, TUJ’s profile has risen alongside record enrollment growth and expanding partnerships with public-sector institutions.

TUJ first signed a municipal collaborative partnership with Tokyo’s Minato City in 2006. Since 2022, it has formed partnerships with six more municipalities, including Setagaya City (December 2022), Yamanashi Prefecture (December 2022), Nagasaki Prefecture (March 2024), Ehime Prefecture (March 2024), Kyoto Prefecture (February 2025), and Kyoto City (February 2025).