Notes:
cram: 〔狭い所に〕〈ものを〉(無理に)詰め込む;
———————————-
Some Japanese words are very difficult to translate into English, and “juku” is one of them. Most dictionaries use the word “cram school,” but that gives a bad impression. It sounds like they are pushing information into your head. Kumon has become popular in the U.S., so when I saw a Kumon school in Portsmouth where my sister lives, I wanted to find out how they described themselves. I went up to the window and read the following: “The world’s most successful after-school learning program.” I think that “an after-school learning program” is a very good way to translate “juku.” (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
———————————–
