| Here at Learning Tree, we believe
that the time before your child starts attending school, while
his or her mind and personality are already rapidly developing,
is extremely important. We aim to provide a thorough, attentive,
"at home"-style environment with a low student-to-teacher
ratio, that will foster not only the assertiveness and self-expression
often associated with Western education systems, but also
the manners, modesty and gentleness of Japanese society. Moreover,
we aim to create an environment that thoroughly advances your
child's speaking ability, with the goal of making your child
functionally bilingual.
In order to achieve these goals, we are implementing the
following methods and policies.
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- Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and are
all experienced, well-versed native English speakers. Our
classes are held entirely in English, but are designed to
be beneficial and enjoyable to all students, whether or
not they are native English speakers.
- Our main classes are structured around a variety of themes
and topics that are familiar to your child. Furthermore,
our English classes (Reading and Speaking) are divided by
levels rather than age, to ensure progress regardless of
your child's current ability.
- We maintain low student-to-teacher ratios to ensure an
attentive and responsive environment for your child. In
all but our English classes, we organise our classes and
grades system in the same way as Japanese schools - nenchou
(highest), nenchuu (middle) and nenshou (lowest), as well
as sainenshou (for two- to three-year-olds), and each class
has its own dedicated teacher. Our youngest classes also
have qualified (either in Japan or overseas) teachers or
assistants to help with mealtimes and toilet training.
- Complementing our Theme and English classes, we aim to
provide a balanced and complete education system by also
covering mathematics (up to elementary school grade 1 level),
science, social studies, physical education and music.
- We aim to maintain an up-to-date curriculum, and to provide
classes that are not only enjoyable but also inspirational
and imaginative, and that are "hands-on" and encourage
participation. Our classes employ a variety of educational
techniques such as gestures and demonstration, experimentation,
and research. We also include a large variety of teaching
media such as pictures, music, and physical activity to
create an environment suitable for all.
- We include art, music and other aesthetic faculties in
our curriculum. Each week children participate in ukulele
class and Hula class. We also hold a variety of extra-curricular
activities such as excursions, Sports Day, concerts, Halloween
and Christmas parties, and school camp. All of these events
are conducted in English. Furthermore, between 2 and 3pm
weekdays, we also run our Extra Curricular Activity Program
(ECAP), including activities such as piano lessons, swimming
classes, sports and Japanese lessons, each held by teachers
specialising in the field.
- We also hold After School and Summer School English classes
in order to provide further English education into the future.
Primarily aimed (but not limited to) at elementary or middle
school students, we hold a variety of classes tailored to
your child's English ability, including science class, current
events and newspaper classes to name just a few. By focusing
on skills such as presentation, discussion and essay writing,
students are able to develop their English ability and can
aim for a proficiency close to that of Eiken level 2 by
the end of their first year of elementary school, and level
Pre-1 by the time of graduation, which is extremely beneficial
for their school entrance exams.
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