Elementary After School Programme
Introduction
The Cambridge After School Program provides English Language courses for Elementary and Middle School students who want to improve their English Language skills as well as prepare for School Entrance Exams, Eiken, and Cambridge tests. Courses use cross-curricular learning to help facilitate the learning of English and are suitable for both beginners and advanced students alike as classes are based on student levels.
Learning English
At Cambridge, we provide an environment that encourages and motivates children to exercise their initiative in communicating through meaningful tasks and activities. The teacher then talks and communicates with the children about the activity that arises from the tasks, allowing children to be exposed to authentic, English communication that forms a connection with what they are doing and observing, leading to meaningful learning.
The English the children learn is both context-based and meaningful by providing the communicational rationale that is required to establish both a connection with the situation and the function of language. We also incorporate subject matter from arts and craft, math, geography, science and more to introduce necessary vocabulary, new language and topics for students to engage in discussions and presentations using the newly learnt language and associated discourses. Materials related to real world contexts and language such as books, pictures, cartoons, magazine articles, stories, music, and grammar games are also used.
Reading
We use a variety of materials such as special phonics readers that help students to read and pronounce words correctly. This is particularly important not only for reading fluency but also in listening comprehension. Once students have a degree of competency, they move on to reading other authentic texts such as magazines, books, newspapers and the like. Eventually they will practise reading aloud to gain confidence in front of others.
Speaking and Writing
We practise key language structures and tenses both in written and speaking forms. Students usually progress from writing to speaking as writing forms the basis of communication in its grammatical form; whilst speaking can often uses colloquial and conjugations different to the written form. We use question and answer techniques and confirmation of meaning by expanding on the topics in question. Students can very often say something simple but struggle to expand, elaborate, or confirm additional details. It is important that they learn to expand their understanding of topics and be able to make appropriate responses to questions. We use a variety of techniques including grammar games, role play, and shortened response formats to aid communication flow.
Listening
As well as the teacher’s voice, we use various authentic audio files including past exam audio files to practise listening comprehension. Teachers help students improve listening skills by providing both the audio text, as well as replaying sections after the initial listening to pick out individual words or tracts. We establish listening comprehension by asking what was meant by the speaker and discuss any new vocabulary that is not understood and the context and meaning therein. We also practice different techniques that help students understand listening comprehension questions more easily, such as how to skim through questions at the beginning and listen for keywords.
Preparation for Tests
Cambridge can help you prepare for a variety of English language certification exams, including Eiken, Cambridge English Language Testing System, and IELTS. In our classes we use a variety of materials, such as textbooks, authentic reading and listening materials, as well as previous test questions from the relevant examining bodies. We practise each of the key categories in the specific exam such as the four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking tests.
At Cambridge the classes for the exam prep are based on the student’s current level and needs which we determine through an assessment test as well as student goals. Once we have determined an appropriate starting point and curriculum, we proceed according to a schedule related to the timing of the exam.
Eiken Test
EIKEN is recognised as the most popular domestic public test of English language proficiency in Japan, and the Pre-Grade 1 level can validate Japanese students’ entry into graduate and postgraduate programmes of over 300 international educational institutions abroad.
The Eiken exam has set seven grades; it is offered at 7 levels: Grade 1, Grade Pre-1, Grade 2, Grade Pre-2, Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5. Depending on the students level it can be started at any grade level. As students increase their knowledge and skills, they can take the next level so as to gauge their English Language progress and proficiency.
For example, Grade 5 (the lowest level), is the first goal for English-language learners taking EIKEN. This level is mainly aimed at first-year Japanese junior high school students. Examinees are expected to understand and use basic words, phrases, and simple sentences. The material tested is basic but important. Grade 4 is the next level up, and this level is aimed at second-year Japanese junior high school students.
For more information, please contact the Japanese and English Proficiency Test Association (public interest incorporated foundation). You can find their website here.
Cambridge English Exams (Young Learners English)
Young Learners English are English exams for children. The tests are fun activity-based and have three levels, so children have a clear route for progression. They are quick to take, so not intimidating. For example, for the Starters Level, listening is for 20 minutes, reading & writing for 20 minutes and speaking is for 3~5 minutes. The exams are designed and developed to motivate children from a young age right through their teenage years and beyond. They contain familiar and interesting topics make it easier for children to relate to the tests and talk about them with confidence. They cover all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking – and bring learning to life.
We provide exam preparation for the following:
Cambridge Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers.
They are fun, colourful, activity and theme based, motivating children to learn. All three of the qualifications are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) published by the Council of Europe – the international standard to describe language ability. This makes it easy to see the progress your child is making in English, and for employers and educational institutions to recognise your child’s ability when they leave school.
Who should take the Young Learners tests (YLE)?
| Starters |
Movers |
Flyers |
|---|---|---|
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What happens when my child takes the exam?
There is no pass or fail for the test. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the test. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive their certificate about a month after taking the test.
Fees and Schedule
The monthly fees are shown below. All prices include tax. For all courses, the registration fee is 33,000 yen, which includes an enrollment fee of 11,000 yen and annual maintenance fee of 22,000yen.
For subsequent years, only the maintenance fee will incur on an annual basis.
| lesson | Time | 1 Day | 2 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group lesson | 90min / 16:30 – 18:00 | 17,600 yen | 30,800 yen |
| 120min / 16:00 – 18:00 | 22,000 yen | 38,500 yen | |
| Private lesson | 50min / between 16:00 – 20:00 | 16,500 yen | 28,600 yen |
| 90min / between 16:00 – 20:00 | 24,200 yen | 44,000 yen |
Please in quire for more information about specific schedule for 1-on-1 lessons.
Where two or more children from the same family join the school, we offer a discount for the additional children. Feel free to contact the school for more information.
Classes are held at Sakurashinmachi Meeting Hall (1-30-14 Sakurashinmachi, Setagaya, Tokyo).
Take the next step in your child’s education
A school that caters to the individual needs of its students and develops thinking and reasoning through the use of innovative tasks and materials.
We offer a range of different courses which can be studied in person, online, or through using our advanced system software, or a combination of these. All online and system courses are accompanied by Zoom classes with qualified instructors.
Contact Us
Cambridge School
Either Japanese or English is acceptable
Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m