| Q1 | Why is the Bilingual Course 4 years? |
A | It is said that it is approximately at the age of 6 when infants’ language learning process is completed and about 80% of the brain system is formed . It goes without saying that learning a second language at that time is very effective. This is especially true for children between the ages of two and three who begin speaking their native language. Children of this age absorb English like a sponge soaks water and can not be compared to those of 4 years old or older. The additional year at a younger age gives these students a distinct advantage in their listening comprehension as well as their articulation which becomes obvious in later years. Students who participate from an earlier age will find it easier to express themselves in more detail, and advance quicker in reading programs by the time they reach the age of 6.
While some schools will allow new students to join at any age; we have found by creating a consistent stable leaning environment, gives students the best chance of reaching their potential.
Students are required to join the Bilingual Course at the youngest age (2yo turning 3yo). Applications will be accepted up to the end of the 2nd semester. Older students will be considered if they have had similar experience.
|
| Q2 | Why are class sizes small? |
A | In our bilingual classes, one teacher will be in charge of three to five children, while there are 30 children per teacher in general kindergartens. Even in preschools in the form of a day-care center, some of the schools have one foreign teacher being around kids in a nursery room if they are 4 years old or older. In MSP, there will always be two or more foreign and bilingual teachers working with and helping each child speak English as much as possible. Small classes ensure the class content can be adjusted to the children’s level, and thus their motivation can be increased. Furthermore, it can increase mutual trust between children and teachers, and also teachers can focus more on children’s education as well as personality development such as their emotional aspect and sociality.
|
| Q3 | Why 2 year courses? |
A | At MSP, all the bilingual classes are spread across 2 age groups with members of different ages. 2 year courses have the advantage of having multi age classes that will always contain role models for the younger students. Having older kids with more knowledge in a class gives the younger ones chances to mimic and learn from. It creates an environment where the younger students are not only learning from the teachers but also from the other students. This results in much faster progress than if they were all of the same age and experience. It also benefits the older students to take on a leadership role by helping the younger students. Given that they can develop their sociality and individuality, this method would be the best style for small children to learn a language.
|
| Q4 | What is the difference between the Monkey and Giraffe classes curriculums? |
A | Monkey classes have a lesson curriculum to help all children reach a certain level. This is to train their speaking, listening and reading skills which are necessary to advance to the Giraffe class. As a result, most of the children’s activities are directed by a native teacher. In Giraffe class, we will increase the number of group activities to enhance their ability for self-expression. In a nursery style preschool, there are many styles in which the teacher and the child talk individually. In this case, the level of children’s progress in English also differs considerably depending on the character and level of the individual. At MSP, kids can expect to improve English skills by understanding the teachers’ instructions and explanations. Teachers are giving each kid an opportunity to speak out, while focusing on group activities.
|
| Q5 | What kind of foreign instructors are in charge of bilingual classes? |
A | The teacher who is leading the Bilingual Monkey class has been teaching for more than 12 years, and the Giraffe class teacher has more than 15 years of teaching experience in early childhood education. In addition, these teachers themselves have experience in raising bilingual children at home. They are qualified and review the childcare process including the language domain, and make their own childcare plan, a monthly plan and a day plan by themselves. A childcare curriculum is also created by our qualified nursing staff. We are responsible for teaching each infant to reach the goals of the one-year curriculum.
|
| Q6 | What is the concept of Bilingual classes? |
A | MSP focuses not only on programs for learning English, but also on that of preschool. Our goal is to promote the kids’ development of the mind and body as well as English skills as much by helping kids increase their sociality, creativity and individuality during the important early childhood. In order to achieve this goal, we organize day-by-day activities with childcare goals according to their age and individual development. We are registered as a local nursery school (a childcare facility without authorization) in Matsuyama City since 2016, We use this as an opportunity to review the curriculum and promote childcare with the aim of helping kids acquire higher English communication skills. English level of bilingual kids will increase as they develop and express their thoughts and ideas in English. They will be able to make themselves understood in English in daily conversation.
|
| Q7 | Does my child speak English at home, too? |
A | It seems like kids often speak English even at home if they are 2 – 3 years old. Words and phrases that kids learn and become familiar with will naturally come out of their mouth. It might sound funny, but the more English they speak, the better understanding they get and can distinguish English from Japanese. Kids around that age often start to dislike speaking English at home unless their parents speak English.
|
| Q8 | How come my child speaks English with a Japanese accent? |
A | There are a lot of Japanese parents who are worried about their kids’ pronunciation. Kids are to be exposed to English with Japanese accent at any preschools in Japan. However, we encourage kids to articulate what they want to say rather than pronunciation itself as we find it the most important thing to focus on. Language is a tool to communicate, so pronunciation is not the highest priority. We see kids who can communicate well often articulate in Japanese. That way, we would like you to have a good conversation with your kids at home. We believe kids who can speak Japanese well have much potential to be able to do the same in English.
|
| Q9 | Can my kid continue to take classes after entering elementary school? |
A | Some classes are designed specifically for kids who graduated from Bilingual Class, lived abroad or selected by teachers. Those kids can take these classes till they graduate from high school. Our teachers will help them to get used to the class considering good balance between school-work and classes at MSP. Kids also practice summarizing books or reading aloud. We lend out good picture books so that kids can be exposed to English at home, too. That will help kids increase the amount of time being immersed in English. That way, they can maintain their English level high. We believe it is important to help kids to improve their English further by offering these follow-up classes several times a week.
|
| Q10 | How would the additional expenses be like except for the monthly fee for the childcare? |
A | Kids don’t need to wear designated school uniforms. However, they will wear uniforms only during classes that take place outside of school. At the time of admission to the Monkey Class, uniform fees are approximately 7,000 yen, 320 yen for lunch (each time), and approximately 8,500 yen per year for the cost of reading materials. In addition, the cost at the time of childcare outside of school will be billed at the actual cost. ( 150 yen for swimming pool (each time), 900 yen (each time) for gymnastics’ class tuition, etc.)
|
| Q11 | Are extending classes or buses available? |
A | Extending classes are available from 9:00 to10:00. It is possible to apply for either a one-time or regular classes (on a monthly basis). A school bus is also available. (There is a maximum capacity for using the bus.)
|
| Q12 | My child is only 1 year old and doesn’t speak Japanese, either. So, I am afraid that leaning English could deter acquisition of Japanese. Is that likely to happen? |
A | If children grow up in a Japanese environment, we see many cases where they understand Japanese around the age of 1 and start speaking it from at the age of 2 years old. If you would like your child to learn English to be a bilingual, it is essential that English input be already made between the ages of 1 and 2 while Japanese language is being developed. The most important thing is not to listen to both languages at the same time, and to have distinct switches between Japanese and English in their mind. Kids will be immersed in the environment of “No Japanese” where they are not allowed to speak Japanese in the Koala class from 1 year old and the Rabbit class from 2 years old. Children will develop their independence and learn cooperation in a group. That could be a good environment where both Japanese and English will develop rather than being delayed by their mother tongue.
|
| Q13 | Is it okay if we ( kids’ parents) don’t speak English? |
A | Parents’ English levels don’t affect the degree of English proficiency of children. However, if the English level of kids’ parents is high, that will be very useful in understanding that of their kids, and following up with their homework, etc. For parents who are interested in English, there is a Family Club Class (English Circle) that you can take while feeling at ease with your small child. You can communicate with a foreign teacher and other parents in a simple English. You can also talk with your children or the Japanese staff in Japanese in this class.
|
| Q14 | What is the school safety plan like? |
A | Our school building was built in 2004. A countermeasure construction was taken at the time of construction in preparation for earthquakes. In addition, disaster prevention drills are held every month, and there is an evacuation site in case of disaster at a 3-minute walk (Takasaki Park). Fire extinguishers have been installed on each floor, and emergency stairs have also been installed on the balcony. We purchased a liability insurance for kindergarten in case of accidents.
|
