American Elementary Curriculum

　The curriculum used is a literature based curriculum which focuses on teaching reading, writing, grammar, and spelling using enriching popular modern and classic books. There are teacher read aloud books that promote listening skills, build vocabulary and fluency, and stir the students’ imaginations. There are books the students read to improve reading skills that correlate with discussion topics to promote reading comprehension and improve conversation skills. There are writing assignments to increase creative, persuasive, and informative writing styles as well as grammar and spelling lessons.  

Native English Staff

Tiffanie Morisawa  –   Principal

Home room teacher, Advanced English Class Teacher

Tiffanie grew up in America where she studied education and ministry. She moved to Japan in 2002 to do mission work and teach English at an international school in Hyogo. For 19 years she worked at an international Christian school in Osaka where she taught various subjects in English to kindergarten, elementary, and Jr. high students. She also gained experience in administration and other school-related leadership abilities. She has worked part time at different language schools teaching private and small group English classes to students from 2 years old to adult.

High Level of Academics

This class is not your typical English class you usually find in Japan. The expectations to study, learn, and grow are high. Students will be required to regularly attend class, take weekly spelling exams, complete daily homework assignments, and learn to keep a journal. All teaching and instructions are given in English similar to classrooms in America. Students are only allowed to speak English with their peers, teachers, and staff even during break times.

Because of the high standard of academics, the requirements to enter the class are high and students must be fluent in English according to their age level. True fluency includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. Prior to enrollment, the fluency of each student will be tested during our entrance exam which is administered by our native teachers one to one with each student. Please refer to the list below to see what is required to pass the exam.

Things students must know to pass the entrance examination:
• Converses freely in English about various topics
• Communicates thoughts, feelings, ideas, and opinions clearly in English
• Understands English directions and instructions
• Recognize, identify, and write upper and lower case alphabet
• Have a understanding of basic phonics that allows them to decode and read, and write and spell basic words
• Reads and comprehends short stories