Going 27 years as a language teacher in Japan and still experimenting the effective way to teach a foreign language to young kids. The other day I wrote the best curriculum is Jolly Phonics. Last night, I mentioned the traditional …
‘Tis the season when moms worry more than the examinees. Three times a year that the English language proficiency test (Eiken) is administered — June, October & January. For years our school boasts of 100% passing rate! The first one …
Rejoicing with my “host citizenry” the ascension of Naomi Osaka as the World’s number 1 tennis player! With her championship in the Australian Open today, she’s the first Japanese or even the first Asian, male or female, to reach the …
It is not by LUCK that an adult student enrolled at Olives Language School today. I don’t believe in “good luck” nor charms nor fortune-tellers so I just brush away greetings kindly offered to me. Two days ago, I received …
Finally, the exterior renovation commences today! In 2017, I carefully planned for our school & gakudo renovation which supposed to commence on the first week of January 2018. What I thought to be just a 2-week project became unending negotiations with various …
Looking for freshly-made buckwheat noodles for lunch or just observe how to make Japanese “soba” (noodles from buckwheat flour)? Go to Ogawa Family Restaurant located at 6-9-1 Saiwaicho, Tachikawa City (Phone #: 042-535-5025). It’s within my block — about 3 minutes walk …
Looking for indoor children learning activities or parent-child programs? Go to the city’s Children Future Center in Nishikicho 2-26, Toshikawa 3-chome. (Phone: 042-529-8682 or check their website: https://t-mirai.com/) The former city hall is now a complex facility for supporting education, cultural …
Which Japanese electronics shop is your favorite? Since moving to West Tokyo, it has been “mendokusai” (bothersome/troublesome) to travel to Akihabara, the electric/electronics town of Japan. Thank goodness to Bic Camera where it sells various electronic needs! Tachikawa City is fortunate to have one of …
“Together we win” (our slogan) when you study at Olives Language School & Gakudo! You learn a new language & culture by professional foreign & local teachers in a natural setting with various methods and strategies. We are not just after passing …