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Personalized Education

Life Learning for Native English Speakers, Bilingual, and Returnee Children

We began a fully customized program for international children in 2023, beginning with a family living in Fukuoka for one year. The two children, brother and sister, already multilingual with experience of living in different countries, enrolled in local junior high and elementary schools rather than an international school in order to have a fully immersive experience in Japanese culture and language.

Although they enjoyed school and other students were very kind, it was challenging to communicate and to learn when only having a beginner’s understanding of Japanese and limited reading and writing ability. As they would be moving to Canada the following year and attending schools there, they would need to keep up with their learning in all subjects.

Our unique after school program brought together three tutors and two teachers. The tutors, local high school seniors, including Rainbow Bridges students, worked with the children on subjects such as math and science in English to help them get more out of their Japanese-language textbooks and classes.

A Japanese teacher having extensive experience with international children helped them with their Japanese communicative ability so that they could connect better with other children, get more out of their daytime classes, and more fully understand Japanese culture.

Lastly, Biscut, who holds a master’s in literary studies, led the English language and literature classes, which included reading and discussion of classic works and history, multimedia presentations, and writing projects. In contrast to even English classes in a junior high school in Canada, this smaller and more personal class allowed for deeper learning and a lasting mentorship.

The program consisted of about 10 hours of classes a week.

The family attended the 2023 Christmas Party and said that they enjoyed interacting with other students in our school. By March, the older child had developed his Japanese ability so extensively that he was invited to give a speech in Japanese at his junior high school graduation ceremony.

Although the family left Japan in the summer, the English classes have continued online during the children’s school breaks. We’ve also assisted with further education and their acceptance into a premiere boarding school in Europe for 2025.

You can read more about the Rainbow Bridges Mentor programs here (English only; contact us for information in Japanese).