Introduction
Welcome to the International Kids Academy (IKA) homepage. We are an international school in Nagoya.
With internationalization happening in Japan and English becoming compulsory as early as elmentary school, many parents may want their children to learn English from a young age.
Although we understand the importance of early English education, many people wonder when, where, and how to begin learning English.
At IKA, we have established an international preschool (day school), and an after school for children attending Japanese kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools with the aim of helping children become bilingual. We promote an environment where anyone can enjoy learning English.
We want to show children that English is not studying; it is a means of communication. We want children to think of English as fun before they feel that English is something to study. We hope that as many children as possible will be interested in playing an active role in the world by using English in the future.
History
IKA has been teaching children for 20 years and has seen more than 300 graduates pass through their halls.
IKA opened in Gokiso, Showa-ku, Nagoya as an interntional preschool for japanese children in 2003.
Method
Education Method
The instructors are an experienced native English speakers. We carefully select instructors from English speaking countries who are suitable for childhood education.
1. Curriculum - Preschool and kindergarten students do their routines in English, so general vocabulary and sentences become natural for the children through speech. Our curriculum includes many subjects such as language arts, math, social skills, physical develpment, and science. We want to focus the children on both working in groups as well as thinking independently while building upon content that they have learned in previous experiences. Students will naturally learn to think and communicate in English by using it each day with teachers and other students. Our curriculum is designed so that children can learn naturally through interacting with teachers and friends, and is based on content that children are interested in, according to the age of each class.
2. Phonics - Phonics is taught with a method based on phonemes that helps children to remember letters and sounds when they are pronounced. For example, by pronouncing the sound of "B" as /buh/ instead of /bee/, the letter "B" is remembered as /buh/. At IKA, we use sound-related actions to make it fun and relatable. This will allow you to read a word you see for the first time using phonics you have practiced.
3. Pair Teaching - It is a system where native English speakers and Japanese staff provide education together in the classroom. Of course, the Japanese staff must also be completely bilingual. The Japanese staff acts as an important conduit for ensuring communication between the parents and IKA.
4. Natural English - In early childhood, children learn natural English through interacting with others, so they are able to learn natural English from their daily lives at our school. It's not the same English that is taught at a conversation school, such as "It's an apple." We focus on sentences that convey feelings or intentions such as "Look at me", or "Please help me". Expressing their thoughts will instill the desire to learn more English.
5. Total Physical Response(TPR) - By matching phrases in English with hand gestures and actions children begin to understand the meaning of words. For example, if it were the first time to hear the phrase "Stand up!", no one could stand up immediately. However, the child will soon learn to stand up when the teacher says it with the combination of gestures. By repeating this several times, children will be able to stand up naturally when they hear the words "Stand up!" even without the teacher's gestures. In short, it's a teaching method similar to how a baby learns words. The aim of this theory is to make children react rather than remember. Moreover, praising is another way to make the experience memorable.
6. Manners - Through English, children will learn the minimum etiquette required in the Western world, such as "please," "Thank you," and "would," so polite expressions will naturally come to mind. Of course, you will also learn the same time, experience different cultures and customs to cultivate an international sense.
Message
As parents, you place an expectation in us by enrolling your children at our institution. This is, and always will be, accepted as our responsibility to provide a constructive, positive learning experience for your children.
We at IKA strive, not only to teach English to our students, but also to foster positive values (e.g. sharing, friendship) which will prepare students for the social situations they will face throughout their lives.
Course Guide
Baby Class
Fun English lesson for the first timers with parents and children.
Age range at enrollment | 0 to 1 year old. |
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Time | 11:00am to 11:45am |
Days | Monday – Friday (Options: 1 or 2 days a week) ※Opening days vary every school year |
Small Kids Class
Take the first step towards becoming bilingual while having fun interacting and playing in English.
Age range at enrollment | 1 to 2 years old. (admission is possible from 1.5 years old) *DOB: 2022.4.2-2023.4.1 |
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Time | Short course - 10am to 12pm / Long course - 10am to 2pm (from the 2nd birthday month) |
Days | Monday – Friday (Options: 3, 4, or 5 days a week) |
Preschool Class
Learn daily English conversation and foster rapid development before entering kindergarten.
Age range at enrollment | 2 to 3 years old. *DOB: 2021.4.2-2022.4.1 |
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Time | 9:45am to 2:15pm |
Days | Monday – Friday (Options: 3, 4, or 5 days a week) |
Kindy Class
An early English education facility for young English learners. Life itself is international!
Age range at enrollment | 3 to 6 years old Kindy 2 – From 4 to 5 years Kindy 3 – From 5 to 6 years |
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Time | 9:30am to 2:30pm |
Days | Monday – Friday / 5 days a week |
English Time Class
A fun and interactive English course for students in kindergarten / nursery school.
Age range at enrollment | 3 to 6 years old English Time 2 – From 4 to 5 years English Time 3 – From 5 to 6 years |
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Time | 3:30pm to 5:00pm |
Days | Monday – Friday (Options: 1, 2, 3, or 4 days a week) |
Big Kids English Time
A wide variety of classes ranging from a Beginner's Course all the way to our Advanced Course.
Grade range at enrollment | Elementary and Junior High School students. |
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Class Length | 1 hour (16:00pm - 19:20pm) *Lesson times vary by class. |
Days | Monday – Friday (Once a week.) |
Elementary
A special program for kindergarten graduates of IKA.
Grade range at enrollment | Elementary 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students (Only for graduated students) |
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Class Length | 2 to 2.5 hours |
*Please inquire about lesson days and time.
Saturday School
Take your time and enjoy a longer lesson on Saturdays.
Grade range at enrollment | 3 to 9 years old (Kindy 1 to 3 & Elementary Grade 1 to 3) |
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Class Length | 10:00am to 3:00pm (5 hours) ※3 times a month except August and December |
Access & Contact
Name | International Kids Academy | |
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Location | 466-0841 1-28-2 Hirojihonmachi Showa-ku Nagoya-shi | |
Tel | 052-858-3933 |