English Learning Blog
Tips, insights, and resources for your English learning journey
The Story Behind Our Name — And Why One Student at a Time Changes Everything
Discover the 'Starfish Story' behind our Fujieda English school's name. Learn why individual attention creates real, lasting English success. Ages 10+.
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How to Make Flashcards That Actually Work
Learn why most flashcards fail and how to make ones that actually stick—based on learning science and real student examples.
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Why You Forget Vocabulary Words (And How to Actually Remember Them)
Learn why vocabulary words disappear from memory and three science-backed methods to actually remember them. Fujieda English teacher's guide to vocabulary retention.
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Steve Kaufmann's 5 Secrets to English Fluency: What I Wish I Knew 60 Years Ago
Polyglot Steve Kaufmann's 5 secrets to English fluency after 60 years. Why school methods fail and what works. Fujieda English teacher's perspective.
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Why Studying English for Years Didn't Make You Fluent — and What 'Fluent Forever' Gets Right
Many Japanese adults studied English for years but still can't speak. This post explains why—and what the Fluent Forever method gets right.
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Why Language Learning Apps Feel Like a Waste of Time (And What Actually Works)
Why language learning apps don't deliver results, and what actually works. Learn about spaced repetition from a Fujieda English instructor.
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9 Days Until Eiken Pre-2: How to Maximize Your Time (And Plan Better Next Time)
You have 9 days until your Eiken Pre-2 exam. Is there still time to prepare effectively? Honest advice on strategic priorities for the next 9 days, plus a better approach for your next attempt.
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TOEIC Score vs. Real English: Why You Need Both (And How to Get Them)
Your company wants a TOEIC score. You want English you can actually use. These aren't competing goals—with the right approach, you can achieve both at the same time.
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High School English: Why Individual Pacing Matters
Each high school uses different textbooks and moves at a different pace. Here's why individual support matters more than one-size-fits-all classes.
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Why 'Studying Hard' Is Often the Wrong Strategy
Working harder doesn't always mean learning better. Discover why brute-force studying often backfires and what actually helps your brain remember English.
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Why Motivation Fails (and Systems Don't)
Most Fujieda English learners think they have a motivation problem. They don't. Discover why fluency comes from automatic habits, not temporary excitement.
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Why School English Is Important, Yet Speaking Remains Hard
Many students study English for years but can't speak. Understand the structural reasons why, and how focused speaking practice in Fujieda can bridge the gap.
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What Happens in a Diagnostic Session? Finding Your Language Fingerprint
Is the diagnostic session a test? No—it's a conversation in Fujieda's 1-Day Domestic Immersion that reveals your unique error patterns and builds your personalized curriculum.
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Why Communicative Games Work for Adult English Learners
Why does the Fujieda 1-Day Immersion include communicative games? Learn how play creates authentic communication pressure that textbooks can't replicate.
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Is 10 Hours Too Much? The Science of Learning Marathons
Can you really learn English for 10 straight hours in Fujieda? The science of intensive learning, mental stamina, and why longer isn't always harder.
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What is Task-Based Learning? Cooking Isn't Just Cooking
Why does the 1-Day Immersion in Fujieda include cooking? Learn how Task-Based Learning makes English stick better than textbook drills.
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What Are Error Patterns? How I Diagnose Your English
Why do you keep making the same English mistakes? Error pattern analysis in Fujieda reveals the root cause—and how I fix them.
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What's Your Real English Level? A Self-Assessment Guide
Many learners misjudge their English ability. This guide helps you find your real level with clear examples in Fujieda so you choose the right path forward.
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Why Founding Prices? The Beta Test Model for Premium Learning
Why is the 1-Day Immersion in Fujieda discounted for Founding Participants? Here is the honest reason—and how your feedback helps shape the final program.
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Does the 'English Brain' Really Exist? Code-Switching and Language Processing
You've heard about building an 'English brain'—but is it real science or just marketing language? Here's what neuroscience says about language processing in Fujieda's immersion programs.
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What is Deep Consolidation? The Science of Making English Stick
Why does Fujieda's 1-Day Immersion include 90 minutes of quiet study time? Learn the neuroscience-informed reasoning behind Deep Consolidation and why focused reflection helps long-term learning.
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You Don't Need a Plane Ticket to Live in English
Dreaming of better English but can't travel abroad? The 1-Day Domestic Immersion in Fujieda offers 10 hours of focused English practice without leaving Japan.
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Stop Translating. Start Thinking in English.
Tired of translating in your head? Discover how to build an 'English Brain' in Fujieda that links English directly to meaning, leading to more natural conversation.
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Why You Forget English (And How Memory Actually Works)
Struggling to remember English vocabulary in Fujieda? It's not your fault. Learn about the 'Forgetting Curve' and how our Spaced Repetition System (SRS) works with your brain for lasting fluency.
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Some Honest Thoughts on Dictionary Apps — From Someone Who's Still Learning —
As an English teacher and lifelong learner, I share my honest thoughts on popular dictionary apps like Eijiro and Weblio. Discover their pros and cons, and how to use them effectively for natural English.
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Why Some of Our Classes Still Wear Masks (And Why That's Perfectly Fine)
At Starfish English in Fujieda, mask-wearing is a student-led decision. I prioritize mutual respect and comfort, fostering a safe environment where everyone can learn English confidently and effectively.
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Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Japanese Third Age Learners: A Research-Based Approach
A research-based approach to teaching English to Japanese third-age learners in Fujieda. How to empower seniors with anxiety-free, effective instruction.
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Learning English as a Senior in Japan: Your Travel Dreams Await
Dreaming of international travel but worried about English? Discover how senior learners in Fujieda can leverage their unique strengths to achieve travel communication goals and learn English confidently.
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The Secret to Effective English Learning: Why Grade 5+ is the Perfect Starting Point
Grade 5 (ages 10+) is the optimal starting point for conversation-based English learning in Fujieda. Learn why this age range supports steady progress.
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Why I Teach English in Three Stages from Grade 5 to High School
In Fujieda, my 3-tier system supports students from Grade 5 (age 10+) through high school. Continuous learning builds deeper English skills than switching schools.
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Large Classes vs. Small Classes: Which Approach Better Supports English Learning?
Class size makes a real difference in English learning in Fujieda. Discover why the 4-6 student maximum creates more speaking opportunities, builds confidence, and provides the personal support Japanese learners need to thrive.
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Why Junior High Students Thrive in Small English Classes
Junior high students in Fujieda face unique challenges—self-consciousness, academic pressure, and developmental changes. Discover how small classes transform anxiety into confidence and build critical skills for high school success.
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Welcome to the Starfish English Blog!
Discover practical insights for your English learning journey in Fujieda. From AI tools and business English to senior learning and student success—find resources crafted from 35+ years of teaching experience.
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