Junior High English in Fujieda
Junior High English: From Textbook to Confidence
School teaches the rules. This course teaches the game.
Academic support meets real-world communication in a safe, small-group environment.
"I liked English in elementary school, but..."
This is a sentence I hear often from parents. Junior High is the make-or-break point. Students who only "memorize" fall behind. Students who understand how English works thrive.
Recommended Reading:
I offer two tracks to match your goals.
Some students need help keeping up with school tests and grades. Others want to build real communication skills for their future. Both tracks are available, and you can choose one or take both tracks together.
Already attending Juku? Students can use Starfish alongside their Juku studies - this is a powerful combination.
Juku provides excellent math, science, and Japanese instruction - subjects tested in Japanese. But English has changed. The University Common Test now places 50% weight on listening.
What Juku can provide: Grammar, reading comprehension, translation skills - all taught in Japanese
What I provide that Juku cannot: Listening and speaking training at natural English speed. You can't train your ear when everything is explained in Japanese.
Think of it this way: Juku prepares your child for half the English test. I prepare them for the whole test. This combination works well for families seeking both - Juku for other subjects, and Starfish English for the listening and speaking skills that Japanese-language instruction cannot develop.
Choose Your Track
Both tracks are small groups (maximum 6 students), meeting once per week for 50 minutes.
Track A: School Support & Test Prep
"I want better grades / I need to pass entrance exams"
- Textbook-Aligned: Lessons work with your school textbook (New Horizon, etc.), learning content slightly ahead of class.
- Test Preparation: Before midterms and finals, lessons switch to intensive test practice covering your exact test scope.
- Grammar Understanding: Learn why rules work logically, building skills to avoid point deductions.
- Benefit: School lessons become "review"—you raise your hand more often, improving your participation grade and test scores.
Track B: Conversation & Practical Skills
"I want English I can actually use"
- Beyond Textbooks: Using a spiral curriculum, lessons build speaking ability independent of school pacing.
- Phonics Mastery: Skills to read and write unfamiliar words correctly without memorization.
- Opinion Expression: Learn to say "I think... because..." with logical reasoning—essential in English-speaking environments.
- Benefit: Prevents the "I can pass tests but can't speak" trap. Builds real skills for future study abroad or careers.
Which track should I choose?
- "Worried about school grades" or "Want higher test scores" → Track A (School Support)
- "School English is fine, but I can't speak" → Track B (Conversation)
- "Want both" or "Not sure" → Dual-Track is recommended
During the trial lesson, I'll assess your current level and choose the best track together.
Not sure which track fits? Book a trial lesson to discuss your child's needs together.
Grade-by-Grade Learning Focus (MEXT Standards-Aligned)
In Track A (School Support), the curriculum ensures mastery of these critical topics at each grade level.
Grade 7 (Junior High 1st Year): Building the Foundation
- Critical Challenge: Distinguishing between "be" verbs and general verbs (struggling here affects all three years).
- Pronoun Cases: Automatic mastery of I, my, me, mine transformations.
- Goal: Ability to ask questions independently using question words (5W1H).
Grade 8 (Junior High 2nd Year): Expanding Expression (Avoiding the "Slump")
- Infinitives & Gerunds: Mastering complex structures like "to do" and "doing" in different contexts.
- Modal Verbs: Using will, must, may to convey nuanced meaning.
- Goal: Expressing dreams and interests in coherent paragraphs.
Grade 9 (Junior High 3rd Year): High School Entrance Exams & Advanced Grammar
- Present Perfect: Understanding completion, experience, and continuation concepts (which don't exist in Japanese).
- Relative Clauses & Participles: Connecting two sentences into one with detailed descriptions (frequent exam topic).
- Goal: Reading stamina for high school entrance exam passages and ability to express opinions logically.
Why Families Choose Starfish for Junior High
- Small Groups: Maximum 6 students per class (not 20-30 like many juku)
- Consistent Teacher: 35+ years experience, not rotating part-timers
- Flexible Tracks: Choose School Support, Conversation, or both—switch if needs change
Class Options & Fees
All prices include tax.
Small Group Lessons
¥10,000 / month
- Once weekly
- Choose Track A or Track B
- Fixed schedule (makeups available)
Dual-Track (Recommended)
¥18,000 / month
- Twice weekly
- "School Support" + "Conversation" combined
- Save ¥2,000!
- For students who want both test prep and fluency
Trial Lesson: FREE (30 minutes, no obligation)
Private Lessons: ¥20,000 / month (once weekly)
Entrance Fee: ¥8,000 (tax included, covers initial assessment and level evaluation)
Materials: I work with your school textbooks to build real-world communication skills. Any supplementary materials are purchased independently online by students. Track A (School Support): approx. ¥2,000–¥3,000 per year; Track B (Conversation): approx. ¥3,000–¥4,000 per year.
Schedule: Classes available on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Specific slots depend on current enrollment.
See How It Works
The best way to understand this approach is to see it in action. I offer a free trial lesson for new students to assess their level and experience the atmosphere of the classroom.
Common Questions
Q. How much does the trial lesson cost?
A. Trial lessons are completely FREE! The 20-30 minute trial lesson allows me to assess your child's current level and recommend the best course (School Support or Conversation Track). There is no obligation to enroll afterward—feel free to experience the classroom with zero risk.
Q. My child is very shy. Is a group class okay?
A. Absolutely. I keep classes small (max 6) specifically to prevent the anxiety of large groups while still allowing for peer interaction. The environment is strictly "safe"—mistakes are never mocked, and patience is the standard.
Q. Can we switch tracks if my child's needs change?
A. Yes. While I recommend choosing one track to start, I can adjust if circumstances change. Students can also bring school test materials to Conversation Track sessions when exams approach—I'm happy to answer specific questions about what they're studying.
Q. My child has club activities. Are evening classes available?
A. Yes. Junior high classes are scheduled for evenings (7:00 PM, 8:00 PM) specifically to accommodate students with club activities. I can discuss your child's schedule during the trial lesson to find the best time slot.
Q. Do you give homework?
A. Yes. Research shows that for this age group, 15-25 minutes of daily contact with English is the sweet spot for retention. I provide specific, manageable tasks (like reviewing vocabulary or a short video) to create this daily habit without interfering with school or juku homework.
Q. Is the teacher a native speaker?
A. Yes. I'm a native English speaker with over 35 years in Japan. This provides the best of both worlds: natural pronunciation and cultural insight, combined with a deep understanding of the specific challenges Japanese students face.