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.
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I tailor each student's lessons to their goals.
Lessons are built around your child's goals — school tests and grades, real communication skills for their future, or both — and the balance shifts as they grow. Taught in English, in a small group where each student works at their own pace.
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.
What Students Work On
Small groups (maximum 6 students), meeting once per week for 50 minutes.
Each student's lessons are built around their own goals and pace. Whether the priority right now is school grades, speaking confidence, or a mix of both, I tailor the focus to your child—and adjust it as they grow.
- Textbook-aligned support & test prep: Lessons work with your school textbook (New Horizon, etc.), often learning content slightly ahead of class. Before midterms and finals, lessons shift to intensive practice on your exact test scope.
- Real conversation & practical skills: A spiral curriculum builds speaking ability independent of school pacing—so students avoid the "I can pass tests but can't speak" trap.
- Grammar that makes sense: Learn why rules work logically, building skills to avoid point deductions and to express opinions ("I think… because…").
- Phonics & literacy: Skills to read and write unfamiliar words correctly without memorization.
- Taught in English: School lessons become "review," participation grades rise, and real communication skills grow for future study abroad or careers.
Not sure where to start?
During the trial lesson, I'll assess your current level and recommend the best focus for your goals—together.
Want to talk it through? Book a trial lesson and we'll discuss your child's needs.
Grade-by-Grade Learning Focus (MEXT Standards-Aligned)
The curriculum ensures mastery of these critical topics at each grade level, whether the immediate focus is school grades, exam prep, or broader communication skills.
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, so every child gets attention
- Consistent Teacher: 18 years of teaching experience, and the same teacher every term
- Flexible focus: Coursework, real-world conversation, or both — we adjust the mix as your child's needs change.
Class Options & Fees
All prices include tax.
Small Group Lessons
¥10,000 / month
- Once weekly
- Individualized to your child's goals
- Fixed schedule (makeups available)
Private Lessons
¥20,000 / month
- Once weekly
- 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's goals
- Flexible scheduling
Trial Lesson: FREE (30–45 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 (roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per year, depending on the materials we choose together).
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.
Want to map your child's current English before deciding on lessons? Try the JHS English Diagnostic Report (free, 15 min).
Looking for more practice time? Twice-weekly lessons are also available on request—mention it at the trial and we'll see what works.
Common Questions
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 the focus change as my child's needs change?
A. Yes. While we'll agree on a starting focus, I can adjust if circumstances change. Students can always bring school test materials to lessons when exams approach—I'm happy to answer specific questions about what they're studying, even if our usual focus is conversation.
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. Short, daily contact with English sticks better than occasional long sessions, so I aim for a manageable 15–25 minutes a day — small, specific tasks like reviewing vocabulary or a short video, to build the habit without getting in the way of school or juku homework.
Q. Is the teacher a native speaker? How long have you been teaching?
A. Yes. I'm a native English speaker, with 36 years living in Japan and 18 years teaching English. That means natural pronunciation and a real understanding of Japanese culture, plus a specific sense of where Japanese students tend to get stuck in English.