Upper Elementary English (Ages 9-12)
Fun is good. Confidence is better.
Building the "English Brain" before Junior High starts.
"They play games, but they can't speak."
This is a common frustration. Many children attend English classes for years, yet when asked a simple question, they freeze.
Recommended Reading:
I take a different approach.
For students ages 9-12, the goal is to bridge the gap between enjoying English and actually using it. By combining phonics (reading skills) with active communication, we build the confidence that makes Junior High English feel easy.
Why Choose This Course?
- Veteran Instruction: Taught by a TESOL-certified educator living in Japan since 1990, not a temporary gap-year student.
- Small Group Focus: Maximum 6 students means every child speaks. No hiding in the back.
- Phonics Foundation: Students learn why words sound the way they do, empowering them to read new words independently.
- Safe Environment: A "no-judgment" zone where making mistakes is celebrated as part of learning.
Curriculum: "Think Read Write"
The course utilizes the Think Read Write series, designed specifically for young learners in Japan to move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."
Grades 3-4 (Ages 9-10)
- Focus: Sounds & Letters
- Mastering the alphabet and basic phonics.
- Answering simple questions ("What do you like?") in full sentences.
Grades 5-6 (Ages 11-12)
- Focus: Literacy & Expression
- Reading short stories with understanding.
- Writing simple 3-5 sentence journals.
- Entering Junior High with the mindset: "I am good at English."
Class Options & Fees
Small Group Lessons
¥10,000 / month
- Max 6 Students
- 50 minutes / week (42 lessons/year)
- Learn from peers in a social setting
Private Mentorship
¥20,000 / month
- 1-on-1 Instruction
- 50 minutes / week (42 lessons/year)
- 100% customized pace
Entrance Fee: ¥8,000 (One-time)
Materials: Textbooks are purchased separately by students (approx. ¥2,000–¥4,000 per year).
No hidden annual fees.
Parent Voice
"I'm the mother of a 2nd-year junior high school boy who attends Starfish. He had been learning from Richard-sensei even before the classroom opened... When he was in elementary school, he learned while taking walks and playing, and it felt more like he naturally learned rather than trying to memorize. Now that he's in junior high school... Starfish English has become the place that gave him the confidence to say he likes English." — Parent of a Junior High Student (Started in Elementary School)
Start with a Free Trial
Choosing a classroom is a big decision. Come visit, meet the teacher, and see if our style fits your child.
Common Questions
Q. Why is the minimum age 9?
A. The classroom is designed for focused learning, not play-based childcare. Students 9 and older are developmentally ready to sit, engage, and learn effectively in this environment.
Q. Do you give homework?
A. Yes, but it is manageable. Short tasks (listening to a track, writing 3 sentences) keep English fresh between lessons and build good study habits.