ACE

ACE (Achievement Center of Education) was established by Akemi Kimura in 1995 to help students of all ages achieve a higher level of learning. From its beginning day until present, ACE has expanded throughout the Okayama prefecture of Japan into a strong 4 branch school district, which currently offers classes in Math, Japanese, and English.

The English school of ACE aims at helping improve student's control of English by offering a learning session that has positive rapport. Rapport is critical for any success in learning. The four factors that influence good rapport are, the teachers, the students, material, and the classroom.

Teachers

The feeling between teacher and student is widely stated as being essential. Because the classroom sizes of ACE range from one to a maximum of eight students, ACE English Teachers are given the chance to work one on one and build a relationship of trust and respect with students.

Students

Students are assigned to small class sizes. This helps release the tension and pressure of being teased for making errors, something common in the public schools of Japan. Students are welcomed to be themselves and are encouraged to participate in group and classroom activities.

The Material

Since 2004, ACE has paved a new path in the way English is taught in Japan. ACE teaches English in a three step process:

1. The Reflex System
2. English Conversation Class
3. Grammar Class

The three-step learning has helped students see achievement in their personal studies, and has been appreciated by younger learners of English.

Students first do warm up and review exercises through the Reflex system, a vocabulary and phonic software program developed by Felix Pushkevski. Through the Reflex system, children receive input that can later be used in English conversation and grammar classes.

Second, students participate in English conversation class. Here students actually apply the input from the Reflex system and grammar lessons. They are given the chance to perfect pronunciation and communicate in English. However, most importantly they are taught that making mistakes in speaking is okay and is a natural process for perfecting language speaking abilities.

Last, students receive intensive instruction in the grammar of English to help give the extra push needed in excelling in the public school system of Japan. Grammar is managed specifically by Akemi Kimura, who is licensed in administering the Eiken test (The Japan National English test). Akemi Kimura also has had extensive experience in teaching grammar in public and private schools across Okayama prefecture, and is well knowledge in knowing what children need to know to achieve a higher academic knowledge in English.

The Classroom

The classroom's of ACE offer the physical comfort any normal classroom would expect to have, and are organized in a way that allows quick and easy access to teaching materials. Classroom arrangement is organized to help control and keep students focused while still maintaining a welcomed environment.

ACE's Goal

ACE has gained an edge over the traditional way of how English is taught in Japan, the grammar translation method by prioritizing good rapport and using the ACE 3-step learning process. It is the goal of ACE to raise academic success among the children of Japan and to increase learners English proficiency.