FAQ

Because English is their native language, foreign teachers cannot understand “how to become proficient in English” or “what is difficult for Japanese people in English”. Most of Catalyst’s teachers are based in Japan and have mastered English as a second language, making it a familiar goal for students. By sharing their diverse overseas experiences and the benefits of being bilingual, they can help motivate students to learn English.
Of course, please be assured that we hire only Japanese teachers who have native-level English proficiency (Eiken® Level 1/TOEIC score 900 or higher), are well-educated, and have a high academic background. In addition, the use of Japanese is basically prohibited during lessons, so the amount of exposure to English is no different from that of lessons with non-Japanese students.

Excellent bilingual teachers with extensive overseas experience, enrolled in Waseda-Keio, Sophia, Tokyo University, and ICU.
At least a TOEIC score of 900 or English Proficiency Test® Level 1 is required for employment.
Only those who pass a rigorous document screening, written test, interview, and group discussion will be hired.

All teaching content and teaching methods are managed by the teaching department staff, and teachers are required to report the details of each lesson to the staff each time, so the quality of the lesson will not be compromised by having a university student teach it.

Teachers are not on a full-time basis, so we are sorry, but we cannot assign them. Please be assured that our system is designed to ensure consistency and quality in lessons no matter which teacher teaches them.

Each lesson lasts from one and a half to three hours, with the end time of the lesson depending on the student’s learning content and progress. Students are seated in an open study space with no partitions, and are able to study at their own pace, making it easy for them to develop a study habit.

Once at the end of the lesson, we take a break of about 10 minutes. Sometimes we take two 5-minute breaks, depending on how the students are doing.

Students are not divided into groups based on their level. Each student is provided with a curriculum that is appropriate for his/her level, and he/she follows a different curriculum than the other students. Also, students do not get involved with each other during lessons.

Since this will depend on the child’s current English ability, concentration, and desired results, we would be happy to discuss this in detail with you at a counseling session.

No problem at all. Many students start with the alphabet and phonics (sounds and spelling conventions).

Of course. However, we do not ask students to memorize the syntax or explain “past perfect” or “relative pronouns” as in school English classes, but rather to repeat many activities (practical exercises) in order for students to acquire the regularity unique to English.

At Catalyst, we give students the opportunity to “input” as much English as possible through their ears and eyes, and to “output” by actually using it. We give students the opportunity to “input” English through their ears and eyes as much as possible, and to “output” English by actually using it. We use a unique method that efficiently repeats this process to help students acquire “usable” English.

Yes, we can. However, the lessons do not focus solely on conversation, as is often the case at English conversation schools, but are designed to comprehensively train vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and other skills so that the end result is high quality English conversation. The rule is that all interactions with the teacher are in English, and the method provides many opportunities for students to speak English themselves.

Yes, of course. First, you and your parent/guardian are invited to come to our classroom for a free counseling and English proficiency level check. Then, after creating a curriculum that meets your child’s level and objectives, you may take a free trial lesson. Please apply for counseling first.

The target grades for CATAL are from 3rd grade elementary school to 3rd grade high school. Only the short-term courses held in summer and winter are open to 2nd graders. Please contact the school building of your choice for a classroom visit even if you are in 2nd grade or younger.

For those who live far away, we recommend short-term classes. We offer short term intensive classes for 2 weeks to 2 months three times a year in winter, spring, and summer. We have had students from Osaka, Nagoya, Gifu, and other cities.