SOLTILO GSA After School is a program developed by international school professionals and global education specialists. In this world always transforming through globalization and diversification, we feel there is a need for our children, who will be carrying the weight of the new era on their shoulders, to hold the power to break through the future with their own strength. This is why the concept of our after school program is to make the best use of the knowledge, experience, and achievements of Global Step Academy.
A Wide Variety of Experiences
Our curriculum is based on an international inquiry-based integrated thematic learning structure that enhances children’s autonomy and creativity. While stimulating the children’s intellectual curiosity and joy of learning, we work towards setting and achieving individual learning and growth objectives.
Pleasant Learning Atmosphere
All classes are conducted in English. Under the guidance of experienced native teachers and expert instructors, children learn and grow at their own pace. The schedule includes a balanced mix of various classroom activities, games, and inquiry-based curriculum to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Empathy and Mutual Understanding
Through our after school program, your child will have the opportunity to come in contact with new friends and teachers coming from very different backgrounds. This is a great chance to improve their communication skills and their understanding and trust in others, and therefore their future possibilities, by sharing the same objectives and achievements in team activities.
Online Learning Opportunities
Making use of our after school together with the Global Step Academy Online School Program is an efficient way to facilitate your children’s English learning. Regularly thinking in English will enhance their ability to take initiative independently.
Lesson Examples
SOLTILO Sports Program
We engage in sports and physical activities that stimulate the children’s five senses. Our sports program includes activities such as running, mat exercises, ball throwing, jump rope, and dance. We provide an environment where children can move their bodies freely and learn while enjoying these activities. Additionally, we incorporate various team sports and ball games to offer a diverse range of experiences for the children.
Circle Time
Circle Time is a valuable opportunity for children to develop their social skills. While enjoying activities such as singing, dancing, and playing games, the children use their imagination to discuss various themes.
Core Lesson
Our curriculum is rooted in the UK-based International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). The IEYC uses international best practices, holistic inquiry, and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social, and emotional development. Our child-centered approach encourages learning through discovery and exploration, focusing on fun, hands-on learning that is relevant to the children and nurturing their natural curiosity about the world they live in. In the IEYC, the same theme is explored through different subjects (mathematics, science, social studies, arts), creating and interconnected framework that stimulates the children’s learning and inquiry.
Our educational goal is to develop individuals with international and independent thinking, with a particular focus on academic quality, diversity, language and communication skills, ethics, self-awareness, and mindfulness. The ultimate objective is for all students to become global citizens, equipped with the foundational skill set and knowledge to achieve success in their never-ending learning journey.
Reading and Story Time
We conduct read-aloud sessions while engaging in conversations and discussing the development of stories with the children. Reading and writing activities are facilitated using the Jolly Phonics curriculum. Jolly Phonics is a comprehensive program, based on the proven, fun, and multi-sensory synthetic phonics method that gets children reading and writing from an early age. Students practice phonics, pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening by learning songs, actions and stories.
Time to learn English: “between 3000 and 5000 hours”
As Professor Wako Nakashima from Toronto University and Professor Terence Odlin from Ohio State University demonstrated with their research, “between 3000 and 5000 hours” is the standard time needed to acquire English competence. In Japan, after the educational reform of 2020, in elementary schools English hours were increased to 630. What about the 2370 hours left to reach the standard 3000? That is why additional English learning opportunities are so important.
The importance of reading comprehension
Our program focuses on teaching how fun it is to read. To succeed in language learning, consistent reading practice is extremely important. By reading, children will come across a richer vocabulary and deepen their understanding of English in relation to their mother tongue. During their learning journey, children will discover many new words. However, after developing their reading comprehension, it will become progressively easier to grasp the meaning of new words from the context. Reading aloud will give them confidence in their speaking and help with intonation and pronunciation. Listening to the teacher or other students read will help them develop active listening skills by remembering the story’s content, putting the events in sequence, and making guesses about the characters’ emotions and circumstances.
Through reading practice, students will be able to acquire rich knowledge and find their favorite book genre. Having a conspicuous reading experience in childhood will bear fruit for their whole lifetime!
National Geographic Learning
National Geographic Learning’s Look is an English learning series designed for elementary to junior high school students, developing the four core English skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—in a well-balanced way. Featuring the high-quality photography and videos unique to National Geographic, the program explores themes such as global nature, culture, and people, helping students acquire English not as a subject to study, but as a tool to connect with the world.
With a strong emphasis on phonics, it builds a solid foundation in reading and writing while progressively developing English proficiency through a structured 7-level system. This material is ideal for learners who want to cultivate not only their English skills, but also their curiosity, critical thinking, and ability to express themselves.
Don’t let the English your child gained in early childhood go to waste
Many children at SOLTILO GSA After School previously attended international schools during their early years. However, once they enter a Japanese elementary school, opportunities to use English often decrease, and the language skills they worked so hard to build can gradually fade.
By maintaining an English-rich environment, children can preserve and continue to improve their English proficiency.
Support System
Parent-Teacher Conference
Parents are invited to visit the school twice a year, where their child’s progress is clearly shared through a Progress Report.We work closely with each student, supporting and monitoring their growth together every step of the way.
Seasonal Programs
Seasonal programs are held during long vacations, where elementary school students can enjoy learning English naturally through play-based activities and hands-on experiences. The program also encourages focused learning over a short period, making it effective for building strong study habits. Through interactions with new friends and a variety of activities, students develop cooperation and independence.
※Seasonal programs require additional fees.
Schedule
| 時間 | 科目 |
|---|---|
| 14:45 - 15:00 | Arrival / Free Play |
| 15:00 - 15:45 | Sports Activities |
| 15:45 - 16:00 | Break Time / Snacks |
| 16:00 - 16:45 | Core Lesson |
| 16:45 - 17:00 | Goodbye Circle |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Games |
| 17:30 - 18:00 | Free Play |
※The schedule above is an example.
※A shorter course from 15:00 to 17:00 is also available.
※All activities are conducted in English.
