Courses & Services

CLASS SIZE

Private Lessons

If you would prefer to study at your own pace, this is your best option. In a one-on-one learning environment, classes are geared to your specific, individual needs, and it is easy to schedule and reschedule. Private lessons are customizable and easily changed to suit your tastes, times, topics, and whims.

Semi-Private Lessons

These are lessons for just two people, ideal for a couple or a close pair of friends who would do well with the mutual support and want to save a little. It is desirable that both are studying at a similar level, but this does not need to be the case.

Group Lessons

These are classes for 3 or more people that still allow for plenty of speaking opportunity at a much cheaper price. Lesson content and meeting times are still changeable, but not as easily as with private or semi-private lesson. Again, it is desirable that both are studying at a similar level, but this does not need to be the case.

MATERIALS, METHODOLOGY, & CONTENT

Choices concerning class content and methodology are left to students. However, it is often the case that students may not have a concrete idea about what and how they should be coached. In such cases, teachers can make recommendations based on interviews that assess students’ levels, goals, interests, and learning styles. If students are ever dissatisfied with a particular theme, focus, approach, etc., class content and methodology can be altered. In order that English Bridge can better meet students’ needs, learners at English Bridge are kindly requested to communicate openly to teachers!

Materials

A wide variety of materials are used for English Bridge classes, and students may choose whether or not they want to purchase a textbook. For some types of classes, a textbook may be requisite. Class resources include textbooks, worksheets, flashcards, games, puzzles, newspaper and magazine clippings, Internet and computer resources, recorded audio on CD or online, and even recorded movie /TV show/ commercial segments.

Methodology

Students learn through pair and group work, cloze/gap activities, task-based activities, small talk, discussions, debates, extensive and intensive reading assignments, listening exercises, creating and making presentations, writing blogs/ diaries/ summaries, etc. From the start of studies with English Bridge, students will learn “language learning strategies” to encourage autonomous learning; learning strategies help students foster their own ability to acquire language more efficiently outside of the classroom.

Content

English-language students in Japan tend to want to focus on listening and speaking skills in class, but reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, phonology, culture, motivation, test-preparation, self-expression, memory techniques etc. can also be included. Following are some examples of content and methodology for different levels and classes sizes. Naturally, content from different types of classes can be combined to suit students’ interests and needs.

Daily Conversation

“Daily conversation” is very broad, so what students study will depend on the context in which they envision themselves using the language in addition to personal interests. Low-level students will go through basic language patterns methodologically with Japanese support when available and/or necessary. Students are expected to share their interests, expectations, and goals. Textbooks can be recommended for those who prefer the structure that texts offer.

Reading Circles

In a reading circle, students meet regularly to discuss something they have read, usually fiction. Reading circles are best suited for groups of at least 2 people who enjoy reading and who talk without hesitation (regardless of ability). At English Bridge, reading circles are conducted at three levels, making use of textbooks containing collections of short stories for language learners. Reading circles are effective in improving speaking skills in addition to reading comprehension. Students must prepare well for class by doing the assigned reading and preparation.

Travel English

Travel English classes focus on language that is most likely needed when visiting foreign countries (not necessarily native English-speaking countries) for leisure, work, or study. Textbooks can be recommended for those who prefer the structure that texts offer.

Current Events & News

Using simplified articles and accompanying lessons from sources like the famous Guardian Weekly newspaper, students paraphrase what they have read (summarize in their own words), go over lesson exercises that they have completed with the teacher, and have discussions about the topic. Current events classes assume students will do reading and complete preparatory assignments before class. The lessons are available at pre-intermediate, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Business English

English classes with a business focus are suitable for students at the intermediate level (those who already have a functional ability in spoken and written English) and above. Examples of topics covered in business English classes include appropriate “small talk,” describing products and services, communicating via telephone or email, writing letters and memos, making orders and requests, video-conferencing, communicating effectively in meetings, etc. Textbooks can be recommended for those who prefer the structure that texts offer.

Presentation Skills

Many professionals find themselves in the position of having to give a presentation in English, and find the task particularly challenging. In English, presenters are quite often expected to be concise and entertaining as well as informative. English Bridge offers coaching in the physical, visual, and structural aspects of making presentations. Students are welcome to practice their pre-made presentations to get feedback on their language and presentation skills.

Telephone English

Communication over the telephone is often the most nerve-wracking and difficult of all oral communication in a foreign language. Students who need to use the telephone to communicate in English can focus exclusively on learning phrases and strategies to communicate with more confidence and less stress. Over-the-telephone lessons can be arranged for practice. Telephone English classes are ideal for semi-private lessons, so that pairs can practice with concentrated teacher observation. Textbooks can be recommended for those who prefer the structure that texts offer.

Email Correspondence

Conducting international business without ever using email is unthinkable these days. Although many Japanese feel more comfortable communicating through email than over the telephone, written English requires a different language skill set. Students who wish to learn how to write more effectively should expect weekly role-playing writing assignments that are reviewed in class with the teacher.

ESP (English for Specific Purposes)

Those working in fields such as science, technology, medicine, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, engineering, tourism, computing, etc. who need to develop English skills specifically targeted at their industry can benefit from learning at English Bridge. Textbooks are usually recommended if available, and students are encouraged to start any highly specialized English training at an intermediate level of language ability or above.

Academic Writing

Students or scholars who need to improve their writing skills in order to submit quality academic work to institutions in English will benefit from classes in academic writing. A program of about 15 classes using a textbook and requiring written assignments can be arranged for private, semi-private, or group lessons. In this program, English Bridge uses a process approach to teaching higher-level writing skills. A TOEIC score of at least 500 is recommended. English Bridge can also offer editing feedback to already written manuscripts outside of class time.

Exam Preparation

Whether students need to prepare for the TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, STEP, or some other exam, English Bridge supplies support for exam preparation by acting as tutor. Self-study with practice tests and texts is essential for students who aim to pass or get a higher score.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation classes are offered for students of high proficiency who want to work specifically on accent reduction or adopt a particular way of speaking. Classes cover rhythm, voice inflection, and intonation, and students learn though listening, repetition drills, shadow reading, making presentations, etc. Private lessons tend to be more effective for pronunciation coaching.

Chat Lessons

Some students want simply the opportunity to talk about light or serious topics with native speakers one on one – no lesson plans, no texts, no materials, no homework. Students who opt for this style of lesson must come to class prepared with a topic, however, plus their opinions and the desire to talk. Students engage the teacher in conversation, during which time the teacher takes notes of any language slips that students make. Sometimes students are corrected unobtrusively mid-talk, but most feedback occurs near the end of class when the teacher and student go over the teacher’s notes together. When done properly, this type of private lesson is extremely effective for motivated, talkative students at the pre-intermediate level or above who want to focus on improving oral language fluency and accuracy though simple practice.

EDITING & TRANSLATION

Editing

English Bridge edits essays, reports, marketing tools, letters, website copy, articles, research papers, presentations, business correspondence, resumes, etc. to check the quality of English, changing incorrect language and making style suggestions in to order sound natural to a native reader. Editing projects should be submitted in MS Word format and can be completely handled through email, unless document size is an issue. If the document to be edited was translated from Japanese, English Bridge requests that this original Japanese document be enclosed with the project. Please contact English Bridge by email to get a quotation.

Translation

English Bridge can handle short and simple Japanese to English translation projects. Documents to be translated should be written in UNICODE Japanese in an MS Word file and can be completely handled through email, unless document size is an issue. Please contact English Bridge by email to see if the project can be handled and to get a quotation.