Niigata English school

in both Shinanomachi & Kameda in Niigata City

• We teach English to students of varying ages and ability (1-80).
• Classes are fun and geared toward the need of each student.
• We have a highly systematic curriculum to ensure our students succeed.

Most of the graphics are my own design.

Location.
The Shinanomachi and Kameda English LOFT schools are located in the beautiful city of Niigata, Japan on the Western Coast of the largest island of Japan facing the Sea of Japan. Teaching is the heart of what we do. It is our reason for being here. We provide English language services in the best teaching environment available in Niigata. Our class sizes are kept small for focused quality and students are matched according to ability and appropriate dynamics. The LOFT prides itself on having the highest quality English School in our service area.

Our Teachers.

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Happy Students + Happy Staff = A Happy Business.


We do not use a "ticket system". Instead, we make sure that our students get what they pay for. If a student misses a class we do everything we can to make up that class (even if it was years ago).
In addition, we treat our staff fairly and promote the best quality work environment for our staff. Our staff live nearby in a comfortable environment. We do not overwork our staff. And it is clear that our staff are happy working in this environment. We are equally concerned with the well being of our staff as well as that of our students. A teaching position at the LOFT is one of the most sought after teaching jobs in all of Niigata.

What kind of classes do we teach?
Children's private, joint (doubles), or group classes:
Tiny Tots (ages 2 - 5): Children learn English, through singing, story telling, games, English-active crafts, dance, and over the course of the program develop their own English book.
Pre-Phonics (6 years of age): Children learn English using North American (American or Canadian) phonetics systems (we use both Whole word and Phonics techniques). Thereby, children learn reading, writing, pronunciation, conversation, and grammar simultaneously. We encourage children to be active in their learning and to have fun. Phonics (7 years - ): Children continue learning more advanced levels of phonics and move on to our conversation books.
Conversation (average 9 years -): After developing their reading skills, children are taught using the Let's Go series or equivalent).
ADVANCED level children's classes: A large number of our students have lived abroad in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the like. For them we use English study materials the are equally applied to teaching in North America for American or Canadian students.
Adult private, joint (doubles), or group classes: We teach TOEFL, TOEIC coursework on request.
Group classes tend to primarily be conversational. We use either a text book or pre-developed conversational material. Grammar points are also incorporated into the lessons. Private classes offer the most benefit to any student. The advantage of private classes is that students are not hindered by the competing interests of other students. Private students can dictate what they wish to focus on (i.e. grammar, conversation, TOEFL, ect.) Likewise, we can use text books or pre-developed conversational materials. Editing sessions: We provide editing for research papers, books, and other documents. We have been doing editing work for both Niigata and Nippon Dental University for over 10 years. Translation Services: We can translate materials either from English to Japanese or Japanese to English. Both of our Japanese staff are fluent English speakers. Off-site teaching: We will send a teacher to locations that are accessable.



Drawn by Kevin M. O'Neill.
How is the LOFT different from other Eikaiwas (Conversational English Schools)?
-Superior Experience, Superior Training.
LOFT staff are exceptionally experienced in working with both children and adults. Our head staff has been a professional children's educator/teacher/counselor/trainer for over 20 years, first in his work with the YMCA professionally and in both elementary, junior high schools, and high schools in California for 8 years prior to coming to Japan. He has been a professional English conversational teacher for over 10 years.
-Educationally more qualified.
Our top staff have backgrounds in teaching or teaching related fields.
-Excellent service and quality care because we can.
We do make-up classes, have flexible scheduling, and meet whatever our student's teaching needs are. We will even provide classes during hours that most Eikaiwa`s are closed. We have 4 FULL TIME NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKING TEACHERS from America or Canada to meet the needs of our students.
-Better Parties.
We host Adult student parties, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving parties, Christmas parties, and more. We do so, because it's what the "Eikaiwa Experience" is all about and the students love them.
-We provide a family atmosphere conducive to learning.
Parents are welcome to observe their children's classes. Our front lobby offers a comfortable place for parents to socialize or for younger children to play while their older sibling's classes go on.
Students are welcomed to a nice cup of tea or for adults a cup of freshly ground coffee.
-We provide 48 classes a year on any given day.
Typically other Eikaiwa`s are open for no more than 42 - 44 classes a year. Our students get more class time for an overall cheaper price.
We work on most Japanese holidays. And to the benefit of our staff and students we close only during the longest Japanese holiday periods: Golden Week, O-bon, and New Years.
-The highest quality for the better price.
Taking everything above into account, we also don't charge extra fees for things like heating costs, monthly supply costs, and the like.
Currently, we are serving over 200 students and growing.

English LOFT Photo Album Click on a thumbnail in the left column to view a large image.

Can parents be involved in their children's classes?



Education


Curriculum

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For more information about our school or living in Niigata email me at: kevinjapan@msn.com

The LOFT's address is: 4-8 2F Shinanomachi, Niigata, Japan 951
Our phone number is: (025) 232-0262.

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If you are interested in receiving information about The English LOFT or advice on teaching in Japan, please feel free to contact me at the above.

Links

Our other English LOFT website
Life in Niigata (travel & living in Niigata site)
Jim Coulter's web site
Michiko Onuki's website - Japanese teacher teaching English
Angelfire - Free Home Pages