Franchisee’s Testimonials

Ms Jean Li
Kumon Singapore

I am a strong believer of self-learning. It is an important skill to have for both adults and children, especially in our society now. We can self-learn almost anything on Google and YouTube. To self-learn something, you need to have the willingness to try, the determination and perseverance to overcome failure, and the discipline to work on it till you succeed.

All these skills are what we want to cultivate in our students using the Kumon Method of Learning, regardless of age. Whenever students are learning something new, we give them the time and space to try it out on their own first. We want our students to not be afraid to make mistakes. It is part and parcel of taking on new challenges. We will observe and decide how much more instructions to provided, or not at all. Different instructions are given to different students, aiming to develop their self-learning skills. This is one of the uniqueness of the Kumon programme.

The earlier students master self-learning, the more they can pursue their dreams and goals, as they become unstoppable. I am sure all parents want that for their children.

Instructor Ho Lee Choo
Kumon Malaysia

Toru Kumon had stressed to respect for self-learning and children can grow through self-learning without limits.1 My understanding is that we must have a firm belief that all students have this ability of self-learning, and my role as an Instructor is to nurture patiently that learning new content need not necessarily be taught. When students are nurtured the self-learning, they will enjoy and be more advanced in their studies. Eventually students will have more initiative and confidence in advancing their future studies and solving life problems independently.

Ms Salina Thaweewatthanakijborworn
Kumon Thailand

Determining the ‘just-right’ level of starting point will not discourage students to study Kumon continuously and feel motivated to study beyond school grade level consequently. Therefore, it’s essential for Instructors to determine the ‘just-right’ level to be able to make effective study plan and to provide proper instruction for students from the beginning so that they can progress smoothly and not give up easily when facing with challenging contents. Instructor should put the importance in finding the ‘just-right’ level for each student in order to have a good start and progress continuously.

Ms Rakhi Gupta
Kumon India

As a Kumon Instructor, it is my constant endeavour to find out the “just-right” level (JRL) for every student that comes to my Centre. The “just-right” level of study refers to the study condition where student can self-learn without being taught. This helps them engage with the worksheets with good study attitude. When students start with their “just-right” level, they can progress at their own pace eventually helping them catch up to their school grade level and then advancing far beyond it. It is sometimes difficult for a parent and student to accept their JRL being quite lower than the class level. In this situation, sharing study plan, study projection and regular communication with the parent

Ms Candy Katigbak
Kumon Philippines

The “just-right” level principle that is unique to the Kumon Method has been our Center’s constant go-to guide in identifying students’ current individual needs and abilities. Using the “just-right” level in finding the One More “Can-Do” (OMCD) also allows us to streamline our observations in terms of understanding, work skills and study attitude. This way, it is possible to provide appropriate instruction plans and prioritize a number of what-to-do lists so that a smoother progress through the levels is more likely to be achieved. The “just-right” level of study attitude is of equal importance, just like understanding and work skills. For me, enabling students to be confident by allowing them to have as many self-learning experiences as possible will not only keep them challenged, but highly motivated as well.

Ms Saree Lawler
Kumon Australia & New Zealand

The “just-right” level is the sweet spot where students’ are challenged in their studies without feeling overburdened. I believe this benchmark categorically defines the Kumon Method. It represents a Kumon Instructor’s desire to help each child excel, unrestricted by age, school year, or because of their own or others’ preconceptions. I would argue finding a student’s “just-right” level could be life-changing because they prove to themselves they can overcome challenges. Therefore, I spend much of my time mulling over each of my students’ “just-right” level, so they can show themselves they can achieve through their Kumon study.

Ms Liang Muh Jiuan
Kumon Brunei

Students are not likely or willing to do something that is difficult for them. They will instead lose focus on the work and start doing other things such as daydreaming or playing with the items in their surroundings. However, with the “just-right” level, they are able to do their worksheets with ease, without getting too bored working on over-easy work in the beginning. Students doing the “just-right” level worksheets will most likely do their work with full concentration and with a high level of focus. These students may even begin to enjoy doing their work which is slightly challenging for them. They will be able to progress independently, without the need of specific teaching nor guidance.

Ms Daisy Han
Kumon Brunei

Throughout my Kumon journey, I learn that children love being independent. They get a great sense of achievement when they can learn by themselves, rather than being taught by someone right from the beginning.

With a positive study attitude, self-learners will always think and give it a go when faced with new or difficult problems. More importantly, these children build up in confidence and motivation which, in my view, will allow them to be able to achieve their aspirations in life ahead.

At Kumon, we work together with parents to help children develop the ability to learn independently. We aim to provide them with just enough support so they can develop the right attitude towards learning and study the worksheets independently.

Instructor Rovi Ravida
Kumon Australia & New Zealand

For me, self-learning is about empowering students as it allows them to think for themselves and persist through whatever challenges they may face.

Self-learners are like this because they have great stamina, perseverance and passion.

Thus, self-learning equates to success.

In Kumon Maths, I build self-learning by using the six significant skills as the building blocks. These six skills are work skills, mental calculation skills, correction skills, comprehension skills, skills to do intermediate steps efficiently, and verification skills. I also look at the student’s capabilities at enrolment and think about where I want to take them.

And in English, I do this by instructing students to visualise and analyse a text. They learn to build and support their opinion and arguments through Kumon English.