April 2013 New Classes ２０１３年４月からのクラス

Here is the advertisement for the new classes starting in Takenotsuka in April.

東京都足立区竹ノ塚での４月からのクラス案内

This year we'll have 2 parent/child classes at Takenotsuka to create an English foundation for babies.  Recent research shows that even but the age of 1 year old babies loose the ability to hear sounds not in the language(s) that they do not hear spoken regularly.  Personal experience also shows that toddlers can be resistant to learning a language they are not already familiar with so why not start early?!

There will be a Baby Signing Time Basic class on Wednesdays from 11 AM.  Students who join this class of the option of continuing on to the Advanced class for further study.  This class is taught in a bilingual English/Japanese format and will help help parents to learn to communicate with their children from as early an age as possible. Signing is a natural first style of communicating for babies.  They wave "bye bye" before they can say the words, right?  The class includes signing, Japanese, English, songs and activities all designed to promote multisensory learning. You'll learn a lot and have fun!

A new class, Baby Class held on Wednesdays from 10 AM~, is a chance for babies/parents to become comfortable with using English or, for those who already use English regularly, a place to get new ideas and spend time each week in an English language environment.

Registration for both classes can be done through Takenotsuka Lutheran Church English School or through the Kotoba & Sign hompage.

A bit about the teacher...

These classes are taught by Heidi - a Signing Time Academy certified Master Instructor with over 15 years of experience teaching various baby, children and parent/child classes.  She also has over 10 years experience teaching English in Japan yet retains the ability to "forget" all Japanese when teaching an English class in order to create an immersion environment which is optimal for English language study.  Her experience as a baby sitter and later as a mother makes her uniquely qualified for leading parent/child classes.  Heidi is an avid reader with a deep interest in childhood development and the Montessori method.