PLS Newsletter - January 2024
Regarding the Noto Peninsula earthquake: thankfully, all sister schools in the area (Tom’s Crew and NEXTAR in Toyama, and Rugbyball and NEC in Niigata) made it through the earthquake safely. At PLS Headquarters, we’ve taken the reminder to do an extra check of our emergency supplies and procedures.
Contents:
*Items 3 and 4 contain the same details as sent in December’s newsletter.
Autumn Forum 2023 Follow-up
The 2023 PLS Group Autumn Forum, held on November 26, was attended by 54 members from 14 schools. We would like to thank everyone again for taking time out of your weekends to join us.
We would particularly like to thank Eriko Abe (NLK21 Arbor English School), Nobuko Hasegawa (Eigokan) and Miwako Andrews (Adventure English) for sharing their ideas and experience in the panel discussion. We greatly appreciate their contribution to the discussion of how to make our goals and ideology more visible.
Masumi Ormandy shared her experience in the keynote speech, highlighting that “appearances do matter” and “gratitude should be shared through both words and attitude.”
Ray Ormandy also reminded us of the importance of out-of-class English use, another way we can put our ideology into practice. The latest versions of the Front-desk English Exchange cue sheets and “To our PLS Students” school rules poster are available in the Teaching Resources section of the sister school website.
Please click here for a summary of questionnaire responses from attendees.
Contact: Naoe Okabe
PLS Group Sister School Convention
We are pleased to announce the first details of this year’s PLS Group Sister School Convention.
This year’s host will be Time English School, with schools in Osaka, Kobe and Nara. This year marks the 43rd anniversary of Time English School, and they are also a long-time sister school, joining the group in 1986.
Time English School has a strong record of student retention, with many starting from a young age and continuing into adulthood. There are even several graduates among the staff!
While the exact dates are yet to be decided, we are planning to hold the convention on a Sunday and Monday in mid-June to early July. A school visit for those who wish to attend on the Monday morning.
Further details will be shared at a later date. We hope to see you there.
Contact: Naoe Okabe
Online Total Management Seminar
Every January, we hold a Total Management Seminar as part of preparation for the new school year. The seminar covers management, administration, and effective communication with parents/guardians, students, and co-workers. This year, the seminar will be divided into four online sessions.
As well as new staff, previous attendees who wish to brush up are also welcome. While we understand that making time for four sessions may be difficult, we would strongly suggest that first-time attendees try to attend all of them.
Session 1: Understanding the PLS System — January 25 (Thu) 13:00-14:45
Session 2: The Importance and Particulars and PLS Homework — February 1 (Thu) 13:00-14:45
Session 3: Communicating with Parents/Guardians — February 8 (Thu) 13:00-14:45
Session 4: Communicating with Co-workers and Building Trust — February 15 (Thu) 13:00-14:45
Cost:
All four sessions: ¥15,000 (excl. tax), including a 1-hour follow-up/Q&A
Individual sessions (for prior attendees): ¥3,800 per session (excl. tax)
All sessions will be led by Midori Daikuhara and Tomoko Saeki, and held in Japanese (except for some role play sections).
Contact: Makiko Hara
Nenchu Seminar
This seminar will focus on how the Nenchu Program not only prepares students for PLS System® rank classes but also introduces a variety of language appropriate for their age. The Nenchu Program also helps to develop a habitual cycle of homework, and prepares the students to skip 10th Rank and start from 9th Rank when they begin rank classes. We very much look forward to seeing you there.
February 4 (Sun), in-person at PLS Hamadayama
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024, 10:00-17:00
Cost: ￥12,000 (excl. tax)
To register, please submit the online application form.
Contents (subject to change)
Overview of the program
Relation to the 10th Rank
Homework materials and how they are used
Listen Up! A & B
Feeling Cards Set 1 and 2
Number cards and counting activities
Attendance stamp book
Ways to teach ABCs at the nenchu level
Traceabets
Bingo X
Color films and noun card games
The importance of song use
Thank you for your allegiance in our common purpose: to be the best we can professionally be in carrying out English education in Japan!