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Tokyo International School Curriculum Guide: IB, IGCSE, AP and K-12
K-12 describes a grade span, IB is a family of programmes, IGCSE is a subject-based qualification, and AP is a set of individual advanced courses. Here is how parents can compare them.
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One week before the EIKEN first stage: what to prioritise in the final 7 days
With one week left, it matters more to narrow down where marks are being lost than to add new materials. Here is how to use the final 7 days.
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How to choose an English tutor that suits your child: 7 things parents should check
A tutor's background alone does not decide the match. Goals, age, teaching style, language, schedule and location, and what to look for in a trial lesson.
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Does an English tutor need to speak Japanese? How to decide on a bilingual tutor
A tutor who speaks Japanese is not always better, and neither is English-only. Here is how to decide based on your child's goal and current level.
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How to study in the last week before the SAT: reviewing Bluebook practice tests and preparing the day before
One week left before the SAT: reviewing Bluebook practice tests, narrowing weak points, priorities for Reading and Writing and Math, and preparation the day before.
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5 things to do the night before the SAT: a checklist for last-minute study and test-day preparation
For students and parents unsure what to do the night before the SAT: priorities from last study, Bluebook, admission ticket, what to bring and the venue to bedtime, and what to avoid.
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Three days before the EIKEN interview: second-stage preparation you can still do
Three days before the EIKEN second stage: the interview flow, reading aloud, answering questions, opinion questions and the order to practise mock interviews, mainly for Grades 3, Pre-2, Pre-2 Plus and 2.
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5 reasons your SAT practice test score is not improving, and how to review
For students whose SAT score does not rise despite many practice tests: weak-point analysis with Score Details and My Practice, classifying causes of mistakes, and repeating with the Student Question Bank.
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What is analysis in IB? How it differs from summary and how to write it
For IB students told they write only summary: the difference between summary and analysis, thinking in What, How and Why, examples, linking back to the question and how to revise.
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Why words you memorised do not come out in English writing, and how to practise
How to turn known vocabulary into usable vocabulary for learners who understand words but cannot produce them in writing or conversation, using example sentences, recall, short sentences, paraphrasing and review.
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How to judge the quality of an English lesson: 5 things parents can look at
For parents who are not confident in English themselves: five ways to judge lesson quality through goals, your child's engagement, specific feedback, adjustment to understanding, and the next step.
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What to do 30, 14, 7 and 1 days before an exam
A revision plan for any kind of exam: checking the scope, fixing weak points, rehearsing the real format and preparing the day before, for students unsure what to prioritise at each stage.
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How to take EIKEN in Singapore: the difference between JAS and Satsuki Gakuen
Based on information confirmed as of September 21, 2026, this article sets out the main routes for taking EIKEN in Singapore and what to check before applying.
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EIKEN Pre-2 as an elementary school student: 3 things parents should prepare
The three places elementary students typically get stuck on Pre-2 (vocabulary, long passages and writing), plus home study steps and when outside support helps.
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Vocabulary memorisation alone does not always improve EIKEN scores
At higher grades, the bottleneck is often not vocabulary. Here is how to tell what is actually costing points.
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Why EIKEN writing stalls, and what to do about it
The pen often stops before vocabulary or grammar even come into it. Here is where students actually get stuck, and what helps.
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EIKEN past paper score is low. What should be fixed first?
A low score alone does not diagnose anything. Here is how to break the loss down by cause.
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What to check when written homework comes to a halt
When written homework stalls, check whether the question, structure and teacher's expectations are clear, as well as the student's writing ability.
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What to check when English feels like it's too hard at international school
“Struggling with English” is not one problem. Here is how to work out which one it actually is.
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What to focus on first so primary English remains manageable
How to choose between pronunciation, vocabulary, conversation and reading based on your family's situation.
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Phonics, conversation or school English: where should we start?
No single one of these is always the right place to start. Here is how to choose based on your child's current profile.
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What is the SAT? Structure, difficulty and how parents can use it
The SAT is not an America-only test. Here is what it actually covers, how hard it is, and how it can support university applications in Japan and abroad.
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Why learning needs a person paying attention: the Petra Tutors approach
Why our support continues beyond tutor matching: finding an approach that suits your child, keeping parents informed and creating a manageable learning routine.
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