Beyond Template English – Learning Real, Usable English Why kids "study English but still can't speak it"
At many English schools, children are taught using pre-set “template English” expressions.
Children who only learn this kind of template-based English can easily become confused or freeze up when they encounter more natural, casual expressions. They simply don’t know how to respond—because they haven’t been taught the language as it’s really used.
This is one of the biggest reasons why many children “study English but still can’t speak it.”
At FENIX, we focus on teaching real, usable English that prepares children to actually communicate—not just recite.
We believe in going beyond appearances and building the confidence and flexibility to use English naturally in any situation.
At FENIX, We Focus on English That Can Truly Be Used
At FENIX, we value more than just surface-level “easy-to-understand” English.
Our goal is to help children develop real communication skills that work in the real world.
That’s why our teachers intentionally ask unexpected, unscripted questions—not the usual textbook lines.
We also encourage children to go beyond simple Yes/No answers by asking “Why?”, prompting them to respond with “Because...” and express their own thoughts in full sentences.
In addition, we don’t slow down our speaking speed for the sake of simplicity. While it may feel challenging at first, children gradually adapt and develop the ability to understand natural, fluent English as it’s actually spoken.
This approach builds not only listening skills but also the confidence to think and respond in English—essential tools for truly using the language in real life.
The First Year: Progress You Can’t Always See — But It’s There. True growth takes time.
In the first year at FENIX, it may be hard for parents to see clear results.
That’s because our approach doesn’t focus on memorized phrases or visible test scores, but on building a strong foundation for real communication.
But don’t worry—by the time your child enters their second year, you’ll begin to notice remarkable changes: Stronger listening skills, greater confidence in speaking, and the ability to express themselves more naturally in English.
This is the kind of growth we aim for at FENIX.
Not just English that sounds good—but English that works in the real world.
Let’s build that authentic language ability together—step by step.
A Strong Foundation in Japanese Builds Stronger English
– It’s not “English only.” That’s why they can truly speak. –
Is FENIX an All-English Environment?
We’re often asked by parents, “Is FENIX an all-English environment?”
Many believe that children need to be surrounded by English only in order to become fluent. But this is a common misconception.
Imagine a child who was born and raised in Japan and has no experience with English. What would happen if they were suddenly told one day: From today, you can only speak English.”
We often ask parents a similar question: “How would you feel if someone told you to live your daily life only in Spanish from now on?”
Most people would freeze, unable to express themselves at all.
The same happens with children. When they’re forced into an all-English environment without a solid foundation, they tend to shut down, unable to be themselves.
This is the biggest downside of the so-called ‘All-English’ approach.
So, is FENIX “All-English”?
At FENIX, we believe that the key to becoming a confident English speaker is not to force children to speak only English.
Instead, what truly matters is fostering the desire to speak— the curiosity, the excitement, the motivation to say, “I love to speak English!”, “I want to understand more!”
To nurture that mindset, it is absolutely essential that children first build a strong foundation in their native language—Japanese.
The ability to think clearly, express oneself, and communicate meaningfully all begins with the mother tongue. A child who cannot express themselves confidently in Japanese will struggle to do so in any other language.
If both Japanese and English are only half-formed, the child will face even greater challenges later on—especially when trying to become a true global communicator who can share their own opinions and ideas with the world.
Building a Strong Foundation in Japanese
At FENIX, we provide daily Japanese lessons to nurture each child’s identity as a Japanese speaker. Our curriculum includes reading and writing hiragana and katakana, traditional Japanese folktales, seasonal songs, cultural events, manners, and time for reading.
Many of our students aim to enter private elementary schools in Japan, where the entrance exams focus not on English, but on Japanese language skills and expression.
When too much emphasis is placed on an “English-only” environment, there is a risk that children may not develop sufficient Japanese language ability—leading to challenges at the time of school entry.
Even after starting school, difficulties with reading and writing or communicating in Japanese can impact friendships and daily life.
That’s why at FENIX, we place great importance on developing both English and Japanese skills.
We believe in balanced language education, nurturing the language foundation children need to grow and thrive with confidence in Japanese society.
Developing the Ability to Switch Languages Naturally
– Mastering the “Language Switch” at FENIX –
We often hear from parents, "My child never speaks English at home." They are often surprised to see their child speaking fluently in English with native-speaking teachers at FENIX.
Why does this happen?
It’s because FENIX children learn to switch languages depending on who they’re speaking with. They understand that “Mom and Dad don’t speak English,” so they naturally switch to Japanese at home.
In language acquisition, what truly matters is not being in an “English-only” environment.
What’s essential is developing the ability to switch between languages based on the situation and conversation partner.
We believe that mastering this “language switch” is the first step toward becoming a true global citizen — a key goal of the FENIX approach.