Kumon method
Encyclopedia
The Kumon method, developed by educator Toru Kumon
, is a math and reading
educational method that is practiced in Kumon's learning centers.
began to teach his eldest son due to his problems in mathematics at school. Kumon developed the Kumon Method. In 1956, Kumon opened the first Kumon Center in Osaka
, Japan
with the help of parents that were interested in the Method. In 1958, he founded the Kumon Institute of Education, after which Kumon Centers began to open around the world. Since 1956, some 20 million students have been enrolled in Kumon. As of 2009, over 4 million students were studying under the Kumon Method at more than 26,000 Kumon Centers in 46 countries.
at their own pace, moving on to the next level when they have achieved mastery of the previous level. Students are often guided by tutors to develop their mathematical and reasoning skills. Mastery is defined as speed (using a standard completion time) and accuracy. They take an achievement test at the end of each level. The ratio between the time the student takes on the test and the number of mistakes the student made will determine what group level the student will be in on the test.There are a total of four group levels on the achievement tests and the lower the group number the better the score is.
magazine estimated in March 2009 that the entire company was currently worth over $650 million.
reading program in Mainland China is different from the Chinese reading program in Hong Kong
and in Singapore
, and the English
program in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines varies from the English program in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Kumon Korea has other subjects, such as science
, calligraphy
, Korean
, and Chinese character
s, which are not available elsewhere.
The Math program also differs. The math program for most countries goes up to Level O and Level X. However, in Japan, the math program is available up to Level V.
Toru Kumon
was a Japanese mathematics educator, born in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the College of Science at Osaka University with a degree in mathematics and taught high school mathematics in his home town of Osaka...
, is a math and reading
Reading (process)
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...
educational method that is practiced in Kumon's learning centers.
History
In 1954, Toru KumonToru Kumon
was a Japanese mathematics educator, born in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the College of Science at Osaka University with a degree in mathematics and taught high school mathematics in his home town of Osaka...
began to teach his eldest son due to his problems in mathematics at school. Kumon developed the Kumon Method. In 1956, Kumon opened the first Kumon Center in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
with the help of parents that were interested in the Method. In 1958, he founded the Kumon Institute of Education, after which Kumon Centers began to open around the world. Since 1956, some 20 million students have been enrolled in Kumon. As of 2009, over 4 million students were studying under the Kumon Method at more than 26,000 Kumon Centers in 46 countries.
The programs
Kumon is a math and reading enrichment program. Students do not work together as a class, but progress through the curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
at their own pace, moving on to the next level when they have achieved mastery of the previous level. Students are often guided by tutors to develop their mathematical and reasoning skills. Mastery is defined as speed (using a standard completion time) and accuracy. They take an achievement test at the end of each level. The ratio between the time the student takes on the test and the number of mistakes the student made will determine what group level the student will be in on the test.There are a total of four group levels on the achievement tests and the lower the group number the better the score is.
Company value
The Kumon family, led by his wife Teiko, own 60 percent of the company. ForbesForbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
magazine estimated in March 2009 that the entire company was currently worth over $650 million.
Variation of programs throughout the world
The Kumon language program varies regionally. For example, the ChineseChinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
reading program in Mainland China is different from the Chinese reading program in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
program in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines varies from the English program in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Kumon Korea has other subjects, such as science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
, Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
, and Chinese character
Chinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
s, which are not available elsewhere.
The Math program also differs. The math program for most countries goes up to Level O and Level X. However, in Japan, the math program is available up to Level V.
External links
- Kumon's official site in Japan
- Kumon's official site in Mexico
- Kumon's official site in North America
- Kumon's official site in Australia
- Kumon's official site in the UK
- Kumon's official site in Ireland
- Kumon's official site in India
- Kumon's official site in South Africa
- Kumon's official site in Brazil
- Kumon's official site in New Zealand
- Kumon's official site in China
- Kumon's official site in Hong Kong, China
- Kumon's official site in Shanghai, China
- Kumon's official site in Guangdong, China
- Kumon's official site in Taiwan
- Kumon's official site in Indonesia