Building Strong Foundations in English as a Second Language for Academic and Personal Confidence
A Beginning Marked by Uncertainty
At 13 years old, Rihab, a grade 8 student, now expresses herself in English with confidence and fluency. Enrolled at Kumon Longueuil under the guidance of instructor Hervé Fefer, she recently completed the English as a Second Language (ESL) program before moving on to the Kumon Reading program. However, her journey began with several challenges.
Before joining the ESL program, English was a significant source of difficulty. Her mother explains that Rihab “had limited English vocabulary, difficulty expressing herself orally, and she did not understand her English homework,” adding that her grammar foundation was still underdeveloped. This lack of vocabulary limited her comprehension and held her back from participating fully in class. English felt intimidating rather than empowering.
The Strength of a Structured and Gradual Method
Joining Kumon’s ESL program marked a turning point. Through daily personalized assignments at home and consistent follow-up twice a week at the center, Rihab was able to progress at her own pace. The gradual increase in difficulty allowed her to master each concept before moving forward, preventing discouragement.
The “oral check” component played a key role in improving her pronunciation and oral fluency. Her mother emphasizes that “it’s a program that requires patience and a great deal of perseverance, but the results are there,” highlighting the attentive support provided by the Kumon Longueuil team. This consistency and structured guidance created an environment that supported lasting learning.
Concrete and Measurable Progress
After approximately four months, clear progress became visible. The most significant improvement was in vocabulary, which naturally led to stronger reading skills and better comprehension. By developing solid linguistic foundations, Rihab gained greater independence and confidence.
She explains that “Kumon helped me integrate into the IB program (International Baccalaureate) more easily and acquire language skills that helped me tremendously.” These strengthened English skills supported her success in a demanding academic program and allowed her to approach her studies with greater assurance. English was no longer an obstacle, but an asset.
Confidence Beyond the Classroom
The impact of the program extended beyond academics. During trips within Canada and abroad, Rihab was able to communicate and understand others with confidence. This ability to speak English allowed her to become more independent and open to the world around her.
Aware of the importance of this skill for her future, she keeps her long-term goal in mind: “I don’t want to lose my goal of mastering English as a second language to open doors for my future.” Aspiring to become a lawyer, she already understands that strong English skills will be a major advantage in her professional path.
Perseverance as the Key to Success
Rihab’s journey highlights the importance of consistency and determination. Results are not always immediate, but steady effort eventually leads to meaningful growth. She offers this advice to students just beginning their journey: “Even if the results aren’t immediate, keep persevering and you will eventually see them.”
Supported by a warm and encouraging team, she learned to move forward step by step with confidence. The gradual progression of assignments allowed her to take on new challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
A Natural Transition to the Reading Program
After successfully completing the ESL program, transitioning to the English Reading program was a natural next step. The center team carefully explained the advantages of continuing her learning in the Reading program and the tools needed to continue her progress.
This new stage builds directly on the strong foundations she developed in ESL and marks the beginning of deeper reading and analytical skills development.
Strong Foundations for a Promising Future
Today, Rihab approaches English with confidence and ambition. What was once a source of difficulty has become a true strength, both academically and personally. Her journey demonstrates that with a structured method, attentive guidance, and perseverance, linguistic challenges can be transformed into lasting opportunities.
For her family, Kumon’s English as a Second Language program was much more than academic support — it gave Rihab the strong foundation she needs to continue moving confidently toward her future goals.