From student's perspective
Name: Aidan Zhang
Age: 13
Grade level in School: 7
Subjects enrolled in Kumon: Reading and Math
Level Attained: Reading Level L. Math Level O
How long have you been enrolled in Kumon?
I have been enrolled in Kumon since I was 5 years old. I started with the reading program and then began math approximately a month later.
How has the Kumon program helped you in school?
Not only do I find the material learned at school more familiar and less challenging, Kumon allowed me to have the opportunity to extend my learning above my grade level and teach me valuable life lessons that I apply to my extracurricular activities. For example, when I was constructing a ball launcher for my dog, I was able to apply the strategies Kumon taught me such as calculating launch angle and distance/speed. Also, Kumon taught me that in Math, there is always a strategy or approach to overcoming a problem or challenge. I learned that the foundation of math strategy and deductive reasoning can be applied to many other fields.
What is your favourite subject in school and why?
My favourite subject in school is mathematics! It is not a surprise because I find the class material familiar. Kumon already taught me it. Kumon helped me gain confidence in the course and I am able to dive deeper into more difficult concepts of math. I find when the school teaches it to me, Kumon polishes different aspects of my math skills that I maybe did not catch at school. At school we are learning simple algebra— it is a simple foundational math topic that I have mastered already in higher level Kumon Math. I prefer to challenge myself by including other topics such as Trigonometry or Geometry in my algebra problems.
You’ve finished the Kumon Math and Reading program. How were you able to reach this milestone?
I was able to complete the Kumon program by persevering through the process and having resilience when faced with challenging questions. Having a positive attitude was the most important! Instead of only thinking about finishing, I thought about the ways Kumon problems were fun and interesting. For example, when there is a hard question, I think of it as an enjoyable puzzle, not a “get this done” question.
When you are not doing Kumon, what extracurricular activities do you like to do?
I would describe myself as an active person who loves the outdoors and physical activity. I enjoy mountain biking, camping and swimming. On any day that is nice, I read outside for a while and bike around my block a few times, sometimes with a friend. I also competitively swim and participate in provincial swim races. As for creative arts, I also play the violin and piano. I like playing piano in the classical genre because it creates a sense of beauty within my thoughts. I like to play classic familiar tunes that everyone knows of, whether you improvise it or play it from sheet music.
What are your goals for the future?
Some of my academic goals include joining a coding club in my school and also accomplishing a perfect score in any major project. Some active goals include making the Olympic trial standard in swimming, and finishing a whole entire bike jump park. One goal that I want to accomplish to make me a better person overall is being friends with everyone within my community. I am also excited to try ceramics in Grade 8. I personally think that most of our accomplishments are driven by goals, such as my goal to complete Kumon.
From student's perspective
Name: Amy Huang
Age: 16
Grade level in school: 10
Subjects enrolled in Kumon: Math and Reading
Level Attained: Math Level O. Reading is at Il
How long have you been enrolled in Kumon?
I have been enrolled in Kumon for more than 3 years.
How has the Kumon program helped you in school?
When I just came to Canada, the math that I learned in China is more than enough for me to be one of the top math students in school. I knew how it feels like when you need to work so hard but still cannot get good grades in math. I would never want to be one of them, it’s so tiring and it feels so bad. After about 2 years, I feel like the math I learned in the previous years wasn’t enough anymore. This is when I came to Kumon. Not much time is needed, I only spent about 30 minutes a day on Kumon math works, but I would never worry about this subject anymore. Because I need to spend more time on my English in school, Kumon is a great help in keeping me from overworking.
What is your favourite subject in school and why?
Math is my favourite subject. It’s quite easy to like a subject that you are good at. Not only will you never have a headache because of this subject, but you will also often receive high grades and be happy about it. At least this is me. I also loved problem-solving and working with numbers. Starting with my grandpa, to my uncle, then to my dad, they were either math teachers or studied math in university. I grew up listening to things related to numbers all day, and it became what I like.
You've finished the Math program. How were you able to reach these milestones?
I think the most important thing is persistence. I am able to sit down and spend that time doing the math problems every single day, so I’m able to finish it. If I meet a problem that I’m not sure how to solve, I seek help. Asking parents and searching on the internet are great ways, signing up for Kumon online classes now would definitely help too!
When you are not doing Kumon, what extracurricular activities do you like to do?
I finish my homework first, and if I have time, I’ll spend some time on video games. I also play the piano most of the days and I draw a lot.
What are your goals for the future?
I wanted to go to university and study a math or science-related course. Most importantly, live a happy life!
From staff's perspective
Name: Ken Hagiya
Age: 12 when finished Kumon
Grade level in School: Grade 7 when finished Kumon
Level Attained: Math O in 2016. Reading L in 2015
How long have you been enrolled in Kumon?
Six years in all.
How has the Kumon program helped you in school?
Where should I begin? The fact that I was far ahead of my class level allowed me to have a confident and carefree school life. I developed good study habits; the discipline of completing the dozen or so pages every day in the mornings helped. All the way to Gr.12, I never had to worry about confounding math concepts, because I have done it before! The Reading program has also greatly helped, albeit in a discrete way. Learning an extensive set of vocabulary and writing solid topic sentences was the most helpful. By enjoying self-teaching, Kumon helps me learn and appreciate any topic of interest.
What is your favourite subject in school and why?
My favourite subject is Biology, because it makes me appreciate the miracle of my existence every day. Not many school classes do that. In fact, some are so boring it makes me not want to exist.
You’ve finished Kumon Math and Reading program. How were you able to reach this milestone?
The best advice I have is to memorize your times table as early as possible. Get good at it. Next, have a big, wide, comfy desk that you can love. Not some cheap plastic fold up, the kitchen counter, or your bed. Third, wake up as early as you can and do your homework in the morning before going to school. Lastly, and most importantly, be humble as you progress through the levels. Just because you are ahead of your grade, or can do some fancy mental math, does not make you better than your classmates. Respect your teachers, help out your friends, and greet the numbers on your page every day.
When you are not doing Kumon, what extracurricular activities do you like to do?
I am learning to arrange songs on piano, so that I can play my favourite songs. Also, I love reading. Books are the best investments I have made. There’s also a hobby I picked up called speedcubing. It’s basically where you solve a Rubik’s cube as fast as you can. It’s good for showing off. Since I now live in Victoria, I play golf too. It’s surprisingly good for mental concentration.
What are your goals for the future?
I am going into the Faculty of Science at UBC, and then I want to become a teacher.
From staff's perspective
Name: Kai Killick
Age: 16
Grade level in School: Grade 11
Level Attained: Math O
How long have you been enrolled in Kumon?
I was enrolled in Kumon for 4.5 years. I started in Grade 5, and I finished in Grade 9
How has the Kumon program helped you in school?
Kumon has helped me greatly in many ways, in school and outside of school. Kumon has trained me to be very good with mental math, and it also allowed me to study above my grade level in school math. Most importantly, it helped me develop good work ethics which I am very grateful for.
What is your favourite subject in school and why?
My favourite subject in school is Accounting because when I am in the class, I imagine the numbers as money, and that mindset inspires me to make every calculation and entry very accurate. Completing the Kumon program probably helped me in this class, because accounting class uses math to a high extent.
You’ve finished the Kumon Math Program. How were you able to reach this milestone?
Although at times Kumon was very tough, I kept persevering and doing it every day, and little by little, I was able to finish Kumon. Also, after reaching that milestone, I was able to start working at Kumon. The job is very rewarding and interesting because it lets me help people and share my experience of the Kumon program.
When you are not doing Kumon, what extracurricular activities do you like to do?
When I am not at Kumon, things that I like to do are: play Tennis, Violin, League of Legends, hang out with friends, and drink bubble tea.
What are your goals for the future?
In the future, I would like to go to either UBC or SFU for Business. I hope to study either Accounting or International Business and go into a career in these fields.