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Alumni and results
More than 5,000 children in 25 years. Our alumni have gone on to the world’s leading universities and schools.
Children taught
Ivy League schools attended by alumni
Admissions to Punahou School
Youngest Eiken Grade 1 pass (CEFR C1)
Harvard, Yale, Princeton — and beyond
Our alumni attend leading American universities as well as the University of Tokyo and Keio University in Japan. Children who build strong English — strong reading — early can achieve more in less study time. That leaves room for sports, the arts and the strengths that make them who they are.
- Class of 2020: three Ivy League admits, including Harvard and Yale, plus the University of Tokyo
- A TLC alumnus was named one of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Punahou, Iolani and Japan’s top schools
Every year, more than ten TLC students are admitted to Punahou School, Hawai‘i’s leading college-preparatory school. They bring academic ability built on reading — and personal strengths developed with the time that strong reading frees up.
- Punahou School: 150+ admissions
- Iolani School: 100+ admissions
- Shibuya Makuhari, Shibuya, Keio, Hiroo Gakuen and other top schools in Japan
Where our alumni go
Ivy League
U.S. and international universities
Universities in Japan
Schools
161 students out of 3.6 million high school seniors.
In 2020, TLC alumnus Koichi was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar — one of the highest honors for American high school students. Presidential Scholars are invited to Washington, D.C., to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion. The thinking, English and communication skills Koichi built at TLC from early childhood laid the foundation for this honor.
My family spoke Japanese at home, so my first English pronunciation came from TLC at age three. By the time I entered kindergarten, I could read independently, and my vocabulary grew rapidly until I could keep up with my local friends. Graduating high school, I feel I have reading, comprehension, and writing skills second to none. I’m deeply grateful to my parents for enrolling me in TLC for Kids, and to all the TLC teachers.Koichi O., Iolani School, Class of 2020
Eiken results
Eiken is Japan’s national English proficiency test. Unlike most subjects, English is one in which elementary school children can reach university-level ability.
- 5th grade: 1 student
- 6th grade: 3 students
- 8th grade: CEFR C1 (2,741 points)
- 3rd grade: 1 student
- 4th grade: 2 students
- 5th grade: 3 students
- 6th grade: many students
- Many passes in kindergarten and early elementary
- Every child works toward Pre-1 (CEFR B2)
From our alumni and families
TLC gave me far more than English. I developed the ability to think critically on a global stage — and the confidence to know I belong there.TLC alumnus, graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Starting phonics at age 3 meant she could read English words at an early stage. Reading English news articles and books every day, she passed Eiken Pre-Grade 1 in 4th grade. Continuing through middle school, she achieved Eiken Grade 1 and CEFR C1 in 8th grade.
A completely Japan-raised bilingual with zero overseas experience. Started audio immersion at birth, then learned reading through phonics and sight words. Somehow he was reading on his own, and after reading over 1,000 books he passed Eiken Pre-Grade 1.
My son was energetic and struggled to sit still — but thanks to TLC, he developed not only English ability but also study habits and concentration. The daily video lessons and worksheets gave him a strong link between English sounds and written letters.
My daughter was a somewhat slow talker, but within nearly one year she was reading simple books on her own. She doesn’t feel like she’s studying — she’s singing, dancing, and answering quiz questions, which she finds great fun. Day by day, the rhythm unique to English is becoming part of her.
My students always look forward to TLC’s rhythmic songs. The melodies are repetitive and easy to remember — even hearing a song for the first time, children can sing along right away. The charming illustrations and humorous lyrics are enormously popular with kids. I recommend this outstanding TLC program to elementary school teachers across Hawaii and Florida.
Ranked #2 for “most effective materials” by teachers on OpenEd
On OpenEd, one of America’s largest teacher resource sites with 250,000 registered teachers, TLC for Kids’ program ranked #2 in the “most effective materials” category, with a 92% approval rating. #1 was PBS, home of Sesame Street and Arthur.
Your child could be next.
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