An English educator for more than 30 years. Founder of TLC for Kids in Honolulu, where he has taught more than 5,000 children over 25 years.
Helping every child become a confident reader through the Science of Reading.
Born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1966. After graduating from Meiji University and working in finance, he studied under the late Makoto Shichida, a pioneer of early childhood education in Japan, and developed English learning materials.
In 2001, he moved to Hawai‘i for his own children’s education and founded TLC for Kids in Honolulu. Hawai‘i sits between Asia and America, and his school has served children growing up between both cultures. There he built an original program for English, communication and thinking skills.
Since 2002, he has taught reading based on the Science of Reading — the body of research on how children learn to read. He created the TLC Phonics Program, and today he teaches children online across the United States, Europe and Asia.
His phonics program was ranked #2 for “most effective materials” on OpenEd, a resource site with 250,000 registered U.S. teachers. Over more than 20 years he has taught over 5,000 children; his alumni have gone on to all eight Ivy League universities, the University of Tokyo and other leading universities.
In 2023, he became an advisor to Hama Kids English, the English division of Hamagakuen, one of Japan’s largest private academic prep schools (juku). He writes columns for major Japanese media, including Diamond, Kodansha and Asahi Shimbun Publications. He has published six books in Japan and four in Taiwan, Korea and China.
His next book, on Science of Reading–based English learning at home, will be published by Diamond in December 2026.
Opens a bilingual school in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, bridging Japan and the United States.
Begins teaching phonics and sight words step by step, and creates the TLC Phonics Program.
His phonics materials rank #2 on OpenEd, used by 250,000 U.S. teachers.
Distills the skills children need in a global society into three, and explains how to nurture each. Published by Diamond; a bestseller in Japan.
Alumni continue to be admitted to Harvard, Yale and other top universities worldwide.
Advises the English division of one of Japan’s largest private academic prep schools.
A new book on Science of Reading–based English learning at home, coming in December.
The Science of Reading is the research on how children learn to read, and the teaching approach built on it. In the United States, it now shapes reading instruction in schools across many states.
Since 2002, I have taught English at TLC for Kids in Hawai‘i using the Science of Reading. Many of my students came from homes where English was not spoken. They first learned to read English books, and from there developed the ability to keep learning on their own. Our alumni have been admitted to all eight Ivy League universities, including Harvard and Yale. See results →
Reading is not a talent. It is a skill that can be taught. Phonics gives children the code that links letters and sounds; sight words are the common words they learn to recognize instantly. Taught in order, these let children read English books — even when their parents don’t speak English.
What matters is not a child’s age, but working at the right stage.
Alumni of TLC for Kids, led by Toru Funatsu, have gone on to leading universities and preparatory schools in the United States and Japan, and are building careers around the world.
Published in Japanese unless noted. English titles are descriptive translations.
Six books in Japan. Four books in China, Taiwan and Korea (three translations and one original book written in Chinese).
In Japanese.
Guest on “EduPassion”
→ Newsweek JapanColumn
→ Diamond OnlineParenting column, all articles
→ PRESIDENT OnlineArticles
→ AERA dot. / Asahi ShimbunColumnist profile
→ Nikkei xwomanChoosing activities that help children grow
→ madame FIGARO.jpLanguage arts: building the power to communicate
→ KeizaikaiInterview: early language skills as the foundation for deep thinking
→ eeeInterview: nurturing non-cognitive skills
→ Hanamaru Parenting CollegeLecture: “World-Standard Parenting”
→ Kodansha CocrecoSeries on phonics, sight words and reading
→ X@torufun
→Also featured in CNN ENGLISH EXPRESS (Asahi Press), FQ Kids, World Family and other publications.
Requests for writing, interviews, talks and advisory work are welcome.
info@tlcforkidsusa.comWe usually reply within 3–5 business days.
