About

Zoo-phonics: The Award Winning Program from the U.S.A

Field-tested, research-supported, and backed by neuroscience, Zoo-phonics is a multisensory language arts program embraced by thousands of schools in the U.S. and internationally, fostering rapid academic growth and engagement.

At Zoo-phonics Academy, we bring this innovative method to children in Japan, from the age of 1 through elementary school. Whether they are beginners or native speakers, our students develop exceptional foundations in the four essential skills: conversation, reading, writing, and listening.

Mission ＆Vision

Our mission is to create nurturing and engaging environments where children can flourish, grow, and develop a lifelong love for learning. Utlizing innovative and developmentally appropriate practices we aim to inspire and empower every child to reach their full potential.

Our vision is to lead early childhood education by nurturing confident, curious, and compassionate learners through multisensory language learning. We strive to reach to as many students as possible, and through a journey of discovery, literacy, and social-emotional growth, pave the way for future success in the global community.

The History of Zoo-phonics Academy

Since 2001, Zoo-phonics Academy has been nurturing young minds across Japan. From our humble beginnings, we've grown into a network of schools commited to providing exceptional child-centered education, always adapting to the latest educational practices.

In 2019 Zoo-phonics Academy became a fully owned member of the Johnan Academy Group (Jonan Shingaku Kenkyusha). Johnan Academy Group is a prominent comprehensive learning solutions provider in Japan operating a range of businesses in individual instruction education, university entrance exam education, infant and child education, digital education, English education, and sports.

- October 2013: Johnan Academy Group made GEN Co., Ltd. a consolidated subsidiary.
- March 2014: Johnan Academy Group began developing "Zoo-phonics Academy" as a franchise school.
- November 2019: Johnan Academy Group absorbed and merged with GEN Co., Ltd.
- April 2022: Relocated the Zoo-phonics Academy main school to Jiyugaoka, Meguro, Tokyo.

Why Zoo-phonics Academy?

At Zoo-phonics Academy, we pride ourselves on offering a unique and effective learning experience. Our small class sizes, with staff-to-student ratios as low as 1 to 5, ensure that each child receives the attention they need to thrive. Our team of experienced and enthusiastic teachers is dedicated to fostering a love for learning in every student.

We have a track record of success, with hundreds of happy graduates who have benefited from our comprehensive curriculum. This curriculum not only focuses on speaking and listening but also emphasizes reading and writing, ensuring well-rounded language development.

We believe in nurturing the whole child, which means we prioritize not just academic achievements but also the physical and mental well-being of our students. Our programs are designed to support the overall development of each child, helping them grow into confident, healthy, and well-rounded individuals.

As the exclusive provider of the award-winning Zoo-phonics method in Japan, our approach is backed by neuroscience and continuously refined to stay ahead in educational excellence. Choose Zoo-phonics Academy for a nurturing, innovative, and proven path to your child’s success.

The History of the Zoo-phonics Method

In 1983, Gigi Bradshaw, a teacher in California, USA developed the essences of Zoo-phonics to help her special needs students learn to read, spell, and write. Realizing the importance of teaching lowercase letters and their sounds first, she created a playful, kinesthetic curriculum using animal shapes and movements to represent letters. Her sister Char Wrighton and artist Irene Clark joined her, expanding the program with various educational materials. The program quickly gained popularity, leading to its use in schools worldwide, including versions in Spanish, Arabic, and Danish, under the motto “Teaching the World to Read!”