Overcoming Language Barriers: Theodore’s Journey to Success with Kumon
Theodore, a 7-year-old boy from Ukraine, and his mother, Nadia, arrived in England in May 2022, seeking a new life in the Urmston area of Manchester. As they settled into their new home, Nadia knew that Theodore would need additional support to catch up with his peers in school, particularly in English and maths. That’s when they discovered the Kumon Urmston Study Centre and Instructor Sharon Carlin, who would play a pivotal role in Theodore’s journey to success.
A New Beginning
Nadia explained that in Ukraine, children typically start school at the age of 6 or 7, and Theodore had only completed Year 1 when they left. To catch up with his peers in England, who were already in Year 3, Nadia believed that improving his English and maths comprehension was crucial. Theodore had limited knowledge of English, having only learned basic words and phrases, and his school language lessons had been limited to the alphabet and basic vocabulary.
Theodore himself acknowledged the challenges he faced, saying, “I needed to catch up with my classmates at school. I didn’t know the timetables, fractions, and the rest – and they did! It is very important to me to do well at school as I’m used to being a good student. Here, I felt completely lost because I didn’t have the same background knowledge as my peers. The language barrier was another crucial issue for me.”
Progress and Growth
With the help of Instructor Sharon Carlin and the Kumon Maths and English Programmes, Theodore began to make significant progress. Nadia noticed a tremendous improvement in his English and maths abilities, which she credits to the Kumon programmes and Sharon’s support. Theodore developed his verbal communication, spelling, and vocabulary, and he started to work on his Kumon assignments daily, making it a part of his routine.
Nadia praised the Kumon programmes, saying, “The Kumon Maths Programme is very dynamic and thought-out to the last detail. It is built in a way that going forward, the child revises everything that was learned before. It has helped a lot to reduce the gap in knowledge that he has because of the different educational systems between the two countries. I couldn’t believe how fast he could learn his multiplication tables with Kumon. It really works!”
A Positive Influence
The Kumon English Programme also had a profound impact on Theodore, helping him to expand his vocabulary, develop phonetics, and improve his reading and writing skills. Nadia recalled a moment when Theodore shared with her what he had learned about Egyptian mythology in school, which was a significant improvement from his previous struggles to understand the details of his schoolwork. Theodore himself said, “The most incredible thing is that now I can read books. I can read most of the words properly, even if I don’t know fully their meaning. I also understand what the person is trying to say generally, and now, I can explain what I think or feel to someone.”
Nadia believes that studying Kumon has not only improved Theodore’s academic skills but also helped him develop essential life skills, such as responsibility, organisation, and self-confidence. She credits Instructor Sharon Carlin and the Kumon centre for their support and dedication, saying, “Sharon has been incredible, she is very caring, attentive, and dedicated. She is also extremely cheerful and supportive, and that is so important for Theodore.”
A Bright Future
Theodore’s progress has been remarkable, and he continues to thrive with the support of his family, host, and school. His school is so pleased with his development that they are now funding his Kumon tuition fees. Nadia is mindful of ensuring that Theodore doesn’t put too much pressure on himself, but with the help of Sharon and the Kumon centre, he is learning to appreciate the importance of making mistakes and using them as opportunities to learn.
Theodore’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the right support. As he continues on his Kumon journey, he remains motivated and inspired, saying, “I enjoy my classes in Kumon so much, and it helps me to believe in myself! The atmosphere in the Kumon centre is extremely friendly and supportive. I see other children making such good progress in English or maths in something that they had struggled with before, and I start thinking, ‘I can do it too!'”
Read more about Theodore’s journey and how Kumon has helped him overcome language barriers and achieve success Here
