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TOPTEN

FAQ
Is Top Ten for you?

Q Is Bob's English Speaking manner and accent easy to understand?
A Yes, often he will speak slowly. He is aware of your vocabulary limitations. His manner is clear and there is no accent in his speech.


Q I am a student who wants to practice presentations and telephone role-play. Will I have a chance to practice these ideas?
A Yes, every lesson includes role-play activities. The lesson is designed to allow you to talk as much as possible, averaging 60% of the lesson time.

Q Does the lesson focus on grammar and writing?
A Yes, but only a little. The main focus is on business. You are encouraged to speak as much as possible.

Q What kind of students attend Top Ten?
A There are now about 17 members, men and women aged 24 to 60. Their interest is to learn business ideas that will improve their business performance.

Q I cannot come to Top Ten every Saturday. What can I do?
A Don't worry, Bob will send you the information and you can call or e-mail anytime you need help.

Q How many members attend the Saturday Morning class and what is their English ability level?
A There are between 10 and 15 members in the Saturday Morning class. The afternoon class (started this February) has about 8 members. For role-play and conversation situations, Bob will pair you off with a partner of the same ability.

Q My level is intermediate, can I improve?
A ALL Top Ten members will support you. Bob will find your strong and weak points and select a Top Ten member best suited to enhance your abilities. At Top Ten we encourage steady improvement and most students have done just that.

Q Tell me about the Saturday morning lessons.
A Bob uses magazines, newspaper articles and textbooks (occasionally video too) that will develop your English speaking and comprehension skills. As the Global Environment changes, the highlights of a Top Ten lesson focus on the business impact on Japan. Business strategies are compared to those taking place in Europe and America. Case studies and topics such as Deregulation or Debt Structures are analyzed objectively. Conversation opinions and interpretations are exchanged in an open atmosphere. Each month there is also a guest speaker (ie. Merril Lynch, NEC or Bank of India) who come to Top Ten to impart information or to make a presentation. These meetings always have a Q/A session in order for you to ask specific questions.

Q Can a student suggest lesson topics or specific study subjects?
A Yes, of course. Top Ten is an open classroom where the student's initiative and motivation are highly regarded and encouraged. Through study, the student builds his/her confidence as well as gaining an educational opportunity.

Q This all sounds wonderful. It must be very expensive.
A No. There are 4 lessons in a month at Y8000. (Students are required to pay quarterly, therefore the tuition is calculated at Y24,000 for 3 months. There is also a sign-up fee)

The Top Ten family of students often eat lunch together after the lesson. Most discussions usually are continued in English.

Try this test to see if Top Ten is for you.

If you answer yes to 3 or more questions, then Top Ten is the place for you.
  • In my line of work I often have to conduct meetings and/or telephone conversations in English
  • I have to go on foreign business trips.
  • I read magazines and newspapers in English to learn about International business situations.
  • I would like to meet other Japanese people who have a good English ability.
  • My level is Intermediate and I want to raise my level or 'level-up'
  • I have or would like to have personal initiative and confidence to study subjects I am not so familiar with.
  • I sometimes think about entering an MBA program at an American or Japanese University.
  • When I was a student, I had friends from foreign countries.
  • I have BS, CS or cable TV and I enjoy watching News and Discussion programs in English.
  • One of my favorite movies is 'Wall Street'
  • I always want to face and overcome new challenges.

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