Laurus Online Academy
Tokyo's Top Science International School, Live In Your Home.
For 25 years, Laurus has inspired young minds in Tokyo. Laurus Online Academy brings that experience to families in Japan and around the world through a live online international school programme: English, Science and Mathematics taught entirely in English for children learning to think like innovators.
About
An International School Classroom, At Home.
Laurus Online Academy brings real school lessons to children everywhere: small live classes, experienced teachers, and three subjects — English, Science and Math — taught entirely in English. Wherever your family happens to live, your child learns alongside classmates in a structured international programme.
※ Most courses are for ages 6–12. Our online Jolly Phonics class welcomes children from age 3.
LOA Is Made For Families Who…
- want more than online English conversation lessons — Science and Mathematics taught in English
- don't speak English at home, but want a structured English-medium education for their child
- are preparing for study abroad, or a move into international schooling
- want a returnee or bilingual child to maintain and continue developing their English
- are looking for the next structured step after learning English at home or through self-study
The Laurus Way
A Science Mind. An Innovator's Way Of Thinking.
Knowledge That Works In The Real World.
Anyone can promise "thinking skills". Laurus builds something more specific: children who form their own ideas and test them the way scientists do — hypothesise, try, verify, and try again — until knowledge connects and becomes something they can actually use. That is the Laurus classroom, and it arrives on your screen intact.
Small Classes, Close Attention
Teachers see every child, every lesson. Questions come easily when nobody is invisible.
Review That Feels Like Play
Dictation games and quick-fire quizzes turn revision into something children actually ask for.
Feedback That Builds Confidence
Every piece of homework comes back with thoughtful comments. Small wins, added up, become self-belief.
Materials Trusted Worldwide
Official Cambridge resources open windows onto the wider world — not just the language.
Teachers With Energy And Depth
Experienced instructors who genuinely love teaching lead every single lesson.
Interactive By Design
Digital whiteboards and shared slides keep hands moving and minds switched on.
Inside An Online Lesson
Courses
Our Courses
Begin with one subject, one lesson a week — then build as your child grows. Every course comes as a small group class or as private one-to-one lessons.
Class sizes: group classes run with 3 to 10 students, depending on the class. Private one-to-one lessons are available for every course. We'll help you choose the right format at your trial and counselling session.
Cambridge Primary Subjects — Learning In English
Global English
From playground topics to academic themes, children build all four skills — listening, speaking, reading and writing. Two lessons a week make this the backbone of LOA.
Science
Children observe, question and reason their way through topics like the environment and sustainability. The signature subject of a science school.
Mathematics
Numbers, patterns and real-life problem solving — math that asks why, not just how much. In English, from day one.
Exam Preparation
Cambridge English Exam Preparation
International education has largely moved on from teaching to the test — and so has Laurus. But performing well in an exam is still a skill worth having, and few credentials open more doors than a Cambridge English qualification. At LOA, exams aren't the destination. They're milestones: proof, earned step by step, of ability that lasts.
※ The Cambridge English qualifications we prepare for at LOA, aligned with the international CEFR scale.
Skills-Focused Classes
Phonics
Through songs, actions and the logic of English sounds and spelling, children build early literacy step by step. Parents and children can learn side by side at home — a joyful first step into English for ages 3–5.
Creative Writing
Structure, technique and imagination. Children study worked examples, practise proofreading, and take on a fresh creative challenge every week — with personal feedback from their teacher.
Levels, Ages And School Years At A Glance
We'll find the right starting level together at your counselling and level check — treat this table as a general guide.
| Level / Textbook | Typical age | School year (Japan) | Eiken · CEFR guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Phonics materials | 3–5 | K2–K3 | No Eiken required · Pre-A1 or below |
| Level 1 / Cambridge Book 1 | 5–6 | K3 | Eiken Grade 5 or below · Pre-A1 |
| Level 2 / Cambridge Book 2 | 6–7 | Year 1 | Eiken Grade 5–4 · Pre-A1–A1 |
| Level 3 / Cambridge Book 3 | 7–8 | Year 2 | Eiken Grade 4 · A1 |
| Level 4 / Cambridge Book 4 | 8–9 | Year 3 | Eiken Grade 3–Pre-2 · A1–A2 |
| Level 5 / Cambridge Book 5 | 9–10 | Year 4 | Eiken Grade Pre-2 · A2 |
| Level 6 / Cambridge Book 6 | 10–11 | Year 5 | Eiken Grade Pre-2–2 · A2–B1 |
| Level 7 / Cambridge Book 7 | 11–12 | Year 6 | Eiken Grade 2 · B1 |
※ Ages follow the UK school-year system and are given as a guide. Phonics also welcomes pre-school learners.
Curriculum Foundation
Your Child's Thinking Is The Star.
The Cambridge Curriculum Is The Stage.
Every LOA lesson stands on the Cambridge international curriculum — the framework trusted by international schools around the world. Laurus is a member school of Cambridge International Education and has taught this curriculum for years. Online, nothing about that foundation changes.
English As A Tool, Not A Target
Conversation schools treat English as the goal. At LOA, English is the tool: children use it to study real subjects, with official Cambridge University Press materials and the Oxford Essential Dictionary — and the curriculum is built to develop thinking itself, not just language practice.
A First Step On A Path That Goes A Long Way
Cambridge learning progresses in stages, from the primary years through IGCSE to A Level. LOA teaches the primary stage — and the English and thinking skills built here will serve your child on whichever path they choose.
※ Shown for reference: the stages of the Cambridge international curriculum.
Tuition
A world-class education, honestly priced.
Private lessons
One-to-one · 45 min per lesson · your schedule, your pace · annual enrolment (2026, excl. tax)
- Global English — 80 lessons/year¥560,000
- Science — 40 lessons/year¥280,000
- Mathematics — 40 lessons/year¥280,000
- Cambridge English Exam Preparation — 40 lessons/year¥280,000
- Phonics / Creative WritingPlease inquire
Ideal for children in Year 3 and above, busy after-school calendars, and overseas families working across time zones.
Group lessons
Small classes of 3–10 · 60 min per lesson (30 min for skills classes) · monthly fee (2026, excl. tax)
- Global English — twice weekly¥28,000
- Science¥14,000
- Mathematics¥14,000
- Cambridge English Exam Preparation¥14,000
- Phonics — 30 min¥11,000
- Creative Writing — 30 min¥11,000
The energy of learning together — every child seen, every child heard.
Two students, one class.
For siblings or friends who enrol together. Like private lessons, semi-private classes keep a flexible, designated lesson schedule arranged around your family — with pricing tailored to each pair. Please inquire for details.
※ An annual administrative fee of ¥55,000 (excl. tax) is billed in your first month (first month = tuition + administrative fee + textbooks).
※ Textbooks are charged separately, at cost.
Your Journey
From First Hello To Final Certificate — We're With You.
Enrolment isn't the finish line; it's step four of nine. From your very first message to course completion and beyond, our staff and teachers walk beside your child and your family.
Initial Inquiry
Say hello by form, phone or email. Tell us your child's age, their English so far, and the course that caught your eye. Overseas families are warmly welcome.
Takes about 30 seconds
Seminar & Trial Lesson
Sit in on a real class — the atmosphere, the materials, the teaching style. Group trials are free, and our staff stay behind to answer parents' questions.
Group trial: free
Counselling & Level Check
We listen — to your child's level, your goals, your family's schedule — then recommend the right course and format, with a level check as needed.
30–45 min · Japanese support
Enrolment
Submit the enrolment form and we take care of the rest: course agreement, first payment, materials on their way, and your child's student account ready to go.
Materials delivered to your door
Orientation & Setup
Google Meet, digital materials, workbooks — we set everything up together, so nothing stands between your child and their first lesson.
Full setup support
Lessons Begin
Start in Term 1 (April–September) or Term 2 (October–March). Q&A, quizzes, role-play and presentations keep understanding — and enjoyment — growing.
Mid-term enrolment welcome
Mid-Term Assessment
Halfway through the term, we take stock. You receive a progress report, and individual feedback sessions are arranged whenever helpful.
Progress report delivered
Final Assessment & Completion
A final assessment rounds off the course. Your child receives a certificate of completion — and clear guidance towards the next CEFR-aligned level.
Certificate awarded
Progression
Matched to their growth, children move up — from Pre-A1 towards B1 and beyond, learning builds steadily, stage by stage.
Pre-A1 → B1 and beyond← Scroll sideways to see all nine steps →
Three Ways To Try LOA
Seminar + Group Trial Lesson
Experience a lesson in a group, alongside other children — then join our curriculum seminar and parents' Q&A afterwards.
Private Consultation + Private Trial
Can't make the group trial, or prefer one-to-one at your child's exact level? A free 30-minute consultation, plus a 30-minute private trial.
Curriculum Consultation Only
Just want to talk first? Thirty minutes on the curriculum and your child's learning — no trial lesson required.
Now Enrolling
Classes & Trial Lessons
Join a class already in session, book a trial, or become a founding member of a brand-new class.
Active Classes — Join Anytime
Mid-term enrolment welcome · times are JST
Opening October 2026 — Term 2 Core Subjects
Core subject classes starting in Term 2 · times are JST
Upcoming Trial Lessons
There are currently no trial lessons scheduled. Please use the button below to contact us, and a member of our team will assist you directly.
See it for yourself — a real lesson gives the most honest answer.
New Classes — Founding Members Wanted
Each class opens as soon as three students gather. Founding members shape the class from lesson one.
Phonics Pre-A1 · Sat 8:00–8:30
Creative Writing A1–B1 · Sat 9:00–9:30
Cambridge English A2 Key for Schools A1–B1 · Tue 18:10–19:10
Cambridge English B1 Preliminary for Schools A1–B1 · Tue 19:20–20:20
A separate short form — tell us which class, and we'll hold your place.
Last updated: 17 September 2026
What You Need
What You'll Need To Join
We'll walk you through recommended equipment and setup at your enrolment orientation — and we're happy to advise beforehand if you're unsure.
Curriculum Seminar
Get To Know LOA On Video
A short introduction to how we teach, the Cambridge curriculum, and what a Laurus lesson feels like.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child join if they speak very little English?
Can LOA support online Eiken preparation and CEFR progression?
Is LOA suitable for returnee or bilingual children who want to maintain their English?
Can we enrol partway through a term?
Group or private — which should we choose?
What costs are there besides the monthly tuition?
Can we join from outside Japan?
Is the trial lesson really free?
Our Teaching Team
Meet The Educators Behind Every Lesson.
From curriculum design to every live class, LOA is led by experienced educators who bring subject expertise, care and curiosity to each child's learning.
Curriculum Coordinators
Highly experienced educators with over 10 years of teaching experience at Laurus, specialising in English, Mathematics and Science. Responsible for curriculum development and teacher training for the primary division’s Saturday School and possess extensive expertise in the Cambridge curriculum as an ESL programme.
I have nearly 20 years of teaching experience in early years education in Japan. Over the course of my career, I have combined classroom teaching with curriculum development, spending approximately half of that time designing, implementing, and refining English language programmes to support young learners' academic and language development. I am passionate about creating engaging, effective curricula that foster strong foundations in literacy, communication, and lifelong learning. In addition, I am a qualified Jolly Phonics Instructor, with extensive experience supporting systematic phonics instruction and early literacy development in multilingual learning environments.
For the Science and Math Curriculums at Laurus Online Academy, we create dynamic, standards-aligned coursework designed to spark curiosity and make learning an exciting adventure. Our goal is to develop confident problem solvers and critical thinkers who understand the "why" behind the theory and problems they solve. We aim for students to see mistakes not as failures but as valuable steps in the learning process, empowering them to embrace challenges with curiosity and confidence.
Teachers
Olivia Allanson holds a Master of Education from the University of Sydney, where she specialized in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She also holds a CELTA-equivalent qualification and has experience teaching English based on the Cambridge curriculum.
In addition, she has experience developing teaching materials aligned with the Australian public school curriculum and teaching IELTS. She has also presented research on phonics instruction at JALT (Japan Association for Language Teaching).
Teacher Olivia’s lessons are characterized by a warm, positive, and energetic learning environment. She encourages children to feel comfortable expressing themselves and taking on new challenges, helping them develop their English skills with confidence and in their own unique way.
David Burbridge holds a BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Royal Holloway, University of London, and is CELTA-qualified. He has over 14 years of teaching experience in Japan, working with a wide range of learners from young children to adults.
Teacher David’s lessons are characterized by a warm and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and are encouraged to take on challenges without fear of making mistakes. He respects each student’s ideas while helping them develop independent thinking skills. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and curiosity in science and mathematics, David also incorporates engaging topics connected to the world around us, inspiring children’s curiosity and making learning enjoyable.
Ryan Cosman holds a TESOL Diploma from ILAC International College and a TEFL Certificate from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He has experience teaching learners from young children to adults in Canada’s diverse international education environment, including students from a wide range of nationalities and cultural backgrounds at ILAC Education Group.
Ryan is a passionate teacher who respects each student’s individuality and learning pace. He creates a warm environment where children can express themselves without fear of making mistakes, while incorporating their interests into natural English conversations. With his TESOL and TEFL expertise, Ryan helps students build confidence in communicating their thoughts and feelings in English.
Free Trial
The First Step Is Free.
The best way to decide whether our live online international school programme is right for your child is to experience a real lesson. Book a free group trial from anywhere in the world, whenever you’re ready.
Book a Free Trial LessonOur bilingual admissions team is happy to help.
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