Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Call or message us on Zalo at 096.802.8484 – we’re always happy to help.
About soroban
Isn’t all soroban the same – just “math for developing thinking skills”?
Actually, the way soroban is learned varies a lot depending on the country it comes from. There are Malaysian, Japanese and other approaches, and soroban is also easily confused with Finger Math. In Japan, soroban is a tool for building patience and perseverance along with quick, sharp thinking. Learn more
Will soroban confuse my child in math class at school?
There’s no need to worry. Soroban develops the right brain – visualization, mental calculation and focus – while the school math curriculum builds logical thinking. The two approaches reinforce each other: soroban complements school math rather than competing with it.
My child is already in an older grade. Do they have to start from the beginning?
Every child learning soroban for the first time, whatever their age, starts at Level 0, because finger technique, posture and the mental image of the beads need to be built from the ground up. The content is the same; the pace is adjusted to the child’s age.
Does my child need to know Japanese?
No. All teaching is in Vietnamese. Children learn just a few Japanese words for greetings (“Onegaishimasu”, “Arigatō gozaimashita”) and the names of the parts of the soroban.
Learning at our center
What ages are the classes for?
The center offers classes for children aged 5 to 12: a Kindergarten class for 5-year-olds and a Primary class.
How often are the classes?
In the Primary class, you can choose 1, 2 or 3 sessions a week, each lasting 70 minutes.
How many children are in a class?
To ensure quality, each class has 3 to 5 children on average.
What else will my child learn besides soroban?
The center also teaches important manners and good conduct, such as greeting teachers on arrival and putting away shoes and belongings neatly on their own. Each course also includes fun contests and events for the children to take part in.
Which textbook does the center use?
Our Vietnamese textbook Vui học Soroban, written by the KSC team following the method taught in Japan.
Is there a free trial lesson? What does it include?
Yes, the trial lesson is completely free. Your child joins a trial lesson to see how a soroban class works. We explain the program and the center in detail and answer all your questions. Book a trial
In-school Soroban Club
How much time does the club take each week?
1 session a week, 60 minutes, after regular classes in the school’s club time slot. Depending on the school’s timetable, a session may run 45–60 minutes.
Do we need to buy a soroban?
For the club at school: in the first year, KSC lends the sorobans; from the second year, children buy their own. KSC brings all the equipment to the classroom. At the center, each child uses their own soroban.
How do parents hear about their child’s learning?
By Zalo message: after every session, the teacher reports what the children learned. Each term you receive the results of three skills tests, and at the end of the term a summary report with photos and videos of the children practicing. Learn more
What if my child can’t keep up with the others?
The instructor gives extra help during class, then sets extra practice for home and follows up in the next session. Checks at the start, middle and end of each term make sure no child is left behind.
Will my child receive a certificate?
Yes. On completing Level 0, your child receives a KSC certificate. Level 1 and Level 2 certificates are issued together with the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Regional Education (Japan). Certificates are presented at the closing ceremony, during the report session with parents.
For schools
Does the school have to pay anything?
The trial session is completely free for the school and for parents. Once the club opens, there is no cost to the school and no need for extra teaching staff.
What does the school need to prepare?
A classroom and one weekly time slot, help informing parents, and a contact person for scheduling.
How long does it take to open a club?
From the first meeting to the first lesson usually takes one to two months, depending on the school’s calendar. New clubs usually open after Tet or at the start of the school year in September. See the steps
