KUMON English Immersion Camp(EIC) | Kumon English Immersion Activities

Take on the challenge of a communal lifestyle with people from various countries! Let’s explore the world using English!

About English Immersion Camp (EIC)

The word “immersion” means to “engage deeply in something.” At the Kumon English Immersion Camp (EIC) participants (3rd to 6th grade elementary school students) take on the challenges of a communal lifestyle as well as communicating in English with Camp Leaders and Staff from around the world.
English does not belong only to native speakers. Rather, it is a common language and a tool for communication between people who have different mother tongues. The camp is held with a desire to nurture people who are confident in communicating in English and who can contribute to global society by connecting with people from different countries.

Introducing EIC through video

Watch the video to see what the camp looks like!

6 Features of EIC

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Share a communal lifestyle with camp leaders from different countries.

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Enjoy a lot of communication in English.

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Learn about cultures and issues around the world and think about what we can each contribute.

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Challenge yourself in various activities throughout the camp.

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Make use of the opportunity to think and share information about yourself and get to know your fellow team members.

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Stay connected with the EIC family network by joining programs (events) that support your growth even after EIC.

Aims of English Immersion Camp

To gain confidence by experiencing successful communication using English as one of the tools for communication.
To develop a broadened world view by sharing a communal lifestyle with people from different backgrounds and, thereby, coming to realize the importance of mutual understanding.
To gain the confidence to actively take on unfamiliar challenges and strive for higher goals.

Through the EIC, we hope to nurture individuals who can contribute to the global community.

EIC Slogan

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
Let’s try communicating in English.

This slogan tells participants what to keep in mind when entering the world of English. What is important is not to use English without making any mistakes but, rather, to use English more and more without fearing of mistakes.

More about last year’s EIC Report

Story

History of English Immersion Camp

Over 19 years, the EIC Network has expanded to include 3,561 participants and 577 Camp Leaders (from 90 countries and regions).

It all started in 2001 when Mr. Yoichi Funabashi, a columnist at the Asahi Shinbun newspaper, who wrote an article called Aete Eigo Kouyougoron (“Should English be an Official Language?”), contacted us and said, “If we don’t take any measures, the whole Japanese education system will collapse. Why don’t we think and work together to make changes?” Later, Mr. Morihiko Hiramatsu (the former Governor of Oita Prefecture), Mr. Kazuichi Sakamoto (the former President of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University), the staff and students from APU, Professor Kensaku Yoshida and students from Sophia University, and an international journalist, Ms. Reiko Kinoshita, joined us to help realize the idea of the English Immersion Camp. As a result, the English Immersion Camp was born as the first long-term camp (10 days or more) in Japan.

More about EIC History & Network

Value

Value of EIC & Voices of Participants

Participant

I was able to meet a lot of people and got to know different things about the world in this camp. I gained confidence in communication. Also, I feel that Japan is a country that values equality a lot. So, I want to see and treat everyone around the world equally!
(Grade 4 Participant)

Parent

Almost a week of living away from parents and using only English– everything was a first-time experience for my son. Moreover, he was the type of child who is not very good at socializing and his English was also a bit weak. So, I was quite worried about him. However, it turns out there was no need for me to worry. When I came to see my son at the graduation ceremony, instead of joyfully reuniting with us, he was unwilling to say goodbye to all the friends and camp leaders he made in the camp. Seeing my son like this and hearing him say, ‘I want to come again next year!’ I felt that it was a very valuable experience for him. If there are parents out there who think this kind of camp might not be for their children, I would like to encourage them to believe in their child’s potential and let them experience the camp.
(Parent of a Grade 5 Participant)

Messages from EIC Past Participants

EIC 2018 Volunteer Camp Staff (EIC 2010 Participant Eka)

EIC was a chance for me to change myself. Originally, I was not an active person and was not good at expressing my thinking to others. In EIC, I was able to meet with many amazing people including my friends, Camp Leaders, and Camp Staff. I was inspired by friends who are always pro-active and who are always happy and I was able to learn how to realize who I truly am.

And this year, that I have now become a university student. This is the time for me to step up and rise to new challenges. I started wanting to ask myself, ‘From now on, what can I do for myself and what can I do for others?.’ Hence, I wanted to come back to EIC– my turning point. I thought that this is the perfect timing for me to look at myself again and give back to EIC– the place I could never be grateful enough for. My hope was for all EIC participants to be able to get the same amazing experience I have had in EIC.

EIC 2019 Volunteer Camp Staff (EIC 2010, 2011 Past Participant Haru)

EIC is my precious place where I learned a lot about this world and got my dream of working for international cooperation. This year, I applied to VCS because I want to give back to EIC. It was a great learning experience for me to observe how the camp is organized at the backstage. Also, through preparing my presentation about ‘What I have challenged after EIC’ and thinking about how I can make an impact on children with it, I could reflect upon myself and improve my presentation and communication skills. I could learn a lot in EIC 2019, as I did in EIC 2010 and 2011.

I would love to come back to EIC again. I am really looking forward to the opportunity!

Program

Growth Image and Program

In EIC, we plan and build a Growth Image for each and every participant to grow individually in each activity throughout the six days. During the camp, participants are supported by Camp Leaders from many countries who receive training beforehand.

Living together with Camp Leaders, listening to the introductions about Camp Leaders’ countries, and thinking about world issues in English, participants get opportunities to think about SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and to raise their awareness about the world.

EIC Program introduction

1Ice-breaking

Make many new friends by playing games, singing and dancing along to English songs.

2River Crossing

In this team-building activity, children work together as a team to overcome one challenge.

3Traveling around the World

By experiencing diverse cultures, children can understand more about different cultures and broaden their worldviews.

4Wonderland

Learn about global issues, think about what we can do, and come up with ideas on how to contribute and take action.

5Amazing Japan

Introducing Japan's famous tourist destinations, cultural experiences, delicious food, etc., in a role-play game format.

6What I Want to Challenge after EIC

At the graduation ceremony, children will give a presentation in front of everyone about their dreams and goals for the future, as well as the challenges they want to take on after EIC.

More about Growth Image & Program

Related Activities

Even after EIC, we provide opportunities for participants to support each other and to get more interested in pursuing higher goals and dreams while using English as a communication tool together.
This is the place where past EIC participants can connect regardless of which year they participated in EIC, and can have fun while learning from each other.

Global Network Initiatives

This is an annual event where past EIC participants reunite to share their current situation and challenges, and support each other's dreams and goals with the purpose of expanding and strengthening the EIC family network.

Study Tour

We carry out domestic and international study tours for EIC participants where they can deepen their understanding about different global issues and local initiatives through experiential learning. The aim of the study tour is to broaden children’s worldviews and raise their global awareness.

EIC Café

A forum to gather for past EIC participants (mainly junior high school students and above). The members of the EIC Café hold regular discussions and events with the purpose of strengthening and contributing to the EIC family network.

More about Related Activities

Voices of EIC Supporters

”The synergy of daily learning and immersion activities that open the door to the world.” Komi Ofuna (Kumon Instructor, Okamoto Center)
”EIC and EID: Opportunities to put learning into practice by challenging communication in English.” Professor Hideaki Mukago (Head of English Education Development Center, College of International Studies, International Studies Department, Keiai University)
To read more about the values of Kumon English Immersion Activities from experts’ perspectives, please click on the link below.

More about Voices of EIC Supporters

Participants’ Recruitment (Only available in Japanese)

EIC2020 Pamphlet

Click here for information on recruitment updates, terms and conditions for participation, as well as how to apply.

EIC Calendar

This is EIC’s annual schedule. If you are considering participating in EIC, please refer to this document.

Inquiries about Camp Program

KUMON INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION CO., LTD.
Global Network Team

06-6838-2683 Monday - Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm
Closed on Holidays.