International Space SODA: Where Children Learn, Grow, and Shine in English

Finding a school in Japan that offers true English immersion while ensuring emotional safety and academic excellence is challenging. Most parents share two key concerns: Can my child reach near-native English proficiency? Will they transition smoothly to schools back home or in other English-speaking countries?

International Space SODA (ISS) addresses both questions with a simple yet powerful philosophy: helping children achieve English excellence through joyful learning. This time, I visited ISS in person. From here on, follow my perspective as we explore this international school where children learn English happily, confidently, and without pressure.

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School Overview | What Is International Space SODA (ISS)?

International Space SODA (ISS) is an English immersion educational institution serving children from early childhood through middle school. The school itself is like a “mini international community,” where children come from different countries, and the common language is English.

According to founder Ms. Yoshimi Takashima, International Space SODA is a school that “grows together with the children.” When children graduated from the nursery program and reached elementary school age, parents hoped they could continue in this natural English environment rather than having to readjust to an unfamiliar school.

So ISS grew alongside its students, gradually expanding its curriculum year by year to become the comprehensive educational system it is today.

This philosophy of “the school grows because children need it” is both heartwarming and rare. Curriculum Personally Supervised by the Principal, naturally designed, and close to life.

ISS’s materials aren’t standardized—they’re adjusted according to children’s age, interests, and developmental stages. The curriculum grows organically like a plant, maintaining flexibility, authenticity, and vitality.

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Educational Philosophy of ISS | The Four Core Values SODA Represents

International Space SODA’s founding philosophy is to create a nurturing environment for children in this era of declining birth rates and accelerating globalization—one where they can both enjoy learning and genuinely improve their English abilities. The school hopes children will develop confidence, talents, and future competitiveness in a safe, warm atmosphere.

The name SODA itself represents four educational core values:

• S — Shape your talents
• O — Own your future
• D — Determine your path
• A — Achieve your dreams

Based on these four principles, ISS provides a quality curriculum in an all-English environment, allowing children to seamlessly master language through authentic experiences and intrinsic motivation, while gradually forming self-identity and an international perspective.

The school also places great emphasis on the three-way partnership between “children × parents × teachers.” During my interview, I deeply felt the harmonious relationships between teachers and students, and among students themselves—this stable, safe atmosphere is the foundation for quality learning.

Key Features of ISS’s English Immersion Curriculum

International Space SODA has three key commitments in curriculum design: environment, curriculum, and faculty.

①Environment | English-Only Environment Designed for Natural Language Acquisition

ISS’s greatest feature is its English-only environment. Students from different countries intuitively communicate with each other in English, creating an authentic immersion setting. When I visited, this was immediately apparent—whether among teachers or between teachers and children, all communication was conducted entirely in English.

Ms. Takashima emphasizes: “Environment is crucial. When children step through our doors, this becomes an all-English world. Even life teachers who don’t speak English must start learning from zero for the sake of the children.”

Here, children learn and use language from real life—from conversations with teachers to interactions with peers, from activities and games to spontaneous expression in arts and crafts. Step by step, when curiosity and the desire to express are awakened, English learning becomes natural and effortless.

② Curriculum | Exploring the World Through English (Not Just Learning English)

ISS’s curriculum core isn’t “teaching English” but rather “exploring the world through English.” Children naturally absorb language through various themed activities, including:

• Introduction to other languages
• Nature walks and outdoor activities
• Science experiments
• Geometry and mathematics concepts
• Art, handicrafts, creative design
• Songs, dance, drama
• Geography and world cultures, etc.

English is not a subject to study—it’s a tool for children to understand the world. And to make this happen, ISS designed a leveled English foundation curriculum with great care. Every module reflects the founder’s commitment to helping children grow at their own pace, gaining the confidence to read, speak, write, and express themselves freely in English.

These foundational exercises are integrated into daily activities, allowing children to use language in authentic contexts for deeper absorption.

③ Faculty | A Passionate, Professional, and Stable Teaching Team

One of the most striking aspects of my visit was ISS’s exceptional teaching team.

Some teachers have been teaching at the school for over ten years, bringing rich bilingual teaching experience, a deep understanding of child development, and individual attention to each child.

For every child here, English learning is led by foreign teachers, while daily care is collaboratively managed by Japanese assistant teachers and staff with childcare qualifications.

What I saw in the children was a stable, secure trust in their teachers. This emotional bond makes the school’s atmosphere especially warm and friendly.

Programs Offered at ISS | Preschool to Middle School

ISS currently offers two main program systems: one for preschool-age children and another extending through elementary and middle school.

SODA POP KIDS | English Daycare & Kindergarten (Monday–Friday)

SODA POP KIDS is an all-English daycare and kindergarten program designed for children aged 2 to pre-elementary. Parents can choose different enrollment types based on family circumstances and their child’s adaptation.

Teaching Method: Emergent Curriculum (Inquiry-Based Curriculum)

SODA POP KIDS uses the “Emergent Curriculum” common in English-speaking kindergartens.

Simply put, rather than fixing all teaching content for the entire year in advance:

• Basic English skills training, like Phonics, serves as the foundation
• Combined with daily themed activities at school: stories, music, singing, handicrafts, art, outdoor games, sports, etc.
• Teachers observe daily what interests children, then design or extend current themes accordingly

In other words, the curriculum doesn’t start from textbooks but from children’s curiosity: if they’re interested in insects today, lessons branch into nature observation and scientific concepts; if they’re fascinated by colors tomorrow, the exploration extends from art, painting, and descriptive adjectives.

This model allows children to “grow naturally” in an English environment rather than being force-fed knowledge.

Leveling by Ability, Not Age

To genuinely develop children’s bilingual abilities, ISS doesn’t group solely by age but by entrance assessments and three annual proficiency tests. SODA POP KIDS has three main stages:

Preschool (approximately Pre-K level)

• Suitable for children encountering English for the first time
• Focus: Simple English conversation, letter recognition, basic Phonics (initial sounds), numbers, colors, shapes, high-frequency words, and other foundational skills

Kinder 1 (approximately K level)

• Suitable for children who can understand simple English, recognize letters, and are beginning to read/write
• Further learning of vowels, long sounds, expanded vocabulary, and simple grammar
• Can read short sentences, write simple sentences, and express themselves relatively freely in daily conversation

Kinder 2 (approximately G2 level)

• Suitable for children who can already express their thoughts in English
• Learning all special pronunciations, long-text reading, grammar comprehension, and vocabulary expansion
• At semester’s end, complete an English speech that children conceptualize, write, memorize, and present to themselves

SODA POP JUNIOR | English Conversation & English After-School (Monday–Friday)

When the daytime SODA POP KIDS program concludes around 3 PM, the ISS campus doesn’t quiet down—next comes SODA POP JUNIOR, an English conversation and after-school program designed for kindergarten and elementary school students.

This program has a clear purpose: to allow children to spend their afternoons and evenings in a safe, stable environment using English after regular school, combining “after-school care” with “language ability enhancement.”

Depending on family needs, parents can arrange anywhere from 1 to 5 days per week.

Junior Class

• Suitable for families wanting “one or two dedicated days for English lessons.”
• Children participate in a curriculum focused on English conversation and basic reading/writing, including conversation practice, reading, simple writing, games, and small activities

After Class

• Suitable for dual-income families or parents needing extended care time
• Children come directly to ISS after school, complete homework, participate in English activities, reading, group games, etc., spending the entire time in an English environment

Curriculum Philosophy: Integrated Curriculum × ESL Standards

SODA POP JUNIOR uses an Integrated Curriculum designed based on international ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching methods.

Rather than treating English as a separate “tutoring subject,” it works through:

• English conversation and listening practice
• Reading and writing training
• Themed activities (science, art, social issues, etc.)
• Group collaboration, discussion, presentation

Children improve language skills through the process of “living in English,” with the goal of gradually achieving foundational English proficiency approaching native-speaker levels.

Leveling System Based on Ability

Like SODA POP KIDS, SODA POP JUNIOR uses “leveling by ability” rather than just age. Upon enrollment, proficiency is assessed, and three proficiency tests are conducted annually to adjust classes and learning content accordingly.

Level Distribution:

Middle School Extension Support

For children who complete elementary school at ISS, the school doesn’t suddenly “cut off support.” ISS offers a middle school program (limited to ISS graduates) as an extension and support after elementary graduation. If needed, private lessons can also be arranged.

This “kindergarten through middle school accompaniment” system reflects ISS’s consistent philosophy: the school doesn’t just provide education—it grows alongside the children.

5 Advantages of International Space SODA | Real Observations from My Visit

To better understand ISS’s teaching approach and environment, I visited the school in person for an interview. During my time there, I experienced several strengths that truly set ISS apart. Here’s what I discovered.

Engaging and Well-Designed Curriculum

The principal, who previously worked in curriculum design at a major international school, personally curated and designed the entire ISS curriculum and materials. Each lesson is thoughtfully paired with engaging activities and teaching tools, making the learning experience both complete and fun.

Importantly, all classes are tailored to match the individual levels of the children, ensuring that every student is supported. This approach allows learning to be enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

Warm Teacher-Student Connections

My first impression upon entering the classroom was: the children truly “love” their teachers, and the teachers deeply understand each child’s personality. The two teachers have taught at ISS for over 10 years; no wonder there’s such trust and intimacy with the children. The entire classroom atmosphere was warm and joyful—children laughing, teachers laughing.

Harmonious Natural Interactions Among Children

Although the children come from different countries, have different personalities, and even vary in age, there is a clear sense of harmony when they participate in activities together. It’s easy to see that they get along well.

During my visit, some children were shy and hesitant in front of the camera, but without exception, I often saw smiles on their faces. That alone speaks volumes—ISS is a place where children feel safe, happy, and truly at ease.

Children’s Academic Abilities Are Impressive

The children I observed had overall English proficiency (pronunciation, listening, vocabulary) clearly above that of their peers. With teacher guidance, they could spontaneously express their thoughts in English rather than being forced to speak English. This kind of language sensitivity is rare to see in typical kindergartens.

Flexible

You can feel it from the leveling system—this school is incredibly flexible, adjusting in real time to each student’s proficiency. The curriculum, too, isn’t rigidly tied to textbooks. For example, every morning when the children arrive, they sing a theme song based on the date. Naturally, they end up learning the numbers up to 30 without even realizing it.

This kind of responsive, real-world-based adjustment makes learning more relaxed and enjoyable for the children.

School Information

Age Range: 2 years old ~ Middle school
Program Types: Full-Day / Preschool / Kinder / Junior / Middle School Program
Language Environment: All English
Faculty Composition: Foreign teachers + Japanese assistant teachers + childcare staff
Parent Support: English-Japanese bilingual communication, daily activity photo updates
Visit Arrangements: School tours available by advance reservation
Tuition & Childcare Fees | Monthly Plan: ¥23,000–¥135,000（The fees vary depending on your child’s age, the number of days enrolled, and the length of daily care.）

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Information

Access	A 5-minute walk from Center-Kita Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway, and 150 meters north of the Ushikubo Intersection.
Address	N-SQUARE 2F, 1-34-15 Nakagawa Chuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Telephone Number	045-489-4339
Language	English
Official Website	https://www.e-soda.jp/
Nearest station	Center-Kita Station

Conclusion | Why ISS Deserves Serious Consideration by Foreign Families

If you hope for your child to naturally acquire English in a warm, free environment—not just learning a language, but genuinely developing the ability to think, express, and learn through English—then ISS deserves your serious consideration.

This is not a cramming-style language school, but an international community where children grow happily and express themselves confidently.

Whether you’re planning to stay in Japan long-term or considering relocating to an English-speaking country in the future, ISS can provide your child with a solid language foundation and international perspective. When children graduate and go to schools in other countries, they won’t feel strange or behind, because they’ve already learned to understand the world through English.

Welcome to schedule a visit and experience ISS’s warmth for yourself!