Is Kumon different from tutoring?

As an after-school mathematics and English education programme for school-aged children, Kumon is often categorised as tuition. However, Kumon differs from the services provided by your local tutor in some fundamental ways.

In this article, we explore the differences between Kumon and tuition, and explain how both services play different roles in supporting your child’s education.

What does Kumon offer?

Kumon is an individualised programme that focuses on the development of calculation and reading comprehension ability. It develops students’ ability to self-learn through the study of mathematics and English worksheets.

Kumon is also a partnership between parent, student and Kumon Instructor, to fully pursue each child’s potential and develop their ability to the maximum. Students progress independently at their own pace. They develop confidence, a daily study habit, and a high level of mathematics and reading ability.

Kumon has been operating in Australia for 40 years, since 1984. Over the course of these four decades, over one million children have relied on Kumon to seek help with maths and reading, while developing fundamental skills.

What do tutors offer?

The offerings of tutors in Australia and New Zealand vary widely, depending on the needs of the child. Some parents turn to tutoring once they realise their child is struggling in a particular subject or area of learning. In other situations, children are tutored to prepare for specific tests, such as NAPLAN or selective school entry exam As an after-school mathematics and English education programme for school-aged children, Kumon is often categorised as tuition. However, Kumon differs from the services provided by your local tutor in some fundamental ways.

In this article, we explore the differences between Kumon and tuition, and explain how both services play different roles in supporting your child’s education.

s, or they receive tutoring catered towards the curriculum of a specific subject in school.

In most circumstances, parents turn to tutoring to address an immediate challenge or concern relating to their child’s learning. In the case of students with learning difficulties or students who need to be extended in order to stay engaged, tutoring can be a long-term endeavour.

When should you consider Kumon?

If you are searching for a long-term programme that develops fundamental calculation and reading skills, while boosting confidence and self-learning skills, then Kumon is a good fit for your child. If your child is already in school, we help fill in any gaps in mathematics and English, and then extend your child to study at their own pace once they are ready. For preschoolers, we have worksheets especially tailored to prepare children for school and a lifetime of learning.

In summary, if you want to invest in your child’s education by providing them with a long-term programme that develops skills that they will use for life, then Kumon is a great fit.

When should you consider tutoring?

In our experience, tutoring is best suited for students who have a short-term academic goal to achieve – such as preparing for an examination. Tutors are able to tailor their offerings towards these very specific goals, whereas the Kumon Mathematics and English programmes follow their own curricula.

What is the difference between Kumon and tutoring?

There are some key differences between Kumon and tutoring. Kumon is an individualised programme that has been established globally for over 66 years. It focuses on the development of fundamental mathematics and reading skills, along with confidence, strong study habits and self-learning skills. Kumon has been in Australia for over 40 years, benefiting over 1 million students.

Tutors vary widely in their offering and experience. While some tutors may adopt a long-term approach, many tutors focus on the attainment of short-term academic goals. Furthermore, tutors are likely to rely on their own teaching methods to guide and develop the student.

To learn more about how Kumon can help your child develop confidence in the basics of mathematics and reading, please contact your nearest centre via: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/ 

Confidence in the basics gives Ramahl a strong foundation for future learning

Ramahl, with his medals to commemorate his achievement of advanced study with Kumon.

For 15-year-old Auckland student Ramahl, studying ahead of his school grade in Kumon Mathematics and English has provided him not only with a solid foundation for high school – but for all his future endeavours as he grows up in a world undergoing rapid and exciting changes.

Ramahl was enrolled into Kumon in 2015. He started by revising the basics of mathematics and reading, before eventually pursuing advanced study that was more than five years ahead of his school grade. Now, in school, Ramahl is studying Year 12 and 13 mathematics despite only being in Year 11, and studies both Year 12 English and New Zealand Scholarship English – a university-level extension course.

Ramahl embraces challenges. He attributes this attitude to his prior Kumon study.

“Kumon’s put me on that path from a young age where I can now realise, I have the courage to take up challenges,” he says.

Ramahl attributes his confidence to the strong foundation in mathematics and reading, which he built in Kumon. He says that learning basic mathematical concepts such as the four basic operations or English concepts such as simple sentence structure, are just as important as the more advanced concepts.

“Kumon makes sure you have a really good understanding of the simple concepts first before extending you to those harder problems,” Ramahl says. “If I didn’t understand times tables or algebra, I wouldn’t be able to do the calculus that I can do today.”

“I also think reading is probably the most important thing you can do for an understanding of English,” he continues. “I know that I probably wouldn’t have read nearly as many books if I hadn’t gone to Kumon, because I had to read book extracts in my Kumon worksheets.”

“I really liked how Kumon introduced me to non-mainstream texts from which I could learn new words, genres and writing styles. This helped me to have a sense of reading and English skills in my future.”

Kumon provides students with a strong foundation in mathematics and reading, the basis for the study of all other subjects at school. Ramahl believes that his mathematics and English knowledge from Kumon extends to his other school subjects.

“I think mathematics and reading and writing isn’t just about maths and English, but they also apply to pretty much every subject, especially in high school where every subject has an element of writing to it,” Ramahl explains.

“I can use my vocabulary to better get points across in science, for example, and science is also all about mathematics. And there’s geography and history, they require strong reading, writing and critical thinking skills, and that’s what an early understanding of maths and English really develops.”

“Therefore, a foundation of those two core subjects allows me to go into what I want in other subjects too, and extend myself in those.”

However, it’s the challenging spirit and have-a-go attitude, which Kumon fostered in Ramahl, that he believes will be of lifelong benefit.

“I think Kumon sets you up with the confidence to take on challenges. Not just in mathematics and reading, but in my case, studying science, doing drama, learning Māori, taking up cultural groups and service groups, because in setting up a strong foundation is what allows you to take up extra things in life,” Ramahl says. “I know I’m doing the best I can; I know I’m taking the most advanced classes I can. I think Kumon sets you up on a different trajectory for life, knowing that different pathways are open and available. It’s a domino effect that helps you understand where you can end up and what you can do.”

Rae, Ramahl’s father, says he enrolled his son into Kumon because he deeply appreciated the programmes focus on developing students’ foundational knowledge in mathematics and reading, before moving onto more advanced concepts.

“I think that there are very much two foundations to education, and that’s maths and English,” Rae says. “If you don’t have either or both of them, your education’s not going to be very good and you’re not going to get very far if you want to educate yourself.”

Rae says he is grateful that Kumon has opened up so many different opportunities for Ramahl. He believes that with rapid technological change transforming how people live, work, and learn, top-quality education is critical. Rae sees Kumon as the building base for the future learning.

“I want to do my very best to ensure that Ramahl has the best pathways open to him in his future,” Rae says. “I’m so happy that he is headed in a direction that blows my mind away a bit actually. And school teachers who have had Ramahl in his class too, they just say to me, ‘The world’s his oyster.’”

Harjas builds her foundation for future success with Kumon

Harjas, with her medal commemorating her achievement of studying a Kumon programme more than five years ahead of school grade.

Whatever 11-year-old Harjas chooses to accomplish in her future, she has built a strong foundation through dedicated study of Kumon Mathematics and English.

Harjas began her Kumon journey nearly seven years ago in Auckland, before her family’s recent move to Melbourne. Harjas studies Kumon Mathematics close to five years ahead of her school grade level – where she is currently learning about square roots, quadratic equations, inequalities, functions and graphs, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

“Kumon keeps me ahead of my class every year,” Harjas says. “The structured routine has made me one of the highest achieving students [in school] and boosted my confidence in mathematics.”

Harjas also previously studied the Kumon English programme, for which her mother Jasmeen attributes Harjas’s love for reading books.

Being in Year 6 in primary school in Australia, Harjas will commence her first year of high school next year. Harjas says she feels ready.

“As I finish primary school, the skills and knowledge I gained from Kumon will be valuable in high school,” Harjas says. “Kumon has given me problem solving skills, discipline, and a strong work ethic for future success.”

Jasmeen also observed that Kumon’s benefits for Harjas go beyond the classroom.

“I would say that Kumon’s not only boosted Harjas’ confidence levels, but it instilled a sense of fearlessness towards academic challenges as well as social challenges,” Jasmeen says. “When a child has high confidence levels and isn’t struggling academically, they tend to excel not only in their studies but also in their social interactions.”

“It’s made Harjas more interactive and adaptable in various settings, not just in a classroom.”

Harjas is considering becoming a neurosurgeon or lawyer as potential careers, but this may change as she grows older. Whatever Harjas chooses to accomplish later in life, Jasmeen says the skills her daughter acquired from Kumon will be invaluable.

“Kumon’s laid down a strong foundation for Harjas’s future aspirations,” Jasmeen says. “Kumon has instilled self-discipline and a daily study habit, which I believe will stay with her for life. She has learned that no problem is insurmountable; there is always a solution. This is something Harjas has undoubtedly gained from her experience with Kumon.”

Experience Kumon Mathematics or English for two weeks in August, for free

At Kumon, confidence begins with the basics. Trial Kumon English or Mathematics over two weeks and find out how we develop a strong foundation for future learning. With the basics in place, students have the confidence they need for success at school.

Follow these four easy steps to register:

1. Contact your local Kumon centre to register for an information session
2. Have your child assessed for Kumon Mathematics or English, and discuss a study plan
3. Arrange for your child to study worksheets and attend classes over the two-week Free Trial period
4. Meet with your Instructor to discuss your child’s Kumon experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• The registration deadline for the Free Trial varies across centres
• Places are limited and acceptance for the Free Trial is on a first-come, first-served basis
• Participation in an information session is mandatory prior to your child participating in the Free Trial
• The Free Trial consists of worksheet study over two weeks during August
• Late registration may result in a shorter Free Trial
• Operating procedures at each centre will vary
• The Free Trial is available for one subject only (either English or Mathematics)
• Offer not available at all centres
• There is no obligation to enrol after the Free Trial.

Please visit this link to find your nearest Kumon centre: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/

To read about a current Kumon student who previously experienced a Free Trial, please visit: https://nz.kumonglobal.com/free-trial-student-testimonial/

Parents’ role in Kumon’s partnership for progress

Parents play an integral role in their children’s education, with research consistently demonstrating a clear link between positive parent engagement and higher academic results. Children also develop attributes such as confidence and motivation as a result.

Kumon recognises this link. Therefore, parents play a vital role in supporting children in their worksheet study. This includes monitoring their home study, encouraging children to complete their worksheets to the best of their ability, and assisting with the marking of homework and corrections.

“I think helping children with their worksheets at home is really important because it encourages and motivates them”, explains Daniella, a Kumon parent. “If they don’t know the work, that’s going to be a detriment to their work later on. Always encouraging them, and facilitating the strategies in their learning is really important”.

While extra support from parents is often necessary in the early stages of enrolment into Kumon, children develop routine and independence. This is Daniella’s experience.

“My children are 10 and 8 years old, and they’ve actually become independent learners through this programme”, she says. “So, at this point in time, they independently get their worksheets out and start doing their worksheets”.

With the support of parents like Daniella, the partnership between, student, parent and Kumon Instructor works for the benefit of children, and Kumon students can comfortably study beyond school grade level.

Thank you, Kumon parents, for all the support you provide your children in their worksheet study.

Meet the new Instructor of Kumon Albany Education Centre

Anita Gokal, new Instructor of Kumon Albany Education Centre.

Kumon Albany Education Centre, in Auckland’s outer north, is now operating under the direction of its new Instructor, Anita Gokal.

Prior to becoming a Kumon Instructor, Anita experienced an international career in education. She held primary school teaching positions in Pakistan, the USA and finally New Zealand. Anita also holds a masters degree in curriculum, instruction and teaching.

“‘Making a difference’ is what I have witnessed, observed and experienced as a learner and a teacher”, Anita says. “Having more than 25 years of experience in teaching and learning, I feel I am still a student learning from children every day all year round. Kumon is another layer in my quest to serve children”.

Anita chose Kumon because of the individualised nature of the programme.

“For me, individual instruction has always been at the core of education”, Anita explains. “My passion lies in working with the individual needs of the students and guiding them to unlock their potential through self-directed learning. The Kumon Method is one of a kind because it allows every child to learn at their own pace as they progress in their learning”.

Kumon Albany is located at Unit T, 86 Bush Road, Albany, Auckland 0632. Classes operate on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

To learn more about Kumon Albany or to enrol, please contact the centre directly: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/Centre/Kumon-Albany-Auckland#info

Sustainability Charter

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Kumon Australia and New Zealand is committed to following environmentally sustainable practices.

We strive to deliver the highest standards of educational services to our customers and intensive support to our Kumon franchisees, while minimising our impact on the natural environment.

These include:

• Conserving energy, water and other scarce or non-renewable resources;
• using refurbished and recycled products and materials where practical;
• encouraging our suppliers, through specifications, to develop environmentally preferable goods and services at competitive prices;
• phasing out or minimising hazardous emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions that are damaging to health and the environment;
• implementing a Waste Hierarchy of minimising waste generated, reusing and recycling waste, with the aim of zero waste to landfill wherever possible;
• working with suppliers to improve environmental performance where it is relevant to the contract and consistent with the achievement of value for money;
• being responsive to the local community and ensuring they are taken into consideration;
• meeting all relevant current and foreseen statutory regulations and official codes of practice and asking suppliers to do the same.

We welcome all feedback regarding our Sustainability Charter. This can be provided by emailing publicrelations@kumon.com.au

Disclaimer: This Charter is not a legally binding document but is a general statement of intent of our commitment towards environmentally sustainable business practices.

Introducing KUMON CONNECT

Digital Kumon now available in New Zealand

The world’s best mathematics and English worksheets can now be studied digitally, on tablet via the KUMON CONNECT learning platform, at Kumon centres in Aotearoa.

KUMON CONNECT gives students the option of studying the same Kumon Mathematics and English programmes, with a stylus, tablet, and digital worksheets, instead of the traditional pencil-and-paper. KUMON CONNECT also digitises students study records, allowing parents and children to quickly and easily check details such as score, worksheet completion time and overall study progress.

Paper and tablet-based study are very similar

Vichhika, a parent from Auckland, enrolled both her children into paper-based Kumon to improve their mathematical abilities. Later on, she switched them over to tablet-based study with KUMON CONNECT. Vichhika believes that ultimately, KUMON CONNECT and paper-based Kumon are very similar.

“KUMON CONNECT and paper-based Kumon are not very different”, Vichhika says. “The only difference is the paper and the tablet: the way they study, and the worksheets they study, is all the same, which is good”.

Her 10-year-old son Jerry also says both paper and tablet-based Kumon have helped him to make great progress in his mathematics.

“With KUMON CONNECT, instead of taking your paper and your pencil and eraser to class, you use a tablet with a stylus”, Jerry explains. “It’s helped me to improve in maths and to improve a lot in school. Now I’m in the top group [at school for mathematics]”.

Maintaining a connection with your Instructor

KUMON CONNECT students continue to attend the centre twice-a-week, maintaining those real-life connections with their Instructor and centre assistants. Parents continue to support their children to complete their worksheets to the best of their ability. Kumon Instructors create an individualised study plan for students, assign the work they are ready to learn next through the app, and support students develop self-learning ability. They also provide parents with regular progress updates.

Learn anywhere, anytime

To study with KUMON CONNECT, all you need is:

• Your own tablet*
• A device-compatible stylus pen
• Stable home internet connection.

Next steps

If you are interested to learn more about KUMON CONNECT, please contact your nearest Kumon centre directly: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/

Should you also wish for your child study the traditional paper-based Kumon Mathematics and English programmes, please contact your nearest centre using the above link.

*Please check with your Kumon centre whether your tablet is suitable. Supported devices are listed as below:  

• Apple iPad (10th generation) with official stylus pen of the tablet manufacturer
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (2024) with official stylus pen of the tablet manufacturer

Students may be unable to use KUMON CONNECT and/or the application may not function correctly if the above technical specifications are not met. 

Learn what families have to say about KUMON CONNECT

Vanessa and Esme

“The intuitive interface of KUMON CONNECT is very easy for my daughter Esme to use and understand; it’s satisfying for her to review her results and see how far she’s come. Furthermore, it allows her to monitor the pace at which she completes her homework and this teaches her time management. As a parent it’s heartening to see her develop these skills while being engaged and inspired by her educational progress.” – Vanessa, a Kumon parent

Esme, Vanessa’s daughter, a KUMON CONNECT student.

Emily

“I like KUMON CONNECT because all my worksheets are in the iPad.” – Emily, 7 years old, and a KUMON CONNECT student

Emily learning basic addition on her digital Kumon Mathematics worksheet.

Allisha, Sam and Ryan

“I actually loved that Kumon was on paper, but the reason that we went to digital is because we’re about to do a trip of Australia and we didn’t want our children to go backwards in maths. Just having Kumon accessible on their iPad was easier for us.” – Allisha, a KUMON CONNECT parent

Sam and Ryan, Allisha’s sons and KUMON CONNECT students.

Yuki and Myla

“I really like the ease of use of KUMON CONNECT, how easy it is to track how many digital worksheet pages my daughter has done, and how long it took her to do them. My daughter is progressing very quickly through Kumon and I think that is because KUMON CONNECT allows me to closely track her progress.” – Yuki, a Kumon parent from Auckland

Eight-year-old Myla, studying her digital worksheet with KUMON CONNECT.

Disclaimer: KUMON CONNECT and screen time

For screen time, New Zealand Government guidelines recommend the following:

• Children younger than 2 years old: no screen time
• 2 years and older: no more than 1 hour per day.

For tablet usage, the World Health Organisation recommends the following:

• For children between 2-4 years old, up to 60 minutes of screen time per day.

Tablet study with KUMON CONNECT is within the above recommended limits.

Trial Kumon Mathematics or English as a second subject, obligation free, in May 2024

With Kumon’s second-subject Free Trial in May, students currently enrolled in either Kumon Mathematics or English can trial the other subject for two weeks, for free. Students who study both Kumon Mathematics and English:

• Learn the fundamentals of both maths and English — the foundations for success in all subjects at school
• further strengthen study habits and concentration
• have a greater sense of achievement and motivation.

To register for our second-subject Free Trial in May, follow these four easy steps:

1. Contact your Kumon Instructor to register your interest
2. Discuss your child’s second-subject assessment and study plan with your Instructor
3. Have your child study the second subject during the month of May
4. Meet with your Instructor to discuss your child’s experience studying the second subject

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• The registration deadline for the Free Trial varies across centres
• Places are limited and acceptance for the Free Trial is on a first-come, first-served basis
• The Free Trial consists of worksheet study over two weeks during May
• Late registration may result in a shorter Free Trial
• Operating procedures at each centre will vary
• The Free Trial is available for one subject only (either English or Mathematics)
• Offer not available at all centres
• There is no obligation to enrol after the Free Trial.

To find your Kumon centre’s contact details, visit: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/

Experience Kumon Mathematics or English for two weeks in May, for free

At Kumon, confidence begins with the basics. Trial Kumon English or Mathematics over two weeks and find out how we develop a strong foundation for future learning. With the basics in place, students have the confidence they need for success at school.

Follow these four easy steps to register:

1. Contact your local Kumon centre to register for an information session
2. Have your child assessed for Kumon Mathematics or English, and discuss a study plan
3. Arrange for your child to study worksheets and attend classes over the two-week Free Trial period
4. Meet with your Instructor to discuss your child’s Kumon experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• The registration deadline for the Free Trial varies across centres
• Places are limited and acceptance for the Free Trial is on a first-come, first-served basis
• Participation in an information session is mandatory prior to your child participating in the Free Trial
• The Free Trial consists of worksheet study over two weeks during May
• Late registration may result in a shorter Free Trial
• Operating procedures at each centre will vary
• The Free Trial is available for one subject only (either English or Mathematics)
• Offer not available at all centres
• There is no obligation to enrol after the Free Trial.

Please visit this link to find your nearest Kumon centre: https://www.kumonsearch.co.nz/

To read about a current Kumon student who previously experienced a Free Trial, please visit: https://nz.kumonglobal.com/free-trial-student-testimonial/