PLS Newsletter - July 2024

Contents:

1. A message from PLS Group Chairperson Masumi Ormandy

2. 2024 PLS Group Autumn Forum Announcement

3. Autumn Seminar Schedule

4. New Sister School Introduction

5. Notice of Ray Ormandy’s Return to America

6. Photos from the 2024 PLS Group Sister School Convention

The PLS Group (formerly known as the PLS Sister School Association) celebrates its 33rd anniversary this year. I am thankful to our sister schools for sharing the principles and philosophy of PLS, and striving to improve English communication skills in the children of Japan. Even as we integrate our management with the KTC Group, that you continue to support us as always, and some of you even cheer us on, makes me thankful to have been involved in English education for the last half century.

On June 23rd, this year’s Sister School Convention was hosted under the care of Time English School, who have shared a connection with us as a sister school for the past 38 years. The presentation put together with the participation of ten high school- and college-aged students from the Kobe, Toyonaka, and Nara branches of the school was extremely impressive. I’m sure that I was not the only educator who took courage and hope for the future from not only their English skill, but also their overflowing love for both English and Time, as well as their youthful charm. That behind these students’ growth was ten years of effort and love from staff and teachers was the gift of Time English School’s wonderful teamwork. I was touched to be shown just how “Time Will Tell.” Thank you to Time for also welcoming many of us to your Kobe school for a tour on the following day.

This was the first time in six years that the convention was hosted by a sister school. As well as feeling the unity of the sister schools even more strongly, I resolved to continue progressing hand in hand with everyone while cooperating with the KTC Group. Also, I participated in audio recording for new materials with Ray, who returned to America on July 9th.

I hope we can continue to do our best together from now on. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the autumn forum.

PLS Group Chairperson Masumi Ormandy

This year’s autumn forum will be held online on Sunday, November 17th. Further details will be shared at a later date.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Although we previously shared the full schedule for the current school year, we would like to bring special attention to the upcoming autumn seminars. We look forward to seeing you there.

Tokyo (Location: PLS Hamadayama)
Seminar 1　September 15-16* (*public holiday)
Seminar 2　October 20-21

Osaka (Location: Osaka Shashinkaikan)
Seminar 1　September 1-2
Seminar 2　October 6-7
Seminar 3　November 10-11

Times for all seminars:
Sunday: 10:00-18:00
Monday: 9:00-17:00

Registrations can be made using this form.

Contact: Makiko Hara

Starting on March 1st 2024, Manaviva Shinonome has become the newest PLS sister school. We apologize for the late introduction. Kengo Mitomi and Masumi Arakane from Manaviva both attended the recent Sister School Convention and were greeted there by fellow sister school members.

Please find below the contact information for Manaviva Shinonome:

145-0062 Tokyo-to Eto-ku Shinonome 1-9 Shinonome Canal Court Codan 15 Room 103
Access: Ten minute walk from Tatsumi Station Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line

TEL: 03-5548-5150

Having come back to Japan at the end of April after a long absence, Ray Ormandy has gone back to America with a smile on his face.

During his stay, many sister school staff members and former teachers visited Ray or called him at the Hamadayama school.  Additionally, he was greeted even more passionately by the sister schools at the Sister School Convention. Currently, Ray is continuing his work on moving the PLS program forward and developing new materials from America. All staff at PLS Hamadayama felt the benefit of new teaching materials as well as seeing Ray back in the classroom during his time here.