We are pleased to announce that a renewed version of the English learning material "TPR Videos," designed to make children's first exposure to English more fun and accessible, has been produced and will be progressively introduced in elementary schools in Kashima City starting in late May 2026.
The "TPR Videos," which help children learn English enjoyably, were jointly created by the Kashima City Board of Education and Kashima Antlers in 2021 and are used in English classes at all elementary schools in the city. This initiative, which leverages the resources of a professional sports club for local education, is now in its fifth year. To ensure that the materials can continue to be used in educational settings long-term, their content has been completely updated.
Goal of the Renewal: "Learning with Fun" and Feeling Closer to the Club, Mascots, and Players
For this renewal, we focused on creating an environment where children can feel closer to the club, develop an affinity for it, and learn English spontaneously and enjoyably.
The main characters are the club mascots, Shika-o, Shikako, and Anton, who are familiar to children. By moving their bodies in sync with the mascots' energetic movements, we aim to lower the psychological barrier to English learning and make it genuinely "fun" for them.
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Additionally, five top team players who came through the academy (youth development organization) – Shuhei Mizoguchi, Yu Funahashi, Daiki Yamada, Yugo Okawa, and Haruto Matsumoto – participated in the filming. By seeing these familiar players, who grew up with the club in their everyday lives, actively moving and speaking English, we aim to stimulate children's motivation to learn and further enhance their interest in the club and the region.
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Benefits of Incorporating "TPR" for Effective Second Language Acquisition
TPR (Total Physical Response) is a method adopted in this material where English is acquired naturally by moving the body in response to words. It is considered highly effective for second language acquisition, and the following learning outcomes are expected:
■Smoother understanding of words:
By moving the body along with English sounds, children can naturally absorb the meaning of words with their whole body, not just with their minds.
■Learned words are more easily retained in memory:
English learned in conjunction with actions has the characteristic of being remembered longer than words memorized in isolation.
■Understanding English "as English":
Because English words are directly linked to actual actions, children can understand their meaning without the intermediate process of translating into Japanese in their minds.
■Everyone participates with confidence and enjoyment:
Even at a stage when they are not accustomed to speaking English, children can start by imitating movements, allowing the entire class to engage in activities regardless of proficiency level.
165 Diverse Actions Included
The renewed version includes a total of 165 types of actions. In addition to basic actions such as "stand" and "sit" which form the foundation of learning, the content has been enhanced with unique content that utilizes the regional characteristics of Kashima City, such as soccer-related movements like "dribble" and "shoot," and local activities like "go surfing," "go fishing," and "pray at a shrine." This allows children to learn English while simultaneously fostering an enjoyment of soccer and an attachment to their local area, Kashima.
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Past Usage Results and Future Initiatives
Since the project's inception in 2021, the following feedback and results have been received from educational settings:
■Children's experience of "learning with fun":
In a survey conducted among 2,048 elementary school students (grades 2-6) in Kashima City, over 80% of children responded that learning through this material was "fun." Additionally, about 80% of children reported "learning English by watching TPR," with many positive comments such as "English is easy to remember" and "looking forward to English class."
■Current learning status:
Kashima City as a whole maintains Level 4 in the "GTEC Junior" English assessment taken by 6th-grade elementary students in Kashima City. Furthermore, students achieve the equivalent of Eiken Grade 5 upon elementary school graduation and Eiken Grade 3 by the 3rd year of junior high school.
Children who began learning with this material in the initial phase of its introduction in 2021 are now advancing to upper elementary grades. We will continue to collaborate with the Board of Education to evaluate how the "fun physical learning experience" through TPR from an early age positively impacts subsequent English education.
While the use of this material will begin in elementary schools within Kashima City, we are also considering providing it to other neighboring municipalities, including other hometowns and friendly towns, in the future. As a "learning platform" that leverages the unique resources of a professional sports club, we aim to expand its use to contribute to the healthy growth of children throughout the region.
Antlers will continue to collaborate with local governments and educational institutions in its hometown to contribute to the healthy growth of children and the development of the local community.