SOROBAN
The SOROBAN, known as the Japanese abacus in English, is considered to be the first calculator in Japan and has played a significant role in the cultural and educational development of the country. We believe soroban to be representative of many aspects of the Japanese culture. We hope this soroban homepage will answer your many questions: What is soroban? Where does it come from? What role does it play in our changing modern society? Why is it considered so highly in the basic education for getting calculating ability?
The SOROBAN is a rectangular wooden instrument used to do calculations based on the decimal system. The frame is 33 by 6 centimeters. It has vertical rods with sliding beads and a fixed bar across the rods. The standard Japanese soroban used today has 23 rods with 5 beads each, 1 above the bar and 4 below.
Benefits of Soroban
Although the present curriculum for Japanese students does not seem to indicate so, the society in general still values soroban skills. This is shown by the thousands of students who learn the soroban at juku classes. A high value is placed on the benefits of soroban which are listed below:
-
Fosters a greater sense of numbers.
-
Helps develop an intuitive understanding of numbers through their concrete representation on the soroban (similar to Roman numerals).
-
Fosters one's trust in the process of calculation by enabling one to observe it in action.
-
Manifests the concept of decimal places and the progression of units by tens physically.
-
Instantly accomplishes addition and subtraction when numbers are placed on the abacus.
-
Improves understanding of compounded numbers (through the use of supplementary numbers for 5 and 10).
-
Helps in developing the beneficial qualities of concentration, patience, and endurance.
-
Fosters one's confidence in calculation.
-
Uses a left to right calculation method, which makes quick estimation and rounding off possible.
-
Works on the decimal rather than fractional system, an easy progression to digital systems.
-
Develops mental calculation, which is the ultimate resource.
-
Develops the right brain tremendously.
-
Leads to greater mental capacity.
-
Expresses large numbers simply and easily.
-
Provides a sense of achievement as one's proficiency improves.
Courses for Japanese Students
Online English Soroban
Option 1
Group lesson with Teacher Jaimee
1lesson 30mins = 2000 yen
Option 2
Private lesson with Teacher Jasmine
1lesson 30mins=
3000 yen
Option 3
Online English private lesson (Monday to Sunday between 10AM to 10PM
1 lesson 15 mins=
1500 yen
Option 4
Online Lesson Package Plan Option 1 plus Option 2
3000 Yen
Classroom English Lesson with Teacher Jasmine
Wednesday and Thursday group lesson max of 5 students.
3 lessons a month =
6000 yen
Courses for Filipino Students
Soroban Group Lesson 4 lesson a month =
500 Php.
Japanese Group Lesson with Teacher Jasmine and Teacher Minako
3 mos course once a week = 2500 Php