The Academic Track of TOMODACHI English

Global
Academic Pass

Debate the world in English — with logic, structure, and international peers

A GAP class session in progress
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About This Course

What Is Global Academic Pass?

Global Academic Pass (GAP) takes everything you love about TOMODACHI English — learning alongside peers from around the world — and pushes the conversation further. From everyday topics like food and school life, we move into social and academic themes: environment, technology, education. You debate real issues with international classmates, sharpening your logical and academic English along the way.

The OREO framework teaches you to structure your opinions — opinion, reason, example, opinion restated — so you can respond to any question with clarity and confidence. Sessions also follow the format of IELTS*, the world's leading English proficiency exam, covering both speaking and writing. For students with study abroad or overseas university goals, GAP gives you real, structured practice toward those ambitions.

Talking through future plans and university options with peers from other countries has a way of making those paths feel real. That is what GAP is designed to do.

*IELTS: The International English Language Testing System — the world's most widely used English proficiency test for study abroad, work, and migration.

The Core of This Course

Debating with International Peers (Global × Academic)

Social and academic topics — environment, technology, education — debated in English with peers from around the world. Logical and academic expression is forged in international dialogue, not in a single-language classroom. This is the heart of GAP.

Logical Structure

The OREO framework trains you to deliver opinions, reasons, examples, and restated opinions in a coherent, persuasive flow.

Academic Vocabulary

Upgrade from everyday English to IELTS-level expression. Word choice transforms how you come across as a speaker.

Academic Writing

Apply the logical structure you build through speaking to IELTS Task 2 writing — the standard for academic argumentation at universities worldwide.

Schedule

Class Schedule

Once a week · 60 minutes · Online via Zoom · 4 sessions per month · All times UTC+7

Frequency
Weekly · 60 min
4 sessions per month
Slot ①
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
UTC+7
Slot ②
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
UTC+7

GAP runs in small groups with a dedicated instructor, so available slots are limited. Consistent attendance matters for everyone in the class — please choose a time you can commit to each week.

Class

Class Composition

A small, genuinely international classroom — every session brings together students from different countries alongside a dedicated instructor and assistant.

3 students from Japan · 3 students from overseas · 1 instructor · 1 assistant

Students join by invitation from TOMODACHI English. The mix of backgrounds is intentional — debating real topics with peers from different countries is where the learning happens.

Lesson Preview

A Glimpse Inside the Classroom

Excerpted from actual course content. All materials are in English only.
  Logic Template: OREO

IELTS Speaking Part 3 demands the ability to develop an opinion. These 4 steps let you answer any question with structure and confidence.

O

Opinion

I believe that... / In my view...

R

Reason

This is because... / The main reason is...

E

Example

For instance... / In my country, for example...

O

Opinion Restated

Therefore... / That is why I think...

  Model Answer Using OREO

Question: "Do you think online learning is better than classroom learning?"

O In my view, online learning has real advantages for motivated students.
R The main reason is that it allows learners to study at their own pace and revisit difficult content.
E For instance, when I struggled with a grammar point, I was able to rewatch the explanation three times — something impossible in a regular classroom.
O That is why I believe online learning can be highly effective, provided the student is self-disciplined.
  Academic Vocabulary: Upgrade Your Words

Swapping everyday words for more precise, academic alternatives can dramatically change how you come across as a speaker.

Instead of "good"
Beneficial
"It is beneficial because..."
Instead of "bad"
Harmful
"This could be harmful to..."
Instead of "good"
Essential
"It is essential for students to..."
Instead of "bad"
Challenging
"One challenging aspect is..."
Instead of "I think":   "I am of the opinion that..."  /  "I would argue that..."
  1-on-1 Exchange

A 15-minute paired conversation activity where students put the OREO structure into real practice. The instructor and assistant circulate to give feedback.

Discussion Topic

"Is online learning better than classroom learning?"

1

Student A shares their opinion

Develop and deliver a response using the OREO structure

2

Student B asks a follow-up question

"How does it differ in your country?" / "Can you give an example?" / "What's the downside of that view?"

3

Switch roles — Student B shares their opinion

Also using the OREO structure

4

Open discussion → Mutual feedback

Close by sharing specific expressions or ideas you appreciated from your partner

  Beyond OREO — Key Concepts You Build in GAP

OREO is the foundation of every session, but each class adds a new thinking and expression framework — called a Key Concept. Here are some examples of what you develop in GAP.

  Speaking

  • Making Examples Specific
    Narrow "a friend" to "my friend Rina, who chose a local university" — concrete details make your argument far more persuasive.
  • Hedging Language
    Replace "it is..." with "it tends to..." or "in some cases..." for a more measured, academically credible tone.
  • Responding to Counter-Arguments
    Address "But what about...?" calmly and logically, while holding your position.
  • Paraphrasing the Question
    Rephrase the question in your own words before answering — shows comprehension and buys thinking time.
  • Signposting
    Announce how many points you have and mark each one ("I have two reasons," "Firstly…," "So overall…") so listeners can follow a longer answer.

  Writing

  • Spoken → Written Conversion
    Turn your spoken OREO into a paragraph by adding connectors (Firstly, For instance…).
  • Topic Sentences
    Open each paragraph with a single sentence that states exactly what it is about.
  • Concession Structure
    "While X is understandable, I believe Y" — acknowledge the opposing view, then assert your own.
  • Explaining Your Evidence
    Add one sentence after an example to say what it shows, so the example works as evidence rather than just a story.
  • Peer Review
    Move beyond "good job" — give specific praise and one concrete suggestion for improvement.
  • Writing Under Time Pressure
    Build the timing sense an IELTS Task 2 essay demands, and focus on the sentences worth protecting first.
  Term 1 Curriculum

Term 1 is themed Life & Society. Over 12 weeks, you explore six topics: Technology & Society, Rules & Freedom, Learning & Success, Friendship in a Digital Age, Media & Information, and Work & the Future.

Every class builds on OREO while adding one new Key Concept each week, and alternates between Speaking and Writing. You speak about a topic, then write about it, so what you can say turns into what you can write.

View the Term 1 curriculum

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How to Apply

GAP is offered to a select group of TOMODACHI English participants. Available slots are limited, so we coordinate scheduling individually after you apply.
Please use the application form for TOMODACHI English International below.

Go to the Application Form

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