J-Motion Academy — Learn in Motion. Live the language.

A movement-based language class where children learn naturally through play, action, and communication.

Concept

Children learn language best when they move, play, and interact.

J-Motion Academy is not a sit-down, textbook-style class.

It's an Active Language Class where learning happens through real movement, real joy, and real communication.

Why J-Motion Academy?

About the Founder, Haru (Mari Haruno)

Haru (Mari Haruno) has supported and taught children and adults with developmental differences for over 20 years.

Through this experience, she realized that classic learning—lining up desks and chairs, using textbooks and pencils—is not the only way to learn.

The J-Motion Method

Based on neuroscience, J-Motion offers experiential lessons that engage all five senses. Learners acquire language not only with their mind but with their entire body. Lessons are designed to be fun and natural, making language "come alive" in the body and creating memories that last a lifetime.

This method works for both Japanese and English and is especially beneficial for learners with strong developmental traits, providing a comfortable and enjoyable way to learn naturally.

About J-Motion Academy

J-Motion Academy consists of four divisions tailored to different ages and goals:

Features

Lesson Highlights

Engage All Five Senses

Speaking, listening, seeing, touching

Active Learning

Learners move and participate, not just observe

Acquire with the Body

Acquire language with the body, not just the mind

Natural Retention

Learn naturally and retain knowledge through enjoyable experiences

J-Motion Kids features

Movement-Based Learning

Learn by moving, acting, and playing.

Small Class, Big Support

Each child gets individual attention.

All Levels Welcome - Japanese/English

No Japanese or English experience required.

Multilingual & Inclusive

English support available; neurodiverse learners welcome.

Confidence Building

Kids feel proud to use Japanese/English in daily life.

Location / Schedule

Location:

In-person in Toronto, or online classes available.

Free Trial:

Free trial classes available

Program Start:

Anytime (flexible start)

Class Content

Examples of class activities:

  • Japanese/English instruction games
  • Flashcards & movement games
  • Rhythm, songs, and action-based Japanese/English
  • Seasonal crafts
  • Real-life communication practice

Goal:

To help children learn Japanese/English not as "study," but as a natural experience.

25-Minute Session (Short)

Warm-up (5 min)

Movement games or mini exercises to get the body active

Introduction of new language (10 min)

Hands-on experience with visuals and cards

Activity (7 min)

Practice in pairs or small groups

Review & Wrap-up (3 min)

Recap the words learned today

50-Minute Session (Full)

Warm-up (5 min)

Activate language through movement

Introduction of new words/grammar (15 min)

Experiential, multi-sensory activities

Pair/Group activity (15 min)

Roleplay or language games

Applied practice (10 min)

Use language in real-life scenarios

Review & Wrap-up (5 min)

Reflect on today's lesson and Q&A

Sample Homework

  • Express today's words/phrases with drawings or gestures
  • Practice reading simple dialogues aloud and record yourself
  • Play mini-games at home with family or friends to practice

Tuition

For tuition information, please contact us.

Instructor

Mari Haruno - Instructor

Haru (Mari Haruno)

Education & Credentials

  • Master's Degree in Agricultural Chemistry, Meiji University Graduate School
  • Behaviour Science Program Graduate, George Brown College
  • Special Needs Educator License

Career

  • Since 2002, has been involved in education, with a special focus on children with developmental differences and school refusal.
  • Since 2016, relocated to Toronto, Canada, expanding instruction not only for Japanese learners but for people around the world.
  • In 2019, founded Haru's Bilingual School, the predecessor of J-Motion Academy.
  • In 2025, launched the Kids, Youth, Japanese (Adult), and English divisions within J-Motion Academy.

About Haru

  • Favorite Foods: Pomegranate, Avocado Salad
  • Favorite Color: Purple
  • Favorite Phrase: GIVE IT A SHOT!!
  • Personality: Super positive, has the talent to continue what she starts for a long time, a master of perseverance. Easygoing.

Haru's Stories

1

As a graduate student, she suffered severe burns all over her body in an accident and narrowly escaped death. Unable to continue in science, she joined Rakuten and became a top performer among tens of thousands of salespeople.

2

At a busy Tokyo intersection, she saved a boy who ran into the street from being hit by a truck. She was hit instead, requiring 25 stitches in her head, breaking her ribs, and losing all her teeth. She narrowly escaped death once again.

3

A student who had been out of school for 8 years and was a shut-in began lessons with Haru. After six months, he said, 'I want to go to Toronto to see Haru-sensei!' and completed a two-week study abroad. After returning to Japan, he went back to high school and aimed for university—a tremendous transformation.

4

A child with ADHD who couldn't concentrate in school and attended Japanese school for 4 years without speaking any Japanese at home joined Haru's group lesson. Immediately after the first day, he started humming songs in Japanese that he learned from Haru, and his motivation to learn Japanese soared.

Haru's Dream

To nurture 'global citizens' who can thrive anywhere in the world with confidence and resilience, developed through enhanced concentration and creativity. To spread worldwide a teaching style that incorporates neuroscience—using trampolines, color cones, and ladders instead of desks, chairs, textbooks, and pencils—engaging the whole body and all five senses, rather than the classic classroom setup.

What People Say

My child started using Japanese/English phrases at home right away!

The movement-based learning style was perfect for my child!

Haru-sensei's energy is so high that even on days when I come home feeling down, I always want to attend the class without fail. I'm so happy to learn real, practical English that can be used locally, not just from textbooks, and business trips abroad are no longer a burden.

Before moving to Toronto, I wanted to do what I could on my own, but I didn't know where to start. After taking Haru-sensei's pre-study abroad English program, I clearly understood what I could do and what my weaknesses were. I continued until just before departure, and after arriving, I had no resistance to communicating in English.

I hated studying and couldn't sit at a desk for more than 10 minutes, but I've been able to continue weekly 50-minute classes for 7 years. This is undoubtedly thanks to Haru-sensei's super positive energy and her teaching that truly never gets boring, tailored to each individual student. I can't thank Haru-sensei enough. I want to continue taking Haru-sensei's lessons for the rest of my life.

Even after several years of learning Japanese with a textbook in hand, I was frustrated with my lack of progress and was about to give up when I met Haru-sensei. I was shocked by the sensation of absorbing native, living Japanese with my whole body, not from a textbook. I want everyone to experience this sensation of learning Japanese with their whole body.

Registration

Click below to register for the free trial class.

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FAQ

Yes! We adjust using both English and Japanese.

You don't need to feel ready, you just need to take the first step. Give it a shot!! This is where your transformation begins.