Teach Part 2 is the second part of a two-part teachers training course in order to be able to teach the Japanese abacus (soroban) to children.  The training order has been designed around the use of The Abacus Club books.  There are in total four series books used at The Abacus Club.  The series in order of difficulty are Puffin, Toucan, Peacock, and Flamingo.  Each series consists of three books.


What will I be focusing on?

The focus of this training will be on teaching the Peacock and Flamingo books.  Training on the Peacock series will involve the understanding of how to complete multi-digit multiplication on the soroban.  In addition to this, you will also learn how to complete decimals on the soroban.  Towards the end of the Peacock series, within Peacock 3, you will start learning how to complete division on the soroban and 2 by 1 digit mental multiplications.  Within this series, you will also be shown new soroban practice adding from 1 to 100 up to 5,050 and taking these back down to zero.  This a good practice to ensure a secure understanding of how to add and subtract sums across larger numbers.  There is also an increasing focus on mastering the art of mental computations in the air.  There will be PDF files you can print out to help you teach this series effectively.  Various resources and ideas are included to provide further support. 

On the Flamingo series training, there will be continuing focus on the mental additions/subtractions from 5 double digits to 10 double digits.  The ability to compute higher sums will depend on the consistency of practice on a daily basis and individual's visual ability.   There will be increasing focus on division within this series while you continue to complete more complicated sums on both adding, subtracting, and multiplying.  


How can I purchase the books to start teaching?

You will be able to obtain Peacock and Flamingo books through online purchases.  Each of the two series books will cost £35.  Each book will take approximately 3 to 4 months to complete on the assumption that children complete one topic every week.  Upon purchase, you will receive books and access to the online courses you have paid for.  Discounts on purchases will be given when you buy more than 4 books. 


Will there be any agreement to sign to start teaching?

No, there will not be.  The Abacus Club will not be involved in how you deliver your programmes and how much you charge your students.  You will be teaching as an independent teacher.  You can choose to purchase the necessary books from The Abacus Club to start teaching.  Alternatively, you might choose to use other books of your choice.  


How much does it cost?

The cost for this training is £220 (inclusive of delivery charges if you are within the UK) which you can pay through PayPal.  An enrollment key to access all Teach Part 2 courses will be emailed to you when the payment is received.  Within the fee, you will receive a total of 6 books (3 for Peacock series and 3 for Flamingo series) and a well structured training programme to get you started.  All teaching or additional materials can be downloaded for the online site once you have access to the online platform.


How long do I have to complete the courses?

You have access up to 6 months to complete the training.  If you should require longer period, please email Nisih.


Please email Nisih Freeman at N.freeman@theabacusclub.co.uk if you have any further queries.




The course content will focus on the following points:

    • Understanding and exploring number bonds beyond 100.
    • Performing four numbers sums beyond 100. All work is timed.
    • Exploring decimal places further by using other applicable concepts.
    • Expanding mental arithmetic skills using number bonds 10.
    • Learning 8 and 9 times and increasing other times table speed recall.
    • Introducing two by one digit multiplications using the abacus.

Peacock 2 course will cover the following points:

  • Performing five numbers sums beyond 100 including the use of decimal points. All work is timed.
  • Introducing divisions.Introducing sums involving addition, subtraction and multiplication.
  • Expanding mental arithmetic skills using number bonds 10 and extending the sums to 5 numbers.
  • Encouraging children to complete simpler two by one digit multiplications mentally.
  • Performing two by one digits multiplications using the abacus on more challenging questions.

Peacock 3 will cover the following points:

  • Performing five number sums beyond 500 including the use of decimal points. All work is timed.
  • Performing more challenging sums involving addition, subtraction and multiplication.
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills using five number sums using number bonds up to 50.
  • Encouraging children to complete two by one digit multiplications mentally.
  • Performing two by two digits multiplications using the abacus.
  • Performing simple divisions using the abacus.

Flamingo 1 will cover the following points:

  • Performing 8 number sums up to 1000 including the use of decimal points. All work is timed.
  • Performing sums involving addition, subtraction and multiplication.
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills on five number sums using number bonds up to 100.
  • Developing mental computations involving 2 3-digit sums.
  • Improving two by one digits mental multiplications.
  • Performing harder two by two digits multiplication using the abacus.
  • Performing three by one digits division using the abacus.

Flamingo 2 will cover the following points:

  • Performing 10 3-digit sums up to 5000. All work is timed.
  • Performing more challenging sums involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills up to 8 double-digit using mental flash anzan app.
  • Developing mental computations involving 3 3-digit sums. 
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills on three by one digit multiplications as well as on divisions.
  • Performing three by two digits multiplication using the abacus.
  • Completing double-digit divisor questions using the abacus.

Flamingo 3 will cover the following points:

  • Performing 10 3- or 4-digit sums beyond 10,000. All work is timed.
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills on 10 double-digit sums using mental flash anzan app.
  • Developing mental computations involving 4 3-digit sums. 
  • Developing mental arithmetic skills on two by two digits multiplication.
  • Developing mental divisions involving double-digit divisors.
  • Consolidating on completing three by two digits multiplication using the abacus.
  • Performing five by two digits division using the abacus.