English School GKA

English School GKA 開講35周年を迎える英語学校GKAです。
週7日開講、振替制のため長く続けられます。優秀外国人講師から英会話、日本人講師からあらゆる英文法学べます。

25/08/2026

***MASTER “BY THE TIME” FOR NATURAL ENGLISH***

Want to show that one thing happens before another? Learn how to use BY THE TIME.

BY THE TIME + CLAUSE

By the time we arrived, the movie had already started.
By the time you read this, I will have left.
By the time she finishes college, she will have studied for 16 years.
By the time he called, I had already eaten dinner.

PAST SITUATIONS (use past perfect)

When talking about the past, the main clause usually uses the past perfect to show one action finished before another.

By the time the police arrived, the thief had escaped.
By the time I got home, my family had eaten without me.

FUTURE SITUATIONS (use future perfect)

When talking about the future, the main clause usually uses the future perfect.

By the time you graduate, you will have taken over 40 exams.
By the time the sun sets, we will have finished the hike.

COMMON MISTAKES

❌ By the time we arrived, the movie already started.
✅ By the time we arrived, the movie had already started.

❌ By the time you will read this, I will have left.
✅ By the time you read this, I will have left.

❌ By the time she finishes college, she studied for 16 years.
✅ By the time she finishes college, she will have studied for 16 years.

⚠️ Don’t use “will” in the “by the time” clause itself, even for future events.

QUICK RULE:

BY THE TIME + PRESENT/PAST CLAUSE, PAST PERFECT / FUTURE PERFECT

By the time I finish, you will have left.
By the time I finished, you had left.

📚 At GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji, we help students build the grammar and communication skills they need for EIKEN and real-world English.

Want to make your English more accurate and natural? Come visit GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji and experience our classes. Contact us to learn more or arrange a trial lesson.

25/08/2026

***MASTER “AS THOUGH” FOR NATURAL ENGLISH***

Want to describe something that seems true, or imagine a situation that isn’t real? Learn how to use AS THOUGH.

AS THOUGH + CLAUSE

She talks as though she knows everything.
He looked at me as though I were crazy.
It feels as though summer will never end.
They acted as though nothing had happened.

AS THOUGH vs AS IF

AS THOUGH and AS IF mean the same thing and are used the same way. AS THOUGH is slightly more formal, but both are correct in speech and writing.

She smiled as though/as if nothing was wrong.

REAL vs UNREAL (SUBJUNCTIVE)

For things that are probably true, use a normal tense.

It looks as though it’s going to rain.

For things that are clearly not true or imaginary, use the past tense (or “were” instead of “was”).

He talks as though he were the boss. (He isn’t.)
She spends money as though she were rich. (She isn’t.)

COMMON MISTAKES

❌ She acts as though she is the boss. (when it’s clearly not true)
✅ She acts as though she were the boss.

❌ He looked as though he seen a ghost.
✅ He looked as though he had seen a ghost.

❌ It feels as though that I’m forgetting something.
✅ It feels as though I’m forgetting something.

⚠️ Don’t add “that” after as though.

QUICK RULE:

AS THOUGH + CLAUSE (real situation → normal tense)

AS THOUGH + CLAUSE (unreal/imaginary → past tense or “were”)

It looks as though he’s tired.
She acted as though she were a queen.

📚 At GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji, we help students build the grammar and communication skills they need for EIKEN and real-world English.

Want to make your English more accurate and natural? Come visit GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji and experience our classes. Contact us to learn more or arrange a trial lesson.

25/08/2026

***MASTER “NEITHER OF” FOR NATURAL ENGLISH***

Want to talk about **two things that are both not true or not included**? Learn how to use **NEITHER OF**.

***NEITHER OF + PLURAL NOUN / PRONOUN***

**Neither of my parents** speaks English.

**Neither of the restaurants** is open today.

**Neither of them** knows the answer.

**Neither of us** has been there before.

Even though the noun after **neither of** is plural, the verb is traditionally **singular** because **neither** means “not one and not the other.”

**Neither of the answers is correct.**

***COMMON MISTAKES***

❌ Neither of them **are** available.
✅ Neither of them **is** available.

❌ Neither of my friends **want** to go.
✅ Neither of my friends **wants** to go.

❌ Neither of these options **seem** suitable.
✅ Neither of these options **seems** suitable.

❌ Neither of them **doesn’t** understand.
✅ Neither of them **understands**.

⚠️ Don’t use another negative with **neither**.

***QUICK RULE:***

**NEITHER OF + PLURAL NOUN / PRONOUN + SINGULAR VERB**

Neither of them **is** ready.

Neither of the plans **works**.

Neither of my friends **wants** to go.

📚 At **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji**, we help students build the grammar and communication skills they need for **EIKEN and real-world English**.

Want to make your English more accurate and natural?

Come visit **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL** in Koenji and experience our classes.

**Contact us to learn more or arrange a trial lesson.**

25/08/2026

***MASTER “SUPPOSED TO” FOR PAST & FUTURE***

Want to express plans, expectations, and things that were meant to happen? **“Be supposed to”** is an essential phrase for natural English.

***PAST: WAS/WERE SUPPOSED TO + VERB***

I **was supposed to meet** him yesterday.

She **was supposed to arrive** at 7, but her flight was delayed.

We **were supposed to finish** the project last week.

The meeting **was supposed to start** at 10, but nobody was ready.

In the past, **was/were supposed to** often means something was **planned or expected, but didn’t happen.**

***FUTURE: AM/IS/ARE SUPPOSED TO + VERB***

I **am supposed to meet** him tomorrow.

She **is supposed to arrive** at 7.

We **are supposed to finish** the project next week.

The new store **is supposed to open** in September.

For future plans, **be supposed to** means something is **expected or scheduled to happen.**

***QUICK RULE:***

PAST → **WAS/WERE SUPPOSED TO + VERB**

FUTURE → **AM/IS/ARE SUPPOSED TO + VERB**

**I was supposed to call him.**
= It was planned, but I didn’t.

**I’m supposed to call him tomorrow.**
= It is planned or expected to happen.

At **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji**, we teach practical English that you can actually use in real conversations.

Want to stop translating in your head and start speaking more naturally? Come visit **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL** and experience our English classes in Koenji.

**Contact us to learn more or arrange a trial lesson.**

25/08/2026

***PASSIVE VOICE FOR STATING FACTS***

The passive voice is useful when we want to focus on **what happened**, rather than who did it.

**ACTIVE:**
Scientists discovered the planet in 1995.

**PASSIVE:**
The planet **was discovered by scientists in 1995.**

The person who did the action is often not important, unknown, or obvious.

**FACTS WITH THE PASSIVE:**

English **is spoken by millions of people around the world.**

The historic building **was constructed more than 100 years ago.**

More than 100 million smartphones **are sold around the world every year.**

The effects of climate change **have been studied by scientists for decades.**

The new airport **is expected to open later this year.**

**BASIC PATTERN:**

SUBJECT + BE + PAST PARTICIPLE

The bridge **was built** in 1950.

The results **are published** every year.

The research **has been completed** by the university.

The passive voice is especially useful when **explaining facts, describing processes, and writing academically.**

📚 Want to improve your grammar and communicate more confidently in English?

Come and study with **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji.** We help students develop practical English for conversation, exams, and real-world communication. Call GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL to learn more or arrange a visit.

22/08/2026

***MASTER THE PRESENT PERFECT***

Want to talk about your **life experiences** in English?

Use the **present perfect**:

**HAVE / HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE**

I **have visited** New York.

She **has tried** sushi.

We **have studied** English for years.

For experiences, we often use:

**HAVE YOU EVER + PAST PARTICIPLE...?**

Have you ever **been** abroad?

Have you ever **eaten** something really strange?

Have you ever **met** a famous person?

To answer:

**YES, I HAVE.**
I’ve visited Australia.

**NO, I HAVEN’T.**
I’ve never visited Australia.

⚠️ **COMMON MISTAKE**

When talking about a life experience, don’t use a specific past time with the present perfect.

❌ I have visited London **last year.**

✅ I visited London **last year.**

The present perfect focuses on **the experience**, not exactly **when it happened**.

📚 At **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji**, we help students move beyond memorizing grammar and actually **use English to communicate**.

Want to speak English with more confidence?

**Come visit GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji and try a class!!!

22/08/2026

***HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS IN ENGLISH***

Having an opinion is easy.

**Explaining WHY you think that way is the real skill.**

When speaking English, don’t stop after giving your opinion. Support it with a **REASON, EXAMPLE, or PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.**

**OPINION + REASON**

I think working from home is better **because it saves time.**

**OPINION + EXAMPLE**

I think public transportation is convenient. **For example, I can get almost anywhere in Tokyo without driving.**

**OPINION + EXPERIENCE**

I think traveling abroad is important. **For example, when I studied overseas, I became much more confident speaking English.**

You can also develop your ideas with:

**For example...**
**For instance...**
**One reason is that...**
**This is because...**
**In my experience...**
**For me,...**

Don’t just say:

“I think English is important.”

Say:

“I think English is important **because it gives you more opportunities. For example, you can communicate with people from all over the world.**”

That’s how you turn a **short answer into a strong answer.**

📚 At **GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji**, we help students develop practical English skills for conversation, exams, business, and everyday communication.

Want to express your ideas more naturally and confidently?

Come visit GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji and experience a class for yourself!!!

22/08/2026

***MASTER THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD***

Preparing for **EIKEN**? The subjunctive mood is an advanced grammar point that can help you understand and produce more sophisticated English.

After certain verbs and expressions, use:

**THAT + SUBJECT + BASE VERB**

I suggest that he **study** harder.

The teacher recommended that she **take** the test.

It is essential that everyone **be** on time.

⚠️ Notice:

❌ I suggest that he **studies** harder.

✅ I suggest that he **study** harder.

Even with **he / she / it**, the verb stays in its **base form**.

You may also see this in more formal English:

**It is important that he be prepared.**

**They insisted that she arrive on time.**

**The doctor recommended that he get more rest.**

📚 **EIKEN TIP**

The subjunctive mood is especially useful for **EIKEN Grade 2, Pre-1, and higher-level English**, where recognizing formal grammar and expressing ideas accurately becomes increasingly important.

Want to build the grammar skills and vocabulary you need to **pass EIKEN with confidence**?

**Follow us or come by our ESL school GKA LANGUAGE SCHOOL in Koenji for practical English lessons designed for Japanese learners.**

18/08/2026

***GIVING REASONS: AS, SINCE, SEEING THAT, OWING TO, DUE TO***

These expressions all give a **reason or cause**, but they are used in different ways.

***AS / SINCE + CLAUSE***

Use **as** or **since** before a subject + verb.

**As it was raining, we stayed home.**

**Since you’re here, why don’t you stay for dinner?**

They are often used when the reason is **already known or obvious**.

***SEEING THAT + CLAUSE***

**Seeing that** also introduces a reason, but it often means **“considering the fact that...”**

**Seeing that it was raining, we decided to stay home.**

**Seeing that you’re already here, you might as well stay.**

It can sound more conversational and emphasizes the situation as a reason for the decision.

***OWING TO / DUE TO + NOUN***

Use **owing to** or **due to** before a noun or noun phrase.

**The flight was delayed due to bad weather.**

**The game was cancelled owing to heavy rain.**

They are more **formal** than *as, since,* and *seeing that*.

⚠️ Don’t put a normal clause directly after them:

❌ The flight was delayed due to **it was raining**.

✅ The flight was delayed due to **the rain**.

***QUICK GUIDE***

**AS + CLAUSE** → reason
**SINCE + CLAUSE** → reason, often already known
**SEEING THAT + CLAUSE** → considering the situation
**DUE TO + NOUN** → formal
**OWING TO + NOUN** → formal

Compare:

**Since it was raining, we stayed home.**

**Seeing that it was raining, we decided to stay home.**

**We stayed home due to the rain.**

Same basic reason, but different grammar and emphasis.

18/08/2026

***IN ORDER TO / IN ORDER NOT TO***

Use **IN ORDER TO + VERB** to explain the purpose of an action.

I woke up early **in order to catch** the first train.

She studied hard **in order to pass** the exam.

We left early **in order to avoid** the traffic.

It has the same basic meaning as **TO + VERB**, but **in order to** can sound more formal or emphasize the purpose.

I went to the library **to study**.
I went to the library **in order to study**.

For a negative purpose, use:

**IN ORDER NOT TO + VERB**

I left early **in order not to miss** the train.

He whispered **in order not to wake** the baby.

She saved money **in order not to worry** about the future.

⚠️ **COMMON MISTAKE**

Don’t use **not + to** after “in order”:

❌ I left early in order **to not miss** the train.

✅ I left early **in order not to miss** the train.

***QUICK RULE:***

**IN ORDER TO + VERB** → purpose

**IN ORDER NOT TO + VERB** → negative purpose

I exercise **in order to stay** healthy.

I exercise and eat salad **in order not to become** unhealthy.

住所

杉並区高円寺北3-23/12
Nakano-ku, Tokyo
164-0002

営業時間

月曜日 09:30 - 22:00
火曜日 09:30 - 22:00
水曜日 09:30 - 22:00
木曜日 09:30 - 22:00
金曜日 09:30 - 22:00
土曜日 09:30 - 22:00
日曜日 08:30 - 13:30

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