Coursebook Series
An English coursebook series for private elementary schools that nurtures solid foundations while keeping children’s excitement at the center
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Smile is an elementary English coursebook that helps children living in Japan build the ability to express themselves in English. Building on Japan’s Fundamental Law of Education and the Course of Study, Smile carefully chooses vocabulary and expressions and presents them in an order and style designed for natural learning.
Since the texts launched in 2014, we have enriched the content every year and created supporting materials and print resources in response to classroom needs. As values around society and education continue to shift, Smile will keep evolving—holding on to what matters while actively embracing new ideas and methods.
* For schools that begin English in grade 3, Smile 1–4 Dream Edition is recommended.
Here are four features that help schools make the most of Smile and deliver high-quality English education.
01
Smile uses an original story syllabus, weaving target language into long-form stories children want to follow. Characters such as Taku and Lucy grow with learners from Smile 1 through 6. Upper-grade stories often include Japanese culture and customs, helping children re-express ideas about their own lives.
02
Abundant hand-drawn illustrations support comprehension, and lessons align events and clothing with the intended season. Smile 1–2 stories can be roughly understood from pictures alone; from Smile 3 onward, non-verbal cues gradually decrease so attention shifts to language itself.
03
Adopting schools receive teacher’s guides, flashcards, mini vocabulary tests, activity sheets, stickers/puppets, uniform illustrations, poster data, the DreaMagic Style font, and teacher access to Smile Online Premium—free of charge.
04
Workbooks, card sets, handwriting books, vocabulary books, irregular-verb charts, and more support learning at each stage. Generative-AI English learning is offered through the related service Mole Town®.
Curriculum highlights
Smile aims to build the foundation for children living in Japan to express themselves in English. One key to that goal is a systematic curriculum and lesson design that promotes awareness. The curriculum is organized into Smile 1–3 (Part 1) and Smile 4–6 (Part 2). Part 1 focuses on basic vocabulary understanding and retention, and familiarity with core expressions. Part 2 focuses on organizing basic expressions using known words and deepening understanding.
Smile also presents an original grammar sequence that considers Japanese children’s mother-tongue acquisition order and cognitive development—distinct from the typical order in junior-high English classes.
For example, Smile 1 begins with “How many…?”. Junior-high courses often start with “What…?”. Counting comes first because, for first graders, counting visible objects is clearer and easier to grasp than the more open-ended What.
With this approach, by the end of the series children can experience expressions up to junior-high graduation level (Eiken Grade 3) without undue strain.
Smile 1–3 include over 900 headwords; the full series exposes children to over 3,000 words!
Knowing many words is essential for smooth communication. Across Smile, children encounter more than 3,000 words—about four to five times the 600–700 words recommended in the elementary Course of Study. These are everyday words, not abstract vocabulary typically taught later, so they matter greatly for self-expression.
Becoming familiar with longer texts in elementary school also matters. In Smile 6, children listen to and read passages of about 350 words to build gist comprehension.
The Course of Study calls for developing both receptive and productive vocabulary so learners can communicate effectively with a rich lexicon.
Receptive vocabulary is words understood when listening or reading—linked to listening and reading skills. Words whose meaning is clear when reading a book or hearing someone speak are receptive vocabulary.
Productive vocabulary is words used when speaking or writing—linked to speaking and writing. Words used in conversation or essays are productive vocabulary. Both are needed for communication; because productive vocabulary is generally included within receptive vocabulary, experiencing many words first is important.
Part 1 (Smile 1–3): Basic vocabulary understanding and retention; familiarity with core expressions
| Smile | Goal | Total words | Unique words | Expression examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raise awareness of number | 2,457 | 593 | How many…? / There is…. There are…. / What…? / Who…? / Where…? / Prepositions & demonstratives, etc. |
| 2 | Understand concepts of time (past, present, future) | 2,817 | 699 | When…? / What time…? / will & past / Imperatives / how & can, etc. |
| 3 | Understand differences tied to person, case, number, and tense | 3,283 | 834 | Pronouns / 3rd person singular / would like to… / want to… / be going to… / if / Which…?, etc. |
Part 2 (Smile 4–6): Organizing basic expressions with known words and deepening understanding
| Smile | Goal | Total words | Unique words | Expression examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Organize wh-questions and answers and deepen understanding | 6,259 | 1,209 | Who / What / Where / What time / Whose / Which / Progressive / on [days] / from…to…, etc. |
| 5 | Organize advanced expressions in simple sentences and deepen understanding | 7,049 | 1,315 | When / How many / How+adj / Past / 3rd person / Gerunds / will / be going to / Comparatives & superlatives, etc. |
| 6 | Organize advanced expressions in compound/complex sentences and deepen understanding | 9,976 | 1,553 | Passive / to-infinitive / Subordinating conjunctions / Direct & indirect speech / Relatives / Perfect, etc. |
Each book has 11 lessons of 4 pages, centered on vocabulary learning and familiarizing children with number, tense, and person through stories. The year typically follows a 4–4–3 lesson distribution by term, with seasonal stories.
Each book has 11 lessons of 6 pages, split into Part 1 and Part 2. Learners review earlier language and take on richer content through stories, with CLIL-oriented openings and spiral recycling of known words.
Smile Online
Smile Online helps consolidate main-text learning. Basic lets learners tap words and sentences for audio (including 1.3× speed). Premium adds vocabulary quizzes, songs, chants, and a wide range of video content.
| Feature | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Audio playback, 1.3× speed, word/sentence playback | Yes | Yes |
| Vocabulary learning videos (Smile 1–3) | — | Yes |
| Story comprehension quizzes | — | Yes |
| Character buttons (Smile 1–3) | — | Yes |
| WORD QUIZ / TEXT QUIZ (incl. pronunciation & spelling) | — | Yes |
| Videos such as Songs for Smile / Yoga Time / Chants | — | Yes |
| Student learning history (for adopting schools) | — | Yes |
Text-aligned workbooks from basics to application. Levels 1–3 use a 6-page lesson format (2-book sets); levels 4–6 use 10 pages per lesson and include services such as Letter to Ms. White.
30 carefully chosen pairs (60 cards). Through play, children learn sound, meaning, and spelling. Adopting schools receive four levels of quiz audio free of charge.
A full-color handwriting book with letter formation, minimum phonics, and writing animations. Adopting schools also receive font data and posters free of charge.
An A5 vocabulary book collecting Smile 1–3 headwords plus many everyday words. Adopting schools receive adjective/verb poster data free of charge.
120 irregular verbs grouped by pattern, with an audio example booklet and clear file. Practice and pronunciation-challenge sites are added to Smile Online for adopting schools.
Please ask your sales contact about school supply pricing for Smile materials. We can prepare a quote on request.
If your school or educational institution is considering this material, please contact us below.
