About | The Learning Circle

About The Learning Circle

At The Learning circle, we provide children with an environment for fun exploration and enriching experiences. We believe, CURIOSITY & CONFIDENCE is key to learning.

Learning is structured around our three core values: Confidence, Communication and Creativity.

Through positive experiences with drama , art, dance ,musical theatre, literature and poetry our students develop insightful and meaningful perspectives to navigate their world. Your child will explore ,learn and grow loving every moment spent in our learning circles.

Our qualified and experienced team of teachers are passionate about providing children with enriching experiences and giving learning potential a helping hand.

With backgrounds in Drama, Art, Musical theatre and Early Childhood Education, our enthusiastic teachers will ensure that the children have a lot of fun learning important life skills.

Children are naturally creative. It is our job to give them the freedom, materials & space to let their creativity blossom to its full potential .

~ Jean Vant Hul

Director & Founder of The Learning Circle

Tenie B Sangma

With over two decades of dedicated service, Tenie Sangma stands as an exemplar in the field of Early Childhood Education. She seamlessly intertwines her roles as a speech and drama teacher, LAMDA instructor, and Montessori-trained educator. Tenie's journey into education led her to establish her own Speech & Drama academy, The Learning Circle Japan in 2012.

The Learning Circle is also the first registered and authorized Private centre for LAMDA ( London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) assessments in Tokyo .

Her training and experience spans across continents, with impactful stints in India, Japan, and the UK.

Tenie's infectious enthusiasm for early childhood education, speech, and drama is palpable in her vibrant persona. Her collaborative spirit shines through her work with International schools in Tokyo, where she imparts invaluable lessons in Speech & Drama, language and literacy development, creative music and movement sessions and public speaking skills.

Passionate about instilling confidence and fostering self-expression, she spearheads professional development workshops that empower educators to unlock the potential within each child and providing invaluable resources for other educators and peers.

Beyond her professional accolades, Tenie is a devoted mother of two and a collector of children's books, embodying her passion for storytelling. She graced the stage as a TEDX speaker, with her talk- Lessons I learned from Picture Books.

Renowned for her captivating story time sessions she regularly collaborates with Public libraries & Children’s organizations in Tokyo, spreading her love for books and helping children nurture a love for literature from a tender age.

Tenie is cherished by her students and peers alike for her unwavering dedication to fostering confidence and self-expression in children.

Team

Facilitator

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Justin Hansen

Justin is from Seattle, USA and loves every second of living in Japan.

Active in theatre since high school, he went on to major in Theatre Arts and Drama at Washington University. He focused on playwriting and produced four plays whilst also performing with the university’s improvisation group.

Justin lived in New York and worked for a theatre company before moving to Japan to teach English and has continued to remain active in the theatre improvisation community..

Justin is an invaluable part of The Learning Circle - from teaching in the classroom to writing original plays,taking on acting roles, and is also our in-house prop maker! He brings his high power energy into the classroom and loves to share his unique beat boxing skills with the children.

Facilitator & Admin Manager

Yukiyo Iwai

Yukiyo was born in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating University, she moved to LA to pursue her career where she worked in National commercials, film, TV, and theater. She is a graduate of the Joanne Baron /D.W.Brown Meisner Technique Studio and gained certification for Television and Film from UCLA Extension. In 2015, Yukiyo returned to Japan to produce plays and live musical performances.

Experiencing art from an early age, she believes in expanding the world for children and deepening their sensitivity and imagination. By joining The Learning Circle, she is hoping to share the beauty of truth in an imaginary world with children here in Japan. Yukiyo is really excited to have a wonderful journey with The Learning Circle!

Facilitator & LAMDA Program

Beatrice

Paterson-Achenbach

Ms Beatrice (Bea) Paterson-Achenbach is from the UK and currently lives in Tokyo, working as an English language teacher and performer for children. She is a dedicated educator and an accomplished drama professional with a rich background in both teaching and the performing arts. With experience teaching in primary schools in England, Bea has a deep understanding of how to engage and inspire young minds. After graduating from The University of Bristol, her passion for drama and singing has led her to direct and produce operas with renowned companies, including the Berlin Opera Academy, British Youth Opera and The Helios Collective. Bea also founded her own organization in England to promote Arts Education and has worked with youths from disadvantaged communities.

She has been part of many productions in Tokyo and England both on and off the stage.

With LAMDA qualifications in Communications & Acting, she has taught as a private tutor in England supporting them with the National Curricular education & in Tokyo as an extra-curricular teacher in drama and music. Bea has an advanced level in Japanese language and is a keen reader, writer, artist and loves singing, dancing, lifting weights, and running- She proudly completed the Yokohama marathon in 2023

At The Learning Circle, Bea specializes in teaching the LAMDA program combining her educational expertise with her love for performance to create immersive, creative learning experiences for children.

It is not about smart children, it is about Happy Children who have the confidence & courage to learn and pursue things dear to their heart.

Alexandra Eidens