Frequently Asked Questions

Put simply, FKA courses are for parents who want their child to gain a competitive edge by enriching their background knowledge of the world—the only proven way to consistently raise English scores (and also other subjects taught in English). FKA students leave every lesson having learned something fascinating and relevant. This knowledge benefits them in deep, lasting ways, whether they are tackling future exam questions or engaging in meaningful conversations at social gatherings.

FKA utilizes the philosophy and materials of the Core Knowledge (CK) curriculum, equipping students with carefully curated knowledge across diverse fields to help them excel in English. While other educational agencies rely on "drilling" discrete skills—a method research shows ignores actual learning processes and fails over time—FKA focuses on substance. Unfortunately, many schools worldwide fall into this same drilling trap, forcing students to focus on text structures rather than actual content. This makes learning tedious and uninspiring. By focusing on content instead, FKA ensures students actually enjoy discovering new subject matter, turning a dry academic exercise into a fascinating experience.

The Core Knowledge Foundation provides its curriculum free of charge, allowing anyone to access and use their materials online with proper attribution. In fact, many excellent curricula worldwide are free. What sets FKA apart isn't just the content—it's the delivery. We transform content-packed lessons into a fun, interactive experience that makes all the difference. Think of it this way: public libraries provide a wealth of free knowledge to everyone, but without proper guidance, few truly benefit. FKA provides the structure and motivation students need to confidently master and apply that knowledge.

We limit our class sizes for two reasons. First, small group learning is far more effective than one-on-one tutoring or large lectures. Without peer interaction, lessons can quickly become dry and tedious. Small groups allow students to benefit from diverse perspectives, and in our experience, seven students is the sweet spot for maximum engagement and lively discussion.Second, regulatory guidelines play a part. The Education Bureau (EDB) requires any center teaching eight or more students at once, or 20 or more per day, to register for a specific school license. Navigating these non-educational requirements—like strict building and fire codes—takes time, so FKA is keeping classes intentionally small for now.Rest assured, when the time is right for expansion, things will change!

Practically all exam questions are reading comprehension tests in disguise—whether the top of the paper reads "Comprehension," "Literature," or "Grammar." Before a student can answer any question correctly, they must first understand what is being asked. Even a straightforward grammar question requires students to decode meaning, not just memorize rules.For example, consider this question: The AED machine was retrieved (because / therefore) a man had collapsed on the ground.The only way to answer this confidently is to know what an AED machine actually is. If you know it is a life-saving device, because is the obvious choice. But if you think it is a dangerous weapon, therefore suddenly makes perfect sense. What looks like a simple grammar test is actually a background knowledge test. Every single exam question first requires students to truly understand what is written.

Yes... and no. Research shows that critical thinking is not a generic, transferable skill you can just apply to any discipline. Instead, the best critical thinkers are always experts in their fields. Their deep grasp of the subject matter is exactly what enables them to solve complex problems by deftly manipulating the knowledge at their disposal. Critical thinking isn't taught in a vacuum; it flows naturally from a rich foundation of background knowledge. By equipping students with a curated, expert selection of global topics, FKA lays the exact groundwork needed to naturally develop high-functioning critical thinkers. There is nothing more worrying than someone trained solely in critical-thinking skills, with no background knowledge to rely upon - the mixture of confidence and ignorance could be fatal in some cases.

No, our lessons are fairly priced for the value they deliver.However, we believe in grace and compassion. Existing families facing genuine financial hardship may apply in writing, briefly detailing their situation and request. All tuition assistance requests are reviewed and approved at the sole discretion of the Academy.