// what you will learn
Faster in the head than most people are on a phone.
Mental math strengthens logical thinking, concentration and problem-solving. These Korean and Japanese methods train all three at once.
// what they learn
- ▪Abacus-Based Foundations: The Japanese Soroban and Korean styles: what the beads mean, and how to picture them without the frame in front of you.
- ▪Visualisation Techniques: How to hold and move numbers on a mental abacus, with exercises built purely around mental imagery.
- ▪Addition & Subtraction, Both Styles: Soroban-based rules and Korean mental shortcuts, side by side, so students learn which one suits them.
- ▪Multiplication & Division: From 1-digit × 1-digit up to multi-digit work, plus Korean pattern-based methods and handling remainders mentally.
// going further
- ▪Mixed Operations: Combining addition, subtraction and multiplication, and getting the order of operations right at speed.
- ▪Fractions & Decimals: Mental fraction operations, converting fractions to decimals, and quick tips for estimation.
- ▪Memory & Focus Training: Korean memorisation drills and Japanese focus-building games: the part that carries over into every other subject.
- ▪Real-Life Problem Solving: Word problems, shopping, distances and money, solved without reaching for a calculator.
// course outline
Eight weeks. Sixteen classes. No calculators.
Two one-hour classes a week, each one building on the last, ending in a timed assessment against the clock and against classmates.
W1
Lecture 1 & 2
Introduction to Mental Math · Visualization Techniques
- ▪Importance of mental calculation
- ▪Overview of Korean and Japanese styles
- ▪Introduction to the abacus (Soroban)
- ▪How to visualise numbers on an abacus
- ▪Exercises for mental imagery
- ▪Simple addition practice
W2
Lecture 3 & 4
Addition Methods: Japanese Style · Korean Style
- ▪Soroban-based addition rules
- ▪Step-by-step practice
- ▪Speed drills for 1-digit and 2-digit sums
- ▪Korean techniques for mental shortcuts
- ▪Compare differences with the Japanese style
- ▪Group practice challenges
W3
Lecture 5 & 6
Subtraction Techniques: Japanese Style · Korean Style
- ▪Soroban subtraction strategies
- ▪Visualising borrowing and carrying
- ▪Practice with increasing difficulty
- ▪Korean mental subtraction methods
- ▪Patterns for quick solutions
- ▪Daily practice drills
W4
Lecture 7 & 8
Multiplication Basics · Multiplication Techniques
- ▪Introduction to mental multiplication
- ▪Using visualisation for 1-digit × 1-digit
- ▪Transition to multi-digit multiplication
- ▪Japanese method for multiplying large numbers
- ▪Korean pattern-based multiplication
- ▪Practice worksheets
W5
Lecture 9 & 10
Division Basics · Advanced Division
- ▪Mental division explained
- ▪Soroban-style division
- ▪Step-by-step practice
- ▪Korean techniques for quick division
- ▪Handling remainders mentally
- ▪Timed practice challenges
W6
Lecture 11 & 12
Mixed Operations · Fractions & Decimals
- ▪Combining addition, subtraction and multiplication
- ▪Order of operations in mental math
- ▪Speed challenge activities
- ▪Introduction to mental fraction operations
- ▪Converting fractions to decimals
- ▪Quick tips for estimation
W7
Lecture 13 & 14
Problem Solving with Mental Math · Memory & Focus Training
- ▪Word problems solved using mental math
- ▪Real-life applications: shopping, distances, money
- ▪Group problem-solving activities
- ▪Exercises for concentration
- ▪Korean memorisation drills
- ▪Japanese focus-building games
W8
Lecture 15 & 16
Final Speed Drills · Final Assessment & Certificates
- ▪Time-based addition, subtraction, multiplication and division challenges
- ▪Competing individually and in teams
- ▪Review of all techniques
- ▪Students solve a set of problems under timed conditions
- ▪Feedback and reflection session
- ▪Certificates awarded
// is this right for your child?
Who this is for.
Children aged 12 and up
The methods rely on visualisation rather than arithmetic drilling, so a good working knowledge of basic operations helps.
Students who freeze in maths tests
Speed and confidence tend to arrive together. Timed drills are a weekly fixture here.
Kids who reach for a calculator
The whole point is to make the calculator the slower option.
Competitive learners
Weeks 5 and 8 are built around timed challenges, individually and in teams.
Anyone who struggles to concentrate
Memory and focus training is a module in its own right, not a side effect.
Parents wanting an academic edge
Mental math carries directly into school maths, physics and everyday problem solving.
// see it in action
Watch BBT Kids on Instagram.
Class projects, build days, pitch days and student work, all posted as it happens on @bbtkids_.
// big maths faqs