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was one of the Big Four〔(McEnglish for the masses ) The Japan Times. February 24, 2004. Retrieved June 14, 2007〕 private ''eikaiwa'', or English conversation teaching companies, in Japan. Its extensive network of overseas schools made it the world's largest language school chain. The firm went into bankruptcy in Japan on 20 April 2010.〔(英会話学校のジオスが破産申請 負債75億円 ) Asahi Shimbun, April 21, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2010.〕 Its headquarters were in the in Shinagawa, Tokyo.〔"(会社概要 )." GEOS. February 23, 2009. Retrieved on July 16, 2011. "〒141-0032 東京都品川区大崎1丁目6番4号 新大崎勧業ビルディング4F"〕 GEOS (Eikaiwa), which stands for Global Education Opportunities and Services, was formed in 1973 by Tsuneo Kusunoki. The first school was based in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, also the location of one of the company's main registered offices. The GEOS Eikaiwa group also ran children-only schools called "Kodomo Schools" (子供校) throughout Japan. The adult GEOS Eikaiwa Schools had themselves taken on more classes for children. As of February 2007, GEOS had a total of around 500 "Kodomo" and adult schools in Japan and over 55 schools〔(Geos corporate site (Japanese) )〕 in countries outside of Japan. The main language the school taught was English. Other languages included French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese and Korean. The school also taught Japanese to foreigners living in Japan at their Kudan Japanese Culture, Research Center and Language Institute in Kudanshita, Tokyo.〔(GEOS Eikaiwa International Schools )〕 The school used a one-teacher system it calls "Tanninsei" where students keep the same teacher for an extended period of time and advertised this system as having benefits of promoting continuity and strong teacher-student relationship.〔http://www.geos-career.com/difference/difference.php?nr=2〕 The GEOS Eikaiwa Corporation filed for bankruptcy on April 21, 2010; 99 schools were closed and the remaining 230 were sold to G.Communication, which is also the "sponsor" of Nova. On October 1, 2010 the schools were resold to Inayoshi Capital. The GEOS Eikaiwa Group has subsequently ceased trading. After a successful purchase in 2011 the German-based Sprachcaffe Languages Plus currently operates 11 of the former GEOS Eikaiwa schools under the 'GEOS' brand. ==History== In 1973, roommates Kiyoshi Aki and Tsuneo Kusunoki founded the company AMVIC, an acronym of the phrase, "for AMbition and VICtory." The company would focus on foreign language studies. Later, AMVIC International split into two divisions. Aki became the head of AMVIC Gaigogakuin (AMVIC 外語学院), which provided foreign language training for students. Kusunoki would assume control of the AMVIC Eikaiwa (AMVIC 英会話), which specialized in English language education for non-native speakers. In 1989, Kusunoki's branch of AMVIC International entered negotiations with Warner Pacific College to assume control of 49% of its physical plant for $6 million, a 30-year lease on the schools facilities and a seat as a regent of the school.〔 〕 Not long after, AMVIC International split into two separate companies, after the former partners developed differing visions of the company's future. Aki went on to create Aeon, focusing on language learning in Japan. Aki remains Aeon's president as of 2010 . Kusunoki created GEOS Eikaiwa, focusing on global language learning with focus on English language education. GEOS Eikaiwa filed for bankruptcy in April 2010. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「GEOS (eikaiwa)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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