Gaba Corporation - Learning Studio History

Learning Studio History

After being founded in Tokyo in 1995, Gaba has consistently expanded, opening at least one Learning Studio every year from 2000 to 2012. Generally the Learning Studios are named after the area they are located in, although some are named after the station they are closest to (if this differs from the area name). The first Learning Studios were opened in March 2000 with the Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Jiyugaoka and Yokohama schools. A year later, in March 2001 it opened the Shinjuku East and Ginza LSs. These were quickly followed in April 2001 with the Shinjuku West LS. In October 2001 the Kichijoji LS was opened, followed by the Ginza I-chome LS in November. In June 2002 the two Shinjuku LSs were merged.

The following year, 2003, saw a substantial increase in the number of Learning Studios. In January the Tameike-Sanno and Shimbashi LSs were established. In February came Tokyo LS, March saw the opening of Shimokitazawa LS, and in April, Omotesando Learning Studio opened. Next came Futako Tamagawa LS in May, and Seijo in June. In July, the Roppongi Learning Studio opened, and in October the Akasaka Mitsuke and Tamachi Learning Studios opened.

The next year, 2004, saw a continued expansion. In January, Fujisawa LS opened, in February, Aobadai LS opened, in April, Sangenjaya Learning Studio opened, and in May, the Meguro Learning Studio opened. In June, Shin-Yurigaoka LS opened, and in October, Shinagawa LS opened.

Expansion continued in 2005, with Gaba opening its first Kansai LS in Umeda, Osaka. In February, the Chiba LS opened, followed by the Shinsaibashi and Sakae LSs in April. In April, the Ikebukuro LS relocated, as did the Yokohama LS in December.

On July 13, 2005, Gaba opened up what the company called a 'next generation' learning studio designed specifically for women in Ginza. The new location provided VIP "executive booths" that afforded complete privacy for the teacher and the student. English conversation schools often gear marketing campaigns towards women, often using strategies the focus on couplings between Japan and the other, represented and embodied by professional/romantic/sexual pairings between western instructors and female Japanese students. Gaba maintains its language center in Ginza, although it is no longer designated as female specific.

2006 saw Chayamachi LS open in April and the Omotesando LS relocate in August. A new Shinjuku LS was opened in September, and in October Gaba opened another Kansai school, this time in Kobe. The Roppongi LS closed in May 2006 due to "environmental reasons".

2007 saw LSs opened in Hachioji in March, Kita-Senju in April, the Futakotamagawa LS relocated in April, Ebisu LS opened in August, and Kyoto LS opened in November. The Hiroo LS closed in October 2007, merging with the Ebisu LS.

In January 2008, the Shimbashi-Shiodome Learning Studio relocated, and in February, the Kawasaki LS opened. In April, the Shibuya LS relocated, as did Kitasenju LS in June.

On 1 April 2009, the Otemachi LS was opened, and on 1 October the Akabane LS. The Nagoya LS closed in March 2009, and its operations were consolidated into the Sakae studio. Meguro Learning Studio was also relocated in April 2009. On October 31, the Ikebukuro annex closed.

Shinyurigaoka LS closed on 29 March 2010, it relocated to the new Machida LS, opened on 1 April 2010. Sangenjaya LS closed on May 31, 2010. The Tamachi LS was closed on September 30, 2010, and merged into the Shinagawa LS from October 1, 2010.

Gaba opened a new Nagoya LS on January 5, 2011.

On February 26, 2011, Shinsaibashi LS in Osaka relocated to the Namba district. Namba LS opened on March 1, 2011.

On May 1, 2011 Gaba opened Kashiwa LS in Chiba.

The Jiyugaoka LS relocated on October 1, 2011.

The Ikebukuro LS relocated in January 2012.

The Omiya LS relocated on April 17, 2012.

Ginza LS relocated on May 7, 2012, becoming the "Ginza Yurakucho" LS.

The Kawasaki LS relocated on September 1, 2012.

Gaba opened its newest LS in Akihabara on October 1, 2012.

On March 1, 2013 Gaba will open the Tennoji Learning Studio in Osaka, which will become the 38th learning studio.

On March 30, 2013 Gaba will relocate Machida LS.