Math and numbers come naturally to some children, but a major chunk of school and college students struggle to some extent when it comes to calculations. Abacus, as we all know, has been around since centuries and is considered one of the best tools worldwide to develop arithmetic skills and numerical fluency. The abacus tool is used to perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, square, or cubic root. Abacus can also be used for counting decimal points, negative numbers, and much more. Apart from improving your calculation skills, learning abacus can help in the overall development of a child. Some of the proven benefits of learning abacus are:
Therefore, learning abacus is not just a great life skill for younger minds but also for adults. In fact, professionals can learn or refresh their abacus skills to enhance their mental calculations at work. Whether you wish to enrol your child for abacus classes or want to learn it yourself, there are excellent online abacus classes available that can make learning abacus fun and interactive.
Join us, as we take you through the best online abacus training that we have shortlisted after consulting with 10 abacus experts teaching and using abacus themselves to perform quick mental math.
6 Best Online Abacus Classes, Training & Courses
- Abacus Math From Scratch [Udemy]
- Abacus Maths Course [Udemy]
- Online Abacus Learning Portal [Abacus Master]
- Online Abacus Classes [JAMS]
- Online Abacus SUPERMATHS Is All Set [SUPER MATHS]
- Abacus Online Tutorial - Free Lessons for Students [Online-Soroban]
About the Class
Math is considered to be performed by the left-side or the logical side of our brains. However, the abacus helps to stimulate the right-side or the creative side of our brains as well because, in addition to logic, we also use our artistic and sensory abilities to perform calculations. Thus, this first abacus course online aims to achieve overall brain development by helping you improve your calculation abilities, number sense, and mental arithmetic. This course, through multimedia and animations, will teach you how to do correct and quick basic math operations such as addition and subtraction on the abacus. By undertaking these online abacus classes, you will be able to place numbers on the abacus, solve simple and mixed calculations, and understand friend number of addition and subtraction for 5.
The reason why this course tops in our best online abacus classes is that it uses a new and fresh approach for teaching with animated characters and storytelling. The tutorials in this course will keep your mind engaged and make this dreaded subject much more fun.
This course is one of the bestseller online abacus classes on Udemy with a rating of 4.3 and 1286 students on board. The duration of this course is approx. 8 hours and it comprises 90 interactive video lectures with guided exercise problems. Besides that, there are 43 downloadable resources to help you practice your skills. This online abacus training is suitable for complete beginners as well as for students who already know how to use the abacus but wish to improve their skills. By the end of this course, you will be a master of abacus arithmetic, with improved concentration and agility to move your fingers on the abacus.
This course is created by Christine Lee, a passionate abacus instructor. You can enroll for her classes with a one-time fee which is also covered by Udemy’s 30-days money-back guarantee. You will be given full lifetime access to the course content and will also bag a certificate of completion at the end.
What You Will Learn
- Simple addition and subtraction
- Mixed addition and subtraction
- Friend number
- Complementary numbers for 10
- Addition and subtraction using 10 and 5
- 2-digit addition and subtraction
- 3-digit addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
Pre-Requisites for This Class
- To follow the online abacus classes of this course, students must know numbers and basic mathematical operations such as addition and subtraction.
- Access to an abacus will help a student learn faster.
Who Is This Class For
- This online abacus training is beneficial for anyone who wishes to learn abacus from scratch.
- Students already familiar with an abacus can also take these classes to improve their understanding.
- Adults who wish to teach abacus to others can also enroll in this abacus course online.
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About the Class
This is another beginner abacus course online on Udemy that will equip you to do faster and accurate calculations using an abacus. Created by a math enthusiast, Shraddha Sawant, this course will introduce you to the abacus and its benefits. You will learn the basics such as different parts of the abacus tool, how to hold the abacus and pencil, and how to place and read numbers on the tool.
You will learn how to convert beads to numbers and vice versa, fingering exercises of addition and subtraction. The instructor through these best online abacus classes will also discuss what is a big friend and small friend and how to use them for addition and subtraction. Towards the end of this online abacus training, you will also be familiarised with the combo formula for addition as well as subtraction.
The duration of these online abacus classes is 9 hours and 45 minutes and they consist of a whopping 147 video lectures categorised under 10 sections. In addition to the videos, there are around 164 downloadable resources that you can use to take your abacus skill to the next level. Once you have completed all the classes of a particular section, you will have to attempt the tests to check your progress in the course.
Plus, you will also have to undertake a final model paper to earn your certificate of completion. Just like the previous course, you can enrol in this course with a one-off fee to get full lifetime access to all its classes. You can even access these classes via your mobile or TV. Also, if you are not happy at the end of this course, Udemy offers a 30-days money-back guarantee under which you can seek a full refund of the fees. However, we are pretty sure, that you will not be disappointed with this online abacus training.
What You Will Learn
- Introduction to abacus and its benefits
- Placing and reading numbers on the abacus tool
- Addition and subtraction of units and tens digits
- Mix addition and subtraction of 2 and 3 digits
- Addition and subtraction using the big friend
- Addition and subtraction using the small friend
- Addition and subtraction using combo formula
Pre-Requisites for These Online Abacus Classes
You will need an abacus tool to follow these online abacus classes and to practice the topics in your free time.
Who Is This Class For
- This beginner abacus course online is ideal for school and college students who are preparing for competitive exams and want to improve their mental math.
- Professionals can also enrol in this online abacus training to improve their arithmetic skills.
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About the Class
Abacus Master has created a comprehensive learning platform with unique features to make abacus more interesting and enjoyable. This portal provides abacus training to students of age 5 to 12 years. It comprises eight levels that cover all the topics starting from basic (Level 1 to 4) to advanced (level 5 to 8) abacus calculations. Subscribing to this interactive training portal will give you access to all the levels at no extra cost. Students can undertake this course at their own pace; however, the portal advises to spend at least two months at each level to be fully confident.
Mentioned below are some of the unique features of this portal that make its lessons worthwhile.
Structured Abacus Training
This portal has some of the best online abacus classes that follow a structured path to cover each topic in detail. These classes are delivered with the help of animated explanations, Anzan videos, and practice worksheets.
Online Exam and Certificates
The online exams in this abacus course online will put your newly-acquired skills to test and will promote you to the next level only if you pass the exam. Students will be issued two certificates, first after Level 4 and the second on completing all the levels.
Anzan Videos
This portal has more than 500 Anzan videos with different speeds, number series, operands, etc. For those who don’t know, the Anzan program uses mental arithmetic and memory techniques coupled with IQ games to promote the brain development. It flashes numbers on the screen with a speed that matches the student’s level.
Mental Accelerator
This tool will help students to improve their visualization skills. The mental accelerator along with Anzan videos will allow you to calculate a chain of large numbers within a fraction of seconds. With this feature, you can personalize your practice sessions by customizing the speed, delay, operands, series, and arithmetic operators, etc.
Practice Worksheets
The unique technology of this portal will allow you to create your own system-generated worksheets up to 5 digit 12 rows of addition and subtraction. Students can access the worksheets corresponding to the level they are currently learning.
Virtual Abacus
Students who don’t have access to a physical abacus can use the virtual abacus of this platform to learn bead movement and practice calculations. This feature makes theses online abacus classes more engaging.
Online Assistance
Purchasing the premium subscription to this portal will also give you the benefit of one-to-one Skype sessions with the experts. Plus, there is a support team available 24/7 to help you with anything.
There are three pricing plans to purchase access to this portal. You can choose from basic, gold, or premium access. However, only the premium subscription provides lifetime access, a student kit, and expert assistance.
What You Will Learn
- Number representation on the abacus
- Abacus addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Anzan method of practice
Pre-Requisites for This Class
Besides access to a computer with an internet connection, no other pre-requisite has been mentioned to undertake these online classes.
Who Is This Class For
Students of age group 5 to 12 can enroll in this online abacus training.
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About the Class
Mental math calculation is a skill that stays with you for life. As a student, it gives you the confidence to perform well in any STEM-related subject. Therefore, the next best online classes that we wanted to feature are the ones provided by JAMS Abacus Math School. This school, through its specialized instructions, aims at building a solid foundation for students in mental mathematics.
The reason why we have included the online classes of this school in the best online abacus classes is that JAMS is the only Abacus Math School in Portland and in the State of Oregon that has been certified by the League for Soroban Education in America. This school provides online abacus training and Anzan instructions through three terms – fall, winter, and spring term. The online classes are divided according to different skill levels. Each term consists of 11 weeks of online abacus classes and students need to appear for an end-term examination in the 11th week. An additional week is also reserved for make-up classes in case a student can’t make it to any of the classes of the current session.
Each online abacus class consists of 3 to 6 students. However, first-time students will also receive an individual class to learn the basics before proceeding with the workbooks. Another feature provided by this school is the Abacutor App, a homework management tool for students taking this abacus course online.
It provides child development analytics that facilitates teachers to customize the lesson plans accordingly. This school also conducts summer and winter camps for students who want to take up intermediate and advanced classes. You can enroll in these classes with a one-time fee that also covers the cost of materials and books as well as the exam fee. You can also schedule a free assessment to gauge your skill level before enrolling in a class.
What You Will Learn
By enrolling in this course you can learn beginner, intermediate, pre-advanced, advanced, and mixed-level abacus.
Pre-Requisites for This Class
- A computer with a webcam to access the online abacus classes via Zoom calls.
- The Abacutor App runs only on an 8” tablet or any iPad. You will require the v8 version for an Android tablet and the iOS version v10 for an iPad. In case you do not own a tablet, the school lends one for a 20$ deposit.
Who Is This Class For
Any student who wishes to take up beginner, intermediate or advanced classes in abacus can enroll in this online course.
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About the Class
‘SuperMaths’ has some of the best online abacus classes that provide a friendly and interactive platform for students to use the abacus tool. These classes also allow them to put the mental theory concepts to practice by working on the online worksheets. This course comes in two tracks, Junior and Senior. The junior track contains 11 levels while the senior track comprises 8 levels. The duration of each level is approx. 12 weeks. An online exam will be conducted at the end of each level, passing which will promote the student to the next level. Once a student completes all the levels, he/she will be awarded a SuperMaths Abacus certificate.
By undertaking this online course, students will be able to improve their arithmetic skills, that too in the comfort of their homes. Attending this online abacus training will also give you access to learning tutorials, textbooks, and instructions. Students who wish to enroll in this abacus course online can register on the website and book a free trial class.
What You Will Learn
- Abacus Theory – Performing basic calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Using the abacus will require memory, concentration, analysis, and visualization to develop arithmetic skills.
- Finger Theory – To complement the abacus tool students will learn to do quick calculations up to 99 using their fingers and special combinations.
- Mental Theory – Students will learn to visualize the abacus in their mind to carry out mental calculations quickly and correctly. This is one of the hardest and the most crucial part of learning abacus.
Pre-Requisites for This Class
Access to a computer with an internet connection is good enough to get you started with these online classes.
Who Is This Class For
This website has some of the best online abacus classes for students who wish to learn beginneror advanced abacus, and finger & mental theory interactively.
About the Class
'SuperMaths' has some of the best online abacus classes that provide a friendly and interactive platform for students to use the abacus tool. These classes also allow them to put the mental theory concepts to practice by working on the online worksheets. This course comes in two tracks, Junior and Senior. The junior track contains 11 levels while the senior track comprises 8 levels. The duration of each level is approx. 12 weeks. An online exam will be conducted at the end of each level, passing which will promote the student to the next level. Once a student completes all the levels, he/she will be awarded a SuperMaths Abacus certificate.
By undertaking this online course, students will be able to improve their arithmetic skills, that too in the comfort of their homes. Attending this online abacus training will also give you access to learning tutorials, textbooks, and instructions. Students who wish to enroll in this abacus course online can register on the website and book a free trial class.
What You Will Learn
Abacus Theory – Performing basic calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Using the abacus will require memory, concentration, analysis, and visualization to develop arithmetic skills.
- Finger Theory – To complement the abacus tool students will learn to do quick calculations up to 99 using their fingers and special combinations.
- Mental Theory – Students will learn to visualize the abacus in their mind to carry out mental calculations quickly and correctly. This is one of the hardest and the most crucial part of learning abacus.
Pre-Requisites for This Class
Access to a computer with an internet connection is good enough to get you started with these online classes.
Who Is This Class For
This website has some of the best online abacus classes for students who wish to learn beginneror advanced abacus, and finger & mental theory interactively.
Sign Up Here
About the Class
Soroban is an abacus developed in Japan and is still used today to perform quick calculations. This last abacus course online is an innovative education system that specializes in teaching Japanese soroban. This online abacus training uses animated classes to teach mental calculations to students. As they progress in the training, students learn through tutorials that come in the form of games. These practical exercises allow their brains to work faster and at the same time help them to develop abacus skills by increasing the difficulty level of the game. This competitive approach helps to build confidence and also keeps both young and older students motivated.
This online tutorial provides two types of classes – Premium and Free. The free version only teaches the basics while the Premium plan also teaches mental arithmetic (Anzan). This website provides learning plans for students and also for teachers who wish to acquire abacus qualifications.
What You Will Learn
- About soroban
- Reading numbers on the soroban
- Performing calculations on the soroban
Pre-Requisites for This Class
No pre-requisite has been mentioned for this training. All you need is a computer with an internet connection to access the tutorial.
Who Is This Class For
This tutorial is for both young and older students who wish to learn the Japanese abacus (soroban) in a fun and interactive manner.
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Even in a digital age, the abacus holds immense importance for developing young minds. Besides sharpening math skills, mastering the abacus can help improve cognitive skills and lay a strong foundation for academic success. We hope that these courses will help students of all ages to overcome the fear of math and boost their self-esteem. With that, we conclude our list of best online abacus classes. We will see you around with another set of enriching online courses.