16 years of teaching in Setia Alam
Learn with physical beads, then work towards mental calculation—with trained teachers and regular practice.
Parents can observe. Materials provided. Message us to arrange a time.
Move the beads. Meet a number.
Tap a column to change its digit.
One upper bead is worth five.
WHY LEARN ABACUS & MENTAL ARITHMETIC?
Move beads, follow numbers and practise a skill step by step. Here is what happens in our lessons.
An abacus gives each digit a place. Moving beads gives children a concrete way to represent numbers and practise calculations before working with a mental image.
In class: learn to use the abacus, then practise mental arithmetic.
Listening sums, visual sums, flashcards and spoken-number practice ask children to attend to different kinds of information and respond through calculation. These are specific skills they get to practise.
In class: listening, visual, flash and spoken-number activities.
Skills grow through repeated practice. Our stamp rewards give children a small milestone to look forward to: collect stamps in class and exchange the required amount for a gift.
In class: a stamp each lesson, with gifts to work towards.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THOSE TWO HOURS?
Weekly lessons include abacus and mental calculation, listening sums, visual sums, flash and spoken-number practice.
EARLY FOUNDATIONS, LASTING PRACTICE
The preschool and primary years are an important time to build familiarity with numbers and learning routines. Start with activities your child is ready for, and let the challenge grow with them.
Child development reference: Harvard’s age-appropriate practice guideExplore how beads represent numbers and get used to following a calculation step by step.
Continue practising abacus and mental calculation as familiarity and readiness develop.
Our admission age is 4–15. Children develop at different paces; choose a starting level that fits their readiness. There is no single learning deadline.
A QUESTION WORTH ASKING
Abacus mental arithmetic is one way to represent and calculate with numbers. It can sit alongside school mathematics, where children also need concepts, reasoning, word problems and different strategies. It should not be treated as a replacement for all of maths.
Our listening, visual, flash and spoken-number activities practise calculation in different ways. See the activities during a free trial and ask us about your child’s progress.
The useful question: what is my child learning, and how are they progressing?A three-year randomised study of 204 children found an arithmetic advantage for mental-abacus instruction. It did not find an improvement in the basic cognitive abilities measured.
Barner et al. · Child Development (2016)A separate one-year classroom trial did not find a significant computation or cognitive advantage. Results differ across studies; neither instant gains nor a general IQ boost are a sound promise.
Barner et al. · Journal of Numerical Cognition (2018)Early-maths guidance also emphasises developmentally sequenced number learning and a broader range of mathematical ideas. These sources inform this explanation; they do not endorse this centre or prove results for every child.
Early mathematics guidance · IES
Practice, patience and a little progress each day.YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
UCMAS Setia Alam has taught local children since 2010. Our 2–8 student classes make room for individual attention.
Our teachers undergo formal UCMAS headquarters training before teaching.
We discuss your child’s learning progress with you, so you know what they are working on.
Ask us about a group that suits your child’s level and preferred language.
| What to ask | At UCMAS Setia Alam |
|---|---|
| How long has the centre been teaching? | 16 years of centre teaching experience, since 2010. |
| How many children share the class? | Small groups of 2–8 children. |
| How are teachers prepared? | Formal UCMAS headquarters training before teaching. |
| What does a weekly lesson include? | Two hours: abacus and mental arithmetic, with listening, visual, flashcard and spoken-number practice. |
| Will I know how my child is doing? | Learning progress is discussed with parents. |
| How do children mark their effort? | Stamps each lesson; collect the required number to redeem gifts. |
Holiday make-up lessons may be arranged by the centre director. Please confirm the arrangements for your class.
A CHANCE TO TAKE PART
Our centre also takes students to UCMAS competitions. It is an opportunity to take part beyond the familiar classroom and share the experience with other learners. Ask us about upcoming events and participation arrangements.
Our students and teachers share a moment on the national competition stage, representing UCMAS Setia Alam together.
Trophies, certificates and a centre full of familiar faces. A group memory from our UCMAS prize-giving celebration.
A student receives a trophy at the UCMAS National Competition prize-giving ceremony—a moment to remember beyond the classroom.
A teacher and student pose with a trophy and certificate at our centre’s prize-giving celebration.
A celebration of the Category Z mental arithmetic champion at the UCMAS National Competition 2026, as featured in this student’s achievement poster.
REAL MOMENTS AT OUR CENTRE
Take a look inside our Setia Alam classrooms: abacus practice, familiar faces and smiles between exercises. These are our own students, photographed at the centre.
Scroll sideways for more classroom photos. Select a photo to view it in full.
CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES
UCMAS Setia Alam has students who have completed their abacus and mental arithmetic programme and graduated. These portraits from our 2023 graduation album celebrate their persistence and the learning journey we shared.
A milestone to remember
Select a photo to see it in full.
Every journey begins with a first lesson.
Enquire about a free trialFROM GOOGLE REVIEWS
A selection of public Google reviews, with short original excerpts and summaries. Read the full reviews on Google.
“wonderful and very experienced”Blink Idea describes three children attending for 5–7 years and praises Teacher Calie’s experience.
View on Google“very good and patient with the kids!”Vivien enjoys the lessons and highlights the teacher’s patience with children.
View on Google“Good service and good teachers.”Sharine values the updates about her daughter’s progress in class.
View on GoogleSelected individual experiences; not a promise of identical results. Rating checked on 8 October 2026.
See all Google reviewsFOR PARENTS
Every child starts differently. Talk to us about your child’s age, experience and learning needs.
Our Setia Alam centre accepts children aged 4–15. Contact us to discuss your child’s readiness and a suitable starting level.
You can enquire even if your child is new to the abacus. We will discuss their experience and recommend a suitable starting point.
The trial is free and lasts 30–60 minutes. Parents can observe, and the centre prepares the materials. Please arrange a time with us first.
Our centre teaches in English and Mandarin. Ask us about the available classes for your preferred language.
Class arrangements and fees depend on the learning level and available group. WhatsApp us for the current options. The opening hours below are centre hours, not a list of available trial slots.
Yes, walk-in enquiries are welcome during our opening hours. To attend a trial class, please arrange a time with our centre on WhatsApp first.
Our small classes have 2–8 students. Children receive two hours of lessons a week. Ask us which group fits your child’s starting level.
Holiday make-up lessons may be arranged by the centre director, depending on the situation. Please confirm your class arrangements with us.
30–60 MINUTES TO GET TO KNOW THE CLASS
Come along with your child, observe the class and ask us about learning arrangements. We provide the materials.
COME SAY HELLO
Walk-in enquiries are welcome during opening hours. Message us to arrange a free trial class.
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 15:00–17:30 · 19:30–21:30 |
| Wednesday | 19:30–21:45 |
| Thursday | 15:30–17:30 · 19:30–21:45 |
| Friday | 15:00–17:30 · 19:00–21:45 |
| Saturday | 08:30–16:30 |
| Sunday | 09:30–12:30 |
For holiday hours or trial availability, please check with us on WhatsApp.
LET’S GET STARTED