Teaching JavaScript the Way It Should Be Learned

We started EnergySpark because we noticed something odd in the education world. Most programming courses either dumbed things down too much or threw people into deep water with no guidance. There had to be a better middle path.

Students collaborating on JavaScript projects in modern learning environment

How We Got Here

Back in 2022, I was freelancing as a developer in Taipei and kept meeting people who'd spent thousands on bootcamps but couldn't build anything real. They knew syntax but had no idea how to solve actual problems.

That bothered me. So I started running weekend workshops in coffee shops around Taitung. Just small groups, working through real projects. And people actually got it. They left with working code and confidence.

By mid-2024, those coffee shop sessions had grown into something bigger. We moved into a proper space, brought on two more instructors, and built a curriculum that focuses on doing rather than memorizing. Now we're getting ready for our autumn 2025 cohort, and honestly? The approach hasn't changed much from those early days.

What Drives Our Teaching

These aren't corporate values we came up with in a meeting. They're just how we naturally ended up working.

Real Projects Only

We don't do toy examples. Every assignment comes from actual client work we've done or problems we've faced. If it wouldn't help you on a real job, we don't teach it.

Small Groups Matter

We cap classes at twelve students. Not because it sounds nice, but because that's the maximum where I can still remember everyone's struggles and help individually. Anything bigger and you're just lecturing.

Honest Feedback

If your code's messy, we'll tell you. If you're improving, we'll tell you that too. No point in being vague or overly encouraging when clear feedback helps you get better faster.

Instructor demonstrating JavaScript debugging techniques

Close-up of code review session with detailed feedback

How We Actually Teach

1

Start With a Real Problem

Week one, you're building something. Not a perfect version, just something that works. We've found people learn syntax way faster when they actually need it for something specific.
2

Break Things on Purpose

You'll spend time deliberately breaking working code to understand what each piece does. Sounds weird, but it's the fastest way to learn debugging and really grasp how things connect.
3

Review Everything Together

Every project gets reviewed by at least two other students before we look at it. You learn as much from reading someone else's messy code as writing your own.
4

Build Your Portfolio as You Learn

By the end of twelve weeks, you'll have four solid projects that actually demonstrate skill. Not tutorial follow-alongs, but things you figured out yourself with guidance.

Who's Actually Teaching You

Small team means you'll work directly with the people who built this program. No teaching assistants or rotating guest instructors.

Dashiell Thorne

Founder & Lead Instructor

Started coding back when jQuery was the hot new thing. Spent eight years building web apps for e-commerce companies before getting into education. These days I split time between teaching and consulting work, which keeps me honest about what skills actually matter in 2025.

I've taught over 200 students at this point, and the ones who do best are usually the ones who ask the most annoying questions. So yeah, ask annoying questions.

Our Next Cohort Starts September 2025

We're taking applications now for the autumn session. Twelve spots total, meeting twice a week in Taitung with optional remote attendance. If you're interested, reach out and we can talk through whether it's a good fit.

Get in Touch See What We Teach