Mimi

Mimi Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Mimi! Would you like to give us a short self introduction?

A. Sure thing ☺ Hi everybody, my name is Mimi. I’m 24, from Texas, and an avid language lover. I moved to Japan after graduation to teach English with the JET program and ended up in a small town in Kyoto teaching elementary school. I’ve been interested in travelling and learning languages since I was little, so I really enjoy meeting people from different countries and cultures and helping them communicate. I joined Cafetalk a couple of months ago, and it’s been a real pleasure getting to know the Cafetalk community!

Q. According to your profile, you’re from Texas! Please tell us about your hometown.

A. Yes! I am! So let’s see, what can I tell you about Dallas… Dallas, my hometown, is a relatively large city with a downtown, major highways, and shopping malls like anywhere else, but it definitely has its own distinct Texan flavor. For one, it’s extremely spread out and, for the most part, flat. Outside of downtown, most buildings are single-story, yet the DFW metroplex (or Dallas-Fort Worth area) stretches on for miles. It’s a great place to chow down on some juicy steak, refresh yourself with a margarita, enjoy a museum exhibit, and repeat. ☺ It’s also famous for the Dallas Cowboys and the assassination of JFK.

Q. I heard you really love Japan! What is the biggest charm of Japan for you?

A.Haha, yes that’s true. I do love Japan very much. I’ve been asked this question a lot, and it’s hard to put my finger on just what makes me keep coming back to this mountainous island chain. Of course, the food comes straight to mind, but I think the longer I stay here, it’s more the overall jigsaw puzzle of Japan that draws me in. Japan is full of seemingly contrasting parts—rice paddies next to pachinko parlors, vending machines outside of ancient shrines, lightning-fast bullet trains and slow toddling grannies—yet somehow everything seems to neatly fit together. Those unlikely combinations fascinate me. But also, I’ve met more kind, sincere people here than anywhere else. And that’s really important, too.

Q. Do you have any hobbies? How do you spend your holidays?

A. Well, I guess you could say food is one of my hobbies. I love cooking and eating, and I’m always on the hunt for new flavors and creations. When I travel, first on my list is trying the local specialty, whatever it is. Pig’s foot and frog legs included. Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at making obento, or Japanese-style lunches. It’s really fun! I love the care that goes into making each one healthy and appealing. So students, if you have recipes, please share them with me! I’d be excited to talk with you about your cooking experiences ☺

Q. You have some lessons for kids such as “Phonics for Kids!・楽々フォニックス” and “Storytime・英語でお話し会”. Do you have any advices for their parents to use English in their usual life?

A.Sure. I was interested in languages from a young age myself, and I was lucky enough to have parents who were very supportive of that. I think the best thing my parents did for me as a kid was to encourage my curiosity about languages without pushing me. Things like computer games and videos can be very helpful children– really anything that’s fun and interactive that introduces them to foreign languages in a friendly way. One small thing I did was label the items in my house with Japanese stickers. So every time I opened the door to my room, I saw the sticker and said 「ドア」. That was great fun, and it worked, too! Giving your child something all his or her own that’s in another language or from a foreign country, something as simple as a picture book, is a great way to spark your child’s imagination and get them interested in learning a language. Inserting basic English phrases, like “Good morning!” or “Let’s eat!” is also something simple you can do to add a little bit of English to your child’s life.

Q. What is the feature of your lesson?

A.In my lessons, I try to make English exciting and approachable. Learning English should really be about communicating – not memorizing lists of rules or vocabulary. I do my best to encourage students to relax and have a good time studying English. That said, I do believe that details make a difference. So, I work hard to ensure that my students have a thorough grasp of the difference between certain words and expressions and how best to use them. So, I suppose my lessons are friendly but detailed, with an emphasis on practical, natural usage.

Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for our students?

A.Keep up the great work! Honestly, since I started teaching on Cafetalk, I’ve been really impressed by the level of mastery of all of the students here. There are some people on Cafetalk who have an amazing command of the English language, really – and don’t even have a clue! So, my message is trust yourself, you know more than you think you do! And, keep studying. You guys are making excellent progress ☺ If you ever need support, I’m always happy to help!

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Mimi

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