Hello, I used to work as a tax accountant in Japan for many years.

I have been teaching Japanese at a university in China for 4 years since I entered my 50's.

At this university, I mainly taught pronunciation amongst other lessons for students who wanted to work using Japanese in the future, or who wanted to work for Japanese-affiliated companies.

While teaching Japanese, I noticed something.

That is, there is a “habit” or “accent of Japanese pronunciation” that is “unique” to Chinese speakers.

I found that by correcting these habits, students were able to pronounce Japanese very beautifully and close to native-like pronunciations.

This is why I practiced with many students, considering various ways to correct their habits and differences in accent.

First of all, I listened to the students’ pronunciations carefully to understand their accents.

This is because it is impossible to correct students if I don’t “understand them”.

“differences” from correct Japanese pronunciation and taught them in an easy-to-understand manner.

Therefore, based on this experience, my lesson is to first find out what aspects you need to improve, and then practice those areas thoroughly.

In general, it is said that habits and shortcomings can be improved if we are conscious of them in our daily lives. On the other hand, it is also said that if you are not conscious of them, it is difficult to change them.

Similarly, when learning a language, there are some students who have been in Japan for a long time or often speak with Japanese speakers, but they are not able to improve their language skills.

One of the reasons for this, I believe, is that they do not feel the need for further improvement since they are already capable of conversing with Japanese speakers.

To improve your language skills, you may need to be brave enough to face your weaknesses.

In addition, language is similar to a sport.
Even if you know the theory and logic, you cannot improve without practice.

My lessons involve practicing together in an “enjoyable” way.

This is because studying is only “sustainable” if it is enjoyable.

Please note that all lessons will be conducted in Japanese only, using the direct method.


＊ Practicing for an Interview

When practicing for an interview, I found it helpful to have assisted in corporate interviews when I was working as a tax accountant in Japan for many years.

Naturally, I understand how “interviewers feel”.

I also know what questions interviewers often ask.

I helped my students practice “hello, nice to meet you, please” and “thank you” thoroughly.

The “trick” of preparing for an interview is “the first word (the first thing you say) and confidence”.

I am sure that my students must have felt confident because they had practiced with me many times.

As a result, their pronunciation skills improved, and many of them commented that the practice was helpful during interviews with Japanese companies and school interviews for being accepted as an international student.

Why don’t you practice preparing for an interview with me?


※ Pronunciation Training Series

Japanese has long vowels like “ー”, syllabic nasal sounds like “ん” sounds, contracted sounds, and double consonants like “っ”, which are not found in Chinese.

Pronunciation is studied at the beginning of learning Japanese, but there are some things that can be understood only at the intermediate level.

In this series, you will receive individualized “special training”.

※Life in China
Finally, health is an important aspect when living in another country.

“Yōjōkun (養生訓)” is a book focused on health, which was written during the Edo period (1603-1867) to improve people’s lives.

My first encounter with Yōjōkun began when I was a Japanese language teacher at a university in China. I happened to come across “Yōjōkun” and it became a guideline for my life in another country.

 I would like to share with you some of the insights I gained from this book.

Please note that lesson recordings are not available.


【 Cafetalk Translation / September 2022 】
Please note that this profile has been translated by Cafetalk for easier understanding. The tutor doesn’t speak English.