My name is Akiko. I am a native Japanese speaker with college degrees from both Japan and the United States. I hold a B.A. in English Literature from Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, and an M.A. in Linguistics from California State University, Northridge. Additionally, I earned a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach.
I have extensive experience teaching Japanese to American students in a variety of educational settings. I taught students aged 7 to 71 at a private...
My name is Akiko. I am a native Japanese speaker with college degrees from both Japan and the United States. I hold a B.A. in English Literature from Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, and an M.A. in Linguistics from California State University, Northridge. Additionally, I earned a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach.
I have extensive experience teaching Japanese to American students in a variety of educational settings. I taught students aged 7 to 71 at a private language institute for nearly 10 years, and I have also taught Japanese to students in grades 2 through 12 in public schools for about 8 years.
Throughout my career, I have worked with students of all ages in both one-on-one and classroom settings. Based on my experience and observations, I believe students learn best in an immersive environment where they are surrounded by the target language. While grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary can be learned through textbooks and reading, developing speaking skills requires real-life interaction—situations in which students must actively communicate in Japanese.
Even with today’s advanced AI translation tools, being able to directly communicate with native speakers is essential for true understanding and for building meaningful relationships.
That’s why my lessons focus heavily on verbal interaction. I create an environment where students are encouraged to speak with me in Japanese as much as possible. With my background in Japanese immersion programs at the elementary and middle school levels, I know how to conduct lessons entirely in Japanese—even with younger or beginner-level students—while keeping the conversation going.
My lessons are especially recommended for learners who already have basic knowledge of Hiragana (the Japanese alphabet) and are looking to improve their spoken Japanese in an immersive, communicative setting with a native speaker.
