Native Japanese | Fun Conversational Lessons & Beginner Welcome!

Tomoko Y.

Hello! My name is Tomoko, and I am a native Japanese speaker currently living in Minnesota. I graduated from Nagoya University, one of Japan's top national universities, with a Bachelor's degree in English Linguistics. This background gave me a deep understanding of language structures, sounds, and grammar, allowing me to clearly explain the framework behind Japanese expressions to English speakers. I specialize in offering friendly, conversational Japanese lessons tailored for beginners and intermediate learners who want to build real-world communication skills.

Although I am new to professional online Japanese tutoring, I have a rich background in education and student support in both the U.S. and Japan. Most recently, I worked for two years as a Paraprofessional at an American public elementary school, and I also volunteered at a Japanese supplementary school (Hoshuko). In Japan, I spent three years as a cram school instructor teaching elementary and junior high school students, and later spent two years as a university career counselor. These roles allowed me to gain significant experience with diverse age groups—from young children to university students—and taught me how to adjust my teaching style to match each student.

Additionally, my past professional experience in Japan ensures that I can guide you through natural conversations and proper polite expressions. I spent five years working in high-standard customer service environments, including two years in hotel front desk operations and three years handling client relations at a securities firm, which required advanced mastery of polite Japanese (Keigo). For our lessons, I use a highly supportive approach based on topics you care about, such as travel, food, daily life, or hobbies. I am fully available for daytime sessions on weekdays during the morning and early afternoon under Central Time, and I look forward to helping you enjoy your Japanese learning journey!