Japanese Faculty | Travel, Conversation & Academic | All Levels

Kaya Y.

Hello! I’m Kaya. Are you a beginner preparing for a trip to Japan? A student struggling with particles, verb conjugation, or kanji? Or someone who wants to communicate more naturally with Japanese colleagues, friends, or family? Whatever your goals, I can help you build practical Japanese skills and confidence step by step.
I was born and raised in Japan and have lived in the United States for 38 years. I currently teach Japanese as a faculty member in the World Languages Program at Olympic College in Washington state. I have more than 20 years of experience teaching Japanese at U.S. colleges and universities, including seven summers teaching in a Japanese language immersion program. I hold a Ph.D. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Psychology, which give me a broad perspective on language, culture, and how people learn. As a Japanese-English bilingual, I can explain Japanese clearly in English whenever needed, including the subtle differences that can be difficult for English-speaking learners to understand on their own.
I pay particular attention to the areas where learners commonly get stuck, and the differences between textbook Japanese and Japanese as it is actually used. My lessons are tailored to each learner's goals, interests, and level. I teach complete beginners through advanced learners, including high school and college students, business professionals, travelers, and anyone who wants to communicate more comfortably in Japanese.
I also offer small-group Japanese lessons for learners who want to study with friends, family members, or other learners with similar goals. Groups are kept small so that everyone has plenty of opportunities to participate and practice.
Whether you are preparing for your first trip to Japan, taking a Japanese course, working with Japanese colleagues, or simply want to feel more comfortable using Japanese, I would love to work with you. Send me a message and tell me a little about what you would like to learn.