日語 | 母語程度 |
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英語 | 接近母語程度 |
Hello! My name is Yukiko.
I was born and raised in Japan. After graduating from a college and working for five years, I moved to the United States. Since then, I have attended graduate school, worked as a full-time employee, and am now working as a freelance graphic designer. Alongside design, I have also supported English-speaking college and elementary school students with their Japanese homework and beginner lessons. I even teach my American husband Japanese in our daily lives—he can now shop on his own in Japan and have conversations with my parents in Japanese!
I have always been passionate about education. While in Japan, I obtained teaching licenses for elementary school and for Japanese at middle and high school. Through my experiences working as an employee and moving to the U.S. as an immigrant, I came to realize how rewarding teaching can be, and I became eager to share the Japanese language with more people.
My teaching motto is: “Learn Japanese with joy.” I always want to help learners gain confidence and enjoy the process of learning Japanese. Learning a foreign language can be challenging, but it also opens the door to new cultures, diverse people, and fresh perspectives. I believe it can be a journey to discovering new sides of yourself.
I also have experience teaching LGBTQ students and children with ADHD tendencies, so creating a safe and welcoming space for learners from all backgrounds is very important to me.
Please feel free to book a lesson or send me a message if you are interested in learning Japanese with me! Let’s have fun learning together★
I’m interested in many areas of the liberal arts, but here are a few of my favorites:
1. Traveling
I grew up in Kansai, Japan, and love traveling both domestically and abroad. In my 20s, I was especially passionate about overseas trips.
Countries I’ve visited: France, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Peru
Countries I’ve lived in: UK (London / 2 months), USA (New York / 2 years, Michigan / 4 years, Colorado / 3 years and counting)
U.S. states I’ve visited: Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Hawaii
2. Language Learning
In addition to English, I’ve recently started studying Spanish, Chinese, French, and Arabic little by little using Duolingo.
3. Reading
This year I set a personal goal to read more—at least four books per month. I especially enjoy contemporary Japanese literature, but I also love modern classics like Natsume Sōseki and Osamu Dazai.
4. Sports
As a child, I played soccer and did hip-hop dance. In middle and high school, I played volleyball, and I was a manager for the women’s basketball team in college.
Now, I often join local 5K runs with my husband and play in a community volleyball team. I also love watching sports—especially the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, and the NBA.
5. Art & Design
Since I was a kid, I’ve had a interest in fashion, and as I grew older, that interest expanded into graphic design, painting, and other areas of art. I enjoy visiting museums whenever I can and practicing drawing on my own.
6. Stationery
As a child, I loved collecting stickers and pens. That passion faded for a while, but recently my love for stationery has come back! I collect not only stickers and pens, but also notebooks and planners. Cute, simple, stylish, or unique—I love all kinds of stationery.
Lesson Style
I tailor lessons to each learner’s goals and needs. If necessary, we can use a textbook.
For example, if you’d like to learn Japanese in a structured way, you can choose a textbook that fits your level (beginner, intermediate, etc.), and we’ll use it as the foundation for lessons.
I also welcome requests such as reading Japanese manga and novels, or watching anime, dramas, and movies together to deepen your understanding.
Let’s make learning Japanese both fun and meaningful!