Mariko L.

For students who want to focus mainly on conversation, I place an emphasis on free talk and use textbooks that include lots of dialogues, listening exercises, and role-plays to deepen their understanding of spoken language.For students who enjoy anime and manga, we sometimes watch actual episodes and use characters’ lines to learn conversational skills. It’s a lot of fun!Students can learn a wide range of speaking styles—from slang used by young people to expressions used in business settings.

For beginners, we start with learning how to read and pronounce hiragana and katakana. To help build vocabulary, we use flashcards from various categories for practice.Students also learn basic greetings and commonly used phrases, and gradually move on to constructing simple sentences while paying attention to particles and sentence structure.Pronunciation practice is also something we place special importance on.

For students aiming to take the JLPT N5 or N4, we use conversation-focused textbooks. For those preparing for N3, N2, or N1, we use textbooks that are specifically designed with the actual exam in mind.These textbooks cover grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and reading comprehension. Kanji practice is always included in each lesson and is also assigned as homework.

For those who prefer short-term, limited-session lessons, I offer customized lessons that focus on essential greetings, basic sentence structure, and commonly used phrases.

I really enjoy teaching children—it’s always fun and something I truly love.For kids who like anime or manga, we often learn vocabulary, idioms, and even slang through character lines. I also use worksheets featuring popular characters to keep the lessons engaging.I always try to incorporate lots of flashcards and pictures to make the lessons fun and easy to understand.

I have experience teaching at large companies such as Toyota Motor Corporation, and I’ve also worked in corporate HR, where I conducted job interviews. Because of this background, I’m confident in my ability to support students with business Japanese.Having worked in a corporate environment for many years, I’m also well-versed in business manners and formal expressions. I’ve helped many students practice for interviews, presentations, and other professional situations.