Meet the Japanese language teachers at TCJ

Our teaching faculty is a hardworking and dedicated group of educators in the field of Japanese language education. Each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the classroom, which allows us to provide our students with a comprehensive and immersive language learning experience.

This blog article features interviews with three of our teachers, who share their insights and perspectives on teaching Japanese at TCJ. Through their words, you get a glimpse into the passion, dedication, and expertise that our teachers bring to their work, and the ways in which they inspire and motivate our students to achieve their language learning goals. So without further ado, let’s meet some of the outstanding members of our teaching staff!

TCJ: Hello, please can you start by introducing yourself to our readers?

T: Hello, my name is T. I’m from Saitama prefecture, and I have been teaching at TCJ since April 2022.

TCJ: What inspired you to become a Japanese language teacher?

T: I taught basic Japanese to foreign staff at a previous company I worked at because I wanted to work overseas. This experience ignited my passion for teaching Japanese, and since then, I have been pursuing it as a career.

TCJ: Did you attend the Japanese Language Training Course by TCJ? If so, what did you learn the most there?

T: Yes, I attended TCJ’s Japanese language teacher training course in 2019, where I learned theory and practical skills such as simulated teaching, practical training, and textbook analysis. I believe that the practical training was especially helpful because it allowed me to apply the theory I learned to real teaching situations.

TCJ: How would you describe your teaching style?

T: I use the direct method to teach Japanese, but for beginner classes (N5), I provide instructions and explanations in English. I also sometimes respond to student questions in English.

TCJ: What do you like about working at TCJ?

T: Working at TCJ is attractive to me because it allows me to interact with people from various nationalities that I wouldn’t normally meet in my daily life. It’s always exciting to meet new people and learn about their cultures while sharing my knowledge of Japanese with them.

TCJ: What challenges have you faced as a Japanese language teacher?

T: One of the challenges I face when teaching is how to cater to students with different learning paces and goals, without lowering the motivation of everyone in the class. It’s important to design activities that are challenging enough for advanced students while still being accessible to beginners.

TCJ: How do you keep your students motivated and engaged when learning Japanese?

T: To maintain my students’ motivation and encourage them to learn Japanese, I take into account their individual learning goals and personalities and then design activities that increase opportunities for them to speak Japanese and enjoy the process. When students actively use what they learn in class to communicate with me or with their classmates, it makes the class more engaging and fun.

TCJ: What are some of the most important qualities for a successful Japanese language teacher?

T: I think the most important element of being a Japanese language teacher is to be aware that communication is essential for language acquisition, rather than just teaching what is written in the textbook. It’s important to create an environment where students can practice their Japanese communication skills with others and feel comfortable making mistakes.

TCJ: Hi K, please tell us a bit about yourself?

K: Sure, I’m K, a teacher from Hiroshima prefecture. I just started my new job here at TCJ in April 2023, and I teach university preparatory classes, vocational classes, and classes for foreign residents in Japan.

TCJ: That sounds great. What inspired you to become a Japanese language teacher?

K: I decided to become a Japanese language instructor because I enjoy interacting with people from other cultures, which I discovered through my experiences studying abroad.

TCJ: That’s interesting. What do you find enjoyable about teaching?

K: I find teaching enjoyable when I sense that the students have understood the material or when we explore various perspectives and ideas together.

TCJ: What challenges have you faced as a Japanese language teacher?

K: One challenge I face in teaching is keeping the classes fresh and interesting. This is incredibly important in order to keep the students motivated and engaged.

TCJ: How do you teach Japanese to your students?

K: I teach Japanese using the direct method.

TCJ: What do you like about working at TCJ?

K: I love having diverse students with a multitude of nationalities.

TCJ: How do you keep your students motivated and engaged in learning Japanese?

K: To maintain my students’ motivation and encourage their commitment to learning Japanese, I ensure that my lessons are easy to understand and I pay attention to their needs constantly.

TCJ: What do you think is the most important element of being a Japanese language teacher?

K: The most important element of being a Japanese language teacher is respecting others and acknowledging differences.

TCJ: What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn Japanese?

K: For those who wish to learn Japanese, I recommend that they pursue their dreams and goals by studying this rich language with a vast vocabulary that becomes more enjoyable the more they learn.

TCJ: Hello, please tell us a bit about yourself?

I: My name is I, and I’m from Tokyo. I’ve been teaching at TCJ for 9 months now.

TCJ: What inspired you to become a Japanese language teacher?

I: During my previous job at a foreign company, I came to appreciate the depth and difficulty of the language. Also, as a music college graduate, I have had exposure to various cultures since childhood and had a subconscious desire to deepen my understanding of other cultures.

TCJ: What do you enjoy about teaching Japanese?

I: I enjoy that feeling of bringing discovery to my students. I believe that Japanese nuances are among the most complex of all languages, but learners are always trying their best to understand. Learners are mirrors of their teachers, so the most enjoyable moment is when we communicate in Japanese and our hearts connect.

TCJ: What challenges do you face in teaching?

I: One of the challenges of teaching is in the ROC (foreign resident) course where there are learners from over 10 countries with various backgrounds. While the direct method is effective, I have to constantly adjust my teaching to cater to each learner’s needs.

TCJ: What do you find attractive about working at TCJ?

I: I think the most attractive feature of working at TCJ is the flexible environment. Using my experience in sales from my previous job, I can work as a salesperson while also doing what I love, which is teaching Japanese. I believe this is a rare and privileged environment in the Japanese language education industry.

TCJ: How do you maintain your students’ motivation and encourage their commitment to learning Japanese?

I: I consciously work to increase my learners’ sense of happiness, enjoyment, and accomplishment in every class by imparting new knowledge. I want them to feel that they have learned something new and can speak in Japanese.

TCJ: What do you think is the most important element of being a Japanese language teacher?

I: I believe that the most important element of being a Japanese language teacher is to constantly grow alongside learners.

TCJ: Finally, what advice would you give to anyone who wants to learn Japanese?

I: I would advise anyone who wants to learn Japanese to imagine themselves speaking in Japanese and to realize that dream with TCJ.

And on that final note, If you’d like to take your language learning further (online or in-person) with us, we’d love to help you. At TCJ, we offer a wide range of courses. These include foreign resident, intensive, job hunting, JLPT prep, kanji courses, and more. Please get in touch if you require more information. Whatever your requirements, we can find the right Japanese language course for you.