"Nurturing the feeling of wanting to express oneself in Japanese."
I feel happy when students say that the classes are enjoyable and easy to understand, and when they decide on their future paths, such as further education or employment.
Q: What made you decide to become a Japanese language teacher, or to work at a Japanese language school?
My daughter was born with hearing difficulties, and through the process of teaching her Japanese, I became interested in it. After studying in a training course, I ended up working at a Japanese language school.
Q: What do you find appealing or rewarding about working at a Japanese language school?
I believe it is an important job that can convey not only the Japanese language as a subject but also the essential rules, culture, and ways of thinking necessary for living in Japan. It is also indirectly related to Japan's social issues, such as the declining population due to low birth rates and an aging society.
Q: Do you have any memorable episodes involving students?
It is rare, but I sometimes receive updates about jobs or JLPT results after dropping out or completing my studies.
Q: What do you value most in your classes?
Building a relationship of trust. It is about nurturing the students' desire to think independently, speak up, and communicate in Japanese.
What aspects do you feel are appealing about the ISI Japanese Language School?
Students may not be very aware, but the classroom is spacious, clean, and has a sense of openness. For teachers, there are still many areas that are under development, but there are teaching materials available and a foundation for lesson slides.

Q: Please share a message for students who will be coming to study abroad in Japan.
Studying abroad in Japan is exciting and thrilling! While there may be challenges at first, once you can speak Japanese, even the difficult things will become enjoyable. To help everyone live in Japan, the school will support you in understanding Japanese. Let's study together in a fun way! I look forward to meeting all of you in Japan.
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Kyoko Omi"What I love about Japanese language schools is being able to learn and have fun alongside students from so many different countries."Through classes and small everyday conversations, I naturally encounter the cultures and ways of thinking of the world, and my own world keeps expanding more and more.
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But more than anything, what makes me truly happy is being able to watch, up close, as students grow little by little. Seeing them working hard always gives me energy too. -
Saya Matsuura"Being able to support students who, despite different nationalities and backgrounds, share the same goal of wanting to learn in Japan."In my daily front-desk work, I meet no shortage of students who come to consult with anxious expressions, unable to fully express themselves in Japanese yet.
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Even when a student is at first unsure how to communicate what they want to say, by listening slowly and working through it together, I get to see them leave in the end with a smile, saying "thank you." Moments like that make me truly feel how important this work is.
I try every day to be someone students can rely on and feel at ease with. -
Miwa Hasegawa"It started from my own experience learning a foreign language, which made me want to support others learning Japanese in the same way."At a Japanese language school, I get to interact with learners from a wide variety of backgrounds. Watching their Japanese improve and seeing them go on to find jobs at companies they hoped to join, I feel not only that I'm supporting each student's growth, but that I'm contributing to Japanese society as well.
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Yadomaru Yasushi"Being able to interact with people from many different countries."There was a student whose Japanese ability wasn't very strong, but who carefully worked with me to properly write out their resume and practiced interviews many times, eventually landing a job at a well-known hotel.
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I think that being honest and open to advice is what led to that job offer.