Nau Maeshima

"I feel great joy when a student's face lights up with an 'I got it!' expression, or when they become able to say in Japanese something they couldn't say before."

I believe it is an international environment where students from various countries gather and can experience diverse cultures and values. Additionally, there are many students aiming for further education or employment, and I find it appealing that we can support each student's goals in learning Japanese. I think it is an environment where we can grow together with the students and support them in realizing their dreams.

Q: What made you decide to become a Japanese language teacher, or to work at a Japanese language school?

As a student, I participated in volunteer activities teaching Japanese, which was the catalyst for my journey. Initially, I started with a casual mindset, but I began to feel the joy of teaching Japanese and the happiness that comes when learners understand. From there, I started to think, 'I want to teach Japanese more professionally,' and I aimed to become a Japanese teacher. I also learned that a career in Japanese education could offer opportunities to work abroad, which further expanded my future options.

Q: What do you find appealing or rewarding about working at a Japanese language school?

I believe the charm of working at a Japanese language school lies in the ability to engage with students from various countries and learn about different cultures. Through daily classes and interactions, I also make new discoveries about myself. Many students come to Japan with dreams of further education or employment, and I find great fulfillment in being able to support them in their Japanese language learning as they pursue those dreams.

Q: What moments bring you joy or make teaching Japanese feel fun?

I feel a great joy when students show a look of "I got it!" or when they are finally able to speak in Japanese about things they couldn't express before. It makes me very happy to see students who initially seemed to struggle gradually gain confidence in using Japanese, and it makes me feel the enjoyment and fulfillment of this job.

Q: Do you have any memorable episodes involving students?

When I first came to Japan, there was a student who could hardly speak Japanese, but little by little, they became able to participate in class discussions, and in the end, they were able to express their thoughts clearly in Japanese. I was very impressed to witness that growth up close.

Q: What do you value most in your classes?

In class, we prioritize creating an atmosphere where students can speak up with confidence, even if they make mistakes. I believe that making mistakes is common while learning Japanese, and that these experiences lead to improvement. Therefore, I am conscious of creating an environment where students can use Japanese without fearing failure.

Q: What's the atmosphere like in your class or workplace?

I think my class and workplace have a homely atmosphere. The students and teachers are close to each other, creating an environment where they can easily talk and consult with one another. I believe that in class, we have been able to create an atmosphere where students can use Japanese comfortably in a relaxed setting.

Q: Please share a message for students who will be coming to study abroad in Japan.

I believe that studying abroad in Japan will be a very valuable experience, not only for learning Japanese but also for meeting various cultures and people. At first, there may be some anxieties, but I hope you will use Japanese a lot and take on various challenges without fearing failure. I wish for your experiences in Japan to become a wonderful time that connects to your future.