Native Japanese speaker who has a certificate is willing to help your Japanese!

Find out more about Natsumi

• Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  I am a native Japanese speaker from Kamakura, Japan, and I grew up in Japan. I graduated from a Japanese university and worked for a Japanese company before becoming a Japanese language teacher. Japanese has always been a part of my daily life, and now I enjoy helping others learn it and discover Japanese culture.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I would choose Murasaki Shikibu, a writer and poet from the mid-Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, which is often considered one of the greatest works of Japanese literature. Her writing beautifully expresses Japan’s refined sense of aesthetics and the concept of "mono no aware (もものあはれ)" -an appreciation of the beauty and impermanence of life. She remains a powerful symbol of Japanese culture and literature.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  One expression I especially like is "ichigo ichie (一期一会)". It can be translated as “one time, one meeting,” and it expresses the idea that every encounter is unique and will never happen in exactly the same way again. Because of that, we should cherish each moment and treat every interaction with sincerity and respect.
  The phrase comes from the Japanese tea ceremony, where hosts and guests are encouraged to appreciate each gathering as a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, even if they meet again in the future.
  I try to keep this idea in mind when teaching. Every lesson is a unique opportunity, and I hope to make each class meaningful for my students.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  First of all, Japanese is my native language, so it is an important part of who I am. I enjoy sharing my language with people from around the world.
  
  In recent years, more and more people have been visiting Japan, and I believe that knowing even a little Japanese can make their experiences much more enjoyable and rewarding. I am happy if I can help make their time in Japan easier and more meaningful.
  
  I also believe that learning a language is about more than communication. Through language, we can better understand a country’s culture, values, and way of thinking. In my lessons, I enjoy introducing not only Japanese language skills but also aspects of Japanese culture.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  One of the biggest challenges of learning Japanese is that it is a high-context language. Understanding the words themselves is important, but it is often equally important to understand the situation, cultural background, and unspoken meanings behind them.
  
  For this reason, I believe that simply memorizing vocabulary and grammar is not enough. It is essential to learn how and when expressions are actually used in real-life situations.
  
  In my lessons, I try not only to explain the meaning of words and grammar patterns but also to teach their nuances and the contexts in which they are commonly used.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  When I was a student, I studied English for many years. At that time, most of my classes focused on grammar, sentence patterns, and vocabulary. While I learned a lot of information, I had very few opportunities to use English in real conversations. As a result, I often felt frustrated because I studied hard but still could not speak English confidently. Later, at university, my learning experience changed. Instead of only studying English, I started using English to do other things -reading books, participating in discussions, giving speeches, and making presentations.
  
  Of course, a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary was still necessary, but I learned that language ability grows most when you actively use the language. This experience taught me the importance of balancing input with output, and it has influenced the way I teach today.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I have traveled to more than 25 countries, and one thing I have learned is that knowing even a little of the local language can make a trip much more enjoyable. Being able to communicate with local people creates opportunities for meaningful interactions that might not otherwise happen. Travel also exposes you to natural expressions, cultural nuances, and real-life situations that are difficult to learn from textbooks alone. These experiences have reinforced my belief that language learning is most effective when it is connected to real communication and cultural understanding.