Yuka

"I studied from textbooks, but I still can't understand real conversations…" Does this sound familiar? ① About Me Hi there! I'm YUKA, a native Japanese teacher. I love traveling and have visited 36 countries around the world. I spent 2 years living in Madrid, Spain, where I experienced both a working holiday and language study abroad. In Japan, I worked as a head teacher at a language school, teaching students of all ages, from young children to adults. I also have professional work experience in Japan, so if you'd like to learn business-level keigo (polite Japanese) and workplace manners that you can use right away, let's work on that together too. I'm still learning English and Spanish myself, so I'm a fellow language learner just like you. Because I speak Japanese as my native language while learning English and Spanish as a student myself, I truly understand what it feels like to learn a foreign language — and I use that understanding to support you. ② Experience I've been teaching Japanese since around 2019. Since I know firsthand how challenging language learning can be, I stay closely by your side through every struggle until you reach your goals. I also worked as a learning advisor at a language school, counseling students one-on-one, so I put a strong focus on coaching-based teaching. If you're struggling to build efficient study habits, or don't know how to review effectively, I'll show you concrete methods that work. Consistency is the single most important factor in language learning. If you have a specific goal, such as passing a certification exam, I'll clearly map out the vocabulary and grammar you need to master by your deadline and guide you toward passing. If you'd simply like to keep learning as an enjoyable hobby, I'll design conversation lessons around topics you love, like travel or your personal interests. ③ Why Learn With Me "Studying from textbooks alone won't make you able to speak Japanese?" Lately, many students have told me: "I studied from textbooks, but I still can't follow real conversations." There are plenty of great textbooks out there, but the polite "desu/masu" form taught in most of them is rarely used in everyday conversations between friends. On the other hand, more formal expressions are actually used in places like restaurants and other service settings — the opposite of what many learners expect. That's why, even for complete beginners, I also teach the natural expressions that Japanese people actually use in daily life. Beyond textbook-style learning, we'll enjoy learning "living Japanese" — practical expressions you won't find in textbooks but that are immediately useful for working holidays, travel, and everyday life in Japan. I'll also share interesting, up-to-date topics straight from Japan, like "What's trending in Japan right now?" Alongside language learning, we'll also touch on Japanese customs and ways of thinking. Every lesson is tailored to your individual level and goals. This course is great for you if you are: A complete beginner starting Japanese from zero Someone whose Japanese has plateaued and wants to practice casual, everyday expressions Aiming to pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Hoping to live in Japan someday Looking for survival Japanese for travel Looking for lessons for your child Wanting to learn business Japanese Just looking to enjoy free conversation as a hobby For those dreaming of working or living in Japan, I'll share advice drawn from my own work experience in Japan and my time living abroad. What do you want to do in Japan? I'd love to hear about your dream. Learning Japanese opens up endless possibilities for you — let's take that first step together! I believe there are as many study methods as there are students. I'll help you find the approach that works best for you. Textbooks are shared as PDFs directly on screen during lessons, so feel free to book a lesson anytime. I look forward to meeting you all! ☺️