Bijou-Being a Japanese teacher in Japan

Japanese Teacher in Japan: Between cultures and challenges.

Unlike many foreigners who come to Japan as adults to work, I grew up here.

Since I was little, I lived with relatives and friends who did not speak Japanese and I saw first-hand their difficulties in communicating, this awakened in me the desire to teach and help other foreigners to better integrate into life in Japan.

Being a Japanese teacher has its challenges, each student has different needs, some need to learn the basics for the job while others want to master writing and kanji.

Furthermore, there are those who believe that only a native Japanese speaker can teach the language; but my experience, being the daughter of a mixed-race mother and a native father, allows me to better understand the difficulties of students and adapt my teaching in a more accessible way.

Every day, I study the culture and history of Japan and my students' countries to create more effective methods and materials.

I believe that learning a language goes far beyond grammar — it is essential to understand the culture and history of the country where you live. Only then can you truly integrate and feel part of society.

Every day we acquire new skills, each student has their own pace, their own difficulties and their own story, and finding the best way to teach them requires patience and dedication. But more than difficult, it is rewarding and fun, each class is an exchange of experiences, each student's progress is a shared victory, and the most special thing of all is being able to be part of each one of their lives, following their journeys, watching them grow and adapt to Japan.

I love being in this environment, serving as a bridge between cultures and helping people find their place in Japan.

Seeing a student, who previously couldn't express themselves, gain confidence to speak, read and live here is the greatest reward of my work.

Sensei Jewel, Spring Your Life!