Starting Today: Lessons for a 10-Year-Old American Girl
"I want to learn Japanese!"
That is what students from English-speaking countries think.
But how would you feel if you were spoken to only in Japanese during your first lesson?
It would feel like being thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim.
That is why I incorporate a learning method that naturally eases students into the world of Japanese while using English as a bridge into my lessons.
Hello.
I am IZUMI, a Japanese teacher who has lived in the U.S. for 26 years and practices and researches methods for teaching Japanese in English.
Today, I would like to introduce the first lesson with R-chan, a 10-year-old American girl who started her lessons today.
STEP 1: 30-Minute Free Trial Lesson
What is important in the first lesson is
to make them think, "Japanese is fun!"
We don't start with characters or grammar right away.
First, we start with
• Hello Kitty
• Pokemon
• Japanese culture
I draw out their interest in Japan by showing them things they already know.
"I know that!"
"So cute!"
"I want to go to Japan!"
If I can get those smiles, it's a success.
Learning follows the order of Interest → Curiosity → Continuity.
That is why I aim for the Trial Lesson to be something that makes them look forward to the next lesson.
STEP 2: Hiragana starts with Romaji
Today, we learned "A-I-U-E-O".
For English speakers, rather than explaining only in Japanese from the start,
using Roman Style makes understanding much faster.
For example,
A-I-U-E-O
once they learn,
next is
KA-KI-KU-KE-KO
to.
Here,
K + A, I, U, E, O
like this,
we learn by combining consonants and vowels they know in English.
This is a teaching method that is only possible because the child knows English.
"Because I have English, I can understand Japanese."
Accumulating this successful experience leads to confidence in learning Japanese.
Detailed teaching methods are also introduced in thevideo.
STEP 3: Report to parents after the lesson
What I always do is
send a lesson report.
The one taking the lesson is the child, but
It is the parents who pay for the lessons.
That is precisely why,
・What was learned today
・How much was understood
・Homework
・Next lesson plan
are communicated carefully every time.
By making the lessons "visible",
it leads to peace of mind for the parents,
and deepens the relationship of trust.
My lesson fee is $50 per hour.
It is by no means cheap.
However,
"A teacher who teaches thoroughly"
because of that trust,
I maintain a 100% retention rate.
Japanese lessons are not just about teaching skills.
Lesson management skills are also very important.
The biggest smile of the day
The moment R-chan looked the happiest in today's lesson.
It was,
being able to read "aiueo kakikukeko".
And,
She was able to write her own name in Katakana.
She hasn't learned Katakana yet.
However,
"Let's try writing just your name as a special treat!"
When I told her that,
she practiced it over and over with sparkling eyes.
For a child,
their own name is the most important word in the world.
That is precisely why
the experience of writing their name becomes a great source of confidence.
Introducing one of the recommended sites I use
Something that is very well-received in the first lesson is
**"Name Drill"**.
By simply entering a name, you can easily create practice worksheets for Hiragana, Katakana, and the alphabet. It is popular with children overseas and is also used by educational institutions.
You can access the teaching materials here.
Giving them a practice sheet made with each student's name as a gift is sure to make them very happy.
Finally
Teaching Japanese in English
is not just about "being able to speak English."
Using English as a bridge to help them cross over into the world of Japanese with confidence.
How you build that bridge makes a huge difference in the children's smiles and their retention rates.
How you build that bridge makes a huge difference in the children's smiles and their retention rates.
The children's smiles and retention rates will change significantly depending on how you build that bridge.
Moving forward, through actual lessons,
I will continue to share tips on teaching Japanese using English and how to build a classroom that is chosen by students for a long time as a Japanese teacher.
If you have any concerns or questions as a Japanese teacher, please feel free to consult me via the Q&A (Ask a question) section on NOTE.
📚 For those who want to learn more deeply
The content introduced here is just a small part of the lessons I actually teach in the United States.
You might feel it's difficult when you hear teaching Japanese using English, but by using English as a bridge, children absorb Japanese surprisingly naturally. You don't need to use very difficult English. If you have graduated from junior high school, you will be fine!
In my paid articles and membership, I generously share the know-how I use in actual lessons.
For example...
✅ How to conduct classes teaching Japanese in English ✅ Complete manual for the first 30-minute trial lesson ✅ 120 selected classroom phrases you can use in English ✅ Teaching methods by age (toddlers to high school students) ✅ Lesson report templates to build trust with parents ✅ Management techniques for online Japanese classrooms aiming for 100% retention ✅ Time-saving techniques for creating teaching materials and lesson preparation using AI
I deliver not only practical know-how to become a Japanese teacher who continues to be chosen but also the techniques for teaching Japanese.
Furthermore, in the Japanese Kizuna 🇯🇵 KIZUNAL Membership, I regularly distribute the latest lesson ideas, teaching materials, actual lesson case studies, and member-only content.
If you want to teach Japanese overseas, start a side business or run a classroom online, or want to teach with more confidence than you do now, please join us.
I hope that as many teachers as possible will spread their wings to the world and that new bonds will be born through the Japanese language.
And, if you are currently thinking,
How should I explain this in English? What materials should I use? I'm not getting many students...
If you have such concerns, please do not carry them alone.
Please feel free to consult us via "Q&A (Ask a Question)" at the top left of NOTE.
As an active Japanese teacher, I will fully support your first step.