Teacher Introduction
We are proud to introduce to you to some of our regular staff, the teachers who make up the heart of our Japanese language school.
- Name
- Rie Kirby
- Position
- Director
- Qualifications
- Ministry of Education Japanese teacher certification
Tea ceremony certification
Flower arranging certification
1 year as volunteer teacher
2 years as part-time teacher
professional teacher since 2002 - Hobbies
- Movies, drama
- Favorite Book
- Kinshuu by Teru Miyamoto
- Countries I've Visited
- UK, USA, Thailand, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Scotland, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, France, Monaco
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Anywhere in the world where they welcome me!
- Favorite Food
- Ice cream
- Message to Students
- この広い世界でこうしてGenkiJACSで出会えた事をとてもうれしく思います。
- Other information
- Co-author of Gakken Publishing's well-respected Super Anchor Japanese-English dictionary, 2nd edition.
- Name
- Mika Kajiwara
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- Ministry of Education Japanese teacher certificate
English lit. degree
TOEIC 855/TOEFL 183
4 years teaching
日本語教員養成副専攻課程修了 - Hobbies
- Music, movies, yoga
- Favorite Book
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
- Countries I've Visited
- オーストラリア、中国、アメリカ、フランス、チェコ、イタリア、台湾、韓国、スイス、ベルギー、イギリス、香港
- Countries I Want to Visit
- エジプト、ペルー、インド、タイ、ヴェトナム
- Favorite Food
- チョコレート、梅干
- Message to Students
- 日本語をつかって何をしてみたいですか？みなさんの目標は何ですか？そのお手伝いをさせてください！
- Name
- Natsuko Iimori
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- Ministry of Education Japanese Teacher Certificate
Japanese-English Teacher Certificate (at U of Wales, Bangor)
Japanese calligraphy 7th grade
Scuba diving license - Hobbies
- Traveling
- Favorite Movie
- Edward Scissorhands
- Countries I've Visited
- USA, Peru, NZ, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Ireland, UK
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Egypt, Italy, Greece, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, Australia
- Favorite Food
- Yogurt
- Message to Students
- Always have dreams
- Name
- Yuji Nogami
Note: Yuji-sensei is currently on leave in Germany for a year, but he is available for Skype/video chat lessons! - Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- Ministry of Education Japanese teacher certificate
日本語教育能力検定
Volunteer teaching for 6 months
Teaching since 2007 - Hobbies
- スポーツ ゲーム マンガ
- Favorite Movie
- 007シリーズ／ドラゴンボール、ワンピース
- Countries I've Visited
- カナダ、台湾、ハワイ
- Countries I Want to Visit
- どこでも。安全なところ
- Favorite Food
- ラーメン、さしみ
- Message to Students
- わたしはきびしい先生です。
- Name
- Aiko Kuroiwa
- Position
- Head Administrator/Teacher
- Qualifications
- Diploma in teaching Japanese as a foreign language
Taught 2 years at secondary school in UK, 7 years at flight attendant school - Hobbies
- Eating!
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Movie: The Full Monty
Book: Japanese historical books - Countries I've Visited
- England Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, France , Italy, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Indonesia
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Bora Bora (Polynesia), Vietnam, Thai
- Favorite Food
- Pasta
- Message to Students
- Have fun!
- Name
- Machiko Oyama
- Position
- Head Teacher
- Qualifications
- Diploma in teaching Japanese as a foreign language
13 years teaching experience - Hobbies
- Watching people and TV
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Movie: The Full Monty
Comedy - Countries I've Visited
- UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Hong Kong, Indonesia, America
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Egypt, NZ, Norway and 月
- Favorite Food
- Ikizukuri
- Message to Students
- Enjoy and work hard がんばりましょう！
- Name
- Mayumi Sato
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
-
日本語教師養成講座修了・日本語教育能力検定試験
日本英語検定準1級・草月流1級師範
10数年 元気ジャックス3.5年 - Hobbies
- Handicraft, cooking
- Favorite Food
- すし・ケーキ
- Message to Students
- 急がば回れ
- Name
- Youko Okazaki
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 420 hours Japanese teacher certification
Passed Japanese language teaching competency test
Teaching since 2008 - Hobbies
- Photography, Concerts
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Kouki Mitani “Uchouten Hotel”
Banana Yoshimoto“TSUGUMI” - Countries I've Visited
- USA, Korea
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Peru (Macchu Picchu)
- Favorite Food
- Umeboshi, Cheese
- Message to Students
- 福岡を楽しんでください！！！
- Name
- Masayo Sato
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 日本語教師養成講座420時間修了
日本語教育学副専攻課程修了
Teaching since 2003 - Hobbies
- Movies
- Favorite Movie/Book
- ショーシャンクの空
- Countries I've Visited
- China, Korea, Australia,New Zealand
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Europe
- Favorite Food
- 納豆巻き
- Message to Students
- 楽しく勉強しましょう♪
- Name
- Junko Nojiri
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 420-hour Japanese teacher certification
Bachelor of Arts in English literature
TOEIC score 990 - Hobbies
- Eating delicious local food
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Crime novels, or ‘shourishousetsu’
(勝利小説) - Countries I've Visited
- Several countries in Europe like Ireland, England, France, Italy, Holland...many countries in Asia and the US
- Countries I Want to Visit
- ???
- Favorite Food
- Sushi
- Message to Students
- Isshoni ganbarimashou! (一緒に頑張りましょう!)
- Name
- Tsugumi Shiozaki
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 20-hour Japanese teacher certification TEFL Kids certification
Volunteer teacher for 1.5 years
Professional teacher since 2008 - Hobbies
- Badminton
- Favorite Movie/Book
- 人生の地図 The life map/ASAKIYUMEMISI
- Countries I've Visited
- Canada, Australia, America, Mexico, Korea
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Europe
- Favorite Food
- Fruit, fish
- Message to Students
- 楽しく日本語を勉強しましょう。
- Name
- Junichi Taguchi
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 420-hour Japanese teacher certification
Teaching since 2008 - Hobbies
- Sometimes cooking, Internet, drive and たべ歩き!
- Favorite Movie/Music
- Movie: I Girasoli, New Cinema Paradise
Music: New Order "Blue Monday" and Chet Baker - Countries I've Visited
- Many times to Hong Kong, Italy, etc.
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Eastern Europe, Spain, Ibiza
- Favorite Food
- Soba, Udon, Pasta Okonomiyaki, and すし
- Message to Students
- 人生を大事に生きる Live life carefully!
- Name
- Mayu Matsumoto
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 8 months teaching experience
- Hobbies
- Travel to foreign countries, music
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Volver (almodovar) /Teru Miyamoto novels
- Countries I've Visited
- France, Italy, England, USA, Canada, Korea, Vietnam, Tailand and Shingaple, Maleysia, Taiwan, Korea, Mexico and Cuba
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Brazil, Spain
- Favorite Food
- Italian, French, Thai food, Mexican, Chinese.....everything!!!
- Message to Students
- Let's experience Japan through learning Japanese!
- Name
- Yukiko Iwamoto
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- Junior high, High school, Japanese teacher
Part-time Japanese teacher at university/ language schools for 17 years - Hobbies
- Walking, nature-watching
- Favorite Movie/Book
- tonari no totoro/books of yosimoto banana ,tawara matchi, asano atuko
- Countries I've Visited
- USA
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Austria
- Favorite Food
- Cheesecake
- Message to Students
- The more practice, the more confidence!
- Name
- Naoko Nagasaki
- Position
- Teacher
- Qualifications
- 420-hour Japanese teacher certification
Volunteer teacher for 6 months - Hobbies
- Playing the flute
- Favorite Movie/Book
- British movies, especially Pride and Prejudice
- Countries I've Visited
- England, Italy, America
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Spain
- Favorite Food
- Japanese meal (Nikujyaga)
- Message to Students
- Let’s have fun!
- Name
- Mai Bright
- Position
- Accommodation Coordinator
- Qualifications
- TOECI 915
TOEFL 610 - Hobbies
- Traveling, Cycling, Watching movies
- Favorite Movie/Book
- Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (original version)
- Countries I've Visited
- USA, Canada, China, Korea, France, Thailand, Central Africa Republic, Spain
- Countries I Want to Visit
- England, Northern Ireland, Italy, Germany
- Favorite Food
- Yakiniku, Pattai, Okonomiyaki, Gyoza, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate ice cream
- Message to Students
- I will do my best to make your study at GenkiJACS fun and memorable! I am looking forward to having you study with us!!!
- Name
- Youko Sakai 酒井瑤子
- Position
- Reception
- Countries I've Visited
- US, India, Canada, Mexico, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Palao
- Countries I Want to Visit
- South America, all over Europe
- Favorite Artists
- Alicia Keys, Neyo
- Favorite Kanji
- 揺（よう）
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- “Everything’s going to be alright”
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- たこ(octopus)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Ants
- Name
- Hideki Hamabe 浜辺秀喜
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- England, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore
- Countries I Want to Visit
- America, China, Russia, all over Europe
- Favorite Artists
- Swing Out Sister
- Favorite Kanji
- 信念（しんねん）
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Floccinaucinihilipilification
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- キス(garfish)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Rabbit
- Name
- Ayako Brady ブレイディー綾子
- Position
- Office Assistant
- Countries I've Visited
- America, Canada, Australia, Singapore, England, Italy, France, Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, Mexico
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Spain, Cuba
- Favorite Artists
- Celia Cruz, Oasis
- Favorite Kanji
- 空
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Variety is the spice of life
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- イクラ(salmon roe)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Giraffe
- Name
- Shuichi Yoshinaga 吉永秀一
- Position
- Social Programs
- Countries I've Visited
- Korea, Taiwan
- Countries I Want to Visit
- America, Switzerland, Malaysia
- Favorite Artists
- X-Japan
- Favorite Kanji
- 仁義（じんぎ）
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Precious
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- 大トロ(tuna belly/fatty tuna)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Wild Boar
- Name
- Tomoe Yoshiguchi 吉口朋江
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- Canada, America, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Egypt, France, Bolivia
- Favorite Artists
- 椎名林檎（しいなりんご）
- Favorite Kanji
- 笑
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Yay!
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- カッパ巻き(cucumber rolls)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Elephant
- Name
- Chihiro Oe 小江ちひろ
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- Australia, America (San Francisco), Thailand, Singapore, Guam
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Egypt, France, Peru (Machu Picchu), England, New Zealand
- Favorite Artists
- Guster, Juanes, Paramore
- Favorite Kanji
- 眠
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Water
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- 鮭(salmon)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Cat
- Name
- Kyoko Yasuniwa 安庭香子
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- Korea, China, Thailand, Australia, Canada, America
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Argentina, Sweden, India
- Favorite Artists
- Elliot Yamin
- Favorite Kanji
- 翔る
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- How are you?
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- 鮭(salmon)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Squirrel
- Name
- Kayoko Takahashi 高橋香代子
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- Australia, Canada, Taiwan
- Countries I Want to Visit
- All over Europe
- Favorite Artists
- Daniel Powter, Hirai Ken
- Favorite Kanji
- 克己
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That’s why it’s called the present. - If I Were To Be A Sushi
- 鮭(salmon)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Chihuahua
- Name
- Shouko Sakata 坂田祥子
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- England, Germany, France, Holland, America, Taiwan, Australia
- Countries I Want to Visit
- All over Asia
- Favorite Artists
- Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band
- Favorite Kanji
- 心
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- “Simple Man” Song by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- 鯵(horse mackerel)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Monkey
- Name
- Mika Watanabe 渡辺美香
- Position
- Teacher
- Countries I've Visited
- England, Holland, Croatia, Czech Republic, America, New Zealand, Australia
- Countries I Want to Visit
- Costa Rica
- Favorite Artists
- Mr. Children
- Favorite Kanji
- Favorite English Word/Phrase
- Please
- If I Were To Be A Sushi
- レタス巻き(lettuce maki)
- I Could Win In A Fight With A
- Monkey
