Visited 4 hours ago
Wakako
Professional TeacherTeaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Professional translator with 26 years experience and postgraduate certified Japanese teacher
Teaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Professional translator with 26 years experience and postgraduate certified Japanese teacher
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From JapanLiving in Yokohama, Japan (15:24 UTC+09:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Oct 15, 2016InterestsPets & AnimalsMusicGamingSports & FitnessTravel
Hello, I'm Wakako. I'm a professional translator of Japanese and English and also teaching Japanese to foreign people as a part-time online teacher here on iTalki. I'm enjoying talking with people around the world.
I love dogs, animals, music, food (I’m vegan <3), travel, football (I'm a fan of Liverpool FC) etc. I especially like the UK and lived in London last year, so I would be very glad if I can make friends from the UK.Me as a Teacher
【New Lesson! Play online games and speak Japanese!】
Speak Japanese over voice chat while playing Nintendo Switch games! Study useful Japanese words and phrases while having fun!
While my main occupation is as a professional translator with almost 26 years of career, I'm also teaching Japanese to foreign people as an online teacher here on iTalki.
I have a postgraduate certificate in teaching Japanese as a foreign language and had six-month training to teach the Japanese language by using English at the Institute of International Education in London.
Profile: https://fordm2013.wixsite.com/website
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCmUECxooMEI9TV9Wgvyqjg?view_as=subscriber My lessons & teaching style
Note: Any cancellation after 24 hours to the lesson time consumes your credit and is not refunded.
*New Course!!* "Play online game and speak Japanese!/ オンラインゲームで日本語会話" has opened. In this lesson, we play Nintendo Switch games together and practice useful Japanese for games. Please see the lesson information for the details. Have fun and learn Japanese!!
My lessons focus on practising speaking and listening to make good communication in Japanese by using images, videos, and webpage articles as well as learning grammar and vocabulary in natural situations.
Lessons using textbooks and informal tutoring (free talk) lessons are also available.My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Image files
- Video files
- Articles and news
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language - Institute of International Education in London - 2018I have completed a six-month course in Institute of International Education in London and got the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language.
Certificate verified
Translation Certification / 翻訳検定対策講座 - Babel University / バベル翻訳・外語学院 - 1997半年間の通信教育課程を修了しました。
Certificate verified
Teaching experience
2016 - 2024
FreelanceI've been teaching Japanese online on iTalki since 2016. I used to teach other platforms such as CafeTalki and Wasabi as well.
Education
1993 - 1997
Bachelor’s - English Linguistics / 英米語学科Degree: B.A. in English Linguistics and Regional Culture
B.A.英語学と地域文化理解の学位を修得。
2018 - 2018
Bachelor’s - teaching Japanese as a foreign languageI have a postgraduate certificate in teaching Japanese as a foreign language and had six-month training to teach the Japanese language by using English in the Institute of International Education in London.
Work Experience
1998 - Current
Translator翻訳実務経験約19年。神田外語大学英米語学科卒業後、翻訳会社、コンピュータ・ローカライズ会社、電気製品メーカー、ゲーム会社などで社内翻訳者として勤務した後、フリーランスとして独立。普段は主にIT、コンピュータ関連などの技術系翻訳（産業翻訳）を行っております。ソフトウェアやコンピュータゲーム、スマートフォンアプリのローカライズ翻訳、マニュアル、仕様書、契約書、観光ガイドの翻訳など経験多数。iTalkiでは、今までのキャリアでの豊富な翻訳経験を活かし、英日翻訳のレッスンも行っております。
I have been working as a translator for more than 19 years. I translate various kinds
of fields including IT, Internet and digital products, game localisations, e-learning, travel websites for many leading global companies.
2016 - Current
Professional TeacherI have been teaching Japanese here in iTalki since 2016.
5.0
Rating
158
Students
1,523
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
Japanese Lessons
Informal Tutoring (Free Talk) for Intermediate and Advanced Level / フリートーク(中級～上級)
A2 - C2Conversation459 lessons completed
USD 17.00+
Package with 12% off
Japanese Grammar Using Textbook (Genki or Marugoto etc.)/ テキストを使ったレッスン (「げんき」または「まるごと」など)
A1 - B1Language Essentials552 lessons completed
USD 21.00+
Package with 12% off
Communicative Japanese (Focus on speaking and communication) / 話す日本語
B1 - C2Language Essentials174 lessons completed
USD 19.00+
Package with 12% off
Japanese Writing and Reading / 日本語の読み書き
A2 - C2Language Essentials126 lessons completed
USD 23.00+
Package with 12% off
Play online games (Nintendo Switch) and speak Japanese!/ オンラインゲームで日本語会話
A2 - C2Conversation6 lessons completed
USD 20.00+
Package with 10% off
Availability
My creations
Podcast (1)
Quiz (2)
249 Reviews
All
English
Japanese
Esther ROACHESTHERE
4 Japanese lessons
Wakako is very nice & easy going. The lesson went by quickly so I look forward to more.
Feb 10, 2026
Amy-Belle Ruskin
107 Japanese lessons
i was so rusty and embarrassed but Wakako-sensei was, as always, patient and good!
Jan 16, 2025
Shaun
81 Japanese lessons
I have been meeting with Wakako sensei for a few months now. Wakako sensei is very kind, patient and supportive. Our meetings are a highlight of my week, they're always fun, easy going, full of laughs, and I always learn a lot.
I like Wakako sensei's teaching style. I like how Wakako sensei is constantly checking in with me to make sure I understand each part of the lesson we are going through. I like how Wakako sensei gently corrects my mistakes (which I make a lot of), it makes me not afraid to make them and helps me learn and grow.
My Japanese learning journey has been a long winding road, and there's still a long ways to go for me, but I'm definitely enjoying the journey and process with Wakako sensei.
ほんとにありがとうございます先生。
Jul 6, 2024
Amy-Belle Ruskin
107 Japanese lessons
Struck gold with Wakako-sensei, she is so patient and knowledgeable!
Apr 27, 2025
Shaun
81 Japanese lessons
I finished Genki I with Wakako先生! Little by little I feel like I'm getting better at Japanese.
I still make plenty of mistakes, mispronounce words, can't remember words, etc. but Wakako先生 is very patient and kind, and gives me great guidance.
いつもありがとうございます！
Jan 4, 2025
Daniel Liebson
1 Japanese lesson
Wakako-san brings a great attitude to her lessons, fostering a care-free environment that is great for learning. She provided great feedback as well. Definitely would recommend her as a teacher.
Jul 1, 2024
Lessons
Hourly rate from
USD 22.00+Your final payment will be made in USD
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