Visited 7 hours ago
Misako (Michelle)
Professional TeacherTeaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Chinese (Mandarin)
French
Vietnamese
Specialties
KidsEmpathetic, experienced teacher for dedicated learners seeking real progress in Japanese
Teaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Chinese (Mandarin)
French
Vietnamese
Specialties
KidsEmpathetic, experienced teacher for dedicated learners seeking real progress in Japanese
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From JapanLiving in Tokyo, Japan (23:21 UTC+09:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Jan 21, 2021InterestsTravelWritingFoodMedical & HealthcareAnimation & Comics
Hi everyone! I'm Misako (you can call me Michelle too), a professional Japanese teacher with 5+ years of experience and over 4000 lessons taught.
I studied in the U.S. (Minneapolis and Portland) and earned my Master's in Japanese Teaching Methodology while teaching American students in person. I speak fluent English, some Chinese, Vietnamese, and a bit of French!
I’ve lived in Vietnam🇻🇳, Taiwan🇹🇼, the U.S.🇺🇸, and Djibouti🇩🇯. I love connecting with people worldwide through language learning.
I’m passionate about helping motivated learners find their voice in Japanese. If you're serious about improving, I’d love to support your journey!
大家好！我叫Michelle，來自日本。我曾在台灣留學半年，所以我可以說一點中文 :)Me as a Teacher
I began my teaching journey at a Japanese elementary school in Vietnam, passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test, and started teaching online in 2021.
Later, I moved to the U.S. to teach in-person while pursuing my Master’s in Japanese teaching. These experiences shaped my style: a unique balance of structured grammar and real-life conversation.
Whether you're preparing for JLPT or want to speak confidently, I’ll create lessons just for you.
I’ve taught absolute beginners to advanced learners and always aim for clear, encouraging lessons with structure and goals.
Let’s build your Japanese together—one step at a time! My lessons & teaching style
I truly love teaching, and I cherish the long-term connections I’ve built with many of my students—some have stayed with me for over 4 years! My approach is warm, structured, and goal-oriented. I prioritize clear progress while also respecting each student's pace and needs. I now mainly teach weekday mornings (JST 6am–12pm) and offer private lessons for learners who commit to weekly sessions. If you're serious about consistent progress, I’d love to work with you! Mistakes are welcome in my class—because that's how we learn! Let's enjoy Japanese together, with patience and courage :)My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Image files
- Video files
- Articles and news
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
日本語教育能力検定試験 - 日本国際教育支援協会 - 2020I passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test (日本語教育能力検定試験) in 2020.
Certificate verified
小学校教諭一種免許状 - 広島県教育委員会 - 2018I have an elementary school teaching license (小学校教諭一種免許状).
Certificate verified
Elementary school teacher certificate - Board of Education in Hiroshima - 2018This is the certificate for Japanese elementary school teacher.
Certificate verified
Education
2021 - 2023
Master's - Japanese
2013 - 2018
Bachelor’s - Education
Work Experience
2018 - 2020
teacherI taught elementary school students all subjects including Japanese.
2021 - 2023
Teacher
2023 - 2024
Teacher
5.0
Rating
138
Students
2,889
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
Japanese Lessons
Trial Lesson
68 lessons completed
USD 25.00+
【30 min/40 min/ 50 min】Informal Tutoring
B1 - C1Conversation250 lessons completed
USD 30.00+
Package with 6% off
【30min/ 40 min/ 50 min】for Beginner【Genki】and additional materials
A1 - A2Language Essentials922 lessons completed
USD 30.00+
Package with 6% off
【Homework included】【30min/ 40 min/ 50 min】for Beginner【Genki】and additional materials
A1 - A2Language Essentials454 lessons completed
USD 40.00+
Package with 8% off
【30min/40min/50min】Teenager Japanese
A1 - C1Kids235 lessons completed
USD 30.00+
Package with 6% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
118 Reviews
Emma Fischette
42 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
I am writing this review on behalf of my 14 year old daughter who has been studying with Ms. Misako for about a year. I enrolled her to prepare her for for high school Japanese and it has been a fantastic experience. Ms. Misako knows how to connect with teenagers and makes her lessons fun while still challenging and academic. My daughter will be well prepared for high school this fall.
May 25, 2025
Meritxell Sabidó
325 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
These classes are the best moment of the week!
Apr 29, 2022
Anna Maria Douglas
4 Japanese lessons
Amazing teacher! I look forward to more lessons! Thank You!
Nov 19, 2025
Gary
68 Japanese lessons
Teacher’s pick
Through my first 5 lessons, and the trial lesson, Misako sensei has been a wonderful teacher. She has been patient as I mentally work through the sentences, both interpreting the questions being asked and speaking the answers. She gives some cultural notes on how some things are in Japan. When I bring up alternatives that I've heard used for what we are going over, she has been explaining some of the differences between the options. I can hear the joy in her voice when I come up with an explanation on my own or self-correct when I catch my own error.
Misako sensei has been very helpful so far in connecting the fragments of knowledge I have from my intermittent self study prior. I am looking forward to continuing my studies.
Aug 8, 2024
Cammy S
3 Japanese lessons
Misako さん is very patient and makes the lessons engaging and fun! I really love taking classes with her. I’m not confident with my Japanese and it’s refreshing to have someone who is patient as I try to get through a sentence. Her lessons are structured very well and she has a gift of meeting you where you’re at and building on that. She’s amazing!
Dec 11, 2025
Cassandra Warnock
1 Japanese lesson
Misako was amazing and cannot wait to start this journey with her!
Sep 25, 2025
Trial Lesson
USD 25.00
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