Visited 4 hours ago
Saeko
Professional TeacherTeaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Other
Teaches
Japanese
Native
Speaks
English
Other
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From JapanLiving in Sapporo, Japan (16:08 UTC+09:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Mar 25, 2021InterestsMusicHistoryTravel
Hello, my name is Saeko. I live in Hokkaido, Japan, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.
I was born and raised here, but I lived in the United States (Seattle, WA.) for about 10 years total for studying and teaching.
I like learning about Japanese history and visiting historical places.
I also like to visit shrines and temples. It's very soothing for me.
Living in Hokkaido, I enjoy walking around and seeing the nature in different seasons in my spare time (unless it's cold and snowy..).
I always enjoy listening to music and singing Karaoke!
I like to listen to other people's stories and learn about things that I didn't know otherwise.Me as a Teacher
I am a certified Japanese teacher and have almost 20 years of experience teaching Japanese.
My teaching career began as an English teacher, but then I started teaching Japanese when I was a student TA at a community college in the United States.
I taught from K to grade 12 at an international school from 2003 to 2022.
While I was in the US, I taught college-level Japanese courses at a language school in Seattle, WA. before I came back to Japan. There, I taught mainly adult students.
I also have taught private lessons with people with different levels and needs; from zero beginner to advanced, and for survival Japanese to speech practice. My lessons & teaching style
My lessons are communicative style.
Students learn and improve as they use it.
For beginners, I usually teach in English (unless student requests to use only Japanese) and gradually use more Japanese as they progress.
For intermediate and higher level, Japanese would be the main instructional language, but I can give any grammatical explanation in English as needed.
Textbooks:
Mainly Genki 1, 2, and customized materials
Please let me know...
1) if you would like to use any other materials!
2) if you just want to do free conversation or talk about a topic of your choice!
I am very flexible, so please don't hesitate to let me know what you wish to do.My teaching material
- PDF file
- Flashcards
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Image files
Certificates
Japanese Teaching Competency Test - The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services - 2013
Certificate verified
Teaching experience
2000 - 2002
Japanese Instructor- taught beginner to intermediate Japanese evening classes for adult students
- taught summer intensive courses
- taught university accredited courses
2003 - 2022
Japanese teacher- taught K-12 beginner- intermediate Japanese classes
- taught multi-leveled classes
- tutored AP Japanese exam prep
Education
1998 - 1999
Master's - MA-TESOL
1988 - 1991
Bachelor’s - Sociology
Work Experience
2003 - 2022
Japanese teacherBeginner to intermediate classes (Kindergarten to Gr. 12)
2000 - 2002
Japanese instructoruniversity-credited courses for adults
5.0
Rating
19
Students
747
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
Japanese Lessons
Trial Lesson
13 lessons completed
USD 5.00+
Japanese for Beginners - low intermediate (25min./ 45min./ 55min.)
A1 - A2Language Essentials705 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Free Conversation (25 min./ 45 min./55 min.)
A2 - C2Conversation29 lessons completed
USD 10.00+
Availability
280 Reviews
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for a great lesson, appreciate doing the review of "te" form and now joining/ listing activities. Have a great week
Mar 22, 2026
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for another great lesson. Revision went well this week, just a few words that I blanked on. Thank you for the guidance and patience Have a great week, stay safe
Mar 8, 2026
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for a great lesson, reviewing "please may I". I think my conjugation is getting smoother, just a couple of issues with vocabulary. Thank you for your patience, have a great week.
Feb 22, 2026
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for a great lesson, reviewing "te" form and vocabulary. Have a great week
Mar 15, 2026
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for a great lesson reviewing "May I". Recalling vocabulary and forming sentences are becoming a little smoother. Have a great week
Mar 1, 2026
Beulah
302 Japanese lessons
Thank you for a great lesson, the revisions is very helpful. Have a great week.
Feb 8, 2026
Trial Lesson
USD 5.00
Your final payment will be made in USD
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