Wat-san appears in "Minna no Nihongo," but can everyone pronounce the name correctly?

It's Wat, not "Waat." This pronunciation is very important. Many students pronounce it without properly stopping the sound. Even if you don't pronounce "Wat-san" correctly, most people will understand. However, many similar words will come up later, such as "kite," "kitte," "kaite," and "katte."

If you don't properly skip the small "っ," even Japanese people can get confused often.

Please try pronouncing it once: "Wat-san." You shouldn’t hold your breath tightly in your stomach. You also shouldn’t hold the air in your mouth. If you do, you’ll definitely end up saying "Waat-san" again. Use a little of your throat and stomach. It’s "Wat-san."

OK, that’s it for today.

Oh, regarding my course, the "Minna no Nihongo Course" and "Minna no Nihongo Group Lesson" are currently half price for the first time. If you're interested, please give it a try. Good luck with your studies! Bye!


ようへい先生　　N4,N5チャンネル

みんなの日本語Chapter One　”ワットさん”

Is "passive income" a real path to financial freedom, or just a clever marketing myth? In this episode, we unpack the reality behind side hustles, investments, and digital products. We explore the upfront effort, hidden maintenance, and capital required before any money becomes truly "passive"—and discuss what it actually takes to build reliable, long-term wealth.

KRISTEL TALKS

Is there such a thing as truly passive income?

The internet is full of "be your own boss" culture, but nobody talks about the relentless grit, financial risk, and constant uncertainty that comes with running a business. In this episode, we strip away the hustle-culture hype to explore why entrepreneurship isn't a one-size-fits-all path—and why choosing a standard career route might actually be your smartest move.

What we cover in this episode:

The Hidden Costs: Beyond the freedom lies chronic stress, decision fatigue, and financial liability.

Personality vs. Passion: Why loving a skill (like baking or coding) doesn't always mean you'll enjoy running a business around it.

The Power of the 9-to-5: Celebrating stability, work-life boundaries, and predictable growth.

Finding Your Path: How to evaluate whether you thrive on uncertainty or excel in structured environments.

Why Business Isn't For Everyone (And Why That’s OK)

There is a huge difference between how men and women think and communicate and if we only understand each other or make the effort to understand each other then communication will be much easier. In today's podcast, I will be sharing my personal and professional observations on how women and men think and communicate.

Women are from Venus & Men are from Mars

In this episode of Kristel Talks, we dive into a hot-take topic that every modern adult needs to hear: why you should be far more afraid of being broke than being single. We discuss the importance of financial stability, independence, and career growth over rushing into relationships out of fear of solitude.

Join the conversation as we break down practical mindsets for building your wealth, setting financial priorities, and building confidence in yourself first.

Key Takeaways:

Why financial independence gives you ultimate freedom in life and relationships.

Overcoming societal pressure to settle down before you're financially secure.

Real-talk strategies for prioritizing your career, savings, and personal goals.

Be more afraid of having no money than being single

AI overdependence and cognitive decline which affected language learning

Note: I have been teaching for 13 years and by far students in the past have better performance in classes because they really utilized their cognitive function to excel in a new language. 

   AI is revolutionary indeed because it helps increase productivity. However,
Overdependence leads to a decline in cognitive function. Language learning is a complex cognitive process which requires effort and critical thinking abilities. Despite the popularity of technology, I have noticed that many students are not improving their fluency , especially those who use AI on a daily basis. Many students are not improving their writing skills because they let AI do the work that they are supposed to do. What many students forget is that it is the complexity of the task and the difficulty of the task that helps build neural pathways in the brain.
This is why language learning improves cognitive function , as long as it is done the right way.


AI overdependence and cognitive decline

Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet many women feel unprepared for the physical and emotional changes that accompany it. In this episode, we dive deep into the essential steps for navigating perimenopause and menopause with confidence. Joined by leading women's health experts, we break down common symptoms—from hot flashes and mood swings to sleep disruption and weight changes—and discuss effective management strategies, including lifestyle adjustments, nutrition, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Tune in to separate myth from fact and empower yourself with actionable advice to take control of your health during this transition.

How to Prepare for Menopause: Everything You Need to Know

Saving money is only step one of the journey. Join us as we explore the essential strategies to bridge the gap between financial safety and true wealth—from index funds and compound growth to building scalable income streams.

Wealth Beyond Savings: How to Make Your Money Work for You

From dealing with unwanted scrutiny to staying grounded in high-visibility situations, this episode breaks down how to manage attention without losing your balance. Listen in for actionable insights and essential everyday language to talk about focus and boundaries!