Learn various techniques to help you improve your communication skills and your English. I also help my learners solve business issues using professional English.

Sensei Ann

A new law will come into effect in April 2026.
Today I'm going to talk about what is means for cyclists.
I hope no one ends up paying a fee!

Everyday japanese with maki

The new traffic law for bicycles　新しい自転車の法律/ほうりつ）

What do you usually do for fun?
Do you like collecting something?  
This time, Aya talks about things that she has been collecting for 8 years.

♤ キーワード
・ベタ（cliche）
・形に残る（かたちにのこる：remain in form）
・敷き詰める（しきつめる：to cover a surface）
・埋め尽くす（うめつくす：to fill）

♧  理解度チェッククイズ
1. アヤさんが集めているものは？
2. アヤさんがそれを集めている理由は？

♢ 前回のクイズの答え
1. フミさんが最近ハマっているものは？
→ 近所のパン屋のクロワッサン
2. フミさんがパンを作らないのはどうして？
→ 一度挑戦したときに焦がしてしまったから

BGM special thanks：MusMus

アヤさんとフミさんの日本語雑談（Aya and Fumi’s Japanese Chit-Chat）

Episode 07：アヤが集めているもの

Le roi des animaux
- C’est mon papa, le lion, qui a coupé la grande galette des rois des animaux. Tout le monde a mangé sa part à toute vitesse pour voir s’il y avait la fève. C’est l’éléphant qui l’a trouvée ! Il a pris la couronne de papier avec sa trompe.
Moi, le petit lion, j'étais très triste. Alors, mon papa a enlevé sa couronne de roi des animaux et il me l’a posée sur la tête en affirmant :
- Toi aussi, tu seras roi, mais attends ton tour !

Des Milliers D'histoires

Histoire 6 - Le roi des animaux

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful time now. As a Christmas gift from Japanese Santa, I made this podcast for you! I recommend you not to just listen to this, but also find differences between Christmas in your country and Japanese one and write about it on italki or talk about it to someone else (ideally in Japanese)! メリークリスマス！

たつきのにほんご

日本のクリスマス (Advanced)

揠苗助长[yà miáo zhù zhǎng]：pull;spoil/shoot/help/grow;to try to help the shoots grow by pulling them upward.
宋国 sòng guó：Song state in the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) in Chinese history.
嫌 xián：to dislike and avoid
庄稼 zhuāng jia：crops
拔高 bá gāo：pull upward
疲乏 pí fá：tired; exhausted
一大截 yī dà jié；a wide margin
枯死 kū sǐ：wither; dry up and die
This idiom also known as “拔苗助长[bá miáo zhù zhǎng]“.Literally means to do harm to a thing by being over-enthusiastic about it.

乐读中文 (Lè Dú Zhōngwén) - "Joyful Chinese Stories"

揠苗助长[yà miáo zhù zhǎng]

Recently, I coached a team of four – 2 talented software developers, a product manager, and a product designer – at a startup facing a decision. Their current product management system was a mix of spreadsheets, emails, and sticky notes, hindering collaboration and development. They needed to persuade their founder to adopt Jira, a project management tool.

We began by dissecting the founder's viewpoint.  Was it a fear of change? A concern about learning a new system?  Through open-ended questions and active listening, we discovered the founder valued efficiency and transparency.

The team knew the founder's needs and wants so we crafted a persuasive narrative.  The developers highlighted how Jira's bug tracking system would streamline communication and expedite fixes. The product manager showcased how Jira's visual boards would enhance project visibility, ensuring everyone was on the same page.  The designer emphasized the improved user interface and workflows, promoting user adoption.

We gathered data showcasing the wasted time and communication breakdowns caused by their current system. We contrasted it with quantifiable benefits of Jira – faster development cycles, improved team collaboration, and reduced errors.  

We set up a demo of Jira, showcasing how it addressed their specific pain points. I prepped the team to answer potential objections and provide examples of companies using Jira.

The final step was a unified presentation.  Each team member presented their department's perspective, painting a clear picture of the benefits across the development workflow. 

The founder, impressed by the team's research, data, and collaborative effort, agreed to a Jira trial.  Their persuasive communication, grounded in understanding their audience's needs and presenting a clear solution, secured a win for the entire team. This success story highlights the power of effective communication in driving positive change within a startup environment.

The Global Professional Podcast

EPISODE 100!!! Persuading a to make the switch to Jira!

Why am I trusted by more than 1 million English learners globally?

It's a bold statement, but it's true. I personally touched more than 15 thousand students in my live classes, and not only that, I was there for them in times of need. 

The need wasn't to improve their English for a job interview or improve it for IELTS speaking. It was to uplift their spirits and be their assistant on this journey.

Most of you who read it have been learning English for 10+ years and are still struggling, so it isn't just to do with improving your English ability... It's something else, and it's hidden inside of you—your belief in yourself plays a major role!

What you think about yourself and how you see yourself is the key, and therefore, my podcast begins with the words of famous psychologist Emil Coué: "Every day, in every way, I am getting better, better, and better."

Start using this formula for the goal you have, and be surprised at what it'll offer you in return!

I'd love to personally support you on your journey of improving your English, let me know how I can do it.
