Japanese beginners: module 1

Chika has over 27 years of experience as a Japanese teacher, 23 of which she has spent at City Lit. Her work was recognised with a Teacher of the Year award in 2017. She has a teaching diploma and a Degree in Fine Art. Since coming to the UK from Yokuska, Japan, in the late 1980s, Chika travelled extensively as a performance artist, taught Zig and Zag Japanese on the Big Breakfast TV show, and wrote pieces about Japanese life for various publications. Chika encourages her students to experience every aspect of Japanese culture, which she supports by introducing food, onsen, music and etiquette in her classes, as well as running special film night events at City Lit. Chika is constantly researching new methods to introduce students to the joy of learning, encouraging self- discovery and connection through class activities. Chika’s love of art and performance is reflected in her inspirational teaching materials, including original hand drawn certificates for student achievements which are displayed in the City Lit 100 years exhibition. Teaching and learning Japanese is a joy that Chika wants to share with everyone.

Rie came to Britain in 2004 to study a BA in Ceramics and Wood after working as an Art Director/Graphic Designer for 17 years in Tokyo. Learning a language as an adult changed her life, enabling her to study at university again and to start a new life abroad. Rie believes that learning and teaching a language can change someone’s life and this is why she is fascinated by teaching Japanese to adult learners. After completing her MA in Ceramics and Glass in 2012, Rie obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language in 2016 whilst also teaching Ceramics in an adult education college and Japanese Pottery at a college as a visiting lecturer. She then started teaching Japanese both privately and at a language school where she gained valuable experience teaching at all levels. Since 2019, Rie has been teaching Japanese at City Lit at all levels from complete beginners to advanced. Her teaching materials, which include original handouts, reflect her background in art design and culture and help learners enjoy speaking and listening.

Hisaka is a passionate educator of all ages, bringing over 15 years of experience in teaching Japanese language and culture to CityLit. Growing up in Tokyo, Japan, Hisaka initially came to the UK for postgraduate study, specialising in Education. Following a stint working in the City, Hisaka’s focus moved to her love of teaching, becoming a central figure Japanese language learning in the UK through teaching in secondary schools and in adult education. She has also presented training seminars at Japan Foundation, volunteered for the Japanese In Your Classroom Programme of the Japan Society in both primary and secondary schools and is an accredited GCSE/A level subject expert to Ofqual.

Kiyomi started teaching Japanese in 2002. Since then, she has taught Japanese in the adult education sector at the various institutions and universities. She joined City Lit in 2013 and she has been teaching at all levels, from Beginners to Advanced classes. She is also working as a writer for a Japanese free paper where she writes about cultural information for Japanese people. She enjoys working both as a language teacher and a writer, as she likes to deepen her understanding of Japanese in its basic form, as well as developing her use of the language creatively. She’d like to spread her passion for the Japanese language to learners and believes that learning about a different cultural perspective is just as important and enjoyable as learning about the language itself.