Japanese beginners: module 2

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.

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.

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.