Mineko Arai あらいみねこ
My Journey
I was raised in Shizuoka, Japan. I taught English for two and half years before I decided to leave the inspiring views of Mt. Fuji to embark on a transformational journey to the United Kingdom, via South East Asia, Central Asia and Europe. I wanted to experience local cultures, lifestyles, and behaviours, so I backpacked through these regions. The beginning was challenging as I had to find a way of communicating with people, with whom I did not share a common language. I continued my journey using gestures and simple phrases, and as time elapsed, I slowly absorbed the different cultures and I adjusted to the local lifestyles of the countries.
"She also makes me realise the cultural elements reflected in the differences between Japanese and English native speakers, which really helps my learning a lot" - TF
My educational background
I have completed Leading Adult Learning - Facilitator Development Sessions at autumn term 2017 at University College London (UCL). I have completed an MBA in Further Education Management at King’s College London, an MA in Applied Japanese Linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese Teaching at the Institute of International Education in London.
My teaching experience
I have over 16 years of teaching experience mainly in the UK. Currently, I am providing online self-study course in addition to teaching adults privately and providing cooperate training services. In the past, I taught for the students of BA in Japanese at SOAS (2011 & 2014 - 2020) - the best Japanese studies in Europe, to the general public, university students and business people at King's College London (2009-2017), the university students of BA in Japanese at the University of Sheffield (2006 - 2009) - the second best Japanese studies following SOAS in the UK and the president and the top managers at Dentsu Aegis Network (2013 - 2014) and British diplomats at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2013 - 2016).
Corporate training contracts
SONY (2016-2020)
Tokyo Esque (2017-2020)
Deloitte (2017-2018)
Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi UFJ (2017-2018)
Ashurst (2016)
Polar Capital (2015-2016)
British Museum (2015)
Corporate training contracts
SONY (2016-2020)
Tokyo Esque (2017-2020)
Deloitte (2017-2018)
Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi UFJ (2017-2018)
Ashurst (2016)
Polar Capital (2015-2016)
British Museum (2015)
"Arai-sensei is the most sensitive teacher, who is well aware of my level of competence, and encourages me to expand my range of skills" - RP
My learning support experience
I was a Language Learning Advisor at the resource centre of the Modern Language Centre at King’s College London from 2011 to 2013 alongside my teaching. I initiated one-to-one support services for individuals with learning difficulties.
Other Teachers
Michiko Kimura きむらみちこ online lessons worldwide & face-to-face lessons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
'Expand your world,
broaden your world,
and broaden your horizons!'
I was originally born in Tokyo, grew up in Yokohama, and currently live in Tokyo. I used to be a manager for musicians, music production and organising live concerts. Good organization skills, such as smooth interaction with staff, artists, customers, clients and media, were required and I develop my understanding of self and how to communicate with those people. The reason I became a Japanese teacher was that I found it delightful whenever I met and communicated with foreigners who had interests in Japanese music, as I was excited to see people enjoying learning about Japan. I totally enjoy supporting all my students for achieving their individual goals. It is absolutely satisfactory for me to introduce the language, the culture, the traditions and the music to them.
Educational Background：Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese Teaching at the Institute of International Education in London.
Certificate of English for Japanese Language Teaching
Teaching experiences：South Hampstead High School (London, UK), IIEL Greenwich Campus Charlton House (London, UK), SORA Japanese School (San Francisco, USA), Edo Cultural Center Japanese Language School (Tokyo, Japan), We Language School (Tokyo, Japan)
'Expand your world,
broaden your world,
and broaden your horizons!'
I was originally born in Tokyo, grew up in Yokohama, and currently live in Tokyo. I used to be a manager for musicians, music production and organising live concerts. Good organization skills, such as smooth interaction with staff, artists, customers, clients and media, were required and I develop my understanding of self and how to communicate with those people. The reason I became a Japanese teacher was that I found it delightful whenever I met and communicated with foreigners who had interests in Japanese music, as I was excited to see people enjoying learning about Japan. I totally enjoy supporting all my students for achieving their individual goals. It is absolutely satisfactory for me to introduce the language, the culture, the traditions and the music to them.
Educational Background：Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese Teaching at the Institute of International Education in London.
Certificate of English for Japanese Language Teaching
Teaching experiences：South Hampstead High School (London, UK), IIEL Greenwich Campus Charlton House (London, UK), SORA Japanese School (San Francisco, USA), Edo Cultural Center Japanese Language School (Tokyo, Japan), We Language School (Tokyo, Japan)
Mariko Yamamoto やまもとまりこ Business Japanese Professional (face-to-face lessons in Tokyo & online lessons worldwide)
'Make it possible!'
-Over the course of 200+ interviews for staff, has knowledge of what the best candidates require.
「皆さん、こんにちは。「ビジネス講座」担当の山本真理子です。
この講座は日本語で仕事をする方への”実践講座”で、重要なマナーと表現、失敗しない話し方、日本人の考え方など学びます。毎回好評をいただいており、受講生の皆さんは日本語に自信が持てるようになって「明日からの仕事も頑張ろう！」と言ってくれます。すぐに使える内容ばかりですから今すぐ始めませんか。皆さんにお目にかかれることを楽しみにしております。」
Educational Background: Certificate of Japanese Language Teaching at the World Japanese Language Centre in Sydney
Teaching Experiences: Waseda Foreign Language College (Tokyo, Japan), Toho Gakuen (Tokyo, Japan), Private lessons for expats from beginner to advanced levels (Tokyo, Japan)
- -Born and grew up in Tokyo, Japan.
- -Has 25 year work experience at well-known Japanese companies.
- -In her last job spent 10 years as the COO of a company with 2000+ employees
- -Has extensive experiences in developing successful business contracts; budgeting; staff and client management.
-Over the course of 200+ interviews for staff, has knowledge of what the best candidates require.
「皆さん、こんにちは。「ビジネス講座」担当の山本真理子です。
この講座は日本語で仕事をする方への”実践講座”で、重要なマナーと表現、失敗しない話し方、日本人の考え方など学びます。毎回好評をいただいており、受講生の皆さんは日本語に自信が持てるようになって「明日からの仕事も頑張ろう！」と言ってくれます。すぐに使える内容ばかりですから今すぐ始めませんか。皆さんにお目にかかれることを楽しみにしております。」
Educational Background: Certificate of Japanese Language Teaching at the World Japanese Language Centre in Sydney
Teaching Experiences: Waseda Foreign Language College (Tokyo, Japan), Toho Gakuen (Tokyo, Japan), Private lessons for expats from beginner to advanced levels (Tokyo, Japan)
