Mineko Arai
Born in Shizuoka, Japan.
' Enrich your life.'
Hi, I’m Mineko Arai!
I’ve been teaching Japanese for about 20 years. I used to be an English teacher and studied hard to master English as a native Japanese speaker. I understand that learning Japanese can be challenging at times and it is my passion to support you in enjoying your Japanese learning journey with ease, for as long as you wish! I admire your decision to learn Japanese, and you are truly valuable to Japan!
I was a lecturer at top UK universities like the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, the University of Sheffield, and King's College London.
I was also employed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to prepare diplomats for postings to the British embassy in Tokyo.
I'm now the director of the Arai Academy of Japanese Studies. The academy has provided corporate training to the British Museum, as well as executives and business leaders at companies like Deloitte, Sony, Dentsu and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank.
I was also voted #1 online tutor at Vidalingua.
I have an MA in applied Japanese linguistics from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and an MBA in Education Management from King's College.
About The Arai Method
Many textbooks and courses rely on rigid examples and phrases that often feel unnatural and unusable. I've encountered numerous students who, despite self-studying Japanese for a long time, struggle to speak it confidently. This can be frustrating, especially for those who have successfully learned other languages using traditional methods that simply don’t translate well to Japanese. Many were on the verge of giving up.
I created the Master Speaking Japanese course because I believe that self-study can be effective, even for Japanese—provided you approach it the right way.
With the right materials and methods, becoming a confident Japanese speaker is entirely achievable. You can regain your confidence!
My students typically experience a remarkable 3.7 times faster progress and a 400% boost in confidence. They thrive in conversations with native speakers, enriching their lives in the process. The techniques I use in the Master Speaking Japanese course are proven to work.
As you build your confidence and motivation, it will become a lasting part of your journey. In just four weeks, you can achieve significant milestones, and the skills you acquire will stay with you forever.
This course is also an excellent starting point for complete beginners looking to learn Japanese effectively.
It's crucial that any course aligns with your learning goals. If your aim is to communicate confidently in Japanese, this course is for you. It offers clear explanations of grammar and equips you with practical phrases that resonate with your experiences—not just generic sentences about strangers. Additionally, it provides insights into the culture and mindset behind Japanese expressions, enabling you to use them fluidly.
We place a strong emphasis on speaking, ensuring you are fully prepared for real conversations. You can also compare your responses to model conversations to perfect your expressions and pronunciation.
The Master Speaking Japanese course employs the same language acquisition methods I share with my private students, now made accessible to all. These effective techniques, typically reserved for private lessons, can be costly. However, a monthly subscription to the Master Speaking Japanese course is just a fraction of the cost of a single private lesson, empowering you to express yourself naturally and fluently from the start!
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I’m looking forward to connecting with you!
Testimonials
"I studied with Arai sensei since Oct 2016, the lessons are always well-prepared, Arai-sensei puts a lot of emphasis on communication skills in real-life scenarios. Sensei is also very good at illustrating the subtle nuances in different grammar points which are not otherwise obvious. Teaching materials are drawn from a wide variety of sources instead of a single textbook. At the same time through Arai-sensei I also gained a lot of exposure to the different aspects of Japanese culture, which reinforces my Japanese study. I would not hesitate to recommend sensei to anyone who is interested in studying Japanese."
Beginner level, VY, financial services
