Japanese Learning Blog Japanese Blog

May 5, 2015

A Japanese word for May: Gogatsu byou

In Japan, a mysterious sickness to a foreign eye appears every year around May. Termed as the May sickness, 五月病（ごがつびょう） is not a specific disease per se, but more a disorder created by the rhythm of the Japanese year. April marks the start of a new school semester, and for most Japanese companies, this is also a popular hiring […]

April 27, 2015

Coto Japanese Academy's Spring 春 photo contest! 2015

Coto’s Spring Photo Contest is FINALLY here! All you have to do to take part is to post a picture of your experience during Springtime in Japan and you stand a chance to win up to 10,000yen worth of exciting prizes! Contest details Theme: Japan’s Spring in 2015 Contest Period: 27th April to 18th May […]

April 7, 2015

Coto's Spring 春 photo contest entries!

School News

Coto’s Spring 春 photo contest entries! 1.九段下、千鳥が淵/ Chidorigafuchi, Kudanshita Submitted by Tunimaal, With the sakuras surrounding you, the light breeze that brushes past your face as you row the river, what a beautiful image of spring! 2.新宿、ゴールデン街/GoldenGai, Shinjuku Submitted by Alex Guevara. Golden Gai has long been a staple of nightlife in Japan, have […]

March 18, 2015

Skiing & Snowboarding Tour 2015 in Myoko Ikenotaira

Japanese Culture Japanese Culture Japanese Culture

Skiing & Snowboarding Tour in Myoko Ikenotaira When one talks about winter in Japan, the topic of skiing is sure to come up! Although Hokkaido is famous for powder snow, Niigata and Nagano also have many magnificent skiing areas, located just 2 – 3 hours away from Tokyo. At Coto Japanese Academy, skiing and snowboarding […]

February 27, 2015

Have you ever seen a sumo match?

Japanese Culture

Have you ever seen a sumo match? On Sunday 8th February, we watched a professional sumo wrestling competition at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo hall! Unlike normal, where the wrestlers tour Japan for their matches, this was a one day tournament. Other than the tournament, there was also a Children VS Wrestlers competition and a Comic […]

February 14, 2015

Building a new career in Japan as a graphic designer

Student Testimonials

After leaving a position at a San Francisco-based design company that he built up impressively, Josf decided to challenge himself in Japan, a completely new environment. I talked to Josf about the miraculous start he's made building his career as a graphic designer.

February 11, 2015

Japanese Cooking Event! Okonomi-yaki, yakisoba and more!

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto Japanese Cooking Event! Okonomi-yaki, yakisoba and more! Do you like Japanese cooking? Because eating out is so common in Japan, perhaps many of you have had Japanese food in restaurants but haven’t made it at home. […]

February 8, 2015

Japanese Expression: How to use the Phrase "Muri Shinai De"

Japanese Study

What does “Muri Shinai De” Mean?When can I use it?In Daily Contexts… What does “Muri Shinai De” Mean? Japanese people have at heart to care for others. In Japan, you often hear the expression “muri shinai de”. Broadly speaking, the phrase means “don’t overdo it” or “take it easy”. The expression shows that you care about […]

February 4, 2015

Understanding the Japanese Word: 改善 (かいぜん/Kaizen)

Japanese Study Japanese Study

Do you know the Japanese word Kaizen? It means improvement. For example, the word is synonymous with quality control at a car assembly line. The concept is widely adopted not only in manufacturing but also in service industries. This includes retail, transportation and even education. As long as the starting block is a solid one, […]

February 2, 2015

CotoJapanese Academy's event in February, March and April 2015

This is an older post – to see our upcoming monthly events – click here Monthly Events at Coto We are planning the following events in February, March and April. Please send your request for participation to [email protected] Norimaki Cooking Class 飾り巻を作ろう！ Wednesday, February 18th -Time: 12:40-13:50 -Place: Coto Japanese Academy -Fee: 2500yen -Number of […]

January 13, 2015

スクール管理運営スタッフ・日本語教師募集

School News School News

Coto Language Academyではスクール管理運営スタッフ・日本語教師を募集しています。ご興味ある方は是非ご応募ください。当校では”Be Unique, Have fun Globally”というミッションのもと、日本で暮らす海外の方がより自分らしくより豊かな生活ができるよう、日々の生活や仕事にすぐに役立つ、会話力アップに重点をおいた少人数またはプライベートでの日本語レッスンを提供しています。日本語教師応募資格・下記のいずれかに該当する方１）日本語教師養成講座420時間修了者２）大学で日本語教育を主専攻で卒業した方３）日本語教育能力試験合格者・平日9:30-21:30、土曜日10:50-18:00までで週３回以上勤務できる方・日常会話レベルの英語力がある方・日本語教師経験者歓迎スクール管理運営スタッフ・英語でビジネスレベルのコミュニケーションが可能な方・コミュニケーション力があり、責任をもって業務に取り組める方・平日9:30-21:30（３シフトあり）、土曜日10:50-18:00までで週３回以上勤務できる方・日本語教師経験者歓迎 {Why Coto? } 当校で働いていらっしゃる先生方にCotoでの仕事についてコメントをいただきました！「いい点は何よりもアットホームなこと。マネージメント側も教える側もフラット。先生間もフラットなこと。」「学習者との距離が近いので、上達した時の嬉しさを学習者と共に味わえ、教える側にも大変達成感があります。」「採用後の研修がしっかりしているところに新人講師としては、安心感がありました。」「学生へのフォローだけでなく、講師に対しても相談や質問に丁寧に答えてもらえるのが、長く働けているポイントだと思います。」「いろいろなレベルや様々なタイプのレッスンが経験でき、共有教材も豊富。」「常によりよいレッスンや生徒さんに喜ばれるレッスンを目指し工夫し成長し続け意欲的なところ。」「学校の雰囲気も明るく楽しく、きれいで、素晴らしい学校だと思います。」「前の学校ではクラスの人数が多いときは20人以上になり、一人一人に十分に対応できないもどかしさがありましたがCotoではプライベートレッスンや少人数のクラスで一人一人にじっくり対応できます！」「Cotoのいいところは日本語の修得に熱心な生徒が多い点。それから、スタッフの方も講師の方も皆さわやかで感じがいい方が多い！」「学校に入った瞬間、温かさ、活気、自由がミックスされたような特別な空気感がありました。」「スタッフ、講師、それぞれ個性的で魅力があります！そして仲がいいです。」「上手くいったことも、失敗したことも、共有できる環境です！」「わたしのような新米教師の質問に、ベテランの先生は面倒がらずに答えてくれます。Cotoにいれば、日本語教師は決して孤独な職業ではありません！」「この学校が元々ボランティアから始まった、という点がとても気に入りました。」ご応募希望の方はメールにて、履歴書（写真貼付）と勤務可能な時間帯をお送りください。 Coto Language Academy [email protected] 03-6261-4515 Coto Academy is a unique Japanese Language School […]

January 8, 2015

Get a job in Japan – After finishing graduate school #6 Liu from China

Student Testimonials

Ms. Liu graduated from graduate school in September 2014, and she has found a job at a major Japanese company. This time we ask what are the secrets to her success in improving her conversation skills and finding a job in Japan.