Eng 
日本語 
MutsukiSan is a new staff member that has been working at Coto Japanese Academy since February. She is extremely friendly so please say Hi to her if you see her at Coto! In this interview we will talk about how she helps the school and learn more about who she is!
When did you start Working at Coto Japanese Academy? What do you do at Coto?
February of 2018 – so about 5 months. I have had a great experience working here so far! I am a school staff that helps to interview students and arrange schedules. I explain course options and help students find the best course for them. I also help to plan and run events like the Bento Chat.
What made you interested in working for Coto?
I have experience living abroad and I know what it feels like to be living in a foreign country in a second language. When I lived overseas there were so many great people that helped me get around – and understand things that I had trouble dealing with. I looked at Coto as a way to be helpful for other foreign people that are experiencing what I did when I lived abroad.
During the interview – I really agreed with the missions and values that Coto had and I saw the school moving in a good direction. I saw myself being able to help with that.
What did you study in school? Did you have an interest in Japanese Language Education?
I studied Economics – I wasn’t a very good student – I just studied to pass the exam but I wasn’t really interested in making a lot of money. I enjoy helping people and learning new perspectives and traveling. I like being different – I feel that in Japan there is a lot of pressure to fit in and do what society asks of you – but I think at Coto they are very encouraging for you to be yourself and enjoy what you are passionate about.
What is your favorite thing about working at Coto?
Coto is such a great place to work because there are so many opportunities to meet new people – the students come from all over the world and speak different languages and have different cultures. My favorite thing about working at Coto is when I get to see students improve. When a student tells me that they can use their Japanese outside of the classroom and they feel that they are improving – I feel very proud because I was able to help them accomplish that. It makes me very excited and happy.
What is one thing about you that no one knows?
I am a licensed diver – I’ve dived in the Philippines and a few other countries and this coming september – I will go diving in Okinawa to dive with Manta Rays. I’m pretty boring. I just enjoy being around people. 🙂 I was born in Sapporo but my father transferred to Nagoya when I was little so my home town is Nagoya.
What is Bento Chat Hour?
Bento chat hour is an event that I help to organize that takes volunteer native Japanese speakers and pairs them with our students so that they can enjoy an hour of Japanese conversation practice in-between classes. It is a fun way for our students to learn more about Japanese culture in a relaxed environment while giving them a way to use the Japanese they learn in the classroom and have conversations. It is mainly for our upper beginner to intermediate students.
What would you say to someone considering studying Japanese at Coto?
All of the teachers and staff really want to see the student succeed – If a teacher sees that a student is struggling – they will communicate with us and brainstorm about what the best way to help the student learn is – whether that is to take private classes or change their level. So aside from the location and environment – our staff and teachers really want to help our students succeed and have a personal understanding of their ability and level.
When I was working at an IT company before – rules were never able to be broken – so there were many situations where the customer was upset because we couldn’t be flexible. Coto is very flexible which makes it unique as opposed to many other Japanese schools – our top priority is to help the student learn in the way that is easiest for them to learn.
I want people to know that we are excited to meet them and to please come study at Coto Japanese Academy!
