Joseph I.
Aloha and konnichiwa from Hawaiʻi. I’m Joe, and I’m so excited to meet you!
I began learning Japanese in high school and haven’t stopped since. Being local from Hawaiʻi, I’m a mixed bag; I’m part Japanese, part Chinese, part Native American, part Hawaiian, and part Caucasian, all wrapped up in the cultural melting pot of Hawaiʻi! I have a Master’s in East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a focus on Japanese and am a current PhD candidate for my doctoral degree in EALL. I also hold the N1 certificate for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, the gold standard for learners of Japanese as a second language. My studies have taken me from Hawaiʻi to all over Japan – I’ve been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Tottori, and Ehime for extended stays in positions such as a study abroad student, a cultural ambassador, and a graduate researcher. While I’ve spent a long time studying Japanese, I’ve also had extensive training in specifically how to teach Japanese and am equipped with specific knowledge on how to help you go from zero to hero in Japanese.
I have a lot of experience as both a learner and a teacher of Japanese, so I am excited to share my experiences and expertise with you! Having worked with a wide range of learners, from elementary schoolers to adult learners in college, I strive to make learning engaging and fun and want to tutor what I teach to what you need! My own hobbies include anime, manga, Japanese dramas, videogames, and chatting with Japanese friends online, so we can work on the language that connects you with what you want to know more or already love about Japan. I’m flexible and can accommodate a wide spectrum of learning needs. Let’s learn Japanese together!
