Mathew Clark

My contacts greatly appreciated my efforts to speak their language!

I recently changed jobs and my new role requires me to interact with Japanese people on a daily basis, as well as visiting Japan a few times a year.
The first time I visited, I knew no Japanese whatsoever and I felt fairly useless as well as rude. So, I decided I needed to learn some Japanese to help me get around and to ingratiate me with the people I meet.
I recently returned to Japan for a business trip and I was much better able to communicate with everyone I met, and my contacts greatly appreciated my efforts to speak their language!

Nina Lynch - a flight attendant

Transatlantic Japanese studies - My never ending desire for Japanese

I lived in Japan some years ago. I loved my life there and though I could manage with a minimal amount of Japanese, it was not enough to communicate well, to talk easily with friends and really feel part of Japan.
So I am still studying because I want to feel more "inside" Japanese society and Japanese life. I want to find out if it's really possible - to feel less of an outsider - if my language skills get to a higher level.
Also I like the challenge, I like what it does to my mind.

I think I am Kazuo-sensei's first transatlantic student as I am a flight attendant living in New York and have my lessons whenever I work a flight to London.
If I can pass the airline's internal language exam I will be able to regularly work the Tokyo flights, which I would really enjoy, and to do that I have to really work on all levels of Japanese.

Dan Munslow- Account Director, Aztec Event Services

*London and Tokyo working together*

After recently working with a Tokyo based motion graphics company called "wow" I decided I needed to be able to talk in more detail about the projects we will work on in the future. They are planning to bring more projects to London.
I had tried 2 other Japanese teachers in London and had no success. With my wife being Japanese I have learnt lots of lazy Japanese words and I worry that i may sound unintentionally rude when dealing with Japanese clients.
I am so glad i have now found language teacher that i trust to deliver interesting lessons.
I asked to start from the beginning concentrating on pronunciation, reading and writing. I have had five lessons so far and can measure my progress easily.
I look forward to each lesson and the year at least that i have set aside to learn Japanese with Sensei.

I'm hooked!

Mariya Mizuno- Actress

*My journey to wholeness *

When I enquired about Japanese lessons with Kazuo san for the first time, he asked me why I wanted to take classes.
I said "Because I do not feel whole." I am what is often called in Japan as "halfu".My Father is Japanese and although I was born in Tokyo, I have spent the majority of my life in the UK.
Therefore, being half Japanese and unable to speak the language that belongs to that half of my identity left a feeling of inadequacy .
I didn't feel justified in saying I was half Japanese unless I was able to communicate in the language, especially to me Japanese family. So finally after years of frustration, as soon as I was dependant enough to take the matter into my own hands I called Kazuo san.
I have never regreted a moment of my journey towards feeling more complete.

Mariya, who studied for nine lessons with me, wrote the message early January 2009 below after she came back from Tokyo for about two weeks.

My japanese lessons proved to be amazingly useful once I got to tokyo.
I understood so much more then I ever have. I felt more japanese because I understood the world around me so much more. Many things semmed to click into place.
On the other hand I also realised how much I didn't know and how far I still had to go in terms of speaking as my listening and understanding is much better. I fully realised I have to improve my speed, I had forgotten how quickly the natives speak!
At least now, I can set myself targets.

Gil Magill - December 2008

*Grandma learns Japanese! *

I decided to take Japanese lessons in order to be able to talk to my Japanese daughter -in -law, and, eventually, my lovely new grand daughter !
My son had taken lessons from Kazuo before his departure for Japan, where he has now settled.
I find the teaching method to be consistent, logical and, at the same time, fun - I love the programme Kazuo uses , and particularly like the cartoon characters.....
I like the regular revision, and the stress on pronunciation.
I have to say it is not the easiest task I have ever undertaken, but feel that I am being provided with a strong base from which to advance.

Mark Quinn - Financial Advisor

*Fascinating language and country *

When I met my girlfriend, who is Japanese, I thought it would be useful to know a few Japanese words and phrases.
However, after studing a few basic phrases and expressions, I became more a more interested in the language, and also the fascinating culture and wanted to learn more and more.
I began studying seriously but, without any direction, my hard work did not seem to be leading to the improvements I expected. My ultimate aim is to converse in Japanese, not simply to 'get by'. Given my lack of direction and also because I am going to Japan for the first time in November,
I needed some focus and intensive instruction and this is certainly what I have been given at my lessons with Udagawa sensei.
I have been very impressed with Kazuo's teaching style and the various tools he uses.
I would liken Kazuo to a 'language doctor', quickly diagnosing each student's weaknesses and 'curing' these 'illnesses' through a truly tailored teaching plan (please excuse the metaphors!).
Mark

Jane Nelson - February 2006

Do the right thing!

My family has always been fascinated by Japanese art and culture and had previously enjoyed a wonderful holiday in the country, so we were delighted when the opportunity came up for my husband to transfer to his firm's Tokyo office. Learning the language is very important to us, as we cannot conceive of spending 5 years in a country without being able to understand or communicate. This is an exciting posting and we are greatly looking forward to it, all the more so
since Udagawa-sensei's teaching has given us much more confidence in our ability to make the most of the next 5 years.
We hope to build on our knowledge of the language after 8 months' superb tuition, which have given us an excellent foundation and taken us well beyond the basics.

Tom Law - February 2006

Tom's reason to study Japanese

I have recently started having lessons as my partner is Japanese, and having been together for 4 years I thought it was about time I had a go. I had picked up various words and phrases, but I had never previously made an effort to study or practice. I decided to start learning seriously as Naoko’s mother doesn’t speak any English, and having been to Japan twice already I would like to be able to converse a little with her when I go over again.
Mr Udagawa is very organised and committed as a teacher, and this has resulted in steady progress particularly when I put more time and effort into my studies between lessons.
Although Japanese is a daunting language to learn as a westerner, I surprised myself when at the end of just 5 lessons I was able to read and write both the hiragana and katakana alphabets.
For anyone who is thinking of studying for whatever reason, I can certainly recommend Udagawa Sensei!

Pooja

Learning Japanese - A cultural experience

Having studied European languages, Japanese seemed like more of a challenge.
But, more importantly, it gave me the opportunity to learn about Japan and its culture.
Japanese culture has such a distinctive character and through the language, you are introduced to the nuances of social interaction and idiosyncrachies, that in turn capture the true essence of Japanese society .
For me, learning Japanese is the first step towards understanding this unique & fascinating culture.


Shaun

Learning Japanese -a "must" for Business


I work for a major accounting firm and about 5 years ago I was asked to work with Japanese clients. We have a number of secondees from Japan who help with this work as well as some local hire Japanese staff.
I soon realised that it would be important to understand both Japanese language and culture if I was to do my job effectively.
I have found that even being able to speak a little Japanese (for example, to introduce myself or to offer a visitor a drink ) is very helpful in winning the confidence of visitors from Japan and in giving presentations to Japanese people. This encouraged me to study harder and to take the Level 4 exam of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.



Patricia

It's never too late to learn.

My main reason for studying Japanese is because my Mother is Japanese and I am in fact a Japanese National. However I have always resided and been educated abroad, therefore I was not proficient in the language and was also unable to read.
As a child I did not find this problematic, but it got to the point in my life where I felt embarrassed about not being completely fluent. Although I am able to participate in casual conversation, I wanted to enhance my knowledge further so that I may be able to use it in a working capacity if possible.
Since starting lessons, I have learnt to read katakana and hiragana and learning kanji is a struggle but I am trying!
I know that I will derive more pleasure and enjoyment when going to Japan on holidays if I am able to complete tasks such as read signs and directions, speak intelligently with members of my family, understand the news on tv, or watch Japanese films. I am sure that improving my communication skills will provide me with greater confidence, especially if I can get around the country independently instead of constantly relying on my family.
By having a personal tutor, I can tailor my lessons and receive more intensive instruction where my particular weaknesses are.
This method is the most convenient for me and suits my level of knowledge best, in order that I make the most of my limited time and help achieve my goals.


Stuart Newman

the study of a language is rewarded.

The study of a language is rewarded, sometimes instantaneously, through the ability to use what you have learnt and converse in that language.
I started learning Japanese whilst I was living in Japan and the warmth and friendliness you receive from speaking with native Japanese speakers is second to none.
In addition to the fascinating culture and the irresistible food, speaking Japanese in Japan is an experience in itself and one that justifies the study required time and time again.

Ken

Learning the Language will maximise my experience.

My mother is Japanese and my father is English, my first language was English and second was Japanese. I was born in Tokyo but then my family moved to London before I was a year old; this had an obvious effect on my Japanese language development.
I started Japanese school in London with not a great deal of speaking ability at a very young age. I didn’t like it there because it was extremely difficult to keep up and making friends was an issue, alas my motivation was minimal and I left after about 2 years of attendance.
I have been visiting Japan for as long as I can remember, every few years or so. Every time I go there my limited Japanese speaking ability becomes more and more apparent, I found this to be quite frustrating in all situations, because I remember having conversations with my Japanese cousin or being able to understand instructions in my early childhood but when I went back in 2000 and 2003 I was unable to speak at all, thus this limited my experience totally.
Learning Japanese will undoubtedly expand my knowledge, wisdom and experience in future trips to Japan and encounters with all Japanese people.

Why I study Japanese - Alistor Logan (April 2006)

I started studying Japanese last year to help me prepare for university where I intend to study Japanese.

I have wanted to study Japanese for a few years now mainly because of my interest in Japanese culture and history. My interest started from reading travel books and novels such as Hokkaido Highway Blues and Shogun, and from manga and anime.

I carried on reading books and studying what little Japanese I could (mainly trying to learn hiragana and katakana) until it was time to start thinking about university and I realised there was nothing I would rather study than Japanese.

That is when I decided to try and study the language properly and found Japanese4all.

After visiting Japan and studying for 8 months I am even more certain I want to do Japanese at university and I am more interested in the country and language than ever before.

Martin

Understanding Japan by understanding Japanese

The reason why I study Japanese is that my wife is Japanese.This gives me a special chance to have access to Japanese culture and lifestyles. However, having only a limited knowledge of Japanese (Japan Foundation Grade 3)means that I can't take advantage of this as much as I would like.why I'm learning Japanese...


Tony

It is a great mental challnge!

"I'm learning Japanese because it's still the world's second largest economy, a very interesting country with a great culture. It's so different from European languages, that's it's a great mental challenge to get to grips with it. And I feel my brain has had a work out after every lesson!"

Bernadette

I am learning Japanese because:
I deal with Japanese companies on a regular basis and I want to be polite and speak a little of their language.
I want to learn a difficult language, which has no common root with European languages, as an intellectual challenge.


Maelenn

I started as I needed basics for a professional trip to Japan. I find the language interesting and intriguing and now wish to continue. It also reflects some aspects of the culture which is very interesting and surprising for European.


Susan

I'm learning Japanese because:
I've got friends in Japan.
I'm fascinated by Japanese culture and the country.
I love Japanese food.
I'm planning to visit Japan soon.

Sylvan

I'm learning Japanese because I'm interested in Japanese culture (manga, food, movies). It can also be a big use working in the video game industry.