Japanese Language Teacher at Japonin (JOI)
YAMAMOTO Hiroshi
山本 浩
Qualifications & Background
● Japonin (JOI) instructor since 2019, 10 years of total teaching experience
● BA, Department of Business Information, Tokyo University of Fisheries
● Professional Engineer (Comprehensive Technical Management)
● Completed 420-hour Japanese Teacher Training Course (Human Academy)
● Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
● Worked for a major machinery manufacturer for about 40 years (production, R&D, trade, sales, auditing, general affairs)
Meet Your Teacher
I began teaching Japanese to technical intern trainees and internship students, and I have been an online Japanese instructor at Japonin (JOI) since 2019.
My main focus is Business Japanese and JLPT grammar (N1, N2, N3, N4). I also offer short-term private lessons to boost business Japanese skills before starting a new job, taking an overseas assignment, or changing roles, scheduled at your convenience.
I worked for a major machinery manufacturer for about 40 years, rotating through production, trade, R&D, sales, general affairs, accounting, and auditing. Drawing on this experience, I can provide practical support for a wide range of business situations in Japanese.
Lessons I Teach:
Message from Yamamoto Sensei
FlexLessons – 50-minute Zoom classes (up to 7 students)
▸ Beginner2 Grammar (JLPT N4)
In this class, I first use illustrations to imagine situations where the day’s grammar is used, then practice short conversations using the target pattern. After understanding the context, we review the meaning and structure and work on JLPT-style grammar practice questions. Finally, as a “Can-do” task, you will describe a scene using the grammar learned in class.
▸ Low Intermediate Grammar (JLPT N3)
In this class, I keep grammatical explanations to a minimum and focus on practicing many example sentences. The goal is to become comfortable using each pattern across a variety of situations and expressions. Every class includes practice with JLPT-style grammar questions.
▸ Intermediate Grammar (JLPT N2)
Because there are many patterns at this level, I focus on helping you understand when and in what situations to use them rather than analyzing each one in detail. I also introduce related expressions to make them easier to remember. Each class includes JLPT-style grammar practice.
▸ Advanced Grammar (JLPT N1)
At the advanced level, I focus on helping you understand the speaker’s feelings and the subtle nuances of the surrounding context when using each pattern. I also introduce related expressions alongside the target pattern to make them easier to understand and remember. Every lesson includes JLPT-style grammar practice questions.
▸ Advanced CEFR C1 CEFR C2
You will listen to new information and then discuss your own opinions in Japanese while exchanging views with classmates.
Example themes:
- Exploring Japan through traditional events still practiced today and commonly used proverbs. (CEFR B1)
- Learning about Japanese laws related to business and society, and considering the social context and approaches to problem-solving. (CEFR B2)
- Examining the background behind global statistical rankings on society and everyday life.(CEFR C1)
Some topics may be unfamiliar, but I present the information clearly, so please feel free to give it a try.
▸ Business Japanese B CEFR B2/C1
For learners around JLPT N2 level and above. The class is divided into the three tracks below. Each track is offered twice a week with the same content, so please choose the day and time that suit you. Although it is a course, each lesson is self-contained, so you can join at any time.
1) Basic Business Japanese
Learn the basics of honorifics (keigo), fundamentals of internal/external emails (for customers and business partners), and how to make and take business phone calls.
19 lessons
2) Business Honorifics (Upper-intermediate)
Practice honorifics (keigo) across 23 business situations, such as making appointments or apologies to clients and reporting to your manager. Japanese text input in chat is required.
23 lessons
3) Business Document Writing (Upper-intermediate)
Learn important aspects of writing business documents, various rules for writing and using words, and techniques for making documents easy to read and visually appealing. This content is also useful for writing non-business Japanese documents.
18 lessons
Private Lessons – 50-min Zoom classes
▸ Intensive Improvement in Business Japanese
If you need to improve your Business Japanese in a short period due to joining a company, a transfer, or a job change, you can take intensive private lessons as needed. The schedule and content will be arranged individually in consultation with you.
Example Themes:
Basic
- Essential terms for daily life in Japan + disaster-prevention knowledge (5 sessions)
- Rules of keigo (10 sessions)
- Making and taking business phone calls (6 sessions)
- Writing business emails (7 sessions)
- Writing business documents (23 sessions)
- Frequently used conversation phrases focusing on keigo (14 sessions), and more.
Upper-intermediate
- Writing practice for business emails by situation (23 sessions)
- Business conversations by situation (30–60 sessions)
- Service-industry business conversation (18 sessions)
- Editing/corrections for business emails (18 sessions)
- Reading and discussion on Japanese society (30 sessions)
- BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test) preparation, and more.
▸ Hospitality Japanese Training
Designed for those working in customer-facing settings such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist facilities, this course systematically develops “omotenashi” Japanese. You will efficiently acquire polite language, manners, and natural phrasing through realistic scenarios.
Teacher’s Blog
Check out Yamamoto’s blog! Enjoy learning about Japanese language, culture, and local topics through engaging articles written in easy Japanese.
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