Meet Your Teacher
I’m here to guide you on your Japanese journey
About Chiaki
My Story
Who I Am
はじめまして！
I’m Chiaki – a name meaning a thousand lights in Japanese. Born and raised in Tokyo, I’ve always been captivated by languages and cultures from around the world. This fascination brought me to Europe during my university years in Germany, and I instantly fell in love with the international lifestyle. Now I call Lausanne home, where I’m passionate about sharing the beauty of Japanese language and culture with my students.
My Background
Holder of a Master’s degree in language education, I have completed specialized training and earned several certifications, including the certificate for teaching Japanese as a foreign language and the educator certificate for the International Baccalaureate (IB). My experience includes developing an educational app for learning kanji, which was awarded the Fumiko Koide Academic Award. I have taught in schools, universities, and private lessons in Japan, Germany, and Australia. Since August 2025, I have been living in Switzerland, where I also teach in French.
Beyond the Classroom
When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me exploring new places with my camera, binge-watching the latest anime series, or hunting down the perfect bowl of ramen. Speaking of which – I’m still searching for Lausanne’s best ramen spot, so please send me your recommendations!
My Teaching Philosophy
Learn, Teach, Connect
I Learn So I Can Teach Better
The best teachers never stop being students themselves. I have learned six languages so far – English, German, Arabic, Italian, Korean, and French – so I truly understand the ups and downs of language learning. Every frustration, every breakthrough, every “aha!” moment my students experience? I’ve been there too.
Experience Shapes My Methods
My biggest learning challenge came while studying Arabic in Germany. Faced with completely unfamiliar script and grammar patterns that seemed impossible to grasp, I experienced exactly what my students feel when they first encounter hiragana, katakana, and kanji. This eye-opening experience taught me how crucial it is to find teaching methods that are both effective and encouraging, especially when bridging very different language systems.
Language as a Bridge
Learning Japanese isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules – it’s about opening a window to an entirely different way of seeing the world. I believe language learning breaks down cultural barriers and brings people closer together. My mission is to help you discover Japan through Japanese eyes and connect with a culture that has so much to offer.
