Certified Native Japanese Teacher
Let me help you to dive into one of the deepest ocean of Japanese language...
- What I teach
Japanese
- Instructions inJapanese, English
- Native languageJapanese
- NationalityJapanese
- Group teachingyes
- Online teachingyes
Hobbies: Films. My favorite directors are Shohei Imamura, Park Chan-wook, and Francois Truffaut.
- LocationPrague
- Prague district6
- Preferred settingTo be agreed
- Do I commute?no
Online Lessons via Zoom are available. Lessons in person are upon my availability. Commuting not likely to be possible due to the schedule capacity.
- 45 minutes-
- 60 minutes700 CZK
- 90 minutes1050 CZK
- 120 minutes-
- Free trialYes
Included-> Textbooks, Workbooks, Audio materials, and On-line Consultation.
Additional charges are applied lessons after 18:00, weekends and holidays.
For group lessons, Please inquire.
KONNICHIWA! Thank you for viewing my page.
Want to learn one of the most profound languages in the world? Let me kindly help you! I offer fun, informative and well-structured lessons. Lessons can be tailored for your own purposes (Conversation-oriented, Business Japanese, Preparing JLPT, etc). I always try to fulfil the needs of my students, and also create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
About Me
- Certified Teacher by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (since 2012)(*)
- More than10 years of experience (beginners - advanced students from around the world)
- JLPT intensive training experiences, many successful students (N1-N5)
- English -> Japanese translator and proof reader (App Games, Story Books, IT services, Tourism, etc.)
- Japanese AI trainer for American IT company
- Have been learning 5 languages so far... (English, Chinese, French, Czech, Korean) so I have been in your shoes!
- K drama lover
About My Lessons
- Basic + Personalized lesson upon your request
- Hiragana Katakana reading and writing training
- ALL materials are prepared for you (papers,pdfs,mp3s)
- Lesson at quiet place in Prague 6 (For other venues, please ask)
- Relaxed and fun atmosphere
- Zoom is used as online platform
- Recording online lesson is available upon request
- Rich topics of Japanese films, food, trip, etc, etc....
About Fee
- ALL Materials (files, mp3) included. Nothing to prepare!
- I issue an invoice as registered business operator upon request
- For group lesson fees, please enquire.
- Prices may vary depending on the time and location. Please enquire for details.
(*)This certification proves that I possess systematic Japanese knowledge and the ability to use it effectively in a class. Certification is authorized by 日本語教育学会（The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language） and J.E.E.S. (Japanese Educational Exchanges and Services).
“In any endeavour, the beginning is crucial”
I have been teaching over 10 years, so I am super familiar with common and frequent errors to English speakers (English as 2nd language speakers as well). Having direct translation from English, lack of (prior) teacher's attentions and repetitive training are the causes I presume.
Most of my intermediate students who have me after finishing a beginner level have Elemental errors, having incorrect Particles, Adjective conjugations, connections between Adjectives (yes, these grammar don't exist in European languages!)....and it is difficult to straighten after Linguistic Fossilization (the process in which incorrect language becomes a habit and cannot easily be corrected.). To avoid this, I am focusing on the difference between Japanese and English, and offer you intensive sessions. Ofcourse, making many mistakes is the way to be good, no worries! But let me help you not to have Fossilization. =)
Q&A
Q : I am a complete beginner. Do you accept beginners like me?
A : Beginners are welcome. Most of my students start at 0 beginner level.
Q : Do you teach children?
A : I teach children from 12 years old.
Q : Do you accept senior students?
A : Some of my students are over 60. Studying foreign language activates your brain and it is especially good for elderly people.
Q : I am moving/traveling to Japan. Can I have an intensive course before my departure?
A : I can arrange irregular lessons as you wish. For detail, please inquire.
Q: How far would I progress if I take 1h lesson/week for a year?
A: You can at least read and write 2 different Japanese alphabet (Hiragana/Katakana) and 40-60 basic Kanji. You can tell what you have done, how was it ,what you like/dislike in life, compare things, explain your condition, problem etc...with verbs and adjectives. It's equivalent to JLPT N5 - N4.
My teaching experience
- My educationB.A. in English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies
- Experience5+ years
- ReferencesI've been studying Japanese with Ai sensei for the last 3 years. I started as a total beginner but these days I can comfortably communicate in Japanese, watch anime without subtitles, and read manga (that with a dictionary though because kanji takes time!). Japanese has always been a big passion of mine, but I found it hard to commit to properly studying it until I met Ai sensei. She took the time to understand my needs and to customise and structure our lessons accordingly. It's always a mix of good conversation and important grammar lessons and practice. And most importantly, it's a lot of fun! I'm grateful to Ai sensei for helping me realise my dream and would recommend her to anyone wishing to learn & hone their Japanese skills. （A.G. from Russia）
I used to be a so-called eternal beginner for almost ten years! Starting, crashing and restarting my efforts to learn Japanese every other month. It has been over a year and half since I have started to study with Mrs. Kobayashi and I have been hooked ever since! I can have a decent conversation with my Japanese friends now and I am getting exposed to the wonderful Japanese culture on daily basis. The lessons are informative, clear and we laugh a lot - which is awesome. (J.L. from Czechia)
It's been over 5 years since I've started Japanese classess with Ai-sensei. It's always been fun, Sensei has an endless source of Japan-related topics for a casual conversation. I really appreciate the personalisation of the classes - I can see how much I was able to strenghten my weaker points. And most importantly: I'm always looking forward to the next meeting! (N.J. from Poland)
I’m extremely happy and grateful for the work with Teacher Ai and I have done so far. When I was in Japan,I’m able to speak with Japanese friends a lot and I can easily order at the shops, ask directions and have small talk with people by myself !
（H.D. from France）
Regarding Ai-sensei, I have passed the JLPT 3 exam. I am quite satisfied with her teaching approach. It’s been a very fruitful learning experience. I would like to thank her for supports and valuable teaching guidance in the months previous to the exam. (M.V. from Spain)
I truly enjoy our classes. I find them very fun and educational, and Ai sensei has been an extremely sympathetic and understanding teacher to me. (K.H. from America)
I managed to pass the entrance exam for Japanese Studies at Charles University. I think I succeeded thanks to Ai's teaching.
(M.S. from Czechia)
Perfektní! A completely professional Japanese teacher with perfect teaching techniques and a high level of individual approach.
(M from Czechia)
I've taken lessons with Ai for a while and I enjoy them very much, they're good for in person or online. I am advancing at a comfortable pace and I get all the books and tools I need from her. She's also punctual and always patient. I highly recommend her as a teacher!
(A.P. from Mexico)
Lekce jsou zábavné, kde se také dozvíte mnoho informací o Japonsku.
Učitelka je profesionálka, takže ví, jak nejúčiněji vést studenty.
Nejvíce oceňuji, že upozorňuje na rozdíly mezi strukturou anglického a japonského jazyka a je schopna odpovědět na mnoho otázek.
Dává také mnoho cvičení a domácích úkol pro vytvoření stabilních základů.
Atmosféra na hodinách je úžasná a příjemná. Pokaždé si ji užívám. I když hodiny nejsou v češtině, bohatě stačí základy anglického jazyka.
(J.D. from Czechia)
I have been learning Japanese with Ai-sensei for 9 years now. Even though I am already at an advanced level, Sensei always finds something interesting to teach me, and her lessons are never boring. She explains grammar and vocabulary very well, and the conversation topics are endless. The fact that I have been her student for so long speaks for itself! If you want to start learning or continue learning, or just practise your Japanese, I highly recommend Ai-sensei.
(N.E. from Poland)
Czech-Japanese Association
Instituto Cervantes in Prague
River Side School Prague
Education First
Exxon Mobil
- Certification日本語教育能力検定試験 取得
（Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test)
Contact Ai Kobayashi - Certified Japanese Teacher
