Naoko Watanabe

Seattle Japanese Lessons and Culture Coaching

I specialize in teaching the Japanese language to adult learners in individual or small group lessons. I offer lessons online (you can be anywhere), in-person in West Seattle, or in some cases, at your location for an additional fee. Most students schedule weekly lessons with me that last an hour or an hour-and-a-half. I customize every lesson to your individual goals, learning pace, and willingness to study between classes. For example, some students choose to focus on spoken Japanese, while others make a commitment to learn written Japanese, including the memorization of Chinese characters (kanji).

Contact Me

Customized Japanese Language Lessons

I specialize in teaching Japanese language to adult learners in individual or small group lessons. I offer lessons online (you can be anywhere), in-person in West Seattle, or in some cases, at your location for an additional fee. Most students schedule weekly lessons with me that last an hour or an hour-and-a-half. I customize every lesson to your individual goals, learning pace, and willingness to study between classes. For example, some students choose to focus on spoken Japanese, while others make a commitment to learn written Japanese, including the memorization of Chinese characters (kanji).

All Levels

My students are usually busy adult learners, including true beginners, students who have specific goals such as preparation for visiting Japanese or passing a proficiency test, and advanced learners who have difficulty finding classes at the right level.

Availability

Generally, I teach on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, between 3:00p and 9:00p Pacific Time. After receiving your inquiry, I will confirm your first lesson, conduct a level assessment, and customize your lessons based on your goals and interests. Establishing a schedule for you will depend on your time preferences and my availability.

Contact Me

Lessons

Customized lessons on a weekly basis. These are personalized lessons that meet you at your current level of Japanese proficiency (from truly no Japanese background to those with a high degree of language proficiency). Many of my students have enrolled in these lessons for several years, although the duration is up to you.

See Pricing

Survival Japanese

Short-term “survival Japanese” for those who are planning a trip to Japan in several months.

See Pricing

Test Preparation

Focused preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

See Pricing

About me

I have been teaching Japanese language to individuals, small groups, and classrooms since 1996.

I was born in Nishio, Japan, and have lived in Kyoto and Tokyo. I have also traveled to most areas in Japan. I moved to Seattle in 2003. In addition to various teaching roles, I have served as a writer/editor and translator and have written profiles on people and celebrities for various forms of Japanese media.

I hold an Associate’s degree in Japanese Language (Kyoto Women’s Junior College) and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (The Evergreen State College). I also obtained a teaching certification in Japan to teach Japanese to foreigners.
My students have come from all over the world. I have had teaching assignments in Japan, Vietnam, and the United States. Prior to offering language lessons on my own, I taught at Sagalingua in Bellevue, which has recently closed. Sagalingua was a multi-language center that taught students for professional use, for fun, to excel in activities, and to explore an interest in another language.
I enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest to its fullest, spending my free time hiking, traveling, playing music, mushroom hunting, composing haiku, and home organizing. I love Kore-eda’s films, contemporary arts, jazz piano, wine, and my husband’s home-made meals.

About Me