Director's message
Thanks for visiting SJA's website. I'm Mana Suzuki, the representative.
In 2008, after I retired from the bank, I met an Indian family at the kindergarten where my eldest daughter was going to. In the struggle with language and with communication, I started my translating service as a volunteer activity as a casual try.
Triggered by this experience, SJA spread all over the area gradually, and a wide range of persons like housewives, the company managers, language teachers, and the businessmen of the foreign companies has learned so far.
Our classes are not something that progresses manually using a single textbook.
I myself have experienced various things such as studying abroad, backpackers, taught in the cram school and as a private tutor, which have helped me have a multifaceted and wide view. Due to it, I'm proud of my flexible attitude of accepting and understanding the different cultures.
Through these experiences, I'm making effort to respond to the learners' needs flexibly by always asking; "Why do the learners learn Japanese?" and "What kind of Japanese do they need?" And am making effort to create the interactive atmosphere of the classroom where the learners themselves can speak up the words that they wish to express positively and freely.
Besides, Edogawa ward has a lot of foreigners, and has characteristic of using English for communication in it. The advantage of this method is that it is quick in understanding and improving.
After the establishment, I've never taken a teacher-sided attitude that stem from "Japanese teacher and the students" relationship.
I feel that what we teachers can do is limited. Rather, it is I that has a lot of findings, joy and lessons everyday through the communications with the learners.
Through doing that, I wish to be the existence who considers the things that I can cooperate with and support their lives so that they will not have difficulties with the language.
Now that globalization is advancing, each of us needs the attitude of drawing closer to each other by accepting and understanding the other ones' cultures, neither unilaterally forcing them to study Japanese nor forcing Japanese culture to them.
Through SJA, I definitely wish to create the area where we can understand and respect each other. And, I'm very glad if your meeting with SJA will be able to stimulate your interest in Japanese people or in Japanese culture.
We are looking forward to working for you.
| Profile of Mana SUZUKI | |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Joined Short Term English Programs of Horizon High School(California,USA) |
| 1998 | Joined Short Term English Programs of Santa Maria College(Perth,Ausralia) |
| 2000 | Joined Study Abroad Programs of Boston University(Massachusetts,USA) |
| 2003 | Graduated from the Faculty of Intercultural Communication, Hosei University Joined Mizuho Bank, Ltd. |
| 2009 | Director of Suzuki Japanese Academy |
| 2016 | Graduated from Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics ,Waseda University (M.A.in Japanese Applied Linguistics) |
Thank you.
Suzuki Japanese Academy Director
Mana Suzuki