4 years ago • Comments: 0
Kazuko Shikuma
5.0
United States•
8:38 PM (GMT-05:00)
Japanese
181
3,029
Japanese
181
3,029
Speaks
English
Native
,Japanese
Native
About Me
✨ LIMITED AVAILABILITY ✨
Hi there!
Welcome to my (Kazukosan's) profile!
Just imagine watching that anime without the subtitles.
Simply spectacular! マジでいい！
I believe strengthening listening comprehension skills is the key to navigate language with confidence. How would you communicate in Japanese (or any language for that matter), if you do not know what it sounds like?
My passion is to assist my students to listen to the Japanese language through anime, movies, news clips, YouTube videos and help achieve their goals.
The tools and techniques I have acquired over years are yours to use which, by the way, can be applied to learning other languages as well!
I really want to help you out!
May ALL your dreams come true!
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
I love to teach, so I home schooled my daughter. I taught her Japanese myself and my daughter has no problem communicating in Japanese.
At 17 years old, she was able to venture out to Japan on her own. She ordered that Japan only rice burger at McDonald's, managed to navigate the train system and got to her destinations, went to karaoke with new friends, coped with unpredictable cultural differences, and tackled some kanji... (a work in progress, but none the less, improving!)
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
I can help you with...
the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
business emails
homework
understanding the culture
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
Through my classes you will learn how to...
order food in Japan
navigate your way around Japanese cities,
develop lifelong organic friendships,
cope with the unpredictable business environment,
understand seemingly hieroglyphic characters...
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
Allow me to share a little bit about myself.
Favorite things to do:
Painting landscapes, jogging, decorating cookies,
watch shows on Food Network,
Movies I like:
Ratatouille, BigHero6, Groundhog Day, Star Trek, Star Wars,
Studio Ghibli (となりのトトロ、ハウルの動く城 etc.
Shows:
あたしンち Dogen たなしょう
Food:
お寿司🍣 アボカド🥑 いちご🍓 かぼちゃ パスタ🍝
アイスクリーム🍦 お好み焼き チョコレート🍫
連絡、待ってます！よろしくね！
かずこ
Read MoreHi there!
Welcome to my (Kazukosan's) profile!
Just imagine watching that anime without the subtitles.
Simply spectacular! マジでいい！
I believe strengthening listening comprehension skills is the key to navigate language with confidence. How would you communicate in Japanese (or any language for that matter), if you do not know what it sounds like?
My passion is to assist my students to listen to the Japanese language through anime, movies, news clips, YouTube videos and help achieve their goals.
The tools and techniques I have acquired over years are yours to use which, by the way, can be applied to learning other languages as well!
I really want to help you out!
May ALL your dreams come true!
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
I love to teach, so I home schooled my daughter. I taught her Japanese myself and my daughter has no problem communicating in Japanese.
At 17 years old, she was able to venture out to Japan on her own. She ordered that Japan only rice burger at McDonald's, managed to navigate the train system and got to her destinations, went to karaoke with new friends, coped with unpredictable cultural differences, and tackled some kanji... (a work in progress, but none the less, improving!)
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
I can help you with...
the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
business emails
homework
understanding the culture
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
Through my classes you will learn how to...
order food in Japan
navigate your way around Japanese cities,
develop lifelong organic friendships,
cope with the unpredictable business environment,
understand seemingly hieroglyphic characters...
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
Allow me to share a little bit about myself.
Favorite things to do:
Painting landscapes, jogging, decorating cookies,
watch shows on Food Network,
Movies I like:
Ratatouille, BigHero6, Groundhog Day, Star Trek, Star Wars,
Studio Ghibli (となりのトトロ、ハウルの動く城 etc.
Shows:
あたしンち Dogen たなしょう
Food:
お寿司🍣 アボカド🥑 いちご🍓 かぼちゃ パスタ🍝
アイスクリーム🍦 お好み焼き チョコレート🍫
連絡、待ってます！よろしくね！
かずこ
My trial lessons
Always excited to meet new students at trial lessons!
At the trial lessons you will,
1. chat and get to know each other
2. discuss goals
3. find out why focusing on listening comprehension is important
4. decide what anime/media we will use for the lessons.
See you at the trail!
Read MoreAt the trial lessons you will,
1. chat and get to know each other
2. discuss goals
3. find out why focusing on listening comprehension is important
4. decide what anime/media we will use for the lessons.
See you at the trail!
Trial Lesson
One time, 30 minutesPrivate Lessons
60 minutesTeacher Stats
Within a few hours 
5 years ago 
100.00%3,029 
25.3 lesson average
5.0 Schedule
April 1, 2025 - April 8, 2025
All times listed are in your local timezone
(GMT+0000)GMT+0000
Tue
04/01/2025
Wed
04/02/2025
Thu
04/03/2025
Fri
04/04/2025
Sat
04/05/2025
Sun
04/06/2025
Mon
04/07/2025
12:00 AM
1:00 AM
2:00 AM
3:00 AM
4:00 AM
5:00 AM
6:00 AM
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
11:00 PM
Teaching Expertise
Beginner
Upper Beginner
Intermediate
Upper Intermediate
Advanced
Upper Advanced
Standard Japanese
Résumé
Education
1993 - 1996
Master of Divinity
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary - Chicago, IL
Trained in Cross-Cultural Education, Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Education.
1985 - 1987
Master of Sociology
Toyo University - Tokyo, Japan
Work Experience
2017 - 2019
Customer Service Associate
Crate & Barrel - CA, USA
Represented the company and Interacted with customers to serve their needs. Provided information about products and services. Took orders, responded to customer complaints and solved issues in timely manner.
2017 - 2019
Business Owner
Kakuma Language - CA, USA
Motivated students who were struggling with school. Equipped and turned them around to be a better student
1980 - 2016
Private English and Japanese Teacher/Tutor
Ibaraki, Japan
Taught English and Japanese to people of wide range of backgrounds. Tutored and coached students struggling with school work.
2007 - 2013
Home School Teacher
California Virtual Academy - California, U.S.A.
Home-schooled my child from K through 6th grade. Taught my child to communicate in Japanese. Created personalized teaching programs which help establish study habits suited for my student.
1997 - 1999
Technical Translator/Interpreter (English/Japanese)
Direc TV Japan - Ibaraki, Japan
Provided oral and written technical translations for Direc TV Japan broadcast facility in Ibaraki, Japan. Created glossaries of technical terms. Served as cultural mediator where necessary.
1991 - 1993
Coach and Trainer for English Teachers
YAMAHA English Schools - Tokyo, Japan
Coached, trained, mentored, and motivated instructors to develop teaching skills. Supervised, and provided instruction for teachers. Created training videos for smooth implementation of the teaching methods.
1991 - 1993
Developer of English Curriculum for Children
YAMAHA English School - Tokyo, Japan
Designed English acquisition programs for children using music as a vehicle for acquiring a second language. Developed sustainable curriculum to help achieve individual goals. Created and designed training manuals for instructors.
1986 - 1991
International Information Coordinator
Hitachinaka City Hall - Ibaraki, Japan
Worked as an Interpreter for the Mayor of Hitachinaka City. Developed services and published guidebooks for international residents. Organized events to help build relationships for both domestic and international residents.
1983 - 1985
English Teacher
ECC Language Institute - Tokyo, Japan
Taught English to people from wide range of backgrounds, study goals and interests.
Certifications
2017 - 2019
Letter of Recommendation
Kakuma Language - CA. USA
Letter of Recommendation from a parent of a student who received tutoring service from Kazuko at Kakuma Language.
2017 - 2019
Business Owner
Kakuma Language - CA, ISA
Motivated students who were struggling with school. Equipped and turned them around to be a better student
1985 - 1987
Ratings
1045
Fun
526
Motivation Guru
636
Excellent Materials
920
Great Conversation
41
Exam Coach
39
Business Expert
152
Writing Coach
557
Great for Beginners
273
Great for Intermediate
153
Great for Advanced
210
Accent Reduction
250
Tech Savvy
601
Goes the Extra Mile
341
Grammar Expert
13
Great for medical professionals
755
Cultural Insights
5.0 Average
1471 ratings, 181 students
March 28, 2021 • Lessons: 82
I would strongly recommend Kazuko for any one who desires learning Japanese. Great teacher who takes the time and puts the extra effort in sharing her knowledge.
Read More
January 29, 2021 • Lessons: 91
Kazuko sensei is really thoughtful and insightful.
She first helps me to build up the listening part which is the foundation of language learning.
Her plan is to help students build up the basic and go step by step. It might sound mundane and slow, but when it comes to language learning, I believe that this is the best and fastest way. (I've already learned two other languages in this way and it worked out pretty well for me).
In class, she explains all the details which only native Japanese speakers can tell. She also gives me homework after class, so that I can do some extra practice by myself. In this process, I can feel that my listening and reading skills get better and better.
I watch Japanese TV series and read Japanese books every day
and I think I can pick up more words and phrases and I can read faster than before. (I had 7 lessons with her (twice a week) so far.)
Her class really motivates me a lot and makes my learning process much more fun.
I would highly recommend her class.
Read MoreShe first helps me to build up the listening part which is the foundation of language learning.
Her plan is to help students build up the basic and go step by step. It might sound mundane and slow, but when it comes to language learning, I believe that this is the best and fastest way. (I've already learned two other languages in this way and it worked out pretty well for me).
In class, she explains all the details which only native Japanese speakers can tell. She also gives me homework after class, so that I can do some extra practice by myself. In this process, I can feel that my listening and reading skills get better and better.
I watch Japanese TV series and read Japanese books every day
and I think I can pick up more words and phrases and I can read faster than before. (I had 7 lessons with her (twice a week) so far.)
Her class really motivates me a lot and makes my learning process much more fun.
I would highly recommend her class.
September 10, 2020 • Lessons: 5
I had fun and learned so much in just one lesson. Context, culture, deeper meaning of the words, etc. I really enjoyed it! Sensei is also very kind and I enjoy having class with her. I look forward to more lessons!
Read More9