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Find out more about Momoko

• 1) Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  →I was born and raised in Japan. Both of my parents are Japanese. Although I currently live in Australia, I speak Japanese exclusively with my husband and children at home.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  →For Japanese culture, I think Pokemon is a great representative. It is a popular fictional character that has become famous worldwide and reflects many aspects of Japanese creativity and storytelling. Since moving to Australia, I have realized how popular and widespread Japanese anime is here. I am especially surprised that almost everyone knows Pokemon.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or expression in the language that you particularly like?

  →'Sumimasen' is a very common Japanese phrase that can mean 'excuse me,' 'I'm sorry,' or 'thank you,' depending on the situation. It shows politeness and respect in many different contexts. I like how flexible and useful this phrase is in everyday Japanese communication.
  
  Before teaching Japanese, I didn't realize that 'sumimasen' can have completely different meanings depending on the situation. Becoming a teacher has helped me understand the depth and richness of the language.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  →Speaking Japanese is important to me because it connects me to my culture, family, and identity. I want my children to speak and continue learning Japanese, as I believe it is valuable and something to be proud of. Teaching Japanese gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  →One of the main difficulties in learning Japanese is that the writing system uses completely different characters and strings of letters than English, including hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Many learners also struggle with Japaneseparticles (joshi), which have no direct equivalent in English and can be confusing. To help with learning, I recommend consistent practice and speaking with native speakers.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  →When I was learning English, I actively sought opportunities to speak directly with native speakers. Just talking with them was enjoyable and boosted my confidence, which made me want to speak more and increased my motivation to learn. It is difficult to continue learning alone, but having these opportunities helped me persist. From this experience, I learned the importance of consistent practice, interaction, and staying motivated, and I now share this with my students.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  →Although I live in Australia, when I return to Japan to visit family, I use Japanese daily and deepen my appreciation for the culture. Being immersed in the language helps improve my conversational skills and boosts my confidence. This experience motivates me to continue teaching Japanese.