I’m Haruka !
Founder/ Japanese Instructor
I’m Haruka ! I have over 10 years of experience in teaching, and I absolutely love it! After earning my teaching license at Hyogo University of Teacher Education, national university in Japan, I’ve dedicated myself to inspiring students both in the classroom and real life experiences. I’m excited to continue making a positive impact in your Japanese journey.
Why I Became a Japanese Teacher
My curiosity about culture began early. When my family moved from Tokyo to Osaka at age nine, I noticed how differently people spoke and interacted, and it sparked a lifelong fascination with language and human connection.
That curiosity grew into a philosophy through coaching. As a student assistant coach on my high school basketball team, I learned that helping someone grow can be just as meaningful as achieving something yourself.
Later, studying school psychology at university, I realized what I truly wanted to create: an environment where learners choose to grow and take ownership of their own progress, something I found difficult to build within traditional classrooms.
That realization led me through years of teaching in many settings, from tutoring centers to Japanese language schools, where I worked with learners of all kinds, including those with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.
Each experience confirmed the same thing: students thrive when education is adapted to who they are.
This belief became the foundation of Nihongo Know, a school where I could finally build the kind of learning experience I always wished I’d had, one where mistakes are part of growth, and every student’s individuality is respected
Why Choose Nihongoknow Approach ?
Brain Science × Education × Psychology
NihongoKnow is a Japanese language school based in Vancouver.
The name comes from “nō (脳),” meaning brain, because learning Japanese is not only memorization, it is a mix of thinking, behavior, and language processing.
At NihongoKnow, we combine brain science, education, and psychology to help learners shift how they think and communicate through Japanese.
Through real language use, students gradually develop a Japanese way of thinking and a new way of perceiving the world.
1. Brain Science : Learning Designed Around the Brain
Brain science is not something we explain. It is something we design around.
Many learners struggle not because Japanese is difficult, but because their brains are overloaded. When learners constantly translate, monitor grammar, and search for the “right” sentence, the brain freezes.
So we remove unnecessary load. Instead of asking students to understand first and speak later, we design learning so the brain can respond before it analyses.
This allows language to become usable, not just understandable. This approach works with the brain, not against it.
2. Education : Embedding Japanese into Your Body
Most education follows this structure:
Teacher teaches
Student listens
Memorizes
Takes tests
But language doesn’t stick just by receiving it. Language is internalized by using it, by testing ideas, making mistakes, and adjusting in real time.
At Nihongo Know, speaking is treated as physical training. The mouth and brain learn together through real-time practice, not preparation.
Our learning sequence follows natural acquisition:
Listen → Speak → Write → Read
Listening builds rhythm and sound awareness. Speaking builds response and confidence. Writing adds structure. Reading strengthens long-term understanding.
Language becomes natural through repeated real-time practice.
3. Psychology : Progressive Learning (Active & Individualized)
Every student starts with a clear direction.
Before setting goals, I understand each learner’s schedule, habits, thinking style, and learning profile.
This includes how they process information, stay focused, and approach learning.
From there, we set realistic but challenging goals that match the individual, while still creating steady progress.
Each week, I adjust the lesson structure based on how the student learns and responds.
Classes are interactive and fully student-driven, focused on output rather than explanation.
This allows me to adapt to different cognitive styles and learning needs, including attention differences and pacing preferences.
Progress doesn’t come from explanation alone.
It happens when structure is adapted to the individual, and consistent practice is supported in the right way.
Learning Philosophy
Language is Connection
Language is a skill, but it’s also a bridge to people and culture. In my classes, we share everyday experiences, making learning meaningful and memorable. Enjoyment fuels persistence, persistence produces results, and results make learning even more fun.
Learning Together
I walk alongside my students, celebrating milestones and helping them overcome challenges every step of the way. Learning isn’t something you do alone—it’s a journey we share.
Purpose-Driven Teaching
I’m not just a teacher—I’m a mentor and coach, monitoring each student’s progress and adjusting my guidance to keep them moving forward with confidence.
Ready to go ?