J-CALP Teacher Introduction – J-CALP online education CEO & Head Teacher: Rie Tanaka
- Rie T
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
This time, we are pleased to introduce an interview with Ms. Rie Tanaka, CEO and Head Teacher of J-CALP online education!
👩🏫 Self-Introduction
I was born in Tokyo and grew up in Saitama. Since 2015, I have been living in Seoul, South Korea. On my days off, I enjoy spending time with my beloved cats 🐈, watching movies and dramas from around the world, and playing games on Xbox. I especially love FPS and action games.
I also love traveling abroad and learning new languages. I can speak Korean and English, and this year I officially began studying Chinese as well. Using the languages I’ve learned overseas and steadily stepping up to new challenges always excites me.
📖 Why I Became a Japanese Teacher
Before becoming a teacher, I worked in restaurants and cafés, and I even earned a care-worker qualification. But at one point, I took a step back to seriously reconsider what I really wanted to do in life.
Since I had always been interested in foreign languages and overseas cultures, I came across the profession of “Japanese teacher” around that time, and decided to pursue this path.
🎯 Teaching Specialties
I have extensive experience in grammar and exam preparation (JLPT, EJU, etc.), so these are my strong fields. At the same time, I also love conversation-based lessons with learners. Through conversations, I can discover new perspectives and receive inspiration from my students.
In addition, I specialize in supporting students with study abroad in Japan and job-hunting preparation, so I can provide not only lessons but also advice on academic paths and learning strategies.
🌏 Teaching Experience & Achievements
I have been working as a Japanese teacher since 2007, teaching learners worldwide in schools, companies, and through both offline and online classes.
Even before founding J-CALP, I consistently earned 5-star ratings and was selected as a “Recommended Teacher” on all online language-learning platforms where I was registered. This is one of my proudest achievements.
After moving to Seoul, I served as the Head Teacher at a Japanese language school specializing in study abroad for about seven years, successfully guiding many students into Japanese universities each year. I have also supported numerous learners in passing the JLPT.
💡 Memorable Episode
I have countless memories, but one that I will never forget is the day I taught my last class at the Japanese language school in Japan.
My Nepali students, who must have found it expensive, ran out to buy me a preserved flower bouquet. Their gesture touched me so deeply that I cried, overwhelmed by both happiness and sadness at the farewell.
That same day, students from other classes gave me a large box filled with presents. The photo from that day is still displayed in the J-CALP office. I remain in contact with many of those students even today.
📚 Recommended Japanese Learning Content
For intermediate and advanced learners who want to improve their listening while understanding Japanese news, I recommend TV Tokyo Biz’s latest news.
The videos are short, have subtitles, and allow playback speed adjustment—perfect for efficient practice.
🤝 The Appeal of J-CALP
At J-CALP, we value both the convenience of online learning and the meaningful connections of offline interactions.
Normally, you can study online at your own pace and lifestyle. But for long-term students, we sometimes meet in person in Japan, Korea, or even in the student’s own country. Sharing a meal together and talking about life and dreams—that’s how we aim to go beyond a “teacher-student” relationship and become true partners through Japanese learning.
✨ A Message to Japanese Learners Worldwide
Japanese is a very challenging language, with three different writing systems—hiragana, katakana, and kanji—as well as differences between spoken and written language, plus keigo (honorifics).
The fact that you are choosing to learn a language used only in Japan is something I deeply appreciate.
It’s perfectly fine if it takes time. Don’t rush—enjoy the process and keep going. And most importantly, don’t be shy: try speaking Japanese as much as you can!
If you would like to take lessons with Ms. Rie Tanaka, please feel free to contact J-CALP!
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