Yasutaka Sawada works at the manufacture and industrial company.
Yasutaka Sawada (attended Kozoji Kindergarten from middle school to 6th grade)
Right now, I am working in the overseas sales department of a manufacturer, acting as a sort of bridge between the head office and the overseas branches. It’s a bit of a blur, but my job is to share the head office’s ideas with the overseas branches, and to compile information gathered by the sales departments of the overseas branches to facilitate the head office’s decisions. There are frequent phone calls, e-mails, and meetings with business travelers. I would like to travel overseas someday myself….
What are your memories of attending KEC?
The pronunciation exercises using Phonics were the most memorable.” I remember the “a,a,apple,b,b,b,bear”. I was able to learn the sounds of the alphabet by ear and mouth when I was a child, so I was able to use English without resistance when I studied abroad during my university years. I now feel again that the reason I was able to live abroad and communicate in English without any discomfort was largely because I was able to study at KEC.
What does “English” mean to you?
Weapons. To be honest, I did not expect English to be such a great weapon. First of all, I am now able to use English to learn about different ideas and information. Also, being able to use English has broadened my job options. Finally, being able to travel abroad to various places to visit friends is another weapon in my arsenal. (Saves on lodging and guide costs!)
What are your dreams and goals for the future?
I want to work in different parts of the world. For that purpose, I would like to gain knowledge about economics and management. It would be great if I could go to a graduate school overseas, but I am not sure if I should go that far. However, I would like to have the knowledge to confidently discuss with others, both in Japan and abroad.
Message to everyone at KEC
Even after entering junior high school or high school, it is important to “get acquainted with English in a way you like. I myself was not very good in English classes in junior high and high school. This was because the style of teaching at school was different from the way I liked to learn English. It is often said that there are three ways to learn English: watching, listening, and speaking. To the younger students at KEC, there are many different ways to learn English, and I hope that you will find the way that suits you best and become familiar with English.
A word from Matoba
Yasutaka was always quiet and smiling with cheeks like apples when he was in kindergarten, but his personality completely changed when he entered elementary school and he showed leadership. In the summer of his 6th grade year, he suddenly decided to take the entrance examination and took a 4-month break from kindergarten before passing with flying colors. He is a child with high potential. He hardly missed a lesson, but she came and learned. I am glad to see that he is now working in a job where he can use English as a “weapon”.
