Hitomi Sato became an English teacher and works as a researcher.

I teach English at a junior high school in Nagoya. I graduated from university in the spring and managed to successfully enter the workforce.

What are your memories of attending KEC?

I was a student of Mr. Matoma’s at KEC from the age of 5 to 12. I remember I enjoyed playing karuta and bingo games at every lesson, and it was also exciting to meet a native-speaking teacher who came every two weeks.

What does “English” mean to you?

For me, English is a tool to broaden my way of thinking and seeing things. For example, I participated in Model United Nations during my study abroad in the United States. Model United Nations is a place where people from various countries gather to discuss gender, race, and social issues in English and seek solutions. There, I played the role of a member of the Afghan parliament and exchanged opinions with various people based on data. By exchanging opinions, I was able to notice aspects that I had not thought of in Japan. In other words, for me, English is a tool to broaden my thinking and views.

What are your dreams and goals for the future?

My dream is to become an English teacher who connects the world and Japan. To achieve this, I would first like to increase my connections with children around the world. Specifically, I would like to continue my activities to volunteer as a teacher in India and other countries. Also, after gaining some experience in Japan, I would definitely like to provide long-term support overseas. After returning to Japan, I would like to use Skype and letters to have Japanese children communicate with children I have met around the world in English. Through this exchange, it would be wonderful if children around the world who are close in age could share the differences and cultures of each other’s countries and learn together. It is my dream to be a “bridge” between the children of the world and the children of Japan.

Message to everyone at KEC

At KEC, students are given frequent opportunities to come into contact with English, and I think this helps to improve their listening and speaking skills in particular. Thanks to the solid phonics lessons I received at KEC, I never had any trouble communicating in English when I went abroad or studied abroad in the United States. I believe that enjoying the daily lessons and working hard will definitely benefit you later on. Good luck!