Masako Takao
Teacher
Masako Takao
Teacher
Masako discovered her passion for language learning during a year-long homestay in the Midwest U.S. as a high school student, where her English skills dramatically improved. That experience taught her that even without perfect fluency, language can foster deep, genuine connections.
She has worked in a variety of roles, including as a corporate tour guide, where she developed a knack for engaging storytelling, and in advertising and technical writing, which deepened her appreciation for precise and expressive Japanese. From 2015 to 2016, Masako lived in Berkeley, California with her two children. Her exposure to ESL classes and diverse cultural communities during that time inspired her to become a Japanese teacher after returning to Japan.
Masako discovered her passion for language learning during a year-long homestay in the Midwest U.S. as a high school student, where her English skills dramatically improved. That experience taught her that even without perfect fluency, language can foster deep, genuine connections.
She has worked in a variety of roles, including as a corporate tour guide, where she developed a knack for engaging storytelling, and in advertising and technical writing, which deepened her appreciation for precise and expressive Japanese. From 2015 to 2016, Masako lived in Berkeley, California with her two children. Her exposure to ESL classes and diverse cultural communities during that time inspired her to become a Japanese teacher after returning to Japan.
Certifications:
Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
TOEIC 905
Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
TOEIC 905
Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
TOEIC 905
My motto is to make lessons cheerful, enjoyable, and energizing. I focus on creating a relaxed, supportive space where students feel safe speaking up.
I’ve received praise for my clear grammar explanations—but I always adjust the depth and tone to suit the learner. For those who want to dig deep, I’m ready to explain thoroughly. For those who prefer a more laid-back approach, I keep things light and easy.
My motto is to make lessons cheerful, enjoyable, and energizing. I focus on creating a relaxed, supportive space where students feel safe speaking up.
I’ve received praise for my clear grammar explanations—but I always adjust the depth and tone to suit the learner. For those who want to dig deep, I’m ready to explain thoroughly. For those who prefer a more laid-back approach, I keep things light and easy.
My motto is to make lessons cheerful, enjoyable, and energizing. I focus on creating a relaxed, supportive space where students feel safe speaking up.
I’ve received praise for my clear grammar explanations—but I always adjust the depth and tone to suit the learner. For those who want to dig deep, I’m ready to explain thoroughly. For those who prefer a more laid-back approach, I keep things light and easy.
Hobbies
Books & Reading: I love bookstores and buying books (even if I can’t keep up with reading them!)
Movies & Dramas: I enjoy quiet dramas and comedies more than flashy action movies
Cafés & Coffee: Always on the hunt for great cafés where I can enjoy time alone
Art & Museums: Favorites include Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa; I especially love contemporary art
Noh Theater: Recently obsessed! I attend performances three times a month. I love the minimalist staging and the intense interpretive role it demands from the audience
Language Learning: Currently studying Korean on Duolingo; also dabbled in German, French, Chinese, and interested in Vietnamese
Others: Taichi (studied for two years), flute (on pause), weight training (Chocozap member but… irregular!), selling unread books on Mercari (which motivates her to read them!)
Books & Reading: I love bookstores and buying books (even if I can’t keep up with reading them!)
Movies & Dramas: I enjoy quiet dramas and comedies more than flashy action movies
Cafés & Coffee: Always on the hunt for great cafés where I can enjoy time alone
Art & Museums: Favorites include Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa; I especially love contemporary art
Noh Theater: Recently obsessed! I attend performances three times a month. I love the minimalist staging and the intense interpretive role it demands from the audience
Language Learning: Currently studying Korean on Duolingo; also dabbled in German, French, Chinese, and interested in Vietnamese
Others: Taichi (studied for two years), flute (on pause), weight training (Chocozap member but… irregular!), selling unread books on Mercari (which motivates her to read them!)
Books & Reading: I love bookstores and buying books (even if I can’t keep up with reading them!)
Movies & Dramas: I enjoy quiet dramas and comedies more than flashy action movies
Cafés & Coffee: Always on the hunt for great cafés where I can enjoy time alone
Art & Museums: Favorites include Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa; I especially love contemporary art
Noh Theater: Recently obsessed! I attend performances three times a month. I love the minimalist staging and the intense interpretive role it demands from the audience
Language Learning: Currently studying Korean on Duolingo; also dabbled in German, French, Chinese, and interested in Vietnamese
Others: Taichi (studied for two years), flute (on pause), weight training (Chocozap member but… irregular!), selling unread books on Mercari (which motivates her to read them!)
Best movies/anime/manga/games
Films
The Sound of Music
Les Uns et les Autres
Ping Pong
THE FIRST SLAM DUNK
Ghost in the Shell
Anime
Anne of Green Gables (directed by Isao Takahata)
Manga
BLUE GIANT
Space Brothers
Golden Kamuy
7SEEDS
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
Games
Sudoku
Films
The Sound of Music
Les Uns et les Autres
Ping Pong
THE FIRST SLAM DUNK
Ghost in the Shell
Anime
Anne of Green Gables (directed by Isao Takahata)
Manga
BLUE GIANT
Space Brothers
Golden Kamuy
7SEEDS
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
Games
Sudoku
Films
The Sound of Music
Les Uns et les Autres
Ping Pong
THE FIRST SLAM DUNK
Ghost in the Shell
Anime
Anne of Green Gables (directed by Isao Takahata)
Manga
BLUE GIANT
Space Brothers
Golden Kamuy
7SEEDS
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
Games
Sudoku
Favorite conversation topics
Sleep: I’m experimenting with ways to boost my sleep score on my smartwatch!
Feminism: As a woman and a parent to two daughters, I often reflect on gender issues and the structure of society.
Sleep: I’m experimenting with ways to boost my sleep score on my smartwatch!
Feminism: As a woman and a parent to two daughters, I often reflect on gender issues and the structure of society.
Sleep: I’m experimenting with ways to boost my sleep score on my smartwatch!
Feminism: As a woman and a parent to two daughters, I often reflect on gender issues and the structure of society.
I've been to
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇮🇹 Italy
🇦🇹 Austria
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇨🇳 China (Shanghai)
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇹🇼 Taiwan
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇮🇹 Italy
🇦🇹 Austria
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇨🇳 China (Shanghai)
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇹🇼 Taiwan
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇮🇹 Italy
🇦🇹 Austria
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇨🇳 China (Shanghai)
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇹🇼 Taiwan
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore