Hello, my name is Farrah and I'm 26 years old. I currently live in Japan. I am a native English speaker and I teach English at a high school in Shizuoka, right by Mount Fuji! I have been teaching English in Japan for around 5 years, and I also taught literacy and essay writing classes in my hometown, Washington, DC, for two years. I also speak Japanese and Urdu, and I am currently studying Brazilian Portuguese!

I mainly teach English conversation for a wide range of levels, from beginner to business. I also tutor university students and high school students on essay writing, especially for exams, projects and graduate theses. I have also taught English conversation and business English lessons at an import/export company in Shanghai and Guangzhou, China at an internship before my senior year of university.

My interest in teaching English started at a young age. My mother immigrated to the United States from Pakistan, and did not know English when I was little. Witnessing her perseverance and embracing the challenges of learning a new language on top of a new culture and raising a family really inspired me with a huge desire to teach others. I believe that learning any language can unlock so many discoveries academically and with life in general. I also do research with universities in Japan about effective English teaching methods and curricula for Japanese high school students and incoming freshmen. To be honest, my students have taught me so much and have shaped me into a better teacher and a better language learner, as well.

I am certified in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language). I received my qualifications from Oxford Seminars back in 2013-2014. I have been teaching English for over 6 years in a wide variety of mediums, including inside the classroom and teaching online. I have taught students English to accomplish all sorts of goals, including holding conversations and living abroad, and passing the IELTS, TOEFL, EIKEN, and TOEIC exams for their school or workplace. I have taught beginners, intermediate, and advanced classes. With my experience, I can assist you in using English for any practical situation.

When I'm not teaching, I conduct research on education and society. My research and analysis have also been published in many academic journals and newspapers in Japan, including The Japan Times. I have also conducted academic presentations in Japan about English language learning since 2016. My current research is about English education in Brazilian schools based in Japan, and English education at Japanese public high schools transitioning into the Ministry of Education's new curriculum for 2020. I have also presented research on immigrant communities in Japan, and helping refugees and immigrants adapt to Japanese society through learning Japanese language and culture.

I like to have an interactive and relaxed approach to teaching with the Communicative Approach. I think students can benefit the most by focusing on the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) to have a full grasp of the English language.

The most effective way to learn English is by using it in realistic settings. If you feel comfortable with using English in everyday life, you can also use more imagination and critical thinking to reach your full potential. With my most proficient students, I have them create stories and reflect on different events in the world so they can critically analyze the world around them in English. Of course, we can put the "fun" in "fundamental learning"!