おはようございます。ニューヨーク・上げ英語、出口浩子です。
I work for an insurance company which is located on 26th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan.
There is no Japanese division, so I don't see any Japanese people in my building.
In that kind of environment, I don't get to be praised for my English speaking ability because it is normal to communicate in English, and I don't stand out among Americans when I speak English because it is very close to what they speak and hear every day.
I am a Japanese who was born and raised in Japan.
English is not my native language, however, some people don't even know that I was not born or raised in the U.S.. I sometimes have to explain it.
I never thought that my English was my strength because, think about it, I am surrounded by the people who have been speaking it their entire lives!
When niece had her wedding this summer, I went back to Japan with my boyfriend and introduce him to my family. It was a wonderful wedding, and the entire family enjoyed each other's company very much.
The only Japanese words that my boyfriends can say are "Konichiwa" (コニチワ)
"Arigato".
My family don't speak much English. I was a translator during our entire stay.
This experience made me realized how advanced my English speaking ability was.
Because I have been thinking about having my own business which allows me to travel between Japan and the U.S., an idea came in to my mind;
"I might be able to teach English pronunciation or something..."
By a total coincident, I encountered a word "英語コーチ" in Google!
It was so perfect!
I sent an email to the company who certify people to become a 英語コーチ.
They responded back right away. I was so excited!
That was the end of August. I am currently in training to become a 英語コーチ.
I believe that my other training to become a professional coach in the U.S. will help my new career.
I have my experience in living abroad, ability to speak English like a native speaker, and coaching training.
I am very excited about my new endeavor!
私の勤めている会社には、日本担当部署なんてありません。日本人を見かけたこともありません。
そんな環境では、私の英語がほめられることなんてこともなく、そのほかの社員と一緒の扱いです。
今年の夏、姪の結婚式に出席するために、日本へ。私の彼も初めての日本。片言に、コニチワとアリガトと言えるぐらい。
私の家族と彼との間で、通訳ばっかりしていました。
でも、これも意味のあることだったんですよ。
日本で、英語をネイティヴのようにしゃべれることは断然の強みだと実感する機会となりました。
近年、日本とアメリカを行ったり来たりする仕事はないかな～、と考えていたこともあり、すごいシンクロニシティーで「英語コーチ」という言葉に出会いました。
いまアメリカでライフコーチのトレーニングを受けながら、日本とスカイプで｢英語コーチ」になるための授業を受けています。
英語を今度こそしゃべりたい、と思っていらっしゃる方々とお会いできることを今から楽しみにしています！