Our Staff
アメリカ出身。ENGLISH NOW!学長。ジョージタウン大学出身。高い指導力といずれの分野にも通じる幅広い知識に多くの方からの支持を得ている。’85年単身来日後、35年以上にも渡り英語指導にあたる。その間に、現在の指導法のベースとなる「英語は耳から！」を確立。当校より多くの「英語のプロ」を輩出！日本語検定1級。指導歴: 東京大学／早稲田大学／名古屋大学／農林水産省／Air Liquide Laboratories／JAXA／Nikon／Japan Air Gases／日本ポール／日本板ガラス／NIAIST／神立中央保育園／（株）エイ・イー・エス 他多数
Our Director, Mr. Saffell, is from the U.S.A. and attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC. Since arriving in Japan in 1985, he has been professionally teaching English for more than 35 years and has developed his own method of teaching “English by ear.” By virtue of his broad and deep academic knowledge in many fields he has succeeded in attracting numerous students who make use of their English in a wide variety of fields. Mr. Saffell also possesses the 1st grade of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. A sampling of his teaching career includes Tokyo University, Waseda University, Nagoya University, Ministry of Agriculture, Air Liquide Laboratories, JAXA, Nikon, Japan Air Gases, Nihon Pall Corporation, NSG Group, NIAIST, Kandatsu Chuo Kindergarten, and A.E.S. Corporation.
リヒテンバーグ(光の町)と呼ばれる南アフリカの小都市出身。ジャーナリズム及び コーポレート・コミュニケーション、言語学の二つの学位を取得した後、日本語の 学習を進めるため来日を決意する。ENGLISH NOW!の一員になる以前は、より良い 指導者を目指し小学校や幼稚園で英語を教えてきた。余暇には主に荒野で写真を撮 り、それ以外の時間は専門分野のさらなる勉強や研究にあてている。ギデオンにと って学習や指導はただの楽しみではなく、情熱である。新しく何かを学んだ時に 人々の瞳が輝く瞬間をこよなく愛しており、ENGLISH NOW!の生徒と学ぶ喜びを分 かち合える毎日を楽しみにしている。
Gideon is from a small town in South Africa called Lichtenburg (town of light). He decided to move to Japan to further his study of Japanese some time after completing his two degrees — the first in Journalism and Corporate Communication, the second in Linguistics. He taught English at elementary schools and kindergartens before joining the English Now! team to become an even better teacher. He continues to pursue his postgraduate studies and research in his free time — when he is not out in the wilderness taking pictures. Learning and teaching aren't just hobbies of his — they are his passions! Gideon loves nothing more than seeing people's eyes light up as they learn something new, and looks forward to sharing the joys of learning with everyone at English Now! every day.
アメリカで生まれ、高校時代までメキシコで育つ。幼少期からメキシコにとって重要な歴史的要素であったアステカ文明とその文化に関心を持った。メキシコでの学校生活と友人との関わりを通して文化人類学と読書に興味を持ち、高校卒業後、大学に進学するためアメリカのサン・ディエゴに移る。マジンガーZやマッハGoGoGoのようなアニメをきっかけに、日本の文化に魅了される。サン・ディエゴで３年間の大学生活を経て、ハワイ大学に編入し、東アジアの文化と言語を専攻した。大学を卒業後、日本語をさらに上達させたいと関東に移住。DJが行うターンテーブルリズムとも呼ばれるレコード演奏法の「スクラッチ」を練習中。それを機に、ビニールレコード集めが趣味になる。好きな本は夏目漱石の「坊ちゃん」、好きな日本映画は「AKIRA」。
Victor was born in the U.S., but grew up in Mexico until graduating from high school. Ever since he was a child, Aztec culture sparked his curiosity about ancient civilizations and cultures. He took a great interest in cultural anthropology and literature, and after graduating from high school, he moved to San Diego, California for college. Enjoying many old-school anime like マジンガーZ [Tranzor Z in the US] and マッハGoGoGo [Speed Racer in the US], Victor became fascinated with Japanese culture. After 3 years of college in San Diego, he transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to major in East Asian Languages and Cultures. After graduating, he decided to live in Japan to keep improving his Japanese language skills. Victor practices “scratch” DJ mixing with turntables –– called “turntablism” –– so he likes to collect vinyl records. Victor’s favorite Japanese book is Natsume Soseki’s Botchan and his favorite Japanese movie is Akira.
アメリカ東海岸、バージニア州に４年半滞在。 滞在中はAdult Learning Centerで英語を学ぶ。 ２人の子どもたちが通ったPublic Schoolのボランティア活動、長男が所属していたボーイスカウトを通じ、地域の人々を交流を持つ。 アメリカで女性に人気のスクラップブッキングに興味を持ち、コミュニケーションの輪を広げた。アメリカの雰囲気が漂う当校に魅かれ、自分自身も学びながらカウンセラーを務める。
Ikuko lived for 4 years in Virginia State on the east coast of the U.S. While studying English at the Adult Learning Center there, she helped out at the elementary school her 2 children attended and with her son’s Boy Scout troop. In Virginia, Ikuko also pursued her hobbies of porcelain-painting and scrapbooking. In this way, she developed close ties with the community and made many American friends while advancing her English. After returning to Japan, she was impressed by the international, English-speaking atmosphere of English Now! and has become one of our counselors in addition to attending classes here herself.
幼い頃から好奇心が旺盛で、海外旅行に憧れをもっていた。サービス業界で数年間働き、コミュニケーションスキルを磨いた後、幼い頃からの夢を実現し、フィジーに半年留学して英語を学んだ。そこでは多くの新しい経験をし、たくさんの新しい友達を作ることができた。 日本に戻った今、English Now! の生徒たちの英語学習を全力でサポートをしたいと考えている。最近の趣味は、サーフィンとインド映画鑑賞をすること。 将来の目標は、バイクに乗ってもう一度海外旅行に行くこと！Since childhood, Iori has been very curious, and was determined to travel abroad. After working in the customer service industry and building her people skills for several years, Iori was finally able to achieve her dream and go abroad and study English in Fiji for half a year. There she was able to have many new experiences and make lots of new friends. Now back in Japan, Iori is eager to support English Now!’s students in their own English study. Iori’s recent hobbies include surfing and watching Indian movies. Her future goal is to once more travel overseas––this time, on a motorcycle!
高校生の頃に洋楽に夢中になったことがきっかけで、卒業後独学で英語の勉強をスタート！1年後英会話スクールに入会し３年間学んだ。英語を勉強する中で海外に興味が湧き、オーストラリアに旅行した。そして、それはとても良い経験になっている。たくさんの国に興味があるが、将来的には北欧の国々に行くことが目標なので、現在は独学で英語の勉強を続けてる。最近の趣味は、映画鑑賞、音楽鑑賞、お笑いを見ること。Ayaka became addicted to English pop songs when she was in high school and after graduating, started studying English on her own. She joined an English conversation school a year later, where she studied for three years. While studying English, she became interested in traveling abroad and so went to Australia, where she had a great experience. Ayaka is interested in many countries, but her dream is to travel to Scandinavia, so she continues to study English on her own. Recently, she has been listening to Korean music and has become interested in the Korean language. Ayaka’s hobbies include watching movies, listening to music, and comedy.
英語を習い始めたのは、ここEnglish Now! –– その経験を活かし、現在はカウンセラーとして生徒の役に立ちたいと考えている。高校時代のオーストラリア短期研修をきっかけに、大学では約半年間のオーストラリア留学とイギリス短期研修を経験。ホストファミリーとしてドイツやオーストラリアからの留学生を受け入れた経験もある。また、韓国語にも関心があり、独学で勉強中。茨城大学農学部を卒業後、現在は看護専門学校に通っている。将来は、国際的に活躍できるような看護師を目指している。好きなことはバスケットボール、美術館・カフェ巡り、読書など。
Yuika actually started studying English as a child here at English Now! –– and now she's working here as a counselor to support our students! As a high school student she visited Australia and this inspired her to go abroad again as a college undergraduate –– once more to Australia and also to England. She has also hosted students from Germany and Australia. After graduating from Ibaraki University with a degree in Agriculture, Yuika enrolled in nursing school with the goal of working globally as a nurse in the future. In addition to continuing to study English, Yuika is teaching herself Korean. She enjoys playing basketball, reading, and going to cafes and art museums.
大学時代に海外の学生と交流する機会があり、英語に興味を持った。英語でのコミュニケーションはよく分からなくてもとても楽しかった。大学卒業後に日本語教師の資格を取得してアメリカへ。アメリカの小学校、高校、大学で、６年間日本語を教えていた。20カ国以上を訪れたことがあり、いつかヒマラヤとマチュピチュに行きたいと思っている。休みの日は、畑で野菜作り。夢は、田舎に引っ越して、豊かな自然の中でもっとゆったりすること！While at her university, Hiroko had opportunities to interact with students from overseas. She became interested in English and––even though she didn't understand very well––she found she enjoyed communicating in English. After graduating, Hiroko obtained a Japanese teaching qualification and went to the U.S., where she taught at elementary schools, high schools and universities for 6 years. Hiroko has visited more than 20 countries and hopes to someday visit the Himalayas and Machu Picchu. On her days off, she enjoys growing vegetables in her garden. Hiroko’s dream is to move to the countryside and relax while surrounded by rich nature!
幼い頃、父親からカーペンターズのCDをもらったことがきっかけで英語に興味を持つ。大学では英語を専攻し、卒業後はワーキングホリデーでカナダのバンクーバーへ。カナダで数年働いた後、帰国。現在はEnglish Now!の受付として勤務しながら、自宅でドライヘッドスパのセラピストをしている。趣味は美術館巡りとお気に入りのカフェで過ごすこと。Kaori first became interested in English as a child when her father gave her a Carpenters CD. She majored in English in her university and after graduating, went on a working holiday to Vancouver, Canada. After spending a few years in Canada, she returned to Japan. In addition to being a receptionist here at English Now!, Kaori has her own business as a dry head spa therapist. In her free time, she enjoys visiting art museums and relaxing in her favorite cafe.
ニュージーランド人の父と日本人の母を持つ、長崎出身の大学生。日常的に英語と日本語が入り混じる環境で育ったため、日本語に加え英語も話すことができる。母語のニュージーランド英語が、一般的なイギリス英語やアメリカ英語と違うことに気づいてから、英語の発音に興味を持つようになった。また自身が英語を習得した経験から、外国語の習得には、耳から学ぶことと対話することが重要であると確信している。現在は、筑波大学で建築デザインとロシア語を勉強している。好きな音楽ジャンルはインディーロックで、趣味である音楽制作に勤しむ。将来の夢は世界で活躍する建築家になること。Sean is a half-Japanese, half-New Zealander college student from Nagasaki. His unique upbringing has made him both fluent in Japanese and English. From a young age, he became interested in different English accents after he discovered that New Zealand accents were uniquely different from American and British English. Sean learned English through speaking and listening. From his own experience, he believes that focusing on sound and interaction are essential for learning another language. As a third year college student in Tsukuba University, he is studying architectural design and Russian. He loves indie rock music and enjoys making his own musical compositions as a hobby. His dream is to become an internationally based architect.