Meet Your Teacher

Hello, I'm John Haines

An American English teacher and online tutor based in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan.

I grew up in the United States and have always been passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication. This led me to earn a BA in Language Arts (Japanese) with a minor in Linguistics.

After university, I moved to Japan, where I’ve been living and teaching for several years — currently in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. This experience has given me deep insight into the specific challenges Japanese learners face with English pronunciation, intonation, natural phrasing, and cultural nuances.

I specialize in helping Japanese students speak more clearly, confidently, and naturally in real-life situations.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe learning English should be practical, enjoyable, and confidence-building. My lessons are:

• Fully conducted in English with patient, step-by-step support for all levels
• 100% tailored to your personal goals (conversation, Business English, IELTS, travel, etc.)
• Focused on real-life communication skills rather than just grammar rules

Whether you are a Japanese learner looking to overcome common pronunciation and fluency barriers, or an international student seeking natural American English, every lesson is personalized.

Qualifications & Experience

• Native American English speaker
• BA in Language Arts (Japanese)
• Minor in Linguistics
• Over 6 years of international teaching experience
• Specialized in IELTS Speaking & Writing and Business English
• Experienced working with Japanese learners and students from many countries
• Based in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan — teaching students across Japan and online worldwide

Why I Love Teaching

Education has always been very important to me. I love helping others achieve their goals. It’s very rewarding when I play a part in that.

As an English teacher based in Hokkaido, I help my students — especially Japanese learners — gain the confidence to express themselves clearly in English. Whether they are preparing for a job interview, leading a business meeting, trying for a promotion at work, planning overseas travel, or simply want to chat more naturally, I’m here to support them every step of the way.

What do I do when I'm not teaching?

Take a look: Hokkaido Life with John

Learning a language is a journey — and I’m excited to be your guide.