While grammar rules and test scores are important, learning English is also about confidence, connection, and finding your voice. For Misa, a Japanese professional working in international cooperation, English is both a daily tool for global communication and a lifelong challenge, especially when it comes to writing naturally and expressing ideas precisely.
After more than 15 years of studying and using English at university and work, Misa joined the Thinking in English Patreon Community to improve her skills and become part of a motivated, international community of learners.
In this member spotlight, Misa shares her English learning journey, her goals, and why the Thinking in English community (especially the conversation clubs) has become such a meaningful part of her progress.
Name: Misa
Native Language: Japanese
Thinking in English Patreon Tier: English Master (3+ years)
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m Misa from Japan. I work in international cooperation, mainly supporting developing countries through technical assistance under ODA. I work as a course coordinator, where I design and organize training programs based on clients’ needs and put them into practice.
I’m quite outgoing and enjoy experiencing new things. I like meeting and interacting with people from different backgrounds.
My hobbies are reading travelogues and studying languages. I believe that learning languages helps broaden my perspective and allows me to better understand how people in other cultures think.
How long have you been learning English, and what has your journey been like?
I’ve been learning English for roughly 15 years. At university, my primary language was English, so I wrote my thesis in English, and most of my communication with professors was also in English.
Currently, I use English at work because my organization’s mission is to develop human resources overseas.
One of my biggest struggles in learning English is writing naturally. I would like to use English the way native speakers do, but composing sentences naturally is challenging for non-native speakers.
Although this was during my university years and some time ago, one of my major milestones was ranking in the top 1% in Tokyo on the Eiken Pre-1 Level writing test.
What are your main goals with English?
My main goal is to use English confidently and fluently in business communication without hesitation.
For me, writing is the most challenging part, so I would like to strengthen my writing skills and expand my vocabulary in order to express my opinions clearly and precisely.
Why did you join the Thinking in English Patreon?
I joined the Thinking in English Patreon because I found it interesting to be part of the community. In particular, the conversation clubs really appealed to me.
What is your favourite part of your Patreon membership?
My favorite part of my Patreon membership is that I can mingle with people from all around the world. Every member is so passionate about studying English, and that passion influences me in a very positive way.
Would you recommend Thinking in English to others?
Yes, definitely. Thinking in English introduces a wide range of topics, so people can learn about different cultures, international relations, history, and more through learning English.
Tom’s Comment…
Misa has been a Thinking in English patron (and an English Master subscriber) since the very beginning of the community. She is an incredibly valuable member of our conversation clubs, attends film clubs, and has shown massive improvements in her confidence and written English skills.
As an English Master subscriber, Misa and I also have a monthly conversation where we focus on writing, specifically looking at example IELTS writing questions.
I am so happy to have people like Misa in my community. She is committed, thoughtful, and deeply interested in language learning… not just English, but also Mandarin, Cantonese, and Indonesian.
If you want to build confidence, improve your English naturally, and connect with passionate learners from around the world like Misa, consider joining the Thinking in English Patreon community. Click the link below to get started.
How to Become a Patron?
Becoming a patron is a simple process. To join our community and access exclusive content and benefits, follow these easy steps
- Click on the “Become a Patron” button on our Patreon page.
- Select the tier that aligns with your language learning goals.
- Complete the registration process, which includes setting up your payment method.
- Once you’re a patron, you’ll gain immediate access to the benefits of your chosen tier.
