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I'm Miki, a Japanese speaking coach for advanced learners.

Being able to speak Japanese fluently doesn't necessarily mean being a good speaker.

The way you speak — your pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, choice of words and tone — shapes not only how you sound, but how you come across to others.

My perspective comes from both sides of the language-learning experience.

As a professional Japanese voice-over artist, I have developed a deep sensitivity to the details of speech — the way pronunciation, intonation, rhythm and tone can change not only how something sounds, but how it is received.

And as someone who has spent around 40 years learning English and studying other languages, I also know how much effort it takes to become fluent in a language that isn't your own.

Over the years, I've come to realise that fluency is only part of becoming a good communicator.

What matters is not only whether you can express yourself, but how your words, voice and manner of speaking come across to the person listening.

That's the part of Japanese I want to explore with you.

Not simply how to speak Japanese, but how to speak it with clarity, naturalness and intention.