About me - Fran Wrigley
I’m Fran Wrigley, a Japanese teacher online in the UK, and founder of Step Up Japanese.
My journey with Japanese began in 2007, when I visited Tokyo on a short trip. I was instantly captivated by Japan - its culture, people, and especially its language. The only problem was that I didn’t speak Japanese!
That experience sparked a long-term commitment to learning the language properly, which eventually led me to become a full-time Japanese teacher.
How I discovered Japanese
Over the following years, I committed myself to learning the language properly. What started as curiosity became a long-term passion, and eventually a way of life.
I worked hard to reach fluency, studying consistently and building my skills step by step. In 2013, I passed the N1, the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Life in Japan
I spent four years living and working in Nagoya, Japan. I taught English, worked as a freelance Japanese–English translator, and continued deepening my understanding of the language in everyday life.
Living in Japan gave me a real appreciation for how Japanese is used naturally, beyond textbooks, exams, and classrooms.
Becoming a teacher
My teaching journey began unexpectedly when a friend asked me to tutor him in Japanese. I quickly realised how much I enjoyed helping others understand the language and make progress.
That experience grew into group teaching when I returned to the UK, and eventually led me to found Step Up Japanese in Brighton in 2015, starting in a small yellow classroom.
In 2020, I moved my teaching fully online, so students anywhere in the world can now join in.
Step Up Japanese
Step Up Japanese is built around one simple idea: Japanese should feel accessible, structured, and enjoyable to learn.
I focus on helping students build confidence step by step, with clear explanations and plenty of encouragement along the way.
A final note
Learning Japanese isn’t always easy or quick - but it is incredibly rewarding. It’s a beautiful, expressive language, and I love sharing that journey with my students.
If you’re thinking about starting (or continuing), I’d love to see you in class.
またね！Mata ne!
See you soon,
Fran (フラン)
Ready to start learning Japanese online?
Join structured, supportive lessons with an experienced Japanese teacher in the UK.
Or contact me with any questions.
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