Locations and availability
Taking care of the little ones and then all of the health issues this year . . . My friends haven’t seen much of me either.
I can’t do face-to-face and online on the same days just yet, so in-person days are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Or before 1PM Mondays and Wednesdays.
I’ll be at either the Starbucks at 4155 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 or Oriole Park Library at 7454 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60656. (By appointment. At least until I have a schedule down and can tell you where I’ll be.)
Japanese Tutoring can be in-person, online or a mix of both. When you sign up, you’ll be able to choose the location. Tutoring can be scheduled up until 9PM.
Teens’ Kill it with Kana and Teens’ Beginner Japanese I are also being offered in person.
There’s only one of me though so I can’t do both an online and an offline version for all the courses I teach.
But maybe we can move a course to an in-person day if you’re done with video meetings. Drop me a message and we’ll figure it out.
I can’t wait to meet all of you in person!
If you need to talk to me in real-time, these are the hours I’m ‘in the office’. They might overlap with lessons or other work though but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Lessons
What’s your teaching style?
I always see this on forms and I’m never sure what it means . . .
I do guided learning. So, I explain the concept with examples and then have the students try it.
I’m also more of an ‘avoid this’ instead of ‘do this’ teacher because I know everyone doesn’t think the same way—I’m an example of that!—and I’ve watched lots and lots of students make those mistakes. Coupled with all my shortcuts, you’ll cut out the stress and time it takes to get as far as my students do in a year.
I teach vocabulary and very basic grammar through complete immersion. It’s really weird to me that in schools we’re taught to learn a language through another language. So, I’m turning this on its head and having you experience Japanese through your senses!
What if I just want to learn some Japanese for fun?
No problem! Casual dabbling is “serious” in my book if you’re enthusiastic about it.
My core methods don’t take the fun out of learning. If anything, it makes it easier to enjoy the Japanese!
What types of lessons do you offer?
I think I’ve got something for everyone:
- live (real-time) Courses – online group classes through Discord; some are, or can be, offered in person
- self-study Courses – on-demand courses where you study mostly on your own but can practice with others in our monthly online Study Sessions
- Tutoring – online or in-person individual or personal group lessons at your pace
OR
What happens once I sign up for lessons?
Once you buy or book and buy your preferred lesson option, you’ll receive the materials and/or calendar invite you need to do the lessons. What you get depends on the product so look at the What’s included? or Included with this purchase section for each one.
(I’m working on automating the emails and bookings but it’s just me here! If it’s not urgent—like, your class starts tomorrow—, then please give me a few days to get you your items. I really appreciate your patience and understanding!)
Throughout the lessons, stay in touch with me. If there’s something you don’t get, tell me. If something is just boring, tell me what’s more interesting to you. I’ll answer when I can!
If, after all that, it’s still not working out, you might be able to get a refund depending on the product. Let’s try to get through this together before it comes to that!
Refunds
Read about Refund and Returns here.
Learning materials
Can you send me a printed copy of the book/workbook?
Everything is digital right now unless you’re taking an in-person class with me, in which case I print a copy and put it in a binder for you.
I would like to eventually sell a printed version of each (work)book but the cost to you, even at face value, would be ridiculous if I order just the one book every time someone requests one. Print runs (of the same book) drop to a decent price when I make orders of 100 or more.
If you want a physical copy of a book no matter what and don’t care when you receive it, get your name on the waitlist below. When the count is close to 100, I’ll send you the order form and get them printed and mailed out to you once most of the orders have come in.
Do you have videos for your courses?
I’ve got videos for some of them.
I’m recording the rest but it’s taking a while. My house is not a quiet space with 2 toddlers and I have a lot of things I’m working on for you all.
Hey, I think there’s a typo . . .
Hey, this section isn’t making a whole lot of sense.
Thanks for pointing that out!
I’m constantly working to make the existing lessons and worksheets better and clearer, so drop the issue in the ‘Everything else’ message box and I’ll look into it.
My brain is always jumping back and forth between multiple things, so I really can’t thank you enough for being a third pair of eyes.