Q: Can you give me an idea of your teaching process?
A: My teaching process is tailored to your individual level and goals.
IB Students: I follow your school’s IB curriculum to support your coursework and exams.
Hobby Learners: I design personalized lessons based on your specific interests and goals.
General Learners: Lessons are primarily structured around the Genki textbook series and official JLPT exam preparation.
Here is an idea of how lessons are structred across different levels:
Example 1: Beginner
- Practice reading and pronunciation of Japanese characters (Hiragana/Katagana)
- Weekly vocabulary quiz (5–10 words per week)
- Master 1 to 3 new grammar points per lesson using the Genki I workbook
Example 2: Intermediate
- Guided speaking practice (with a new topic each week)
- Study intermediate grammar based on the Genki II workbook
- Reading comprehension exercises
Example 3: Advanced
Advanced reading practice (JLPT N2 / N1 level)
In-depth speaking practice and discussions on a variety of topics
Q: Do I need to know any Japanese before booking a lesson?
A: Beginners are very welcome! However, to get the absolute most out of our time together, I do require students to be able to read Hiragana before our first lesson.
You don’t need to read quickly at all—reading slowly is completely fine! Bypassing Romaji from Day 1 allows us to focus on building sentences, mastering fundamental grammar, and speaking naturally right from the start.
Not sure where to start? You can master the basics with my self-paced online Course for Beginners.
Q: Will I need to purchase materials?
A: I highly recommend purchasing the Genki I or Genki II workbook (the main textbook is optional, though helpful).
Q: Do you have online courses?
A: Yes, I have online courses. Please check the link.
Q: How long will take to become fluent?
A: There is no signle timeline because Japanese language acquistion depends on the individual. Key factors include how much time you dedicate to self-study, how frequently you take lessons, and how consistently you practice outputting (speaking and writing) what you learn.
Because Japanese uses a completely different writing system and grammar structure from English, research from the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) estimates that reaching professional working fluency requires roughly 2,200+ dedicated study hours.
To break that down into realistic timelines based on study intensity:
- Casual Pace (2–3 hours/week): Reaching conversational basics (JLPT N4/N3) takes about 2 to 4 years.
- Consistent Pace (5–8 hours/week): Reaching intermediate fluency (JLPT N3/N2) typically takes 3 to 5 years.
Q: Can I take lessons with flexible hours instead of a set weekly time?
A: Due to high student demand, lessons are structured around a fixed weekly or fortnightly time slot (e.g., every Friday at 4:00 PM). I advise potential students to consider whether a regular recurring slot fits their lifestyle before booking.
However, if you ever need temporary flexibility or need to reschedule a specific lesson, I am always glad to adjust whenever my schedule permits.
Q: Where do you do your Japanese lessons?
A: I offer my lessons online via Zoom from the comfort of your own home. For more detail click/download Online Japanese Lesson information.
Q: Do you have a cancellation policy?
A: Yes. In the event of an absence due to illness, holidays, or other unforeseen
circumstances, please inform your tutor as soon as possible. We enforce a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, a 50% cancellation fee will apply. If you fail to attend or cancel at the scheduled time without prior notice (a “no-show”), the full lesson fee will be charged.
Q: Do you have a gift voucher?
A: Yes, I have gift voucher. Please click for more information.
Q: Do you have a school holiday programme?
A: I don’t have a specific school holiday program as I have regular students who take lessons consistently on a weekly basis. My students comprise 70% adults and 30% high school or university students, so I continue regular lessons during school holidays. However, if you are interested in taking lessons only during school holidays, you are welcome to do so. Please contact us, and you can schedule lessons up to one month in advance.
