Enrollment Steps

My first introduction to Nihongo-Pro was via a sound check from Steve. The sound check provided so much more than just verifying the technology would work. I learned so much about learning Japanese, cultural features in the study, and Nihongo-Pro’s options.

I was paired with my current teacher Michiko Nakano sensei. I have been taking regular Japanese lessons for three months and have learned so much in these past months. Michiko sensei is kind, patient, and has an astute ability to see precisely where my learning difficulties are. She gently helps me understand and focus on these areas. Additionally, she is quick to point out areas of strength and to reinforce all of the learning we are doing together regularly. Following each lesson, she provides me with a “lesson file” which includes the material covered and any new vocabulary. I am then able to review the lesson and vocabulary to reinforce the study. I cannot believe how much Japanese I have been able to learn in a short time. Although I have so much more to learn, I am well launched on understanding some of the fundamentals of the Japanese language through my studies with Michiko sensei.

Michiko sensei is not only a gifted teacher, she is also a warm and interesting person, willing to share her own experiences both in the United States and in Japan. She is open and personable and highly flexible. When a topic arises such as dining at a Japanese restaurant, sports, or where my travels in Japan will take me, she is quick to produce a link in the online classroom to enhance my understanding and experience. I have also found her flexible with re-scheduling classes, when my schedule does not allow me to take the class at my regular time.

A note about Nihongo-Pro would not be complete without a word about Steve. He has been extremely responsive regarding any issues related to technology or administration. I also found him incredibly personable and engaging, helpful, and generous with his time. To anyone looking for online Japanese lessons, I would recommend Nihongo-Pro and Michiko sensei without a moment’s hesitation.

Before I started, I had no idea how much the Japanese language had changed in the past century in terms of grammar and kanji use. Working at a small university without a developed Japanese program, I was not sure where to turn for help for acquiring such a specific set of Japanese skills.

Although my situation was unusual, Nihongo-Pro was more than happy to find a teacher who could help me. Nakano-sensei has been an amazing resource. She helped me to find Japanese books on how to read texts written in my period of study and formulate a study plan. She has time and again patiently helped me to tackle even the most difficult texts, and I am deeply grateful for the extensive preparation she has done before each online lesson.

Nihongo-Pro is more than a resource for passing the JLPT; it can flexibly accommodate a wide variety of individual Japanese language instruction needs for students anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection.