Enrollment Steps

In December 2020, I finished the 100th Japanese lesson with Kawamura-sensei at Nihongo-Pro. I started studying Japanese in 2018. Although I live in a mid-size U.S. city, there are few options when it comes to learning the language. Adding to that, I value the convenience of online Japanese learning.

Nihongo-Pro provides what I need exceptionally at an affordable price. Their set up is easy and their online learning platform gives me a wonderful learning experience especially under the guidance of my teacher, Kawamura-sensei.

Kawamura-sensei is experienced and patient. Besides following the curriculum outlined by the Genki textbook series, I learn a lot about Japan and its culture through my casual conversation with Kawamura-sensei. Little by little, I have become more confident in reading, speaking and writing Japanese. As a result, I have decided to work harder and attempt JLPT N5 in about 6 months! I hope someday I will be able to read the work by some of my favorite Japanese writers in their native tongue.

When I found Nihongo-Pro, I hadn’t lived in Japan in over 17 years, and hadn’t studied Japanese in over 30 years!

The search to find just the right teacher for my particular needs was overwhelming, to say the least; I am happy to say I found such a teacher in Nakano-sensei. She is very experienced, and knew my level and abilities from the very first lesson. I like that she knows how to adjust the lesson to address some of my weak points, and I appreciate her patience and ability to explain certain nuances in the Japanese language. Nakano-sensei is also fun to talk with, and always chooses interesting topics for conversation.

I take lessons twice a week, and have seen a great improvement in my Japanese reading, listening, and kanji recognition. However, the most important benefit of taking Japanese lessons online with Nakano-sensei is having someone to hold me accountable in my studies. I have tried before and failed trying to learn on my own—especially living in an area where almost no one speaks Japanese. Her lessons have renewed my interest in seriously studying Japanese, and for that I am truly grateful.

I look forward to finally returning to Kyoto, and being able to speak naturally with my Japanese friends and college host family. It would also be nice to visit Nakano-sensei in her beautiful city someday! She’s a wonderful teacher and a great person, and I couldn’t ask for a better Japanese learning experience.