Oku Sensei’s Japanese is an online Language Academy that offers University-level Japanese language education to a wide range of people across the world at a cost that they can afford. Being built on the fundamental belief that everybody deserves an affordable, high quality education, Oku Sensei’s Japanese is on the forefront of creating new and innovative ways to bring high-level and high-quality language education to a wider audience, and expand the study of language learning throughout the world
With the highest level University language education, Oku Sensei’s Japanese will have you reading, writing, and speaking Japanese within weeks. Having a Ph.D in linguistics with over 20 years of teaching experience at seven different Universities and Colleges across the United States, Oku Sensei’s Japanese is able to give you the highest quality Japanese language education for the fastest results.
At Oku Sensei’s Japanese, we believe that teaching is not simply knowing the material you teach, but knowing the person in front of you. Starting with a 30-minute free consultation, we spend the time to get to know your unique goals and learning style, designing a tailored course plan that fits your needs. Oku Sensei’s Japanese also offers course support from 10:00am to 8:00pm USA Eastern Time Weekdays and Sundays, along with professional consultation sessions.
In every respect, Oku Sensei’s Japanese puts the student first. Without sacrificing quality in education, Oku Sensei’s Japanese presents extremely affordable prices, opening up higher education to more people. Choose from our diverse offering of University-level semester courses or tailored private lessons.
I grew up in a Japanese family with a rich history dating back to the Edo period in Kokura, Japan, where my family has been living and caring for the same plot of land since the early 1700s. I was raised in the most traditional manner, deeply learning Japanese history, literature, and culture, and as such an appreciation for Japan grew in my heart and soul. Due to my intensely traditional Japanese background, learning English and western culture was quite the struggle for me when I first came to America as an exchange student. From this experience, I have been able to know and feel deeply what it means to be a student, and what it takes to learn a language effectively.
Ever since I started teaching Japanese at the University of North Texas in 2001, I have always strived to create lesson plans that allow students to learn Japanese in the easiest and fastest way. Along with this, I have also always tried my best to share Japanese culture with students since I strongly believe that language and culture are deeply inseparable.
I went through the traditional Japanese educational system in Japan graduating university with a BA in English. Afterwards, I went on to receive a MA in linguistics at the University of North Texas and then moved on to a Doctoral program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, earning a Ph.D. in Linguistics in 2008 (under the name Masako Hoye). I also am a holder of the English Language Proficiency Test (called Eiken in Japan) 1st degree.
Everyone is busy. If you're a student, you have multiple classes, loads of homework for each, sports, and extra curriculars you need to juggle. If you're working, you can barely find the time to get home and get something together for dinner, let alone study in your limited free time. If you were to add something new to your already jam-packed schedule, it would need to be fun, fruitful, and not take up too much of your time, right? Exactly right, which is why we've already taken these factors into account, and designed an incredibly enjoyable yet efficient semester course curriculum to fit your needs. All you need to do is attend class at most 3 times a week for 50 minutes from a computer anywhere, and that's it! No mandatory homework, and no mandatory out-of-class study time. As long as you just show up, you will be absolutely amazed at how fast you are able to read, write, and converse all in Japanese.
If you've really made an effort to try and learn Japanese on your own before, you'll already know just how confusing things can get very quickly. If you're thinking to yourself “Ok I learned hiragana and katakana, but…now what?", you've come to the right place. Our courses teach all facets of Japanese language learning (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) seamlessly with top level visual and contextual teaching strategies, allowing you to learn Japanese quickly, efficiently, and effortlessly. As long as you show up to class, we guarantee steady and reliable progress, along with an unparalleled solid foundation in your Japanese language ability. If you start the OSJ course track today, you won't ever need to find yourself wondering what and how to learn Japanese language or culture again; we've already done that part for you.
More than most other languages by a significant margin, learning Japanese requires true care and dedication. Japan is a country of high culture and respect, and as such an equal level of knowledge and reverence towards the country's language and traditions can go an incredibly long way when visiting or living there. Yes I'm sure you know about taking off your shoes when going into someone's home, but do you know the right place, time, and price for giving someone an omiyage? Do you know the difference in interactions between friends, teachers, and colleagues? Do you know when and how to use casual speech, polite speech, and honorific speech? How can I work and live in Japan? We will help support you and teach the answers to these questions and many more so that you can not just be in Japan, but be accepted, welcomed, and feel comfortable with the Japanese people as well.