Customer Testimonials

First, could you tell us about yourself? (Your name, age, occupation, etc., as much as you are comfortable sharing)

Caroline, 36, Librarian

How long have you been taking classes at Oku Sensei’s Japanese?

I have been taking classes with Oku sensei since 2022.

What was your situation before you started Oku Sensei's Japanese?

I studied Japanese in college and completed one semester of study abroad in Japan, but it had been years since I last picked up a textbook.

What results were you expecting before signing up? And what results did you actually achieve?

I wanted to feel more comfortable with reading and speaking Japanese and continue increasing my knowledge. I do feel more confident now, especially with reading, and I hope to continue learning.

Why do you think you were able to achieve the results mentioned in Q4?

At first I worried that I would feel too intimidated to speak up in class, but Oku sensei made it very easy to respond and participate. Even when I make mistakes, she is kind and patient in explaining as many times as needed to understand.

What was the most memorable aspect of learning at Oku Sensei's Japanese?

I joined a class at the very end of the semester, after not having studied any vocabulary or kanji in years! Despite that, Oku sensei immediately made me feel at ease with taking turns reading with the other students, encouraging me even though I struggled a lot at first. It was the most positive experience I’ve ever had learning a language, and because of that I stuck with it.

Have you studied Japanese anywhere else? What differences did you notice compared to other Japanese language schools?

I studied Japanese in college, where the class size was much larger. The biggest difference is the amount of one-on-one learning and explanation if I need help. Oku sensei is also very good about checking in frequently to make sure the teaching style is working for you, and makes changes if there are areas you want to focus on to help you learn. With a formal college class, that wouldn’t be possible.

Did you find the price to be expensive? (Did you feel that what you gained was worth more than what you paid?)

The cost is very reasonable for the duration of the class and the amount of work and attention Oku sensei puts in to teach us.

Who would you recommend Oku Sensei's Japanese to? On the other hand, if there is someone you wouldn't recommend it to, what kind of person would that be?

I would recommend Oku sensei to non-traditional students, especially anyone returning to study Japanese after an extended break. Students who have difficulty staying engaged in a large classroom setting will also find her enthusiasm and energy great for keeping interest in the class.

What content attracted you to sign up for Oku Sensei's Japanese? Did you have any hesitations when signing up?

Oku sensei was highly recommended as an excellent teacher by my friends, her former students. My Japanese grades in college were always poor, so I didn’t know if even the best teacher could help me. Fortunately, I was wrong.

If you hadn’t signed up for Oku Sensei's Japanese, what do you think your situation would be now? Also, when do you think is the best time to sign up?

I wouldn’t be studying Japanese now if I hadn’t signed up. The best time to sign up is whenever you want to take that first step! Oku sensei is flexible about scheduling, and will work with you to find a time that works best. Even if there’s a wait for other students to join, it will be worth it.

As someone who has studied Japanese at Oku Sensei's Japanese, could you give a message to those who will start learning in the future?

No matter why you want to learn, even if you’re shy or not confident in your Japanese or if you think you’ve forgotten everything you learned, Oku sensei is very enthusiastic and great at motivating her students to keep trying. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, she will believe in you!