1. Level Up Your Japanese from Home Over Summer Break!
Most summer programs involve traveling to Japan to study the language. However, the cost of airfare and accommodation, not to mention time zone differences and scheduling conflicts, can make this a major hurdle.
That's why the OSJ Summer Intensive Course is conducted entirely online.
You can participate with peace of mind from the comfort of your home or wherever you are. With classes designed to accommodate all time zones across the U.S., students from anywhere in the country can join with ease.
2. Why Summer Is the Best Time to Learn Japanese
At many U.S. universities, students get a long summer break from June through August.
During this time, Japanese classes come to a complete halt, and the vocabulary and grammar you worked so hard to learn can quickly fade after just three months of disuse.
This is a common frustration for many students.
On top of that, during the academic year, students are often overwhelmed with other classes and assignments.
Many say, “I want to focus more on Japanese, but I just don’t have the time.”
Summer is the one rare season where you can finally devote yourself fully to Japanese.
That’s why this is the perfect time to pause, review everything you’ve learned, and turn your Japanese abilities confident and rock solid.
The OSJ Summer Intensive Course was designed specifically for driven learners who don’t want to waste this opportunity for growth.
It’s a results-focused program created by Oku Sensei, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in Japanese education.
3. Overview of the OSJ Summer Intensive Course
Oku Sensei's Japanese offers two course options, each tailored to different learning goals.
Course 1: Review & Reinforcement Course
For Beginner, Upper Beginner, and Intermediate Learners
Are you leaving that vague sense of “I just don’t get it” unresolved?
At OSJ, we identify the common stumbling blocks for each level of learner and offer carefully tailored support to help you overcome them.
- ・ For beginners, we focus on building a solid foundation of core grammar and vocabulary—so you can finally feel that “Aha!” moment and grow your confidence in learning.
- ・ For upper beginners, we help you organize your scattered knowledge and steadily build your conversation and listening skills—developing real-life communication ability.
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・ For intermediate learners, we help you overcome your weaknesses while integrating all four core skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—so you can confidently move on to the next stage.
“The part I didn’t understand finally clicked!”
This course helps you build moments like that—step by step, at your own pace.
| Schedule | 2 or 3 times per week |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $30 per class (60 minutes) |
Course 2: Practical Communication Course
For Advanced Learners
From “I can speak” to “I can truly express myself.”
Develop the ability to convey your thoughts and feelings freely in Japanese.
Even if you’ve reached a conversational level in Japanese, many learners suddenly lose confidence when it comes to giving presentations, participating in debates, or discussing complex topics.
This course is designed to help advanced learners break through those barriers.
You’ll train intensively through:
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・ Discussions ・ Opinion sharing practice ・ Intensive reading & long-form comprehension ・ Writing for both academic and personal purposes
This course strengthens your ability to speak in your own words, clearly and persuasively.
Drawing on her extensive experience teaching advanced university classes, Oku Sensei will help you expand your expressive range and guide you toward more natural, convincing Japanese.
| Schedule | 2 times per week |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $40 per class (75 minutes) |
At Oku Sensei’s Japanese, we offer a free 30-minute consultation before you start any course.
This session gives us a chance to listen carefully to your learning background and goals, so we can suggest the most effective study plan for you.
If you're unsure about which course is right for you, or if you're not confident in your current level, this consultation will help ease your worries—so you can begin your studies with peace of mind.
We also offer year-round courses in addition to our summer intensive options.
4. Meet the Instructor: Who Teaches the Summer Intensive Course?
The OSJ Summer Intensive Course is led and supervised by Oku Sensei, a seasoned Japanese educator with over 20 years of experience teaching at universities across the United States.
Oku Sensei has held full-time faculty positions at institutions such as:
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・ University of North Texas ・ University of Colorado Boulder ・ Bucknell University ・ Wittenberg University ・ Colby College ・ Middlebury College ・ University of Rhode Island
She has taught Japanese at all levels—from first-year beginners to fourth-year advanced learners—and has developed and led a wide range of programs tailored to the needs of each university and student body, including:
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・ Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Japanese courses ・ Short-term summer and winter intensive programs ・ Independent study courses in Japanese language and culture ・ Faculty-led immersion programs in Japan
In addition, she has founded Japanese minor programs from scratch at two separate universities and played a central role in building study abroad programs and joint international engineering initiatives (JIEP) with Japanese universities, including Kochi University, Kyushu University, and Okayama University.
Oku Sensei earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2008 and has a deep understanding of language education theory.
“Why do American college students struggle with Japanese?”
“Where do gaps in their understanding tend to form?”
“In what order should we relearn to rebuild true confidence?”
This summer, she’s ready to provide the support that students genuinely need, backed by years of real-world experience in the classroom.
Click here to read what students have said about their experience with Oku Sensei.
We offer personalized course
recommendations tailored to
each student's learning
progress. Feel free to
contact us for more
information. Classes start at
$20 for a 50-minute session.
5. Frequently Asked Questions About the Summer Intensive Japanese Course
- Q. What kind of program is this Summer Intensive Course?
- A. It’s an online intensive course designed to help you boost your Japanese skills over the summer (June–August).
Focusing on review, overcoming weak points, and building real-world fluency, classes are taught live via Zoom by Oku Sensei.
The curriculum is carefully structured to help you strengthen all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- Q. Can I take private lessons instead of group classes?
-
A.
At Oku Sensei’s Japanese, all courses are currently offered in a group format.
Many people believe that private lessons may offer more personalized instruction—but Oku Sensei has consistently helped students succeed through her group lessons by tailoring her teaching to each individual’s needs.
Private lessons offer flexibility, but they can also make it harder to stay motivated.
In contrast, learning in a group provides inspiration from peers and encourages personal growth through shared effort and insight.
Without the healthy competition and collaboration of a group class, students become complacent, lose their frame of reference, and experience significantly slower progress.
Many students have significantly improved their Japanese through group learning at OSJ.
We encourage you to read their testimonials and experience the benefits of group learning for yourself.
- Q. Is English support available?
- A. Yes! Oku Sensei has over 20 years of experience teaching Japanese at American universities and is well-versed in offering support in English.
She smoothly switches between Japanese and English as needed, so even beginners and native English speakers can feel at ease.
- Q. I'm nervous about online learning. Will it still work if I'm a beginner?
- A. Absolutely.
Beginners start with the basics, like hiragana and greetings, while advanced learners tackle presentations and discussions.
Oku Sensei ensures that no one gets left behind, with thorough support based on each student's level.
- Q. How are the classes conducted?
- A. All lessons are live and interactive on Zoom.
Recordings are available for review, and as long as you have internet access and a webcam, you can join from anywhere.
- Q. Who joins this course?
- A. Most participants are U.S.-based college students looking to level up their Japanese over summer break.
Some are majoring or minoring in Japanese, while others join for personal growth or career goals.
Everyone is welcome!
- Q. What's the class schedule like?
- A. Classes are held twice or three times per week, depending on your course.
They take place in the morning Japan time, which corresponds to the afternoon/evening in the U.S.
You'll be guided to a time slot that works best for you during the free consultation.
- Q. How much does the course cost?
- A. Tuition varies depending on the course and level.
For details, please refer to the Summer Intensive Course page or inquire during your free consultation.
- Q. Do I need to prepare or purchase any materials?
- A. No need! All course materials are provided by OSJ.
There's no requirement to buy textbooks or workbooks.
- Q. Will I receive the slides and materials used in class?
- A. Yes. All slides, handouts, and lesson materials are shared after each class.
They're perfect for review or catching up if you have to miss a class.
- Q. Will there be homework? What if I'm too busy to do it?
- A. Don't worry—we don't assign homework at OSJ.The curriculum and materials are designed so that simply reviewing the slides and handouts from class is enough to build your Japanese skills. Oku Sensei's materials naturally help you acquire the four core skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—without overwhelming assignments. Even busy learners can stay on track and progress smoothly.
- Q. What if I have to miss a class?
- A. Each class is recorded, and you'll receive a video link if you can't attend.
While we can't offer refunds for missed classes, we'll do everything we can to help you stay on track.
- Q. I'm not sure which level is right for me.
- A. No problem! During your free consultation, Oku Sensei will listen carefully to your goals and assess your current level, then recommend the most suitable class for you.
- Q. How do I pay for the course? Can I use a credit card?
- A.Yes, we accept credit card payments.
You’ll receive a secure payment link by email.
- Q. Can I join the course partway through the term?
- A. Yes, as long as there is space available, you may join mid-course.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you're interested.
We offer personalized course
recommendations tailored to
each student's learning
progress. Feel free to
contact us for more
information. Classes start at
$20 for a 50-minute session.
