FAQs

Q. What is OSJ (Oku Sensei's Japanese)?

A. OSJ is an online Japanese language school founded in 2021. Through Zoom, students can participate in group lessons with Oku Sensei at an affordable price, learning practical Japanese from a highly experienced native speaker in a short period of time.

Q. What kind of students do you have?

A. We welcome a variety of students, from those learning Japanese as a hobby to those aiming to master the language for professional use in Japan.

Q. How long is each lesson?

A. Each lesson is approximately 50 – 75 minutes.

Q. How do I book a lesson?

A. Classes are held on the same day each week, so there is no need to book each class individually. After your free consultation with Oku sensei, she will send you a zoom link through which you can participate in the class, along with a payment link for the course.

Q. How much are the tuition fees?

A. The fees vary depending on the class you take. On our “Japanese Language Courses” page, you can see the price per class. In our free consultation, we will guide you through the most suitable Japanese course and its pricing. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Q. Can I pay by credit card?

A. Yes, payments are generally made by credit card.

Q. Is Oku Sensei a professional in Japanese language education?

A. Yes, Oku Sensei is a native Japanese speaker born in Japan, and a professional who has taught Japanese for over 20 years at universities in the U.S.

Q. Does Oku Sensei speak English?

A. Yes, Oku Sensei is very fluent in English, having taught for many years at universities in the U.S. One of Oku Sensei’s greatest strengths is being able to support students by switching between Japanese and English depending on their level of understanding, so students can learn with confidence.

Q. Will I have different instructors for each lesson?

A. No, Oku Sensei teaches all the lessons. Oku Sensei’s attentive teaching is highly praised by students, making the lessons very satisfying.

Q. I have never studied Japanese before, is that okay?

A. Yes, that's perfectly fine. We start with basic greetings and hiragana practice, so there’s no need to worry. Most learners at Oku Sensei’s Japanese start from scratch and progress to speaking, reading, and writing in Japanese with ease.

Q. What do I need to prepare?

A. You will need a webcam, Zoom, and an internet connection to attend the lessons.

Q. I feel like the current class I am enrolled in doesn’t exactly fit my level; can I be moved to another class or section in the middle of the semester that better fits my level without waiting?

A. Yes. We prioritize the efficiency and comfort of our students' learning in various ways, including offering a wide range of class sections and types to accommodate different learning styles and abilities. If, at any point, you feel that the section you are in is not suitable for you, please contact Oku Sensei immediately. We will promptly move you to a section that better fits your needs.

Q. I want to learn Japanese but I’m a slow learner and am worried if I can keep up. Does Oku Sensei’s Japanese accommodate slow learners?

A. Yes, Oku Sensei’s Japanese offers a set of courses specifically designed for learners who prefer to learn at their own pace, called our “Discover Japanese” program. These courses provide more time and focused attention on the same subject material compared to other course types, ensuring that students do not feel rushed and achieve maximum retention of the material they study.

Q. I’m very busy and don’t have much free time, but I still want to learn Japanese and make steady progress. Are there courses available for me at OSJ like this?

A. Yes. Our Standard course would be perfect for you. The Standard course is designed to cover a wide breadth of Japanese language material with maximum efficiency, encompassing reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and Kanji practice within the class. The class structure allows you to achieve practical Japanese skills within the first couple of months, even without doing any homework.

Q. I want to become fluent in Japanese as quickly as possible. Do you have any courses that can help me make this goal a reality?

A. Yes, we offer a specialized Master Class series for our top students. For those at Oku Sensei’s Japanese who are particularly capable, talented, hardworking, and dedicated, we provide this specialized Master Class series. It guarantees several levels of JLPT certification and Japanese fluency upon upper-level course completion. However, it should be duly noted that our Master Class program is extremely competitive. Only students who have been thoroughly vetted by Oku Sensei and have demonstrated exceptional potential and ability are permitted to join.

Q. When are OSJ’s class times?

A. Classes are offered 6:00am – 2:00pm Japan time on Tuesday through Saturday.

For U.S. students, the times are as follows Monday through Friday:

During daylight savings:
2:00pm – 10:00pm PDT,
3:00pm – 11:00pm MDT,
4:00pm – 12:00am CDT,
5:00pm – 1:00am EDT.

During non-daylight savings:
1:00pm – 9:00pm PDT,
2:00pm – 10:00pm MDT,
3:00pm – 11:00pm CDT,
4:00pm – 12:00am EDT.

Q. Can I join a class in the middle of the semester?

A. Yes! Simply contact Oku Sensei through the OSJ website, and she will assist you in enrolling in a course, even if you are joining mid-semester.

Q. Do I have to buy textbooks and/or workbooks?

A. There is no need to buy any study materials as we will provide all of them for you.

Q. I work full-time, so I don't have much free time. How much homework will be assigned?

A. The lesson content is designed to be memorized during class, so there is essentially no homework. If we ask anything of you, it is simply to review the slides used during the class.

Q. I want to review what I learned in class, but what should I do if I couldn't take good notes?

A. We will upload the slides, handouts, and notes used during each lesson, ensuring that you will not fall behind if you review them.

Q. I have concerns about falling behind if I have to miss a class due to other commitments. Is there anything special that can be done for me? Also, will I be refunded for the class if I miss it?

A. If you have to miss a class, we will record the lesson so you can study from the class video. Therefore, we do not offer tuition refunds for missed classes.

Q. What does the stamp in your logo say?

A. The stamp in our logo says "Oku," which represents my Japanese family name, expressed in kanji (the Chinese characters used in Japanese). This name reflects my heritage, coming from a very old and traditional Japanese family that has been caring for the same plot of land since the early 1700s (Edo period). The family land and name are foundational to my identity, which is why I chose to incorporate them into the symbol of my language school, Oku Sensei’s Japanese.

Q. I’m not sure which class is right for me.

A. No problem! In the initial free consultation, Oku Sensei will carefully listen to you and assess your needs. She will check what kind of Japanese learning experience you have and how much you've mastered, then recommend the class that suits you best. Please feel free to contact us to get started!