Customer Testimonials

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

My name is Ash Rich, I am 20 years old and a college student studying Japanese and Tactile arts.

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

I have been taking this class for an entire summer.

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

I had studied japanese with my college for roughly two years before enrolling in Oku Sensei’s class, though I struggled immensely with the basics and most foundational structures, which made me suffer in the long run.

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

I wanted a stronger grasp on short form, te-form, and other basic forms, as well as reviewing some more advanced grammatical structures I struggled with. I managed to achieve all of these, in addition to learning additional equally important things I was struggling with.

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

Oku Sensei is incredible at explaining things in an easy-to-follow way, and she is clear and concise. She is incredibly thorough and encouraging, and I don’t feel bad about asking questions or answering and getting it wrong. She will make sure you understand ‘why’ you got it wrong, while being encouraging, so you continue to answer confidently until you get it right!

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

The friendliness and easy-going, open nature of the lessons. While they were information dense, it wasn’t difficult to absorb the information, and Oku Sensei’s positive attitude throughout the class made it fun and entertaining, while being an easy class to learn in.

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

I studied independently on my own, then for two years at a college level, before joining Oku Sensei’s class, and it feels much more personal in Oku Sensei’s class as opposed to my college courses. I was able to ask questions and get a direct and thorough answer and/or clarification without feeling pressured from a large class or a teacher who was trying to cram as much as they could into each lesson. I was able to ask for specific lessons that I struggle with, like ‘should have/must’ forms, and various time structures that I never grasped when originally learning them. The class is much more flexible and was able to fit my schedule so I could attend around other classes I had this summer in addition to work and preparing to study abroad.

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

Oku Sensei was worth every penny, and I believe the lessons I learned to be invaluable. Money is a little tight for me, and she was able to work with me so I could still attend the class I desperately needed, without jeopardizing my ability to travel abroad for the next semester.

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 anyone of any level with an interest of studying japanese to take Oku Sensei’s classes. It is incredibly helpful, and fun- and especially to anyone going abroad it is arguably the most valuable thing you could do with your time. I do not know what kind of person wouldn’t benefit from taking Oku Sensei’s class- perhaps if you’re lazy or simply do not want to take a Japanese class, but for anyone with any interest at all in Japanese, the class is incredibly enriching.

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

Initially, because I was worried about passing placement exams for Kansai Gaidai, I was looking for a tutor to help me over the summer. A classmate in a similar situation as my own reached out via advisor, and we exchanged information. I had never taken an online course before, especially over the summer, and I was hesitant due to worrying about time management, but the class was incredibly flexible and I ended up having no issues with it.

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 think I would be in a much, much worse position for my placement exams, and might’ve had to take or retake an extra year of japanese costing me thousands of dollars because i couldn’t pass the classes I’d need to take abroad. Additionally, I am going to college on military aid, so I would have to pay out of pocket for any failed courses with no financial aid.

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?

Don’t give up, and don’t be afraid to ask questions- try your hardest and one day it will ‘click’, and become much easier. Don’t be afraid to ask for examples or real-world situations! And make sure to enjoy the language and appreciate the culture. It’s unique and a great experience!