tutoring

Tutoring is especially useful for targeting and working through things that are tripping you up. These would be things where you want someone to, for example, help you with pronunciation, teach you how to learn Japanese in a way that really works for you or get your vocabulary beefed up enough to join a special event.

Book your lesson

Should I choose this learning option?

This is for you if you’re shy, need focused help or have a hard time staying motivated.

What’s included?

	private sessions with a teacher * You can get taught one-on-one or with up to three friends / family.
	tailored schedule You can choose the schedule that works best for you. Lessons don’t have to be the same time every week (or don’t even need to be every week!).
	learning record You get a detailed list of everything you’ve learned and what to turn in so we can review and move onto new material.
	workbook These worksheets will guide you through the course material and show you how everything comes together in the Japanese language.
	custom lessons Tutoring lessons are personalized to match your learning speed and interests.

How often/When are the lessons?

Sessions can be scheduled in any open slot between 10AM – 10PM Central for as often and as long as you like. We can meet once a month, once a week or a few times a week depending on what you need.

Speaking-focused

To get good at speaking, I recommend shorter sessions, like 15 or 30 minutes, 2 to 4 times a week. We would spend the entire time talking in Japanese.

Everything (speaking/listening/reading/writing) -focused

Longer sessions of an hour or more would be better so we have time to go over the material and then practice together.

Where are lessons held?

Online lessons

You’ll get a link to your own private Discord classroom in our learning community. If we can’t get Discord to work, we’ll use Google Meet.

In-person lessons

We can meet at
1) Glenview Public Library (1930 Glenview Rd, Glenview, IL 60025) WEDNESDAYS,

2) Logan Square Branch, Chicago Public Library (3030 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647) THURSDAYS BEFORE 3PM,

3) Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago Public Library (1150 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614) SATURDAYS BEFORE 1PM,

4) Cicero Public Library (5225 W Cermak Rd, Cicero, IL 60804) SATURDAYS AFTER 4PM,

5) Oriole Park Library (7454 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60656) ANY DAY/TIME* OR

6) a public location of your choice within 15 miles of Harlem Irving Plaza or one of the libraries above on a day other than what’s listed.**

Choose the location when you book your lesson.

* No extra charge. Schedule at least 3 hours before the lesson. We may have to reschedule if I’m in a different area and can’t make it to the lesson within 3 hours.

** Please note #6 is $15 more to cover transportation costs.

How fast are the lessons?
What will I be learning?

Sessions are totally at your own pace. If you have books you want to study from, I’ll mix that into my teaching materials. You can see the course outlines for a general idea of when and what I’ll teach you but let me know if there’s something specific you want to learn!

How much does tutoring cost?

One-on-one: $40/hr.
Each additional person (up to 3 people): +$10/hr.

+$15/lesson for lessons held at a public location of your choice.

Timeslots can be booked in 15-minute increments.

I booked my lesson. Now what?

An email asking you to fill out this booking request form should be in your inbox shortly! (Check Spam and Promotions folder if you don’t see it after 15 minutes.)

You’ll fill in your Japanese goals and ability along with times and if we’re both free at the same time, I’ll send a Google calendar invite.

If we’ve been talking by email, you can skip the form and continue emailing me. Send dates and times you’re free.

Check when I’m already booked on my Availability Calendar so you can narrow down the dates. It only shows confirmed events and appointments. So, what you request might already be filled by the time you message me. But we can figure out other times together.

(Booking calendar is coming soon. In the meantime, please use the form. Thank you for your patience!)

Booking and paying for a session locks in your session time except:

1. when there’s an hour or less before your online session or
2. when there’s 3 hours or less before your in-person session or
3. when it’s after midnight and your session starts before 11AM

In any of these cases, if I don’t see your booking in time, the lesson will be delayed or rescheduled.

Is it okay if I’m a little late?

If we start late and I don’t have back-to-back lessons, your lesson can be extended up to:

• 15 minutes past your lesson’s start time for sessions an hour or longer.
• 5 minutes past your lesson’s start time for sessions shorter than an hour.

Sorry, I’m not going to make the lesson today.

No problem! Just message me

• 3 hours or more before your in-person lesson
• any time before the start of your online lesson

to cancel/reschedule and the payment goes towards your next lesson. Cancellations/Rescheduling after this time costs 25% of your session fee.

Sorry, I forgot about the lesson.
I couldn’t make it. Can I reschedule it now?

I know things happen. The first time you miss a lesson each quarter (so, every 3 months: Jan – Mar; Apr – Jun; Jul – Sep; Oct – Dec), there’s no charge.

Any lessons missed after that will be the full fee.

You are more than welcome to book another lesson but the payment for the missed lesson won’t roll over and be used for that lesson. When you reserve a time, that means someone else can’t schedule a lesson during that time.