Student’s Voice

student's voice

Jes
Listening intension and Haiku project

I have been studying with Tamaki Sensei for close to 10 years.  Last year she kindly helped me prepare for and pass the N4 Japanese Language Proficiency Test at the University of Alberta. We are currently doing listening practice and shadowing, as well as grammar review. I have also been interested in learning how to construct Japanese haikus, Tamaki Sensei has graciously introduced me to a haiku Sensei in Japan to help with my writing.  I look forward to continuing my studies and improving my base knowledge in hopes that the grammar will become second nature.

 

Jennifer
Reading & Writing  Course

 

Tamaki Sensei is a highly-skilled instructor with an incredible ability to meet each student where they’re at. I began taking lessons with her after realising that the self-study tools I’d been using lacked the depth I was looking for. Tamaki Sensei tailors each class around my interests, strengths and weaknesses, and is always looking for new ways to engage with students.

 

 

Emma
Conversational Course
 

I’ve been studying Japanese under Tamaki-sensei for a few years now, and it’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience. We started with learning how to read and write in Hiragana and Katakana, and then moved onto grammar basics and Kanji. Right now we’re focusing on conversational Japanese, with an emphasis on a process called “shadowing,” in which you attempt to follow along with someone speaking Japanese in order to pick up the natural flow and intonation of spoken Japanese. Tamaki-sensei does a great job of pushing me to focus on my weaknesses, and I’m always excited to come to class.

 


Erika 
Conversational Course

Before joining Tamaki Sensei’s classes, I had studied Japanese for two years but still couldn’t hold a real conversation. After one year in her class, I went back to Japan and could actually communicate.I respect her thorough teaching—it helps you learn and respect the language. Her lessons are always adapted to my level and interests. The most impactful is her lessons on paraphrasing; she taught me to express my thoughts using the vocabulary I already have. I’m learning so much more than grammar—I’m learning Japanese history and culture, too!

 

 

Ellie
Conversational course

I have been taking lessons with Tamaki Sensei for about a year and a half and have learned so much about the language and the culture.I recently visited Japan for the first time.  My biggest goal was to communicate with my Japanese family members while I was there, and I was able to do that. I’m excited to continue learning and improving!

 



 Sam
  Academic and conversational course

Before taking class with Tamaki Sensei I had never taken a single language lesson in my life. And once I began, I never expected I would be studying it long-term; but here I am six years later, and I have never looked back. Now I’m able to read Japanese stories and manga and enjoy movies without subtitles. Thanks to the class, I have friends in Japan that I have Japanese-only conversations with online on a regular basis and I was even able to feel confident enough to navigate Japan alone, communicating with people there in professional and casual settings. I also recently passed the JLPT N3 exam and I’m so excited to continue learning and improving my skills. 

 

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