This class is taught in English.

Students will *acquire* language over time, naturally, through repeated exposure and interested listening and dialogue about the subject matter presented for the week.

 + Magna cum laude graduate in philosophy with honors and concentrations in Japanese studies and religion
 + 2nd Level JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) certification-holder* 
 + Member of the 2007 International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Diplomacy & International Relations in the People's Republic of China 

*JLPT 5th level is the lowest and 1st is the highest (also now denoted "N5" through "N1)

I studied Japanese language, culture, history, and economics both at home (Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota) and a year abroad (Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan). I returned to Japan after graduating to live for another three years in Kagawa prefecture, Shikoku, where I worked in language instruction and Japanese-English translation. I attained certification in the 2nd highest level of the internationally recognized Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and twice sat in for the 1st level. 

My teaching experience in language instruction (where I also often implement the Natural Approach and TPR) continues to this day in private lessons for both children and adults in ESL, Japanese language learning, and JLPT test prep. For Japanese, this includes literacy in kanji and the language's other character sets, as well as comprehension and production in both informal and business-level conversation. It also means a top-down approach to deconstructing, studying for, and tackling the JLPT for those students looking to take their Japanese to the next level and even get this important certification that can land them a job abroad. (Feel free to contact me for more information about the JLPT and suggestions on whether or not it may be right for your learner's language goals.)

Homework Offered
Students are welcome (but are in no way obligated) to supplement their personal studies by joining our Beginner Level group on Duolingo where they can compete with themselves and each other on new vocabulary they are learning. Each week, we will review their stats together and acknowledge the top three All Time record holders as well as the top five Past Week record holders.

Assignments through Duolingo are offered to aid students in preparation for the following week's meeting, but students are more than welcome to complete as many or few tasks as they wish and in their subject of choice. 

Students can also benefit from using flashcard apps/extensions and language sites such as the ones below (my personal list of favorites).

 + Ankiweb.net
 + Memrise.com
 + JapanesePod101.com
 + FluentU.com
 + ReadLang.com
 + LingQ.com 
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Short question-based assessments are made throughout the lesson to measure and respond to perceived comprehension.
Grades Offered

Immersion Japanese Club Level 3 has its own exclusive Duolingo group where students can continue their Japanese vocabulary and phrases studies on a daily basis. Group participation is optional and may not be necessary if students already have a resources they refer to daily for language practice. Details with instructions will follow after the student's first lesson.