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At a Glance
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 + Has a background in JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) coaching at Immersion Japanese Club
 + Has taught JSL (Japanese as a second language) for over five years
 + Studied abroad at Kansai Gaidai University (関西外国語大学)
 + Holds the 2nd Highest Level JLPT certification-holder* 
 + Taught in Japanese elementary and junior high schools under the Takamatsu board of education
 + Worked as an Japanese-English translator while abroad and in the United States
 + Was a member of the 2007 International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Diplomacy & International Relations in the People's Republic of China 
 + Graduated magna cum laude graduate in philosophy with honors and concentrations in Japanese studies and religion

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

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Details
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I have over 20 years of experience in teaching and tutoring, as well as fluency in the language for more than a decade. I also have a deep understanding of the JLPT framework and content and have successfully guided hundreds of learners through its challenges toward helping them secure a career and life in Japan.

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 translation. I passed the 2nd highest level of the internationally recognized Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and twice sat in for the 1st level (only barely missing the mark both times). 

I have a lot of teaching experience in both English and Japanese, including reading, writing, speaking and listening. I'm the creator and current sole teacher of the Immersion Japanese Club language courses (introductory through advanced) on Outschool, and have several regular private Japanese tutoring and JLPT coaching students I work with on the side.

My teaching experience in English and Japanese makes my teaching flexible or rigorous based on the student's personal goals for reading, writing, speaking and listening. 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-notch 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.

"From one thing know ten thousand things." -- Miyomoto Musashi

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Testimonials
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"I wrote this right before I graduated high school. I am now a college freshman and just finished my first Calculus exam and received a 98%. Kelsey instilled onto me the love of math, the ability to not give up whenever the going gets tough, and to truly want to understand the material I am presented with. Anyone wondering if they should have Kelsey tutor them in anything, do it. He is a great person, fantastic teacher, and most of all, a friend. Best tutor I have ever had." — David L. (2018 magnet high school student graduate)

"Outstanding, thoughtful, and patient tutor. Kelsey is one of the most phenomenal tutors that I have ever had. With a complex subject like philosophy, he had the ability to make the subject all seem simple. Kelsey is extremely adaptable and helped me learn in a way that best suited me. More than anything else, Kelsey cares about the work that he is doing. He is extremely prepared before each session, and provides detailed notes after. I have had a lot of tutors [...], but Kelsey supersedes them all." — Nicolette P. Highland Park, NJ on 5/12/2020 (logic student)

"Intelligent, patient, comprehensible when teaching and motivating. Kelsey's work with me as a tutor has helped me to improve my understanding of Algebra and how to master certain skills in Algebra. He's also helping me prepare for an entrance exam which has been wonderful and has relieved me of stress about the math portions. Math was something that has always been unclear and confusing for me, but Kelsey really helped me understand it and overcome the challenging parts. I saw my improvement in math after the lesson, it began to click for me. I now feel confident that I will be successful in my math classes. I've improved tremendously from Kelsey's help and now math is not so daunting. I feel well prepared for my high schools math classes to come and I look forward to conquering them with Kelsey's help." — Leslie Shreveport, LA on 3/27/2017

"My university required that I take two semesters of Philosophy, Phil 101 and Phil 102. When I started Phil 101 I was very overwhelmed and sought [...] guidance. After working with Kelsey on essays, exam prep, homework questions, and discussion posts for my online class I was able to finish both classes! I got a B+ in Phil 101 and an A- in Phil 102. I would not have felt confident in these classes without the extra help!  100% recommend." — Pam G. Las Vegas, NV on 4/15/201 (undergraduate student in psychology)