Learning Japanese

Yoshimi’s Japanese Lessons

With over 25 years of experience teaching Japanese, I've guided students from ages 4 to 70+ across private lessons, group classes, and college instruction.

My approach extends beyond language mechanics to embrace the cultural and historical dimensions that give Japanese its rich character. Each class is tailored to honor your personal goals—whether you're seeking conversational fluency, cultural understanding, or anything in between.

I deeply value each student's unique learning style, strengths, and challenges. By recognizing these individual differences, I create a supportive environment where genuine progress thrives. My teaching adapts to you, rather than expecting you to adapt to a rigid method.

My students become an important part of my life—I take sincere care in your journey, celebrating achievements and working through difficulties together. This family-like atmosphere fosters confidence and joy in the learning process.

Join me in exploring Japanese language and culture through instruction that respects your individual path and helps you reach your specific goals.

Japanese Language Tutoring with Yoshimi

Discover the beauty of the Japanese language through a holistic, personalized approach. Our tutoring goes beyond textbooks, embracing the richness of Japanese communication in all its forms.

My Comprehensive Japanese Language Program Includes:

Goals

Conversational Speaking: Build confidence in real-world communication
Reading Comprehension: Unlock the nuances of Japanese texts
Writing Skills: Master hiragana, katakana, and kanji with purpose
Listening Comprehension: Train your ear to native Japanese speech
Cultural Context: Understand the language through its cultural depths

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine advanced skills, our tutoring adapts to your unique learning style. I don't just teach a language—I open a window to a new way of thinking, connecting, and understanding.

Learn Japanese not just as a skill, but as a journey of cultural connection and personal growth.

Textbooks

I choose quality Japanese textbooks as our foundation, but happily adapt with materials that best suit your learning style and interests, creating a personalized journey through the language that works just right for you. These are my most frequently used textbooks:

GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese (3rd Edition) I & II,
Japanese for Busy People I ~ III,
Japanese for Young People I ~ III,
JLPT Practice books.

Lesson Styles

In-Person Instruction When geography allows, I offer face-to-face lessons that create an immersive learning environment. In-person sessions provide immediate feedback, natural conversation practice, and hands-on activities that enhance your understanding of the Japanese language and culture.

Online Lessons Distance is no barrier to quality instruction. My online lessons maintain the same personalized approach and comprehensive curriculum as in-person teaching, adapted for digital learning. With students across the globe, I've refined techniques to make virtual Japanese instruction engaging and effective.

International Reach As an instructor teaching internationally, I work with students worldwide, accommodating different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

Teaching Approach I teach Japanese using English as the instructional language, making lessons accessible for English speakers at all levels of Japanese proficiency. This approach allows me to clearly explain grammar concepts, cultural nuances, and pronunciation while gradually increasing Japanese immersion as you progress.

ENDORSEMENTS

“In working with Yoshimi over the years, I can honestly say that she is one of the most open-hearted, encouraging, and inspiring teachers that I’ve known in my years of teaching. She brings to her work as a language assistant her genuine compassion, sensitivity, humor, and enthusiasm for continued growth and learning. It’s been a real pleasure working with her over these years, and I have had conversations with her about how she has led these programs in different venues and with a variety of participants. Several years ago, she led a Japanese cooking class in my Japanese language class, when she taught us how to make Japanese rice balls with different ingredients/fillings-the students, and I really enjoyed the class with her, and she was able to teach us not only about HOW to make the food but certain values associated with food in Japan.”

- Sayuri Oyama (former SLC professor)

"Twenty years ago, I became one of Yoshimi-sensei's first students. I had wanted to learn Japanese for a

long time, but I didn't have the opportunity until after graduating from college. Thanks to Yoshimi-sensei,

I started from the very basics, and became more and more able to speak and understand Japanese.

Moreover, she opened up many other parts of Japanese culture to me, including cooking, music and the

tea ceremony. For many years now, I have been blessed to count Yoshimi-sensei not just as a teacher, but

also one of my greatest friends. I cannot put into words the contribution she has made, not just to my life,

but to the lives of everyone who knows her."

"二十年前、私は佳美先生の最初の生徒の一人になりました。ずっと長い間日本語を学びた

いと思っていましたが、大学を卒業するまで可能性がありませんでした。佳美先生のおかげ

で、基本のキからどんどん日本語で話せるようになりました。さらに先生は私に料理と音楽と

茶道など、日本の文化を教えてくれました。何年も佳美先生は私の先生だけではなく、最高

の友人の一人になりました。佳美先生が私の人生だけではなく、知っている皆の人生も言葉で

言えない功績を増やしています。"

- Nick DeMauro (taking the private lesson since 2005)

Tuition & Lesson Types

In-person / Online
One Time
- $100/1.5 hours
Weekly (1x a week or more often)
- $80/hour
Available for all ages
Available for all purposes
- JLPT Study
- Travel Prep
- Work Requirement
- Culture Education
- Coursework Supplemental Tutoring
- Etc.