JAPANESE & CHINESE INSTRUCTION (Beginning / Intermediate) (Austin & beyond)
offered virtually
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WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE OR CHINESE?
Seeking to improve your language skills? Need help staying on top of for your university language course? Traveling?
Searching for an experienced instructor who understands the language learning process and can explain it in terms anyone can understand? Look no further!
ABOUT ME:
* Trilingual. Native English / heritage Chinese speaker with B.A. in Japanese language and linguistics. (3+ years living/teaching experience in Japan)
* Specialization in Chinese / Japanese linguistics & etymology. Knowledge of both traditional and simplified systems of Chinese.
* Over 30 years of experience working with students of all ages and ability.
* In-depth understanding of the language learning process as both a student and teacher of foreign language.
MY GOAL is to provide my students continuity in their language studies while accommodating professional and personal obligations.
FOR YOU:
* Dynamic, low-pressure, high-interaction lessons focusing on your personal achievement. Set curriculum for beginners to ensure progress.
* Reasonable rates. (I post because I love teaching & foreign language, not because I need to!)
Please e-mail to schedule a free preliminary meeting so we can discuss your language goals!
Since 2007. References available.
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WHY LEARN JAPANESE OR CHINESE?
Learning a new language is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Here's why Japanese or Chinese might be the one worth your time.
JAPANESE
1. A Culture Like No Other
Japan has one of the richest, most distinctive cultural traditions anywhere in the world. Once you can read the language, a whole layer of literature, film, anime, manga, and art opens up — the kind of nuance that gets lost in translation.
2. Travel and Career Doors
Japan draws travelers from everywhere and leads the world in fields like technology, automotive engineering, robotics, and finance. Knowing Japanese can set you apart, whether you're sightseeing, studying abroad, or working alongside Japanese colleagues and clients.
3. Real Connection
Speaking someone's language, even imperfectly, shows you care. Japanese speakers notice and appreciate the effort — and it tends to open doors that would otherwise stay shut.
4. Good for the Brain
Any new language sharpens memory and focus, but Japanese is a particular workout. Between the writing systems and the grammar, you'll feel the mental workout— and the payoff is hard to beat.
MANDARIN CHINESE
1. More Speakers Than Any Language on Earth
Mandarin has over a billion native speakers — more than any other language. That alone makes it one of the most useful languages you could pick up, for travel, business, or just widening your view of the world.
2. A Career Edge
China's footprint in the global economy keeps expanding, and Mandarin skills stand out in business, finance, international relations, logistics, and tourism — industries actively looking for people who can speak the language.
3. Thousands of Years of Culture
Chinese language and culture are tightly woven together. Learning Mandarin gives you a direct line to centuries of literature, philosophy, art, and history — and a deeper connection with Chinese communities wherever you find them.
4. Travel That Actually Feels Different
Even a little Mandarin changes how a trip feels. Locals warm up, getting around gets easier, and you start seeing a side of the culture most tourists never do.
5. A Mental Challenge Worth Taking On
Between the tones, the grammar, and the characters, Mandarin keeps your brain working in ways few languages do. And the patience and discipline it takes tend to spill over into the rest of your life.