Tom

I enjoyed that Tom-san provides the basics on starting with high yield phrases and expressions, explains nuances, allows for questions. I appreciate that he adjusts the pacing to the level of detail I request. The lesson feels productive, but not overwhelming. My goal is to be conversationally comfortable while traveling. We are not currently working on reading and writing, but I hope to in the future. I appreciate that Tom-san encouraged me to focus on the use and practice of the language first. It feels easier to make meaningful progress. I recommend Tom-san if you are looking for a structured lesson from an enthusiastic native speaker.

I've had quite a few lessons with Tom and honestly I still can't believe I was lucky enough to find him as a teacher. Our conversations are always so fun, I feel like I'm talking to a friend. He mixes formal and informal language and speaks in a way that is neither too easy nor too difficult. That way I still get a challenge without being discouraged. Also, Tom is always so nice and available when it comes to questions/ lesson changes/ scheduling/ etc. 絶対におすすめです!

What a fantastic first lesson with Tom-San! Truly a delight… So easy to make conversation with him, and I greatly appreciate the written notes during our session!!

I had already tried a few teachers on italki and honestly had great experiences with many of them. However, Tom really stood out, and I think he is an exceptionally good teacher. I always had trouble “just getting the words out.” Of course, I still do, but I feel like I've finally reached the point where I can have actual conversations in Japanese. Tom manages to create an atmosphere where I don’t feel nervous at all. He speaks at a level that makes him easy to understand. At every moment, Tom is very attentive, incredibly friendly, and overall just a pleasure to talk to. One thing that makes the lessons valuable is the shared Google document where Tom writes down new words, corrections of errors I've made, as well as some useful phrases. This is very helpful for reviewing the lessons and preparing for the next one. If you are scrolling through these reviews trying to determine if Tom is the right fit for you, I am absolutely confident he is.

Great teacher.

Another great lesson with Tom sensei. He always makes the conversation flow very nicely and is very patient when I make mistakes. 10/10 would recommend.