HAMANO

I always look forward to class with はまの先生. Even on days when I’m not feeling talkative, she turns anything into an engaging conversation, drawing on her broad knowledge and personal experience. This is the best kind of teacher for introverted learners. はまの先生 can talk indefinitely while weaving in mini-lessons on culture, history, and grammar on the fly, eliminating the friction I’ve felt with other teachers. I started classes with はまの先生 after passing the JLPT N1, frustrated by the gap between my input and output ability. For the past 9 months, we’ve read books together and used them as a springboard for deep discussion. Tangents lead to tangents, and an hour passes before I even think to look at the clock. Through these engaging classes, my ability to express myself has increased significantly, and I finally feel like I’m on a clear path to improvement. Another review said it perfectly: I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such an outstanding teacher.

I recently completed my 135th lesson with Hamano-sensei, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such an outstanding teacher. Not only does she tailor each lesson to suit my interests, but her profound knowledge of Japanese culture, history, and current affairs enriches every session. Initially, I struggled with expressing myself in Japanese and felt hesitant to engage in conversation. However, Hamano-sensei's patience and expertise have boosted my confidence, and I can communicate easily even in Japan. Our curriculum has been diverse and engaging, encompassing traditional textbooks like Genki, as well as delving into classical poetry such as the 百人一首 and modern literature by renowned authors like 太宰治 and 夏目漱石. Beyond language proficiency, Hamano-sensei fosters discussions on current affairs, offering insights into the Japanese mindset and way of life. Most importantly, her enthusiasm makes every lesson incredibly fun. Thank you, Hamano-sensei!

毎回毎回大変勉強になります。先生の心遣いと指摘にとても感謝しています。いつもありがとうございます！今年もよろしくお願いします。

I have completed 88 lessons over the past 18 months with Hamanoさん. As a language teacher myself, I can confidently say that she plans and delivers highly effective lessons, drawing on her many years of teaching experience. For beginner students like me, she uses GENKI, a textbook and workbook series developed by The Japan Times. This structured curriculum is especially helpful because it encourages students to learn hiragana and katakana from the beginning, rather than relying on rōmaji. Building literacy in the Japanese writing system early on is critical for long-term success, and GENKI provides clear, step-by-step support in reading, writing, and eventually kanji. Thanks to Hamanoさん’s guidance and the consistent use of these materials, I am making steady progress and growing more confident in communicating with my family in Japan. I highly recommend her lessons for anyone serious about building a strong foundation in Japanese.

Hamano-sensei is clearly a very experienced teacher who cares about teaching. She explains things very clearly and is easy to follow. Plus, I think she is just naturally organized. I am really glad I found her and look forward to future lessons.

Love all my lessons. Learning a lot and making lots of progress.