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!

excellent lesson. Ken facilitates with Google documents which helps me remember words a lot better.

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.

I have now had a couple of lessons with Sensei Tom. I have noticed a few things that he does that i really appreciate as a Sensei. First, he asks about my interests naturally to incorporate into speaking Nihongo. We have now spoken about everything from gluten free to an app I use to work out. Second, he is incredibly engaged the entire time. I chose 45-minute lessons to really immerse myself, and I find the time flies by. Sensei Tom also doesn't seem to be thrown off by my off-the-wall questions that I will suddenly throw in as I try to make connections to Nihongo. If you're neurodivergent (like I am) Sensei Tom is a great fit for learning Nihongo. Although I've only tried a few Sensei's on this platform, I really think he is one of the best! Book a session with him! I am so glad I did.

Tom~san is always fun to learn with. He is flexible and keen to help.