Hello! Congratulations on setting the exciting goal of learning Chinese or Japanese! As a native English speaker, I’ve found studying both languages to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I spent 20 years living in China and Japan, where I taught English and taught myself both the spoken and written forms of these languages. I arrived with no knowledge of either language, but my passion for learning and immersing myself in the culture drove me to become fluent.

In Japan, I passed the highest level (Level 1) of the Japanese Proficiency Exam, which qualifies students to attend Japanese universities. Back in the U.S., I pursued a Master’s in Chinese Pedagogy at Indiana University, deepening my expertise in language teaching methods. With a combination of formal education and real-world experience, I’ve developed strong skills in teaching foreign languages.

I love sharing my knowledge of Chinese and Japanese languages and cultures. My goal is to not only teach you the four essential language skills but also help you navigate cultural nuances, so you’ll feel confident and comfortable speaking with native speakers and avoid common faux pas.

I look forward to helping you attain your language learning goals!