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Have been putting learning Japanese aside for so long because I thought a college course would be extremely difficult. Im so happy that ended up taking the chance and taking this class w sensei Tsuboi! First, Sensei Tsuboi is literally the only teacher in smc I felt like genuinely wanted students to learn. She was the most patient, yet demanding w us. I felt like she constantly motivated all of us to do better. She is so good at explaining, that in span of 5 weeks I learned basics of one of the most difficult languages in world ( that means so much )

Her lectures are simple and practical. Favorite part was definitely classes and group activities. We practiced a lot which helped to build confidence to speak.

This class has become a highlight of my whole summer.

It's so rewarding and I would recommend everyone to take it. :3

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For those of you that are thinking about learning Japanese, this course is a perfect springboard. Tsuboi Sensei provides a wonderful environment that is welcoming, fun and rewarding. She has high expectations for her students, but she is extremely fair and gives every opportunity for her students to succeed.

To truly learn a language, you must focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing. For example, just because you can understand what someone is saying, does not mean you can respond to them in a conversation. Well, this class provides the structure and focuses on all the disciplines to master a language. If you give the proper effort, your abilities will improve accordingly!

I had considered just using an app, like Bunpo, Rosetta or Duolingo, to learn Japanese. I can't imagine any of them teaching me Japanese better than this class at SMC.

Rest assured, as hard as you may work in this Japanese class, Tsuboi Sensei is working harder to teach, grade and provide feedback. In the beginning of each class, Tsuboi Sensei presents a different topic about Japanese culture. So you'll learn not only the language but become knowledgeable about Japanese traditions, food, geography and customs! I have many questions through class time, email and even after class. Tsuboi Sensei patiently answered every one of my questions and takes the time for all of her students.

I am excited to take Japanese 2 in the Fall!

Arigatoo Gozaimas ( Thank You )!

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Hi, I'm Brad. This was a great class. Professor Tsuboi is very knowledgeable and helpful. Every question we asked was answered fully. Furthermore, she is very knowledgeable about English and was able to help us navigate the differences.

The Genki textbook was excellent, along with the workbook. I plan to continue in Japanese at SMC.

The class was very intensive and luckily I cleared my schedule. You need to plan on at least 25 hours of study outside of class every week. It might be slightly easier if the course lasted 8 weeks instead of 6 weeks as the amount of material to be learned is substantial.

I never imagined that I could read Japanese after only 6 weeks! I read like a first grader, but that is okay. Even in the last two weeks my reading has improved.

I would recommend this class to anyone interested in Japanese language. I researched all the schools in the LA area, and SMC has the best, most comprehensive program of any school. And it is at a reasonable price. Go for it!

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It is always very important to learn the basics correctly when starting something new, and I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to learn Japanese from Yuiko Tsuboi sense. She made learning Japanese enjoyable and approachable from the very beginning.

I plan to continue studying Japanese little by little even after this course. I think the class is very well organized because it encourages students to stay on track and gradually build up their skills through consistent practice. Tsuboi sense explains everything clearly and kindly. I never felt that the material was too difficult or impossible to understand.

She always tries her best to help her students, and I believe that as long as you are willing to learn, this is an excellent class. Even if you don't do well at first, she gives you opportunities to improve and continue learning. Although we had to cover a lot of material in a short period of time, I never felt overwhelmed because of the way she taught the class.

If you are thinking about studying Japanese, I highly recommend taking this class. She makes learning Japanese both enjoyable and rewarding.

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Hey guys! I thought this was an amazing course to take for Japanese. Tsuboi-sensei is extremely attentive and a great professor to have if you want to learn Japanese. The activities in class were a great way to get speaking practice and have fun too. The tests can be a little tough but if you apply yourself enough you'll breeze through and learn incredibly useful tools for helping you along the way in learning Japanese

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J3, The Japanese class I attended at SMC was truly amazing, I learned a lot made so many friends and through the lessons my Japanese got better. My sensei, Tsuboi sensei was truly amazing in every aspect, very clear, helpful when we needed help and conducted the class to the highest degree. It honestly thinking back on it, made me grow as a person like actually it did, made me pass my limits even more, made me think of life in different ways outside of Japanese and just made me better. I truly loved my Japanese class and will miss the time I’ve shared with everyone. To anyone seeing this and deciding if they should take Japanese or any language class, go for it! I promise you won’t regret it at all！Elijah Duggans

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Hey everyone! My name is Alex, I wanted to share my experience taking Japanese courses here at SMC with Tsuboi Sensei (Kitazono sensei as well). To give you an idea of where I started, I initially started self teaching myself since April 2025, however once the summer time hit I realized I needed more structure to learn useful grammar and not accidentally jump to advanced grammar without knowing the basics. That’s when I decided to enroll at SMC in Japanese 2 for fall 2025 and Japanese 3 for spring 2026. I have felt a huge improvement in my Japanese as I also continue to self learn some stuff on conjunction with the Japanese classes. As you can imagine, Japanese requires dedication, patience and interest. Tsuboi sensei was incredibly patient and was an effective instructor making the most use of our short time in class together. Our homework and lectures matched up well thus making the class easy to prepare for beforehand to ensure effective participation in class. Tsuboi sensei was available after class to help with any questions and even was kind enough to help me with speaking practice during office hours. I am extremely grateful for my experience and the guidance I received to get to the level I am in now. My ultimate goal is to reach native fluency which I realize is a commitment that will take years, but in the end it will be completely worth it. I hope you all decide to improve your Japanese at SMC and always remember your goal as to why you’re taking Japanese in the first place. Also, enjoy the learning process, over time you will see the results of your hard work even when you don’t see it initially. There’s going to be lots of ups and downs but perseverance is key.

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Where to even start. Professor Tsuboi is genuinely dedicated to the success and understanding of material for all students. She was patient and made herself available for comments, questions or concerns. I wish Tsuboi was teaching Japanese 2/that I had taken Japanese 1 earlier before transferring out so I could take more Japanese classes. 10/10 class and would recommend to anyone. -Memorie Counts

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I have been trying to learn Japanese for a while. Apps, online lessons, etc., Tsuboi sensei's class finally gave me the structure I needed to learn. I know I'm not the best in class, but what I learned I'm using. It's Japan 1, so I don't know very many words, but I'm using them! Lots of awkward conversations, but I'm having conversations! I can read some labels and signs. For the first time in my language journey, I feel empowered. I am very happy for Tsuboi's instruction. She really, really wants her students to understand, and she was amazingly helpful. Those of us who were able to see a little of her Japan 3 class were inspired with how much progress students can have in the SMC system.

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I was actually scared before the semester about how hard I heard learning Japanese was. It wasn’t the easiest or most straightforward, but it was well worth it. I learned a ton. Reading, writing and some kanji. I now order in Japanese when given the chance. Tsuboi sensei is a GREAT teacher and she does it with passion, care and most of all patience. She has the patience of a saint. If you are thinking about taking Japanese, take her class and you won’t be sorry. She is very well organized and knows how to structure the course so you are always well prepared and informed. Can’t wait to take her class in Japanese 3.

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Tsuboi sensei clearly has a passion for teaching and cares deeply about student growth.  Always encouraging, she created a supportive learning environment that was fun and positive.  She made learning a very difficult language easier.  Her lesson plans were clear and organized, she was available both in and out of the classroom for questions and always took the time to provide clear explanations.  The class was comprised of students with a wide range of Japanese speaking and comprehension skills and Tsuboi sensei was very good at grouping people together in the breakout rooms at the same ability level, often with a student or two who knew a bit more that could help the other students.   I highly recommend Tsuboi sensei – you will not be disappointed!

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I really enjoyed this class. Japanese is a challenging language to learn, but Professor Tsuboi made it interesting and even fun. I liked the fact that we saw all the grammar lessons on video in advance so we didn't have to use too much classroom time on that. Classroom time was mostly spent on practicing what we learned in breakout rooms. If you're not prepared for class, that can be very daunting, but all the students helped each other along. The homework and exams were sometimes difficult, but Professor Tsuboi gave us many opportunities to do extra credit or to erase late penalties. I am looking forward to taking Japanese 4 as well as the Conversation class.

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I have been learning Japanese on my own for a long time now, enrolling in a class give me structure and consistent guidance. I am very grateful to have Tsuboi Sensei as our teacher. She is very patient and kind, extremely skillful in teaching various level of students, which is always challenging. But she also shows up in grace and kindness. Meeting through zoom is helpful for my work/travel schedule. I really appreciate SMC for offering this and will continue with the study. I feel lot more confident in understanding and communicating with local Japanese for my next Japan visit. Thank you.

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I started taking Japanese language courses at SMC specifically because I had heard that the professors in the department are fantastic at their job. Tsuboi Sensei absolutely upholds that reputation! Although it was an online course, it was not difficult at all to stay motivated throughout the semester. The prerecorded grammar lectures, kanji videos, and extra resources Tsuboi Sensei provided complimented our Zoom class meetings perfectly. If I were to give advice to a friend thinking of taking this course (Japanese 3), I would say be prepared to speak but there is no pressure to do so perfectly! We had a lot of opportunities to practice speaking, especially in breakout rooms. I enjoyed practicing with my peers and I think Tsuboi Sensei was instrumental in creating a patient learning environment. Tsuboi Sensei's feedback is clear and easy to understand, offering many opportunities for you to improve. Beyond classroom support, I believe Tsuboi Sensei cares about her students' success. Early in the semester I asked Tsuboi Sensei about the JET Program and she provided incredible insight that gave me the confidence to apply. Overall, the Japanese department at SMC has exceeded my expectations and I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to continue building a solid foundation in their Japanese language abilities.

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This introductory Japanese class was one of my favorites this semester. Prof. Tsuboi was a great instructor. She is great with breaking down the lesson plan and explaining the material. Never felt lost in the class. She was great with answering questions we had throughout the semester. The way the class is set up it’s very interactive. I would recommend this class for anyone interested in Japanese or anyone that need to take a language class.

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Japanese 1 has been a really fun experience. I gained new insights about the culture of Japan that I didn't know! The professor was kind and entertaining, so there was never a dull moment in class. Getting the chance to apply what I learned whenever I could helps. Much of what you'll learn can be used and is very beginner-friendly, so I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to learn a new language.

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There’s something about Tsuboi Sensei that is very special and that is her devotion to her students. She is very kind, organized and she is so well prepared for each class.

She makes it fun and the class keeps moving quickly, but she covers things thoroughly because she has lots of energy.

We always wanted to do our best, and please her to show her how much we were learning. And I felt that because she was so devoted to us that we worked hard as students.

I already have my bachelors degree and I am also a teacher, and so I really appreciated her teaching style, preparation, kindness and upbeat spirit. Sometimes she would play music before class started, which made it fun as well.

I can read and write and have a great conversation in Japanese now thanks to this class!

I would highly recommend Tsuboi Sensei and this Japanese class for anyone who is interested in exploring a new language in a fun and stimulating atmosphere.

(I have already signed up for Japanese 2 because I would like to take Japanese 3 with Tsuboi Sensei!)

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I truly loved this class more than any course I’ve ever taken. I was initially intimidated by Japanese because I’ve always heard it’s one of the hardest languages to learn for a native English speaker. However, Tsuboi Sensei made it feel simple and fun. I loved how interactive the class was. I’m really going to miss Tsuboi Sensei, but I’m excited to continue learning Japanese and I’ll be back for Japanese 3 next Spring!

Phillip (Japan 1 student)

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つぼい先生は素晴らしくて立派な教師だと思います。If you are in SMC and interested in japanese language or culture , dont hesitate taking Tsuboi sensei 's class. I appreciate her energy, effort, and dedication ( and the end of class snacks too :] ); for example, every class she will introduce trivia quiz just for us to learn more about the norms and cultural aspect of japan. Every time I ask her questions, she will provide thoughtful answers that help me understand the nuances in the language. And often, if she thinks her answers re not through enough she will look up extra textbook material (like I never know the difference between 知らないand わからない before this class lol). Besides giving new perspectives on understanding the language, she also helps us learn practical applications outside of textbook, such as writing polite emails(which I think is way more useful than to learn describing takeshi is dumped by mary 😂 ). She gives good advices and encourages us to take the JLPT, as the certificate can help with jobs, exchanges, and more. If students are having a difficult time on the class material, she is likely to make accommodation as long as we re showing effort. So I recommend her classes, knowing she is willingly to help all her students. 最後に、いつも先生にお世話になり、ありがとうございました。お疲れさまでした。 アオ　敬具

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As my first language class in college, I didn't know what to expect with Japanese 4. Truly though, it surpassed my expectations. Professor Tsuboi is, as has already been mentioned, an excellent professor. What impressed me most was her diligence and how hard-working she was. She graded my assignments so detailed and yet so quickly, and always gave me excellent feedback and constructive criticism. She tried her hardest to make class a fun, pleasant experience (and I apologize to her for not responding back to her energy in the same way that I should have); despite our lackluster, she tried her hardest in everything that she did. I also liked how...when I had questions, if she didn't know the answer she would investigate it and come back with an answer by the next class. But above all, I really appreciated her diligence, and her excellent work ethic (仕事熱心な人!) , which is pretty rare nowadays. So, excellent class! I recommend it to any and all who want to further study Japanese and do so with the help of an excellent professor. As long as you do your part and are hard-working and match her effort, then you will enjoy this class 100%, 110%, 200%.

お疲れ様でした！！

ジョイちゃん

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I liked this class a lot, it helped me to get the base of the language I wanted to learn for a very long time and it definitively has a steep entrance point. I'm glad I took it, and even though it was challenging at times, I will gladly take the Japanese II next semester.

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Japanese 1 is a fantastic introduction to the Japanese language. It covers a lot, however the vocab and grammar are in bite size pieces that are easy to digest. I'm able to read things in grocery stores and online now when I couldn't before and it feels like a whole new world has unlocked for me.

Japanese 1 (and the Japanese classes beyond the first) is an imperative part of the culture of success at SMC, the #1 community college for transfers. By keeping such classes, it adds that bit of edge that's necessary for SMC to remain a competitive school to beat for other colleges.

If you're considering this class, I'd recommend checking in daily with the coursework. Even 15 minutes going over vocab helps immensely. Don't set it and forget it, you'll need to be an active participant. Ask questions, and throw yourself into trying to communicate in a new way. And, don't feel afraid to be embarrassed. Learning a language means you will make mistakes, but take it in stride as it's a part of the experience.

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This has been the most Japanese I've known since I tried taking a class a few years back and by trying to learn by myself. It wasn't easy, but very rewarding, what you learn is almost tangible. I'm confident that I have a good foundation to continue to study Japanese. Tsuboi Sensei makes learning a new language approachable, she is good at explaining new concepts and makes you understand it. Can't wait to take Japanese 2 in the future!

-Esdras Munoz

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As someone who has previously done some self-study with learning Japanese from the exact same textbook we used for this class, I'll say that this class cleared up a lot of the confusion that I had through trying to study on my own and helped me gain a much better understanding of the concepts that I only loosely understood before taking this class.

The professor helps you access a lot of additional supplementary material beyond just the textbook and workbook that helps you cement what you're learning and avoid common pitfalls that might happen from trying to learn how to read, write, and speak Japanese all on your own. The class can sometimes be challenging, but the professor herself is very forgiving (sometimes too forgiving, in my opinion) and will engage with you a lot if you engage with her and the class a lot. It is very much a "You get what you give" kind of class, where if you are genuinely curious about the language she will help as much as you need.

I will say, though (and this really goes for any sort of language class), that if you genuinely want to learn & improve at the language you should try to take the course in person (if possible) as it can sometimes be a little awkward and unaccountable to take a language course over Zoom. Either way, she does a great job encouraging people to engage with the class as much as it is within her means, even over Zoom. Also, this class is very fundamentals focused, so you won't be able to say anything too complicated by the time you're done with the class, but you definitely won't be confused by the time you take Japanese 2.

All in all, I would recommend this course!