Name: What's a Particle? Why Particles?
Uploaded: 2022-01-12T19:50:10.000Z
Duration: 4 min 3 s
Description: In this video, I briefly explain the purpose of particles in Japanese sentences and introduce two of the most common Japanese particles.

In this video, I briefly explain the purpose of particles in Japanese sentences and introduce two of the most common Japanese particles. 

Japanese

**Registration for summer students will open in early May**
Summer schedule (mid-May through mid-August) is much more open than academic year schedule. Students who sign up for morning lessons (Eastern time) during the summer session must be willing to change to afternoon/evening lessons during the academic year. 
Please inform me ahead of time if you are planning to be a summer-only student, so that your space can be made available for new students when the time comes.

After two years working as a translator/interpreter for local government in Kochi, Japan, I moved back to the US in 2016. Since then, I have taught Japanese for all ages, in both group and private settings. I love to be a witness when my students suddenly "get" something we've been working on for a while. Japanese is a fascinating, beautiful, and complicated language, and it's exciting to be a partner in my students' achievements!

I am highly experienced in teaching middle school and high school age students--including my own kids, whom I homeschool. My first visit to Japan was a semester study abroad in my senior year of high school, so I am happy to advise students who are preparing to go to Japan. Along with my on-the-ground experience living and working in Japan in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment, I hold an M.A. in Japanese and N1 (highest level) certification on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Native Japanese speakers have complimented me for my native-like pronunciation and syntax.

Contact me any time for more information or to set up your first lesson!

Attendance Policies: 
-Please give 24 hours' notice before a missed lesson. Short-notice cancellations and no-shows will be billed the full cost of the lesson. 
-Students who expect to miss multiple lessons in a row, please give at least as many business days' notice as anticipated missed lessons. (Example: Missing 3 lessons for vacation=Provide at least 3 full business days' notice.)
-Please give 2 weeks' notice if you need to end lessons permanently or semi-permanently (i.e., want to begin again sometime, but can't give a definite restart date).

What's a Particle? Why Particles?

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I've heard it takes seven years to master any subject. I don't know if it's true in every case, but it was for me with Japanese! Receiving my N1 certificate in the mail, seven years after my very first Japanese lesson, was one of the proudest moments in my life. It will be for you, too.

In my work as a CIR at the Kochi Prefectural Government, I translated official documents and tourism materials, interpreted for official functions, and organized events to increase local awareness of cultural diversity. My favorite part of the job, however, was when I got to visit elementary schools and play with the children while familiarizing them with English. When I came back to the States, I knew that I wanted my future career to be in teaching rather than translation!

Coordinator for International Relations

Along with private, one-on-one tutoring, I teach small group classes for grades 8-12 at The Well-Trained Mind Academy, an online provider of courses for upper-grade homeschool students.

Japanese Instructor

English

I am a private tutor of Japanese for all ages. I love to be a witness when my students suddenly "get" something new we've been working on for a while. Japanese is a fascinating, beautiful, and complicated language, and it's exciting to be a partner in my students' achievements and success! Your lessons will be tailored to your needs and goals - if you are a complete beginner, I will recommend a workbook based on your age (adult, high school, or middle school), and as we get to know each other better, you'll get targeted assistance with your weak points. Prepare to do some assigned homework every week, and to be studying vocabulary and writing daily.

Read "About Me" below or click the "Ask A Question" button for more information. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Clare has been an amazing teacher! My daughter wanted to learn Japanese but since Spanish was the only language offered at her school we found her and it has been a great experience!

Clare is an absolutely wonderful teacher. She has taught both of our high school aged boys. She is flexible on scheduling. Very calm and patient with both boys. An absolute dream to work with.

My 12 year old lived her first lesson with Clare! She had been learning on her own a bit and was happy to hear she was learning pretty well. Clare communicated with me very quickly after the lesson to let me know what they had done and how it went as well as what to expect going forward. Excited to see what the next lessons bring!

Very good at finding where you are knowledge wise, very patient and corrects when needs to

I have been enjoying my lessons so far and I've been learning a lot.  Clare is good about giving me lots of real-life information that a textbook doesn't really explain, which I enjoy very much and find helpful! She was very good at handling my expectations and concerns the first day and having good analogies to help me understand things. She has been very good about working with my chaotic schedule as well, which I appreciate very much. I look forward to my future classes.

Clare has been an amazing tutor! I did about ten weeks of one-on-one Japanese lessons in anticipation of a trip to Japan - although the trip fell through, Clare was extremely helpful and patient, always teaching with an emphasis on how things would actually be expressed in Japan. She was great at establishing the foundations and rules of grammar, but also when those rules can be broken. 

After spending several years in the country, she also has fabulous insights into the culture and how to navigate as a non-native in Japan. Thanks Clare, I will be certainly be back when I can plan my next trip!

Clare is engaging and very practiced in the topic. She clearly has a lot of experience teaching and doesn't hesitate to challenge us, and correct us.  We really look forward to continuing our lessons with her.

As a non-traditional aged student,  I was very intimidated by the Japanese language at the start of my lessons. Clare's patient and understanding instruction has been of immense help in my otherwise self-directed studies, and I'd highly recommend other adult learners take classes with her!

Really helpful to gauge skill level at the first lesson and provide guidance from there. Very accommodating and patient! Excited to learn more from her.

Overall awesome experience I did not feel over whelmed at all. Overall very polite and noticeable amazing teaching experience.

Clare is awesome. I am taking Japanese casually simply because I enjoy the culture. Knowing that Clare not only teaches me the language but also, what it's like in day to day life or how their society compares to ours. 
Clare never makes me feel like our lessons are rushed and if I'm not understanding I am 100% comfortable asking her to go over it with me again.
She is a very encouraging and kind person highly recommend taking lessons with Clare.

Claire is such an excellent teacher! I am glad to call her my Sensei. I signed up for Advanced language courses, and immediately she knew exactly what she was doing. I recommend her to students of any level.

Great instructor, very passionate about teaching and language in general!

Very friendly, knowledgeable  and engaging

Very friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. My son really loved his 1st lesson and looking forward to more lessons.

Clare K.

What's a Particle? Why Particles?

Clare's Japanese videos

What's a Particle? Why Particles?

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