Chieko N.

Chieko is really smart and fast on the uptake; she 'gets' what you're trying to do even when you yourself are not quite sure. I need someone to help me alchemically (i.e., LINGUISTICALLY) transform ideas that, after decades of trying and failing, it looks like I finally might be able to express. However, I can express them only in English. But since the heroine of the Magic Enchanted Metaphysical Fairytale (sic) by which those ideas are being expressed is a Japanese woman who speaks no meaningful English, I need to see how she thinks and feels in Japanese too. I think 中村千恵子 is just exactly the right person sent directly from 天 to help me do this! (袖触れ合うも多少のえん).

Chieko-san has an extremely good understanding of how to organize, present, and explain the various grammatical forms and sentence patterns of Japanese to a native English speaker. Her very effective study materials and practice tests helped me check my progress and clear up misunderstandings. As well, her positive comments encouraged me to keep working toward my goal.

Chieko-san has brought high quality and challenging material that has enabled us to find out which areas of Japanese I should target for the next phase of my studies. With this approach, she helps me develop confidence while at the same time I find out what I don't know so well, and need to practice more. I expect that her teaching methods will bring even more benefits as the subject matter becomes more advanced and sophisticated, and making sense of the language and not just memorizing become more and more important.