Student Testimonials

Here’s What People Are Saying!

Mimi and Sachi do an amazing job of creating a supportive, positive, and cozy environment for every student. Their warmth is infectious and sets the tone for the entire class. It's more than just a language-learning class. I feel like we're all on a journey together of figuring out who we are as Nikkei people and making new connections. Thank you Mimi and Sachi for all of your hard work and guidance!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2023

JFN transformed my relationship to the Japanese language! As a mixed gosei Japanese Canadian person, I went from feeling totally intimidated (and even excluded) by Japanese to feeling importantly connected to Japanese. The thing is, I doubt other language-learning opportunities would have transformed my relationship to the language in this way--because for me, so much of what was necessary to foster this sense of connection was an understanding of the unique Nikkei experience in North America. For this reason, JFN has such a special place in my heart!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2023

The gentle teaching style and the guided conversational practice. Being able to ask questions without judgement and practice without fear of making mistakes were to me the two most useful/valuable aspects of this course. As for what I looked forward to each week, I would say seeing everyone's confidence grow!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2023

For us Nikkei, it can be incredibly difficult and discouraging to take a Japanese language class, but Japanese for Nikkei is the perfect environment for us to feel welcome and accept ourselves as we are! Thank you Mimi and Sachi!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 3, 2022

I felt much more comfortable in heritage class than I have in any of my other language courses. People have different backgrounds but we have a shared heritage and a desire to learn the language of that heritage and that is super cool to me. Mimi was extremely encouraging and enthusiastic which made me feel comfortable making mistakes, which is how you learn! I've recommended the course to my sister as well. I'm excited to continue learning with other nikkei!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2022

I liked the course very much! Well organized and well thought-out study-material and study-plan. And the lessons felt like a safe space to learn, with knowledgeable teachers and a very open milieu.

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2022

I picked up little pieces of Japanese through the years from family/TV/etc but learning formally was always too intimidating. My mom never sent me to Japanese school as a kid, and then once I was an adult, it was too uncomfortable to try and learn in other language school or university settings due to expectations of the teacher and/or classmates. JFN is such a special place! I started with JFN's pilot course last fall and have taken all the classes that have since been offered. Language is such an important connection to heritage, and it is such a joy to learn Japanese in a safe space that also incorporates cultural elements. Although I'm still only a beginner and not fluent, I'm feeling a lot more confident in my Nikkei identity. I love the online format too — we get to connect with Nikkei all over the world. Thank you, Mimi and Sachi, for creating an amazing program that makes learning Japanese do-able and really fun! Looking forward to seeing you for Part III in the fall!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2022

I really enjoyed the small class size this session especially since the lessons were getting more complex. Since I'm off school for the summer, I had more bandwidth to focus on practicing and the small classes felt like private lessons which was really nice. Because of the small class size, Mimi was also able to tailor the class to us and I felt like I really learned a lot. I also like that the workbook was divided into booklets this time, that made looking back through past lessons to find something a lot easier. I also really appreciated that there is an answer key in the booklets now!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2022

This is my second time with Japanese for Nikkei and I've had the good fortune to have now worked with both Mimi and Sachi. I can say that both instructors are incredibly dedicated to their students and have provided a really wonderful and unique approach to cultural learning. The zoom format gives students from all over the ability to come together in a close nit group. Small class sizes allow each student to receive plenty of attention and practice with their teachers. Since this isn't a graded course, the effort put in is whatever you have the time and energy to do. For me personally, this is great and makes it feel like less pressure for those with busy schedules who still want to learn. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning Japanese no matter their language level or busy schedule. It's low stress and high reward, but most of all it's fun! 😁

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2022

Everything was useful and valuable. The audio recordings were helpful as well as the additional writing practice sheets. The way the course was organized and presented was very good. The use of breakout rooms was good. The frequent check ins to see if we were okay, "any questions" was good, positive reinforcement and encouragement, saying "there's no need to apologize" and that "we are all here to learn" was reassuring. I found the whole group very supportive of each other throughout the course. I also liked the little cultural notes you added about the Canadian Nikkei experience and the way things are done in Japan. Communication is about more than language and understanding the culture is just as important.

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2022

I just loved this course. It was so well presented and opportunities to share and converse kept us on our toes and interested. I really appreciated that we were often asked if we had questions and could stay after if we wanted to. Domo arigato gozaimasu

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2021

This class was great. I’ve been scared to learn Japanese on my own and this class provided a little community to learn with. Mimi is a great teacher with genuine enthusiasm for our learning. She always responded to my questions about classes!

I enjoyed this course and being able to connect with other Nikkei globally. The instructors are friendly and really strive to make it a good learning environment for all. I definitely know a lot more than before I took this course! Thank you for helping me reconnect with my heritage through learning Japanese.

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2022

Thank you so much for this course! It is the first time I have actually felt excited and engaged with the Japanese language. The classes were informative and fun and having people to practice speaking within a non-intimidating environment was very helpful! I want everyone in my family to take this with me so we can all practice together!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2021

Japanese for Nikkei (JFN) is an excellent course that provides you with the resources that help you succeed in understanding and conversing in Japanese. Okabe Sensei (“Mimi”) is an excellent and seasoned instructor, who cares and encourages her students, and was always available for help. After completing the initial 8-week course, I feel more confident and comfortable conversing in Japanese. I look forward to continuing my studies in the next Japanese for Nikkei course.

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2021

I like learning Japanese with other Nikkei students because I feel like we are all in it together and have a bigger goal than simply learning a language -- we are strengthening our connections to family members, our history, and our identities. It was so nice to meet other Nikkei students from across the country. Sachi is a great teacher and provides her gentle, warm guidance in every class!

— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2021

“It was validating to be learning with other Nikkei, and I felt very comfortable compared to other Japanese classes which attract mostly people without Japanese heritage. Even though the content of the pilot course was basic, it was a great way to reconnect and re-motivate me to work on learning Japanese. I'm looking forward to participating in future classes!”

— Pilot Course Student, Cohort 2, 2020

“I have been looking for a course like this for a very long time. It has always felt very daunting to being my Japanese learning journey with non-Nikkei folks. Reconnecting with my culture is a highly intimate process that feels best supported by fellow Nikkei. This course was exactly what I have been looking for, and I felt very supported in my learning. I now have the confidence to attempt using Japanese with native speakers, and I also feel better prepared to attempt the next course.”

— Pilot Course Student, Cohort 2, 2020

“I highly recommend the Japanese for Nikkei Pilot course! As a yonsei who had previously studied Japanese many years ago, the course was a great refresher to build on my own knowledge. I also enjoyed how the curriculum provided relevant grammar and vocabulary that I could apply in everyday conversations.”

— Pilot Course Student, Cohort 2, 2020

“Japanese for Nikkei was exactly what I was looking for to connect with my roots and further my language skills. I struggled with past Japanese classes and this was the perfect environment and curriculum where I could thrive. I look forward to the next round of classes.”