MIYABI TRANSLATIONS LLC
MIYABI JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL
I provide language instruction for all different levels - from beginner to advanced. In the past, I was teaching conversational Japanese as well as tutoring college students in preparation for their tests and exams.
I am often asked about the materials I use. Throughout my years of teaching, I still haven't found the perfect textbook. Most of the time, I was creating the syllabus by myself, tailoring the materials to the needs of my students.
I always include the cultural background as well as non-verbal communication skills - both of which are crucial in understanding and learning the Japanese language. It is practically impossible to learn to speak a language without knowing the cultural context. The culture sessions include various topics related to Japanese culture and generally life in Japan. They are inter alia Japanese etiquette, Japanese tea, and many other, from wearing a kimono and table manners to official business manners and the characteristics of professional life in Japan.
JAPANESE I
Introduction to Japanese Language
Syllabus (selected topics)
Speaking:
basic expressions and greetings, introducing yourself, making friends and conversations, talking about family, asking for the directions, basic shopping, describing things (using adjectives), making plans, talking about last weekend (past tense) etc.
Reading and writing:
hiragana, katakana, basic kanji (at about 80 kanji, at the 10th level of kanji proficiency test)
Honorific language: Basic polite language
Duration: 1 -3 years, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $212.33/month ($49 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $160.33/month ($37 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
JAPANESE II
Basic Japanese
Syllabus (selected topics)
Speaking:
expanding vocabulary on daily life topics, learning about Japanese culture from simple texts in Japanese,
lesson materials are mostly in Japanese with some explanation in English
Reading and writing:
student is already proficient in reading and writing both kanas; we will work on deepening the knowledge of kanji (at about 240 kanji, at the 9th level of kanji proficiency test)
Honorific language: Basic polite language, introduction to sonkei-go and kenjō-go
Duration: 1-3 years, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $234/month ($54 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $182/month ($42 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
JAPANESE III
Intermediate Japanese
Syllabus (selected topics)
Speaking:
talking about unusual events in her/his life (expanding vocabulary beyond basic level) and abstract ideas, basic shikitari, comment on the annual events, learn how to politely communicate and exchange different opinions,
lesson materials are only in Japanese,
Reading and writing: simple essays in Japanese; student is already proficient in reading and writing both kanas and basic kanji; we will work on deepening the knowledge of kanji (at about 440 kanji, at the 8th level of kanji proficiency test)
Honorific language: neutral language, polite language, sonkei-go and kenjō-go
Duration: 1 year, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $255.66/month ($59 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $203.66/month ($47 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
JAPANESE IV
At this level all instructions are specifically designed based on the student's knowledge, abilities and aim of study.
JAPANESE V
At this level all instructions are specifically designed based on the student's knowledge, abilities and aim of study.
AP JAPANESE
Lessons are designed to prepare a student to AP exam.
The curriculum is divided into 52 sections (52 weeks/1 year).
Please contact me for details.
Duration: 1 year, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45 minutes of language instructions, 10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons (full course) $281.66/month ($65 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Supplemental tutoring $72/hr
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
JLPT JAPANESE
This course is designed to prepare students to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Every year few of my students are taking the test,
2025: 4 students are taking the preparatory courses (N4 - 2 students, N5 2 students)
2024: 2 students
N5 (passed)
N4 (failed)
2023: 4 students
N3 (passed)
N4 (failed)
N5 (passed)
N5 (passed)
2022: 2 students
N4 (passed)
N5 (passed)
2021: 1 student
N5 (passed)
JLPT N5
Private lessons $234/month ($54 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $182/month ($42 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
JLPT N4
Private lessons $255.66/month ($59 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $203.66/month ($47 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
JLPT N3
Private lessons $299/month ($69 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $247/month ($57 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Contact me for JLPT N2 and N1.
Please email me before applying for any of these courses. The student's knowledge needs to be assessed before taking the classes.
MIDDLE SCHOOL JAPANESE
Japanese language and culture classes designed for middle school children.
Lessons are filled with fun, games, origami, stories, kahoot puzzles, videos and puzzles.
Duration of a class: 45min
Duration: 1-3 years, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 45 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $208/month ($48 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
Group lessons $160.33/month ($37 x 52 weeks / 12 months)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
This course is recommended for those who are beginning their voyage with both the Japanese language and culture and/or are planning their first stay in Japan.
The combination of language instruction and culture will give you an opportunity to achieve a basic ability to communicate in Japanese, learn about non-verbal communication and proper etiquette - from bowing, official meeting manners through understanding more complex cultural differences. During language sessions, we will focus mainly on speaking - it is designed for those whose strengths are not in memorizing a new writing system.
The full course consist of 12 classes.
Duration: 4-12 weeks, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $576/course ($48 x 12 lessons)
Group lessons $420/month ($35 x 12 lessons)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (tea, flowers for ikebana, kimono rental and stylization etc.)
JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
This course is recommended for those who are starting the voyage with Japanese language and culture and/or planning their first stay in Japan.
Unique combination of language instructions and culture will give you basic abilities to communicate in Japanese, learn about non verbal communication and proper etiquette from bowing, official meeting manners thru understanding more complex cultural differences.
The course consist of 12 or 24 classes.
Duration: 4-24 weeks, 1-3 times per week (depends on the students pace and needs)
1 lesson is 55 mins (45-50 minutes of language instructions, 5-10 minutes cultural context)
Private lessons $576/course ($48 x 12 lessons)
Group lessons $444/course ($37 x 12 lessons)
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (original washi paper, kimono fabrics, designs, kimono rental and the ikebana supplies. etc.)
JAPANESE CULTURE AND CRAFT
This course is designed for students who want to learn more about Japanese culture without learning the language. You will have a chance to not only learn about the culture, but also immerse in it in a hands-on experience.
The course offers 12 classes, 6 of them are hands-on experiences, with original hand made washi paper, and kimono silks.
Syllabus (selected classes):
Japanese Aesthetics
Japanese traditional patterns and kimono
Proper kimono stylization - Kitsuke
Japanese Kimekomi
Oshi-e/Kurumi-e
Tsumami zaiku
Japanese homes
Ikebana
Manners and etiquette
1 lesson is 120 mins
$46/2 hrs session
(Price includes: 1 hr of preparation, 55 mins of the lesson, checking assignments after lesson (approx. 2-3 hrs per student); copies, txt books, genkō yōshi for practicing Japanese writing; Japanese notebooks, practice and study guides, simple materials for the culture experience part (original washi paper, kimono fabrics, designs, kimono rental and the ikebana supplies. etc.)
OTHER LANGUAGES
Although my education background as well as expertise are in the Japanese language and culture, I have experience teaching other languages as well (Polish I - III, German I and Latin I). Feel free to email me to check if I can help you in your desired field.
INSTRUCTIONS IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN JAPANESE
If English is not your native language, I might be able to help and provide instruction in your own language. Feel free to ask if the classes are available in your language!
JAPANESE CULTURE 'À LA CARTE'
If you’re interested in particular areas of Japanese culture and you would like to take a couple of lessons in the area of your interest - feel free to contact me! The a la carte menu covers a lot of topics, from etiquette, Japanese tea, table manners, arts and crafts, through ikebana and proper kimono stylization.
Classes and assignments
Tuition fee
Attendance and tardiness
Programs and services
Full price list