Should I quit this class?

[Amy10223]

Or should I ask for more help on his part?

The Japanese teacher I have has a way of teaching me that is not helping me learn much.

He gives me materials, and within a week wants me to study all the materials, which is a lot. Most of the times he just has me read the vocabulary words the first time we meet, and I am good with this part of the lessons because I can remember the words and meanings. But after this-- I found that it is I who needs to read everything on my own, because the next time we meet, all he does is quiz me on the material. The grammar involves reading sentences first in Japanese in one lesson, and translating them to English. He explains somewhat things that the grammar worksheet wants to point out and have me use. Until we are on that area, there are no real lessons. The following lessons involves reading those same sentences in English, and then translating them into Japanese, which is always the most difficult for me.

There is a reading content in the material in part of the lesson that I review on my own, and if it was not for this, I would not know anything otherwise. I feel that he can review this with me, before he asks me to read the grammatical sentences expecting me to know it all.

So in reality, all I am doing is teaching myself with what he sends me, and then go over it with him and he quizzes me; he does not really teach except when we are on the material itself, and usually if I have a problem with it. He tries to explain it well, but some things are fuzzy as he is not a native English speaker.

I do ask questions along the lessons, but then sometimes I am not sure what to ask because the understanding is not there. at that time.

What do you suggest I do at this point? I am thinking-- maybe I am wasting my money if this is all that we do.

[msc545]

If you are not learning Japanese, then you probably need to find a different teacher who uses a different method of teaching. It sounds like the method that this man is using works well for students who already speak Japanese, but for you it probably is not the ideal learning method.

[Amy10223]

msc544, all of his students are Americans or foreigners learning Japanese. I AM learning, and he says I am doing well, but this particular lesson is harder than the past ones which only touched on some of the things we are learning now. So I have been thinking--he doesn't really teach us--we are learning on our own and he just guides us and corrects us when he needs to. There is no formal teaching except on few occasions, and many explanations, But I wish he would give more examples.

[msc545]

Well, I think of his guidance and correction are part of what you are paying for and carries value for you. I realize that you want more examples and you might ask him for those and perhaps he would be responsive to that request.

[Amy10223]

Yes, you're right. I need to ask for more examples. He is good with that--- just wish he would teach more at the start so I could be ready for the lessons. It's the grammar that I have trouble with.

[bowenw]

I suggest telling him that you are not learning anything. If he knows of no other way to teach, ask for a refund and try to find a different teacher.

[Amy10223]

Thanks. I am learning, but not very well in this particular lesson. There are many things we need to know immediately and I either don't know how to use some words in the phrases--or where to place them. I've been with him for about 2 1/2 years and I would feel odd asking for a refund. He's a nice guy, but I am nt getting material and need to search on Youtube for clarification.

[bowenw]

Maybe start by telling him what it happening.

[Amy10223]

I will do that on Thursday. Thanks!

[bowenw]

Best of luck. Hopefully he is conscientious and will want to help.

[Amy10223]

He is very much conscientious and always ask if I have any questions--but I never do until later. I'll read the grammar sections ahead of time from now on to be ready. Thank you!

[bowenw]

幸運を祈ります。良い一日をお過ごしください。

[Amy10223]

Thanks. The Kanji there --some of it is new for me as we just began learning Kanji last session, a new one is starting. But the rest is hiragana which is know. Bowenw mo, yoi ichi nichi yo! Arigatou gozaimasu. 棒ぇんｗ も 良い １ 日 よ！ ありがとう ございます。Bowenw, you also have a nice day. Thank you very much.

[bowenw]

Thank you and thank you for the MHO. 😊

[AI Opinion]

It's important you feel valued in your learning. Before deciding to quit, discuss your concerns with your teacher. Explain your need for more guidance, especially with grammar and translation. Provide specific examples of where you struggle and ask for a teaching approach that matches your learning style. If the situation doesn't improve, consider finding additional resources or seeking a different teacher who aligns better with your needs. Remember, your education should empower and support you in achieving mastery and confidence.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

At 68, I think it’s presumed you know how to learn already. Japanese is a language built almost entirely off of memorization, speaking as someone who took 2 years of it in college. Kanji and reading it in particular was where I struggled the most. If you need a greater handicap from a teacher who expects more of you, maybe that’s a discussion to have with him before you decide to get rid of him outright. Give him the opportunity to work with you rather than denying him the chance just because he couldn’t get it right by looking at you.

[Amy10223]

I think that Japanese is not built on memorization--except for the vocabulary that I have memorized. Most of the grammar that I've learned so far, I understand-- but now the grammar lessons--which are so important (the -nai form and -eteimaus) are getting more difficult for me with its' exceptions. I have no problem with comprehension (in translation). But I think, that Dustybiker below hit it on the nail. It is true that the instruction is what is very important--especially for someone like me, who is more a=of a hands-on learner, rather than an auditory learner. What he says, sometimes I have to think about before I can regurgitate it. I am going to give it a chance. I have been with him for 2.5 years but I need to ask more questions.

"... rather than denying him the chance just because he couldn’t get it right by looking at you." I dont get what you mean by this.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

You’re firing him before giving him the opportunity to improve and better adjust to your learning style

[Amy10223]

* --eteimasu, as in kangaeteimasu.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

You asked me to specify what I meant, so I did

[Amy10223]

I got confused when you mentioned the "... looking at you" part. I'm not quitting.

[Tarifa]

As with any new language, part of it is based on memorization, and part on actually using what you've learned. The way you describe your experience resembles a lot the Latin I took at high school. We had to memorize lists of words and those lists grew longer and longer as the weeks went by. I quit Latin after 3 years. I still remember a lot, and those words in Latin help me to understand new words in French and Spanish. Still, I would never recommend a teaching method where the focus is almost 100% on memorization and grammar.

You should ask your teacher for conversation classes, using everyday situations you can relate to. Practice those to get a basis. The best way of course is language immersion, that is, staying in the country on your own or, if that is impossible, find an environment where you are forced to express yourself in Japanese. It's a bit like a baby that gets thrown into the swimming pool, with all the necessary care and assistance, of course. But you'll get my point. You could try and find a Japanese native in your neighbourhood whose English is not very good. You can set up a system where he or she teaches you Japanese, in exchange you teach English. You could listen to songs in Japanese and try and pick out words, without cheating, and then look up the lyrics. The same for your buddy learning English. It's a relaxed and rather playful method that works well.

Maybe you could combine that with your current lessons, but I think that not having learnt much after 2 and a half years says a lot about the teaching method. It looks like you're the one putting in all the effort.

[Amy10223]

Thanks. We do "MiniKaiwa" where I talk to him before class begins (all of the lessons are on Zoom, by the way) about something that has happened, or that I have done in the past, all in Japanese. That is all the conversation we have. He does very little talking in Japanese himself, which I dont like, because it does not give me a chance to listen to intonation and pitch in Japanese.

I also belong to something called "Conversation Exchange", where I have met 10 Japanese people who help me learn, which I also teach them English. I have learned a lot with them--especially with vocabulary and expressions they have. I have met them there in Japan twice last year and I plan to go again in November.

It seems like I am the one putting in all the effort--but at the same time--he does try to communicate all he knows in the English he knows--which is sometimes difficult for him, although he himself has taken many English courses and is fluent.

[dustybiker2]

The teacher is instrumental. If it's not a good fit you won't learn as well as if it was. I would look for options and then consider switching.

You can always use free online courses in between. I have just started learning French myself. With online lessons.

[Amy10223]

I began with Duolingo at first, with Japanese. I just needed the listening part more, which is why I began the lessons. Am doing less of Duolingo and looking at more lessons on Youtube.

[Sevenpointfive]

this never works. you have to speak the same languages first. or there's no point in trying. quit and get a refund.

[Friendlybro79]

Tell me how he should be teaching you differently?

[Amy10223]

He can explain at first, how to use certain grammatical expressions, before they come up in the grammar structure/usage readings, so that I am able to do them with less difficulty. I think he should be reading the content in the book with me, which he never does--it would help a lot. But he dies not even suggest we read it in the book--I do it automatically on my own --but some some reason I was not able to find that page until recently, and then I understood it more.

[Friendlybro79]

Great. Now tell him not me lol. Good luck!

[Amy10223]

I will so exactly that. Thanks!

[Friendlybro79]

You're welcome. Good luck. Have a good day!

[Amy10223]

You too, my friend! :D