Name:

Beverly Diaz (Osaka, Japan)

Course:

JLPT N1 Course (Feb, 2014-)
(Passed JLPT N1, December, 2014)

Comment:

Somehow after college, I started working for a Japanese company and haven't stopped since. Even after a couple of career transitions, I was using Japanese on a regular basis for several years before deciding to try my hand at the JLPT N1.I do all right conversing with the natives, I thought. This should be a piece of cake! But after taking one look at practice exam, I knew I needed help and that is when I began lessons with OLS. After a year of on-point lessons and personally delivered instruction from Mr. Sakurai, I can proudly and joyfully say that I have passed! There are things on this test that many of my Japanese coworkers have assured me I will never use again. I don't know about all of that but I can safely say that I could not have done it without him! Thank you, Mr. Sakurai!

Name:

Patricia Satimi Takata Komati (Aichi, Japan)

Course:

JLPT N1 Course (May, 2011-)
(Passed JLPT N1, July, 2012)

Comment:

I'm so happy for having passed JLPT Level 1! I'm sure that I could not have gotten this wonderful outcome without my OLS Japanese lessons. In addition, I am so thankful to my teacher, Mr. Sakurai, who taught and encouraged me all the time. N 1 is just a step along the way towards my current goals. I am hoping to achieve the highest level of fluency in Japanese, so I intend to continue studying with OLS.

Name:

Fernando Takahashi (Aichi, Japan)

Course:

JLPT N1 Course (January, 2011-)
(Passed JLPT N1, 2011)

Comment:

I had been studying Japanese by myself for a few years, and then I could pass the JLPT levels 3 and 2. But when I started to prepare my textbooks for the level 1, I noticed that it would be really tough to study that level of grammar and vocabulary by myself. That's why I decided to search for professional help and started to take lessons with OLS. With Sakurai sensei's support, I passed the JLPT N1.

I really recommend the OLS lessons. The fact that you have a real private lesson, only you and the teacher, makes the lessons extremely effective. You can focus on the points you need to improve.

Name:

Emma Boardman (Bath, England)

Course:

JLPT N1 Course (September, 2009-)
(Passed JLPT N1, 2011)

Comment:

I began taking OLS Lessons after I passed my JLPT2, and with the help of Sakurai Sensei was able to pass my JPLT1 this summer. Honestly, I couldn't have passed without the help of OLS. This is even evident in my marks – the parts we focused the most on in lessons where the sections where I got my highest marks. Thanks to OLS I was able to get into graduate school, where I am now studying Japanese interpretation and translation. Even now, when I have questions, OLS is the first place I turn.

When I started, the flexible timing meant I could study even when I came home late from work. No matter what time of the day, be it ridiculously early or obscenely late, I always received the same high standard of teaching. Even when my work schedule settled down and I would have been able to go to regularly timed classes, I chose to continue studying with OLS because I'd found it so enjoyable and so beneficial.

Name:

Angela Bartlett (Nagasaki, Japan)

Course:

Beginner 2 Conversation Course (October, 2009-)
(Passed JLPT N4, 2010)

Comment:

I first started taking lessons with OLS because I live in an area where there aren't any Japanese language schools nearby. It really makes a difference for someone like me to have this kind of service available over Skype, but in my opinion it would be just as useful for people living in big cities as well; it's just so convenient to be able to schedule a lesson any time you like, with no travel time. And you really can't beat the price for one-on-one lessons.

Convenience and price are just two issues. The main thing is the quality of the lessons, and I am happy to recommend the school for the professional level of the instruction as well. The teachers are trained and experienced, and ready to help with any special request - for example, I once had a whole lesson devoted to vocabulary used in tea ceremony, which I've found a great help. The curriculum is well organized and clearly designed to maximize the speed at which students can start using Japanese in a practical way in every day life. Whether it's chatting with the neighbors, making (and canceling) reservations and appointments, or discussing technical issues with salespeople - all these things have become so much easier for me since I started studying with OLS. It's definitely made a difference to my ability to communicate. And for students who plan to take the JPLT, the curriculum is spot on. I took the N4 test in December (and passed) and I can report that I had previously covered in my lessons everything that was on the test.

Studying with OLS is a very efficient way to prepare for the exam, it helps you with everyday life in Japan; and it is fun, affordable, and convenient! I recommend this school highly to anyone ready to take on the challenge of learning Japanese.

Name:

Michael Flowers (Okinawa, Japan)

Course:

JLPT Level 3 Course (August, 2009-)
(Passed JLPT Level 3, 2009)

Comment:

I am please to say I passed the test! Many thanks to OLS Home Learning. I had been floundering in my Japanese studies for a long time. In 2009 I set the goal to pass JLPT 3. For several months I studied on my own making little progress. In August 2009 I was introduced to OLS. What luck. I am a professional and parent with little spare time to drive to and from classes. Once we settled on a course of action I took lessons 2 days a week until the JLPT exam. The staff at OLS gave me additional help on areas I needed to brush up on. I am especially thankful to Yamada Sensei, Tanaguchi Sensei and of course Sakuri Sensei for all the help and flexibility with my schedule.

Currently I am in the middle of Conversational Japanese III which is loads of fun and full of useful tools for business. It is much different than the JLPT 3 course as there is a lot of roll playing which I seriously need to make my clients more comfortable. Thanks OLS and next stop JLPT 2 in 2011!

Name:

Benisha Bennett (Yamaguchi, Japan)

Course:

JLPT Level 3 Course (October, 2008-)
(Passed JLPT Level 3, 2008)

Comment:

I have just finished my first round of classes with Daisuke sensei at OLS. I had taken the class to help prepare for the Japanese language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level 3, and OLS was a HUGE help! The classes were well focused but not to the point of being dry. Actually, I had a great time studying, even if it was causative passive grammar forms. Daisuke sensei knew how to make it fun, enjoyable, and most importantly easy to understand. I was surprised when I went to take the JLPT test and I actually found it to be much easier than I had expected!

The class not only helped me study for the JLPT, but it also has really helped me improve my listening and speaking skills. I feel much more confident when I am holding a conversation in Japanese. Daisuke sensei also helped me understand some very important cultural diffrences that I wasn't aware of. Thank you OLS!

Another great thing I found about this school is the flexibility with hours. It is great to be able to decide if I want to take classes in the mornings or in the evenings. And if something came up, it has been very easy to reschedule.�@

I am planning to start classes again after the holiday season, and I would highly suggest this school to anyone who is looking to improve their Japanese language skills.

Name:

Bill Andersen (Baltimore, Maryland, USA)

Course:

Beginner 1 Full Course (March, 2008-)
(Passed JLPT Level 3, 2008)

Comment:

I enjoy learning languages as a hobby. It's fun and it makes traveling a lot more interesting! After visiting Japan for the first time this year, I was hooked -- the people, culture, sights and language are fascinating. But the little bit of Japanese I'd learned from tapes didn't help much and of course reading was a complete mystery.
So ... I decided to learn Japanese seriously when I got home, but quickly discovered that resources for learning Japanese were practically non-existent. There were no tutors where I live. Plus, I'm a busy guy and there's no way I can take the time for a university course.

OLS to the rescue! I found OLS by a random web search and decided to take the trial lesson. At first I didn't know what to expect, but after the trial lesson I was convinced. Japanese is the eighth language I've studied and I can say with all honesty that the OLS method and teachers are as good as or better than any I've encountered anywhere. The instructors are demanding -- expect to work hard.
But they are really supportive, and the learning environment using Skype from home is great. I found I could work at whatever pace was comfortable to me.
The instruction is excellent, the price is right and I don't have to get in the car or deal with non-native teachers. I've been taking about 2-3 lessons a week for 3 months now and already have had real conversations with Japanese people I've met in the States. Incredible! I can't say enough about OLS and can't wait to use my new language on my next trip to Japan!!

Name:

Carolyne Martin (Osaka, Japan)

Course:

Intermediate Conversation Course (February, 2008 - )
(Passed JLPT N3, 2010)

Comment:

I've been living in Osaka for two years and I've been studying at OLS Home Learning since February 2008. After trying couple of Japanese schools around Osaka, I've finally found one that suits me.

Being a language teacher myself, I'm pretty busy and find it hard to go to a working hour�fs class on a regular basis. Thanks to OLS. I can now study once or twice a week at different times and often quite late.

I'm really happy with the curriculum and with the progress I've made so far. My teacher makes it very easy for me to learn, sending me documents prior to the lesson and adapting the curriculum to my needs in everyday life. (... and I DO make a lot of requests ^_^ )

I'm still eager to learn so I think I'm gonna stick with OLS for a while.

Name:

Lailani Cortina (Gunma, Japan)

Course:

JLPT Level 3 (October, 2008-)
(Passed JLPT Level 3, 2008)

Comment:

I have been working in Japan for more than 4 years now and during my first 3 years here I was not as good at Japanese as I am right now since I studied with OLS (of course with the help of my teachers, Sakurai Sensei and Yamada Sensei).

Basically, I got my Japanese knowledge through my daily experience in my first job, however, I was not sure if I was using the right Japanese grammar. I really wanted to go to a Japanese school but my working schedule does not allow me to do so and that is why I had to search for the cheapest and best on-line school on the net....and I found OLS On-line Japanese Language.

In OLS you can study at your own pace, the teachers will definitely simplify the lessons so that non-native speakers can clearly understand the lessons. They give handouts prior to your study schedule and if you have some request, even it is not within the course, they will surely give it to you...

Last December 7, I took the JLPT level 3 test and I'm sure I am going to make it and I am looking forward to continuing my studying to improve more my Japanese level more...So for those busy people out there go and try OLS Japanese language school...I'm sure you will experience the same thing...and to all my "Kababayan (fellow Filipino)" please try it here...