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:

Ryan Brady (Osaka, Japan)

Course:

Intermediate Conversation Course (May, 2008 -)

Comment:

Sakurai Sensei is a very interesting teacher. Every lesson is easy to understand and remember.
From your home or office and at a time that suits, you can book a lesson. It's so useful for busy people like me. If you want to speak with Japanese people I recommend this lesson.

Thank you for everything.

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...

Name:

William Knox (Nagano, Japan)

Course:

Introductory Conversation Course (May, 2008-)

Comment:

I would recommend OLS to anyone trying to learn Japanese! The company offers valuable lessons at a low price and the additional convenience of staying right at home. With OLS, you can work at your own pace, and they are flexible to all styles of learning. If you ask me, it's a great deal!

The staff is excellent. I have been working with Daisuke san, who has been a pleasure to study with. We have a great time during our lessons, and we always finish smiling!

OLS is very flexible for people with busy schedules, like me! The unexpected always seems to be popping up in my life, and being able to change lesson times is crucial to my development with the language. I don't think any service can offer this kind of flexibility. Go with OLS!

Name:

Andrea Strunz (Osaka, Japan)

Course:

Intermediate Conversation Course (April, 2008-)

Comment:

I am an online teacher myself. So I always wanted to take online lessons myself. When I found this page, I was happy. The price is really good and you get a lot out of the lessons. Also a great thing is the lesson time. Now I can take a lesson before or after work without hurrying to another place.

The teachers are patient and explain everything very detailed. The lessons are funny but also very near to the real life. That�fs more than you can say from most books. You have the opportunity of different role-plays and the teachers try to create some that could happen to you in your personal environments. You can ask your teachers everything and they really try to explain it to you.

OLS sends you all the information and materials you need to prepare for your lessons, which helps a lot. You can read through it yourself and later ask anything. Also if you have special wishes, e.g. for grammar, they create special lessons for you in record time.
I studied Japanese before at University, but now in those man to man lessons I learn much more and they are much more fun. And you don�ft have to be afraid of making mistakes.