Fluency in Japanese in three to four years, with a structured curriculum focused on immersion and a community to study with.
Now accepting applications
Beginner classes (1st year) start in November, Wednesdays at 3 p.m. PT.
8 of 20 slots open.
Intermediate classes (3rd year) start in November, Thursdays at 3 p.m. PT.
14 of 20 slots open.
PDXJapanese offers fluency-focused private and group Japanese lessons, supported by an active immersion-based learning community. The program is built for students who want to reach near-native fluency efficiently, with a proven curriculum and a Discord server full of resources: bilingual manga and anime, a graded immersion progression, textbooks, and custom flashcards. You can chat with other learners in English and Japanese, join book clubs and study groups, and get guidance at every stage.
Most students learn the basics in 4-6 weeks and 1,000 kanji in 6-8 months. With consistent effort, functional fluency is realistic in 3-4 years. I also build personalized study plans for goals like travel, cultural engagement, or reconnecting with family. All lessons are held on Discord.
Japanese opens up a rich world of language, culture, and media. Whether you're starting from zero or picking it back up after a break, PDXJapanese gives you the structure, materials, and community to keep progressing in your language goals.
"He cares about his students and structures his lessons to your own pace and skill level." – Xochitl G.
"I was in his group class and it was always informative, interesting, and fun with a casual vibe." – Cody S.
"Highly recommend working with him if you're a beginner and want to establish a foundation of Japanese and a strong study routine." – Lindsay M.
"His approach to teaching this challenging language made it feel way more manageable." – Robert P.
Start with the community for $5/month
Discord Access is open to anyone, no application needed, and the first seven days are free. It's the easiest way to see how the program works before committing to lessons.
Fluency roadmap, a step-by-step progression from beginner to advanced
Learning guides for kana, SRS, kanji, vocab mining, and immersion
Bilingual native media, including high-res manga and films with Japanese subtitles
Graded materials: curated readers, YouTube, podcasts, and anime
Book clubs and accountability, with vocab lists and regular check-ins
Weekly study halls, monthly office hours, and private chatrooms
Direct access to me for questions any time
In Portland? PDX日本語勉強倶楽部 meets monthly for casual study and conversation. Free and open to all levels.
How to start
1. Fill out the application. It takes about five minutes and tells me your level and goals.
2. I'll reply within a few days to confirm a slot and answer questions.
3. Once you're accepted, you'll subscribe through Patreon and get your Discord invite.