If you’re neurodivergent and struggling to learn Japanese, give Chika Sensei a try!
I’ve lived in Japan for years and have learned a lot through passive immersion & casual conversation, but I always struggled finding a way to study the language to improve and deepen my communication skills. I’d sign up for bi-monthly or weekly classes online or in person, and even though the classes were well-planned and the teachers were great, I usually ended up stopping. The material always seemed mismatched, way too easy or way too hard, and I struggled committing to the exact same hour on a regular basis.
Then, last year, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I started thinking differently about how I could study, and finally understood why some methods may work for a lot of people, but not for me.
A local Japanese friend (who’s also studying to be a Japanese teacher for foreign learners) shared Chika Sensei’s course with me, so it was already a trusted recommendation. But when I saw how her course was designed, how it was structured, I was sold.
Short, regular lessons and assignments focused on one piece at a time, grammar points arranged by theme and concluded with review quizzes, reading/vocabulary/listening exercises paced throughout the course schedule, complete course material (and extras) accessible whenever you want, clear and timely feedback, and best of all, daily reminders! Easy to follow with freedom to explore and a generous dash of variety, just what my brain craves.
After just over a month, my comprehension has noticeably improved, and I find myself recalling material without even trying!
But the most important thing is that this course has just the right balance of structure and freedom to give you the confidence to make mistakes.
Making mistakes is essential for improving at any language, and everyone struggles with it. But if you have ADHD or face similar challenges, mistakes hit a lot harder. Chika Sensei’s class allows you freedom to make mistakes and learn from them rather than let them keep you from trying again.
I’ve gone from “there’s no way I can ever get this right,” to “my only mistake that time was using ‘で’ instead of ‘を’, I can remember that next time!” Miss a couple days of lessons? Or a few days? Or a week? No problem, do 2-3 short lessons each day and you’re caught up again before you know it.
No idea how she does it all, but I’m so thankful for Chika Sensei’s course. I’ve already signed up for my first ever JLPT this summer. But if I don’t pass, I’ll sign up for the next one in winter and keep checking those lesson reminders in my inbox!
Chika Sensei, arigatou gozaimasu!