Student Testimonials

Japanese

My Story

Ya feel me?

6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, United States

 +1.2022415306

"I am huge into art at Langley, and somehow sensei finds a way to have us drawing and creating everyday!"

– Alexis

"Every class is fun and different. I can't explain it, but i promise you will not ever be bored. Give it a shot"

–  Jonathan

"Japanese is a hard language, but sensei finds a way to make it seemingly easy. For serious."

– Ivy

I have a bachelor’s degree in Japanese Studies from Gettysburg College and a master’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature from the University of Massachusetts. I lived in Japan for three years as both as a student and a high school English teacher. I have been teaching at Langley since 2007 and over that time have been a finalist for Langley teacher of the year three times.

When I first came to Langley more than 15 years ago I had roughly 30 students. Now I teach nearly five times as many. I mainly attribute this rise in enrollment to three things. One is the inclusive style in which I run my classroom. Students love my classes and those that enroll in Japanese stick with Japanese for 4 years! The other reason is Japanese itself. Japanese is the most unique course of study offered at Langley and students really seem to enjoy the subject material. In addition, I love integrating the latest technology into my classroom and Japanese is one of the most ‘tech-centric’ classes offered at Langley.  I have my own class set of iPads for collaboration and take part in an online exchange with a high school class in Japan.