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Your instructor
Mike Viscusi 先生
Live online instruction
🇯🇵 Teaching Live from Japan Soon!
Temporary Enrollment Notice
Due to an unexpected delay in immigration processing following my relocation to Japan, Simple Gaijin is temporarily suspending new student enrollment, lessons, and all paid activities at this time. The business remains operational in a limited capacity, and teaching services will resume once the necessary authorization has been obtained.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
THE SIMPLE GAIJIN APPROACH
One Teacher Who Knows How You Learn
You can recognize a word on a screen and still go blank when someone says it. You can finish a chapter and still wonder why a sentence works. That is where a teacher makes a difference.
Every Simple Gaijin lesson is private and one-on-one. No group classes. You work live online with Mike Viscusi, with time to ask questions, work through mistakes, and practice the parts of Japanese that need your attention.
Mike has taught privately since 2015. Your lessons build on an ongoing teaching relationship, so your progress and sticking points stay part of the conversation.
01
PRIVATE & ONE-ON-ONE
Every Simple Gaijin lesson is private and one-on-one.
No group classes.
02
60-MINUTE LESSONS
Regular lessons are 60 minutes.
Minimum frequency of once per week.
03
ONGOING TEACHING RELATIONSHIP
Mike has taught privately since 2015.
Your progress and sticking points stay part of the conversation.
FIND YOUR FOCUS
Choose the Japanese You Want to Work On
CURRICULUM ROADMAP
A Structured Twelve-Stage Learning Path
Simple Gaijin's twelve-stage curriculum begins with Japanese writing and fundamentals before progressing through Japanese I–III, Intermediate Japanese I–III, Advanced Japanese I–III, and a final Advanced Japanese Capstone. Reading and writing grow alongside speaking and listening.
You learn hiragana and katakana from the beginning so you can develop Japanese literacy without depending on romaji. Already studied Japanese? Mike can discuss your experience and recommend an appropriate starting point.
Stages 01–02
Writing & Fundamentals
Japanese Writing
Fundamentals
Stages 03–05
Elementary Japanese
Elementary I
Elementary II
Elementary III
Stages 06–08
Intermediate Japanese
Intermediate I
Intermediate II Intermediate III
Stages 09–11
Advanced Japanese
Advanced I
Advanced II
Advanced III
Stage 12
Capstone
Advanced Capstone
Teacher / Learner
Mike
Viscusi
教師
UNT
Graduate
ACTFL
Rated
Kansai
Gaidai Alum
JLPT
Experienced
ABOUT MIKE
Your Teacher Learned Japanese Too
Mike began as an English-speaking student, completed a minor in Japanese at the University of North Texas, and studied abroad at Kansai Gaidai University before going on to live and work in Japan.
Japanese was not his first language either. He encountered many of the questions his students ask today: why a particle belongs there, how a verb changes, or why translating word for word leaves you stuck.
His background includes ACTFL-rated Japanese proficiency and firsthand experience with the JLPT and Kanken examinations.
OUR NEXT CHAPTER
Texas Roots With a New Chapter in Japan
Founded in Texas in 2015, Simple Gaijin is beginning its next chapter in Japan. The business is relocating to Japan in late 2026 - early 2027. Once my visa has been approved, your online lessons will be taught live from Japan, serving U.S. students and other English-speaking learners where scheduling and payment arrangements are practical.
Texas · 2015
Japan · 2026 or 2027
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Get a Feel for Learning With Mike
Choosing a private teacher is personal. Read student reviews for perspectives on Mike's pace and teaching approach.
“able to give clear explanations of all the questions I’ve asked and has never acted as though my questions were trivial or stupid.”
Jordan L. Hall
Student testimonial letter, June 25, 2024
“Mike skillfully created a welcoming and supportive environment where Reece progressed in her learning of the Japanese language and culture.”
Erin Bernhardt
Parent testimonial letter
“All in all we’ve been very happy to have Mike work with our son and we highly recommend his services.”
Thomas Murphy
Parent testimonial letter, June 24, 2024
SIMPLE PRICING
Know the Next Step Before You Begin
Regular lessons are 60 minutes, with a minimum frequency of once per week for all students.
30 MINUTES
$25
USD / lesson
Conversation practice, reviews, pronunciation, and focused exercises.
45 Minutes
$35
USD / lesson
Budget-friendly structured Japanese lessons.
60 Minutes
$45
USD / lesson
Your standard comprehensive private lesson.