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Your Questions About Online Japanese Lessons
Understand the format, the learning approach, and what to discuss before getting started.
Lesson Format and Your Teacher
All regular lessons are private and one-on-one. Simple Gaijin does not offer group classes, and Mike Viscusi teaches every lesson directly.
A regular lesson lasts 60 minutes and takes place live online. See private Japanese lessons for the full format.
No. Mike learned Japanese as an English speaker, studied it at university and in Japan, and became a professional instructor. That experience helps him explain concepts from a learner's perspective. Meet Mike to learn more.
Finding Your Starting Point
Yes. Beginner instruction starts with sounds, pronunciation, hiragana, katakana, and basic literacy. You can ask about lessons before you know any Japanese characters.
No. Mike can discuss your previous experience with you and recommend an appropriate starting point in the curriculum. Tell him about previous courses, materials, and any break in your studies.
Yes. Simple Gaijin uses a twelve-stage curriculum beginning 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 are developed alongside listening and speaking.
Yes. Conversation lessons and JLPT preparation for N5, N4, and N3 address different goals. Share your current ability and desired focus so Mike can discuss a suitable approach.
No. Romaji may be useful as a temporary bridge for a brand-new learner, but Simple Gaijin teaches hiragana and katakana from the beginning. Students are expected to develop Japanese literacy rather than remain dependent on romaji.
Complete beginners should normally begin with structured beginner instruction to build enough foundational Japanese for guided spoken interaction. Dedicated conversation lessons use Japanese as the primary language, with English when needed to clarify a correction. Mike can discuss suitability based on your current ability.
Your starting point, practice, lesson frequency, and goals all influence progress. Mike can help you identify priorities, but there is no single completion timeline for every learner.
Scheduling and Enrollment
Yes. Simple Gaijin primarily serves English-speaking students in the U.S. Students elsewhere may also participate when time zones, availability, and payment arrangements align. Lessons are scheduled individually.
Mike has already arrived in Tochigi Prefecture. Lessons taught online from Japan resume on November 1, 2026.
Simple Gaijin is designed around consistent, ongoing instruction. Students must take lessons at least once per week. Twice-monthly, monthly, and other infrequent lesson arrangements are not offered. Students may take one lesson per week or two or more lessons per week.
Lessons start at $25 USD for 30 minutes, $35 USD for 45 minutes, and $45 USD for 60 minutes. Review pricing and enrollment.
Former students are welcome to return. Former students who are not actively taking lessons and re-enroll on or after November 1, 2026 will be charged the current new-student rates. Mike can discuss your previous studies and recommend an appropriate starting point before lessons resume.
Current students who continue lessons through the transition to Japan will retain their existing rates. The minimum frequency of once per week still applies; retaining a rate does not preserve an infrequent lesson schedule.
Simple Gaijin accepts students age 13 and older. Minors require appropriate parent or guardian involvement and consent. Include the student's age when making an inquiry.
Discuss materials with Mike before enrollment. Your starting point and lesson focus will help guide that conversation.
Payment is due after each lesson. Additional payment information and applicable student policies will be reviewed before enrollment.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled lesson and no-shows are charged the full lesson fee. Please review the complete student policies for additional details.
Have a Question About Your Situation
You do not need to choose a course or assign yourself a level before getting in touch. Share your goals and time zone, and ask what you need to know.
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