FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Japanese lessons: There are discounts for private group lessons as well as having multiple family members in group classes. I also occasionally run store credit sales (so you can prepay for several lessons and get extra credit to spend in the store however you want). * Tutoring lessons cancelled 3 hours or less before the scheduled time cost 25% of the lesson fee. Tutoring lessons where you no-show cost 100% of the fee. Every 3 months (every quarter starting from January), if you miss a lesson, the first one you miss can be rescheduled. * If you'd like to meet in person for tutoring lessons, there is a $15/lesson travel fee for lessons not held at one of my regular locations. * If you miss a group class, I offer plenty of ways to catch up and learn the material. There are no refunds or make-up lessons for missed classes. English-to-Japanese/Japanese-to-English translations: Projects can be calculated by cost per page or per word and how exact you want the translation (knowing the gist vs a full translation). Please see the Photos for price breakdowns.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I chat with the student (or parent of the student) via email or a call to see how much they know and what they want to learn. If they've taken Japanese lessons before, I have them do an assessment to get a better idea of where to place them (if they're interested in classes) or what to teach them (if they want private lessons). Customers looking for translations fill out an intake form and I follow up to make sure I've understood what they're looking for.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
One of my degrees is in Japanese language and culture. So, 4 years of formal study and then a whirlwind of volunteering and working as a translator, interpreter and tutor for the last 15 years. In 2011, I helped revive and eventually took on the Chief Organizer role for Chicago Japanese Language Meetup group--now known as Chicago Speaks Japanese!--when it was passed to me. I held language tables and exchanges to encourage others in their Japanese practice for 7 years until the birth of my son in 2019. Since 2014 I've staffed various anime conventions including Anime Expo, Taiyou Con, Crunchyroll Expo and Anime Ottawa while maintaining Anime Central as my home convention. I also volunteered for 7 years as an Assistant Department Manager in charge of Interpreters for Guest Assistants at Anime Central and made sure Japanese guests were well-taken care. Outside of anime conventions, I've translated and interpreted on an as-needed basis for various groups and businesses. My longest and most treasured consultation work started in 2013 for the Japanese company Takmi and the group of Hokkaido artists they support.