"Hello and thanks for this opportunity to tell you a bit about myself. I first arrived in Japan in 1978 and I have been studying the Japanese language ever since. The ability to speak, read and write Japanese has grown to be the single most important factor of my 39-year career as I have worked for several Japanese companies as well as for American companies doing business with Japanese companies.

I lived in Japan for a total of 8 years. Two of those years were back in 1978 to 1980 on the island of Hokkaido. Ten years later I lived in Tokyo for 5 years. From 2006 to 2008 years I made several long-term business trips to the Kyoto area. I was last in Japan on October 2019 for business meetings in Tokyo. I'm hoping with Covid issues diminishing, I'll be able to travel freely in Japan again soon.

Living in three vastly different areas of Japan has enriched my understanding of the various aspects of the national culture and exposed me to different dialects. However, I should make it clear that I only tutor the Kanto (Tokyo area), or standard, Japanese.

I have taught Japanese classes for the Japan-America Society of Houston and for the Continuing Education Program at the University of Houston where I graduated with a business degree. In addition, I have tutored many of my peers at several of the companies where I have worked. A few years ago, I taught a beginner level Japanese course for the Japan-America Society of San Antonio.

If you are a brand-new beginning student of Japanese or if you have taken a few courses and want to brush up on your skills, please consider working with me as your tutor. My hours are usually very flexible so let's improve your Japanese.

My methodology is a mixture of structured manual-based study and a "free form" or "streams of consciousness" approach. What do you need/want to learn? We can start there.

In addition, living and working overseas has given me an appreciation for my own language and history as well as a greater understanding of world geography.

arigatou gozaimasu!

Doug" less...