How it works - Volunteer Japanese Coaches
How it works
- If you would like to use JACS and are not already a premium subscriber, please become a Hiragana Times annual subscriber (premium subscriber) since this is a free service for premium subscribers only. The annual fee is 6,000 yen (500 yen a month).
>>> Who is a Premium Subscriber?
- Premium subscribers can send us a JACS application form, selecting the volunteer Japanese coach they want to learn with through JACS.
a) Japanese coach--- Their English proficiency is described in the Volunteer Japanese Coach list page in the application form below. Some speak good English and others speak none. Select a coach considering whether or not you would like assistance in English. You cannot select the coaches by gender, age or occupation since we would like to provide you opportunities to meet many different people. The coaches cannot select learners by nationality, gender, age or occupation either. However, female subscribers and coaches can select gender.
b) Place---Basically a coffee shop is selected by the Japanese coach. You are responsible for paying for your own soft drink during the lesson. The coach will pay for his/her soft drink. You can select a coach who can meet in an area convenient for you.
c) Date and Time--- Japanese coaches will designate times that they are available. You can select the coach whose schedule matches yours.
>>>Volunteer Japanese Coach list page
- If you can not find an appropriate coach, your request will be displayed in the volunteer Japanese coach section of this website. All your personal data will be hidden and only your desired schedule and location will be viewable.
Overseas subscribers can also apply. You can take lessons via skype.
- If your application is accepted, we will contact you and forward your JACS time request (indicating the day you want to start studying) to the Japanese coach you select. You are required to send it to us more than two weeks before the first day. Your contact information will not be revealed to the coach at this point.
- If the coach accepts your request, we will let the coach know your name, nationality, gender, age group, occupation and your email address. If you are not accepted, we will advise you to select another coach.
- You will be informed of the meeting place, their name, gender, age group, and occupation from the coach by email. After that, contact each other for the first meeting directly. Please do not ask for a coach’s phone number, they will inform you of this at the correct time.
- You will meet the Japanese coach at the place, date and time selected. Basically the learning time is one hour. If both coach and learner agree it can be extended.
- The JACS Time is one-to-one and Hiragana Times is used as the text. You are required to read it beforehand and prepare. Be sure to bring the text. You may ask the coach that you want to lean basic Japanese in case your Japanese is "almost none" level.
- If you have any questions or difficulties, please call our support line. 03-3341-8989 (weekdays between 10:00 ~ 17:30)
- After finishing a JACS Time, make the next appointment. A course with a Japanese coach covers four lessons. If difficulties arise with the coach or JACS Time before the four lessons are completed, please consult with us.
- After the four lessons you can arrange another course with the same coach or try a new coach. Even if both want to continue, to avoid confusion you have to send us “Application for JACS” again on the website.
- This project is carried out in cooperation with volunteer Japanese coaches. We are not responsible for any troubles that may arise between learners and Japanese coaches, but will help to solve them. Depending on the circumstances, we have the right to refuse to accept learners and coaches.
About Japanese Coach
- They are not licensed Japanese teachers, but Hiragana Times premium subscribers who are willing to help non-Japanese learn Japanese free of charge.
- Ages, occupation and gender of Japanese coaches differ.
>>>Learners' Comments on Japanese coaches
Qualification for Using JACS
- You have to be a premium subscriber (an annual subscriber) to Hiragana Times
- You should have knowledge of hiragana and katakana.
