I’ve been teaching an online Japanese course for the past year and am now ready to take on new students for a brand new (read: absolutely amazing) course starting this February. The goal is to teach basic Japanese communication skills, the thing most neglected when self-studying from books. The secondary goal is to teach enough Japanese to pass the JLPT N5 (and help towards the N4 also). The following are some highlights of the course.

What it is

A taught Japanese course in an immersive learning environment: Minecraft. Get all the speaking practice you need as you take part in practical, real-world activities week to week.

Practice what you learn the moment you use it with real people! Already know a lot of Japanese? Great! Turn that knowledge into communicative competence! (trust me, knowledge =/= competence).

What it isn’t

A bland, boring, faceless textbook with no feedback, interaction or emotion.

In Minecraft? You have to be kidding me…

Nope, absolutely not. The simplicity will actually help you in the long run. The more difficult a game is to play, the more cognitive demands are put on your brain. Thus, the less you can concentrate on learning AND using a new language. You should see the cool activities we’ve been able to make because of Minecraft’s sandbox nature, too! Think you’re beyond the need for this course, come show me!

Don’t have a minecraft account but want to join?

Let me know, I have a bunch of accounts that I can lend out.

How much is it?

• First month of classes — FREE
• Monthly — $20 ($4-5 per lesson)
• Full course: $149 (over 40 lessons!)
• Self-study — always free!

The subscription service is cheaper than anywhere else on the internet for a taught course (and believe me, I’ve searched!)

Don’t need the course but would like to teach with us?

Let me know, I’m very eager to expand the teaching staff!!

Just want to practice Japanese and not take the class?

That’s cool, too! Come and join us. For free!

Important info:

• Course introduction video | Teacher Introduction vid
• First class times.
• Server Address: kotobaminers.org
• 日本語環境サーバ (Japanese immersion server): jp.kotobaminers.org
• YouTube channel
• Pricing (requires minecraft username. If you don’t have one yet, use “cheapsh0t”:
• ・Monthly $20
  ・One off full-course payment $149

Teacher qualifications

• Assistant professor working at a reputable university in Japan.
• Been a teacher for the past 9 years.
• Passed the JLPT1 after 3 years of study.
• Married, kids, homeowner, permanent resident of Japan.