This is an EASY A. (We don’t have A+s; 95~100 is an A.) All tests/quizzes are open-book/notes. Extra credit opportunities provided. Hayashi doesn’t expect you to know how to actually write the kanjis. As long as you can type them and distinguish them, you’re good to go.
However, Hayashi is quite strict on pronunciation (intonation and stuff) maybe because of her education background but she doesn’t give concrete advice on how to improve. She would only tell students to listen to the recordings more and listen to native speakers more.

This was a fun class, Hayashi Sensei's teaching style aligns with people who are heritage Japanese speakers. All the reading and class discussions are things relevant to the students so doing the assignments for the class didn't feel like work because I genuinely enjoyed it. In this class we talked about things that we liked and was relevant to us using Japanese as a medium to do that, so my Japanese improved with me even thinking about it too much.

Professor Takakura keeps the class interesting by adding a lot of contemporary pop-culture to the class such as anime, news, and lectures on the differences between Japanese and American dating habits. We had group projects that were fun that also made us learn valuable skills that we could put to use for future projects. I enjoyed Professor Takakura's way of teaching because she always used humor and expressed a kind open heart. I highly recommend this class. I also recommend that in order to succeed in this class it is wise to always come to class prepared by reading and studying the assignments before class.

TAKEN DURING COVID
Professor Takakura is a wonderful professor. Very understanding and willing to work with students; I once forgot to turn in an assignment and she let it slide despite me having no excuse. Although at times she can be a little confusing in how she may want in-class discussion to be about, if you bring it up she will restate it to try to make herself clearer. Her lectures often were practice sessions of short 2-3 minute lessons from the text about the chapter topic, which made learning very engaging. She does have mandatory attendance, but honestly, it isn't that bad. The midterms and chapter tests were very easy if you understand the concepts. She was very nice during office hours and willing to work with me. A fantastic professor; will be taking her again.

This is taken during COVID online schooling 2020-2021.

I'm very glad to take Professor Hayashi for my Jap1-3 classes. She is very kind with grading as you will usually get A's as long as you follow the instructions of each assignment. I've missed an assignment turn in once and she reached out to me to see what was going on. I responded and she let it slide despite her no late homework policy. Tests are easy as long as you study and do the practice problems that she offers. I usually finish with more than enough time.

The only difficult part is keeping up with content. This is a language course and it is stuffed into 10 weeks so be prepared (but this applies to any class).