Professor
Yoko Nogami
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - (My class was over zoom) I've had Nogami Sensei for al 3 quarters (J4-J6), and while she may have the reputation of being scary and tough, she is one of the best professors I've ever had. It is definitely not an easy A, but without a doubt your Japanese will get exponentially better. The class was very participation-oriented where she would constantly call on random people and ask questions based on what you're studying, and if you didn't know the answer or took too long she would move on to someone else. If this happens do not take it personally; she's just trying to get the class going. If she sees that you're genuinely trying, she will do all that she can to help you get better. If she sees that you're constantly failing to speak/read Japanese and answer questions, she will have less patience with you. This can all be avoided if you do your part and review, which I highly recommend you don't skip (review grammar, vocab, kanji, dialogue & yomimono). If you're ever struggling, I recommend emailing sensei about what you're having trouble with and scheduling an office-hour meeting so she doesn't just assume that you're not trying. We had a schedule of the quarter which we followed to the tee, so the class as a whole was very structured and organized. The tests were textbook-oriented and we had a packet of homework due about once a week, along with a few essays and speeches (all doable). If you are truly passionate about learning the language and want to truly get better (ESPECIALLY if you're a Japanese Major), do yourself a favor and take this professor.
Fall 2021 - (My class was over zoom) I've had Nogami Sensei for al 3 quarters (J4-J6), and while she may have the reputation of being scary and tough, she is one of the best professors I've ever had. It is definitely not an easy A, but without a doubt your Japanese will get exponentially better. The class was very participation-oriented where she would constantly call on random people and ask questions based on what you're studying, and if you didn't know the answer or took too long she would move on to someone else. If this happens do not take it personally; she's just trying to get the class going. If she sees that you're genuinely trying, she will do all that she can to help you get better. If she sees that you're constantly failing to speak/read Japanese and answer questions, she will have less patience with you. This can all be avoided if you do your part and review, which I highly recommend you don't skip (review grammar, vocab, kanji, dialogue & yomimono). If you're ever struggling, I recommend emailing sensei about what you're having trouble with and scheduling an office-hour meeting so she doesn't just assume that you're not trying. We had a schedule of the quarter which we followed to the tee, so the class as a whole was very structured and organized. The tests were textbook-oriented and we had a packet of homework due about once a week, along with a few essays and speeches (all doable). If you are truly passionate about learning the language and want to truly get better (ESPECIALLY if you're a Japanese Major), do yourself a favor and take this professor.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2022 - I took Nogami sensei for J4 and J5, and while her teaching style stressed me out to no end it was the kind that I needed. Nogami teaches the entire class in Japanese, and it’s a little over an hour of her asking questions and calling on students randomly to respond. You’re expected to be familiar with the grammar and vocabulary before class, and be able to utilize it when speaking. However, she utilizes the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learned up to that point and hearing it used in conversation over and over really helps it stick to memory. It’s complete immersion and terrifying, but insanely helpful. If you know you won’t learn a language unless you’re absolutely forced to, this is the class for you. She assigns all the workbook pages for the chapter at once, but it’s only due every few weeks. The tests are easy to prepare for once you know what you need to study. This class isn’t for everyone and it’s challenging, but if you put in the effort you will be rewarded.
Winter 2022 - I took Nogami sensei for J4 and J5, and while her teaching style stressed me out to no end it was the kind that I needed. Nogami teaches the entire class in Japanese, and it’s a little over an hour of her asking questions and calling on students randomly to respond. You’re expected to be familiar with the grammar and vocabulary before class, and be able to utilize it when speaking. However, she utilizes the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learned up to that point and hearing it used in conversation over and over really helps it stick to memory. It’s complete immersion and terrifying, but insanely helpful. If you know you won’t learn a language unless you’re absolutely forced to, this is the class for you. She assigns all the workbook pages for the chapter at once, but it’s only due every few weeks. The tests are easy to prepare for once you know what you need to study. This class isn’t for everyone and it’s challenging, but if you put in the effort you will be rewarded.
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Most Helpful Review
I took Nogami Sensei for J4, J5, and J6 and I had to say, she was pretty strict, and can seem a little intimidating, but as long as you make an effort, she's really an amazing teacher. She constantly drills the language into your head and doesn't really give your brain a break, but its totally worth it and my Japanese is way better for it. She always puts hard work into her lectures and even though the textbook is silly, she finds ways to make the class fun and funny. Although you really have to be on your toes at all times, there's no better way to go about learning a language, and I think Nogami has it down. The teaching I mean. I've had her for a year straight, and she really gets to know you and figure our what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can improve. Really amazing.
I took Nogami Sensei for J4, J5, and J6 and I had to say, she was pretty strict, and can seem a little intimidating, but as long as you make an effort, she's really an amazing teacher. She constantly drills the language into your head and doesn't really give your brain a break, but its totally worth it and my Japanese is way better for it. She always puts hard work into her lectures and even though the textbook is silly, she finds ways to make the class fun and funny. Although you really have to be on your toes at all times, there's no better way to go about learning a language, and I think Nogami has it down. The teaching I mean. I've had her for a year straight, and she really gets to know you and figure our what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can improve. Really amazing.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - This class was very demanding but I learned a lot. Nogami-sensei teaches with Socratic method: you're expected to study the material beforehand then she cross-examines you during class. For students comfortable listening to Japanese, this is very beneficial and helps you improve speaking a lot. But for students less so, it will be very stressful and you're likely to fall further behind. Also, she doesn't really go over kanji, so you are expected to learn it on your own time. If you're serious about learning Japanese, definitely take her class. Just know that you'll spend a lot of time studying and probably still not get an A. ETA after 100C: Everything I wrote still stands. Workload increases by the quarter and she is not an easy grader. If you're thinking of adding this as a 4th class, I would proceed with caution.
Fall 2020 - This class was very demanding but I learned a lot. Nogami-sensei teaches with Socratic method: you're expected to study the material beforehand then she cross-examines you during class. For students comfortable listening to Japanese, this is very beneficial and helps you improve speaking a lot. But for students less so, it will be very stressful and you're likely to fall further behind. Also, she doesn't really go over kanji, so you are expected to learn it on your own time. If you're serious about learning Japanese, definitely take her class. Just know that you'll spend a lot of time studying and probably still not get an A. ETA after 100C: Everything I wrote still stands. Workload increases by the quarter and she is not an easy grader. If you're thinking of adding this as a 4th class, I would proceed with caution.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2021 - If Professor Nogami likes you, she will be the nicest person in the world. If she doesn't, then, well, you're in a world of trouble. Unfortunately for me, I have been on both ends of the stick. Below is a lengthy review of this person, and I wish you read every word before taking her class. If you want to take this class, you have obviously taken her 100A, as it is apparent that she is the only lecturer for 100A and 100B. You know her workload, it is tough, it is demanding, and it is soul killing. She requires you to study the materials to at least 80% proficiency before every class, and if you have failed to do that, she will give you the “I’m disappointed” look and ask you to self study next time. She will ask you questions based on the textbook, broad or specific questions alike. If you cannot answer, your best bet is to apologize to her for not being able to answer and she’ll move on. Yes, you really have to apologize to her. Her grading is tough, but it has became clear that she expects you to be better compared to when you were in 100A. That is why she has been grading tougher in 100B. This is not just me, everyone I have talked to said so. I gave in my work in a quality consistent with 100A, and it almost destroyed my grade. I had to divert all my energy away from my major classes and just devote all of them onto Japanese, which I am just taking out of interest of the subject. For the final, the Japanese final was the first one I did because I needed to focus everything onto that one class, and had to brush off all the other awaiting finals. Lucky for me I have maintained A’s in all other classes, but it is still a horrible and traumatizing experience. She also has a policy of don’t contact her through email unless it’s something of an emergency. She replies to emails extremely fast, always within an hour of you sending yours, provided that you are sending it in normal hours. She will ignore your email completely if she doesn’t like you personally. You cannot contact her for anything else through email, and you can only do so in office hours. In 100A, you cannot do talking exercises with her, because office hour is only for questions. However, she changed her policy in 100B, where you need to provide specific topics so she’ll do talking practices with you. Now, back to my case. Even though this might seem as I have a problem with her class, I really don’t. She gives really good lectures. Some students find it boring, but I find it engaging. She also notices when someone strays from the lecture. It is true that her class is as difficult as… nothing to compare it to, but if you really want to be good in Japanese, her challenging ways might help you. For some reason, she has made the learning environment extremely toxic for me, and I will report her to the proper departments. However, her personal relationship against me is not making me biased against her teaching methods. She is a super nice and helpful person if she likes you, and she is just the absolute worst if she hates you personally. Last words? Yes. If she is the only lecturer available for this class, take her, you don’t have a choice and she is not half bad if she is neutral against you. If there are other lecturers available, definitely take the other lecturer. For your life.
Winter 2021 - If Professor Nogami likes you, she will be the nicest person in the world. If she doesn't, then, well, you're in a world of trouble. Unfortunately for me, I have been on both ends of the stick. Below is a lengthy review of this person, and I wish you read every word before taking her class. If you want to take this class, you have obviously taken her 100A, as it is apparent that she is the only lecturer for 100A and 100B. You know her workload, it is tough, it is demanding, and it is soul killing. She requires you to study the materials to at least 80% proficiency before every class, and if you have failed to do that, she will give you the “I’m disappointed” look and ask you to self study next time. She will ask you questions based on the textbook, broad or specific questions alike. If you cannot answer, your best bet is to apologize to her for not being able to answer and she’ll move on. Yes, you really have to apologize to her. Her grading is tough, but it has became clear that she expects you to be better compared to when you were in 100A. That is why she has been grading tougher in 100B. This is not just me, everyone I have talked to said so. I gave in my work in a quality consistent with 100A, and it almost destroyed my grade. I had to divert all my energy away from my major classes and just devote all of them onto Japanese, which I am just taking out of interest of the subject. For the final, the Japanese final was the first one I did because I needed to focus everything onto that one class, and had to brush off all the other awaiting finals. Lucky for me I have maintained A’s in all other classes, but it is still a horrible and traumatizing experience. She also has a policy of don’t contact her through email unless it’s something of an emergency. She replies to emails extremely fast, always within an hour of you sending yours, provided that you are sending it in normal hours. She will ignore your email completely if she doesn’t like you personally. You cannot contact her for anything else through email, and you can only do so in office hours. In 100A, you cannot do talking exercises with her, because office hour is only for questions. However, she changed her policy in 100B, where you need to provide specific topics so she’ll do talking practices with you. Now, back to my case. Even though this might seem as I have a problem with her class, I really don’t. She gives really good lectures. Some students find it boring, but I find it engaging. She also notices when someone strays from the lecture. It is true that her class is as difficult as… nothing to compare it to, but if you really want to be good in Japanese, her challenging ways might help you. For some reason, she has made the learning environment extremely toxic for me, and I will report her to the proper departments. However, her personal relationship against me is not making me biased against her teaching methods. She is a super nice and helpful person if she likes you, and she is just the absolute worst if she hates you personally. Last words? Yes. If she is the only lecturer available for this class, take her, you don’t have a choice and she is not half bad if she is neutral against you. If there are other lecturers available, definitely take the other lecturer. For your life.
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Most Helpful Review
Spring 2021 - Writing this review now since the quarter is pretty much over and I'm 99% positive that I will be getting a B as I did in 100A and 100B. I did a review of Professor Nogami's 100A class but didn't bother doing one for 100B since it was pretty much the same. This review, however, will be my overall review and experience with Professor Nogami and the Advanced Modern Japanese course(s) offered at UCLA. To begin, and as stated by many of the other students, Professor Nogami plays favorites and I absolutely cannot stress this enough. Being completely honest, I have (mostly) been on Nogami's pleasant side but I have also experienced my fair share of rubbish with her to put things lightly. From her getting overly upset just for eating a snack during the first few minutes of class, sitting improperly, or even writing an email to her not using "proper formatting." Being a skilled Japanese speaker before even taking this class, I can affirm that she does take learning Japanese to a ridiculously high and unnecessary level. Learning Japanese should be fun and enjoyable and I 100% sympathize with some of my classmates' grievances describing the "toxic learning environment" present in Professor Nogami's class. While I do not regret taking Japanese 100A-100C with Professor Nogami, I think she should lighten up a bit rather than creating a stiff, unbreathable learning environment. TL;DR: She plays favorites and makes learning Japanese unnecessarily difficult but if you enjoy these types of classes, go for it.
Spring 2021 - Writing this review now since the quarter is pretty much over and I'm 99% positive that I will be getting a B as I did in 100A and 100B. I did a review of Professor Nogami's 100A class but didn't bother doing one for 100B since it was pretty much the same. This review, however, will be my overall review and experience with Professor Nogami and the Advanced Modern Japanese course(s) offered at UCLA. To begin, and as stated by many of the other students, Professor Nogami plays favorites and I absolutely cannot stress this enough. Being completely honest, I have (mostly) been on Nogami's pleasant side but I have also experienced my fair share of rubbish with her to put things lightly. From her getting overly upset just for eating a snack during the first few minutes of class, sitting improperly, or even writing an email to her not using "proper formatting." Being a skilled Japanese speaker before even taking this class, I can affirm that she does take learning Japanese to a ridiculously high and unnecessary level. Learning Japanese should be fun and enjoyable and I 100% sympathize with some of my classmates' grievances describing the "toxic learning environment" present in Professor Nogami's class. While I do not regret taking Japanese 100A-100C with Professor Nogami, I think she should lighten up a bit rather than creating a stiff, unbreathable learning environment. TL;DR: She plays favorites and makes learning Japanese unnecessarily difficult but if you enjoy these types of classes, go for it.
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