Belen Fan - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Professor: Belen Fan

Department: Languages

College: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Her teaching style is quite useful for the beginning Japanese studying (Japan 100 and 101). You will appreciate for her efforts, helping and maybe strict demands during continuously studying in Japanese.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JAPN360
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

By FAR the toughest language professor I have ever had to study under. She takes a very old-fashioned approach to language education (rote memorisation of words and phrases), and manages to thoroughly suck any life and joy out of studying Japanese. Her exams are brutal and draw heavily from lecture content, so be sure to follow lectures intently.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN250
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She is tough but if you do the work and show up on time, you should be okay.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JAPN322
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Took it during summer the really intense serve 2 1/2 weeks course. I find her to be really fair and is easy on us because of the intensive nature of the courses. I had a lot of fun in the course and getting good marks on the quizzes. But this isn't one of those I listen in lecture, go home do nothing then I ace it kind of course.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JAP101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Her teaching style is very much participation oriented. She will never remind you about homework hand-ins so watch out for that. Loves pop quizzes, but she'll always quiz kanji after going over it in class, so that's a hint. She'll go over the notes quickly in class so that you can use the grammar lesson in class and practice speaking.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JAP101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

After a wonderful experience last term in Japanese, I was brought back to earth with the worst class I've taken yet. She's unhelpful, her teaching methods are mediocre at best, and seems to enjoy in you making mistakes. Avoid her at all costs if possible. If not possible, remember to yourself that the class is just for one term.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JAPN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I couldn't stand her - she was mean and unclear and often tested you on things she hadn't even taught you yet. Don't thank this class!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JAP101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

There are quizzes almost every class. And she's a tough marker, you must be very careful not to make any spelling mistakes! But attend every lecture and do the homework and you'll be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JPN
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A lot of people complain about her. The truth: she's really tough, but fair. It's not easy but study hard & you'll. I'm from Japan & she by all means is NOT a "Japanese wanabe" rather, IS VERY Japanese and teaches like they teach in Japan. Classmates never even been to Japan dont even know Jpnse culture well, expecting it to be easygiven to them.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JAPN251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She's a rude woman and her tests can be difficult at times. However, her lectures are clear for the most part. I was really looking forward to taking this class, but about a week in any motivation I had was lost. Attendance is mandatory, but it's hard to make yourself go to a class with a teacher that makes you want to give up on Japanese.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JAPAN250
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not very clear, often says one thing and then says something different after everyone's written and done badly on the tests. Also, she is an incredibly hard marker, and makes demon tests with unclear instructions. Avoid if at all possible.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is a responsible, passive and strict teacher. She is not bad, but her tests/quizzes are hard. I worked really hard in her class but I didn't get a good result in the end. She is not very funny but she makes it clear what she expects from you. Not impressed by commitment actually. So work hard not really makes her like u more

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JAP102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Fan has to learn how to teach her students more effectively, without the bitterness... goes out of her way to show that you are incompetent at Japanese. TA is just as bad... my high school teacher was a better teacher than this useless woman.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A very intimidating person...

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A very bitter woman. I love the Japanese language and hoped to continue it but after having a sensei like her I am rethinking it. She is not very nice, not enthusiastic about her subject, and not keeping me interested. You don't need to go to class to learn the material, but attendance is taken. It's hard going to her class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

At first sensei was very strict and had a lot of quizzes (avg at least 1 or more each week), but once you get used to her teaching style the course is an easy class to take... she's funny at times and goes over important stuff clearly.. just as long as you do the memorizing vocabs and grammer everyday, you'll definitely get an A for sure

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JAPN102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very mechanical. Doesn't really teach, just administers the text book. Doesn't really add anything to the lessons at all. Sometimes comes across as cruel.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JAPN103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sensei's class is fun and I love doing the skit. Not hard if u memorize most of the stuff becuz her quizzes and tests are all in the same format for each ch. But the TA is teaching really fast and makes me difficult to understand. Avoid if yours is called Jeonghye Son. She just says "kore wa dame desu" for each kanji!!!!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JPN102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great Teacher - Just be sure to attend daily or feel her wrath. Students say she is hard but once you get used to her teaching style it's easy to see it's highly effective and you will learn A LOT!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JAPN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I guess I can understand the previous comments, but if you're truly interested in learning Japanese then you will do well no matter what. Got a 90+ mark. Just be a good student and show commitment and she'll be sure to like you!