Tomoko Shimomura - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Professor: Tomoko Shimomura

Department: Languages

College: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JPN101
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

JPN101 is an extremely difficult class, but Shimomura does her best to prepare you as much as possible! There were times where certain concepts weren't explained much or very well before tests though. She can be a tough grader compared to the other JPN101 professors, but taking her class is definitely worth it. She cares a lot about her students!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JPN210
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

JPN 210 combines 201 and 202 so expect lots of work and studying. After taking JPN with another professor, I realized how awesome Shimomura-sensei is. She is very organized and considerate to her students. Having quizzes everyday is a bit stressful, but if you put forth the effort, she will grade accordingly. I highly recommend her!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JPN110
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura-sensei is one of the best JPN teachers in ASU! Her grading criteria is clear and she's super helpful! She really cares for her students and always makes sure they're doing okay. JPN 110 combines JPN 101 and 102 in one semester so expect a lot of work and quizzes! Attendance is key to passing since so much is covered everyday.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JPN311
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura sensei is wonderful. Because this was a composition class, it was obviously a lot of work. We have kanji quizzes every week and grammar quizzes about once a month, along with three sakubun essays which arent very long. If you ask questions she will try to give the best answer possible and is adorable. If you do the work, you'll be fine.:)

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura-Sensei is wonderful! It's obvious that she puts a lot of thought into teaching, as she often sends reminders and helpful information to the class outside of class hours. She is sympathetic to the learning process and has a cute sense of humor. Lectures are clear and she will relate them to modern day Japan. She also gives help when needed

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Sensei's 202 is a ton of homework, but she doesn't grade the workbooks too harshly. Goes less off the textbook and more on her own native-Japanese interpretations of the grammar, which is great. She is incredibly nice, and always encourages office hour visits. She's definitely the writing/grammar sensei, but I could tell her kanji knowledge is vast

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JPN102
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Shimomura Sensei has a cute sense of humor that she throws out every now and then. Her lectures are somewhat hard to hold on to, but she often puts material discussed in class on blackboard to study from. She grades quickly and offers helpful feedback. Reading the textbook ahead of time is essential. Also, do the WB before the night they are due.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really liked Shimomura-sensei's class. It was challenging, with a strong focus on grammar and honorifics, but you learn a lot. Sensei is very willing to help and does her best to make sure you succeed. She's sweet and energetic with a good sense of humor. I'd recommend this class and professor. Take her for 102 and 202!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is a good teacher and will help you if you go to her after class or go to her office hours. A lot of homework, but that is with all the JPN courses here. Every little point can count and she gives partial credit, so make sure to turn everything in completed or not. I think she is one of the better JPN teachers here.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura Sensei is a pretty good teacher. She will take extra time to help you if you seek her out, and she explains grammar pretty well. Her tests and sakubuns are difficult, but she's somewhat lenient with grading. If you take her class, take a lighter course load for the rest of your classes; you will have a ton of homework.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura-sensei is one of the sweetest, most understanding professors I've ever had. This is not to say her classes are easy. On the contrary, they require a lot of self-discipline, arguably more than some other teachers'. Still, if you can do your work in a timely fashion and get help when you need it, then you should take a class with Shimomura.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JPN311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Compared to some of the other Japanese teachers, she is a good teacher. She explains grammar which many teachers at ASU don't. She will help you if you go to her office and ask. When it came to the writing assignments, she does lack some clarity.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• 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:

She is extremely helpful if she likes you. She plays favorites so try to get on her good side. Class is easy if you study and do the work, unlike some of the other professors. She's quite lenient on the sakubuns and tests. She is also very knowledgeable about study abroad. Along with Wilson-sensei, she's the best Japanese professor here.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're passionate about Japanese you'll like this teacher. She's insightful when it comes to grammar and teaches in Japanese a little during lectures which is fun & u should be able to understand most of it. Be prepared to do a looot of work in this class though, I learned a lot! She is friendly and will make you put your Japanese to real use!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: JPN102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She speaks English well but its obvious she doesn't know a lot of simple things about English. However, she tries very hard and enjoys teaching very much. Her class us very difficult, but as long as you do all the work, you'll survive. She has a very bubbly personality, and shes super cute. If she wasn't my teacher I'd ask her on a date.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: JPN311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura sensei is one of my favorite teachers that I've ever had, her class can be hard at points, but then Japanese is a hard subject. She does her best to make it easy and fun. Also, she's a fox.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Shimomura-sensei is a good professor. She's enthusiastic, and while her class is difficult and maybe less organized than others at ASU, she's deeply knowledgeable about the subject. Go to class scrupulously and do your work, and you will learn. I worked hard for that B.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JPN302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Shimomura sensei is a good teacher but she is definitely hard. Students are expected to do the translation before class. She is very strict about the translations you do. Getting high marks on tests is really hard. Make sure to ask lots of questions to keep up your participation grade and to know what kind of translations she's looking for.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I suppose compared to other College Professors, Shimomura Sensei is average. She makes no special effort to ensure students are on track, but has an open office for students to come to. The use of class time was often wasted I felt. Don't expect to get much work done for other classes with her as your teacher. Take 202 someplace else like MCC.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: JPN202
• 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:

This teacher is unclear and unwilling to help, just there to do her job not willing to help class with material or make sure they are keeping up.