What Happens in a Diagnostic Session? Finding Your Language Fingerprint
When you see “Diagnostic Session” on the 1-Day Domestic Immersion schedule, you might worry:
“Is this a test? What if I fail?”
Let me be very clear: This is not a test. You cannot fail.
The diagnostic session is a 45-minute conversation designed to identify your language fingerprint—the unique patterns in how you use English.
And from that fingerprint, I build your entire day’s curriculum.
What is a “Language Fingerprint”?
Everyone makes mistakes in English. But the types of mistakes you make are as unique as your fingerprints.
For example:
- Student A consistently drops articles (“I am teacher” instead of “I am a teacher”)
- Student B struggles with prepositions (“I go to home” instead of “I go home”)
- Student C confuses adjective/verb structures (“He is very like sports” instead of “He really likes sports”)
These aren’t random errors. They’re systematic patterns rooted in how Japanese grammar influences your English.
The diagnostic session reveals your patterns.
How the Diagnostic Session Works
Step 1: Relaxed Conversation (0:00–0:15)
We start with casual conversation to warm up your English brain:
- “Tell me about your job.”
- “What did you do last weekend?”
- “Why did you decide to try this course?”
At this stage, I’m not correcting you. I’m just listening. And taking notes.
Step 2: Targeted Questions (0:15–0:30)
Once you’re comfortable, I start asking questions designed to reveal specific patterns:
- Past tense usage: “Tell me about a trip you took last year.”
- Conditionals: “What would you do if you won the lottery?”
- Explaining reasons: “Why do you think English is difficult for Japanese learners?”
These questions force you to use complex grammar structures—the ones where mistakes hide. As you talk, here’s what I’m listening for:
What I’m Listening For
1. Avoidance Patterns
Many learners avoid grammar they don’t trust.
For example, if you never use the present perfect tense (“I have been to Tokyo”), it tells me you’re not comfortable with it—even if you’ve studied it before.
2. Repeated Mistakes
If you say “I went to shopping” three times in 10 minutes, that’s not a slip of the tongue. That’s a pattern.
And patterns can be fixed with targeted practice.
3. Translation Interference
Sometimes you pause mid-sentence and say something that sounds almost right but feels off.
Example: “My hobby is to read books.”
Grammatically correct, but slightly unnatural. Native speakers would say: “My hobby is reading books.”
This tells me you’re translating from Japanese (趣味は読書です) rather than thinking in English.
4. Vocabulary Gaps
If you struggle to describe something simple (e.g., “the thing you use to cut vegetables” instead of “knife”), I note it.
But I also note the words you do know—so I can build exercises around your existing knowledge.
Why This Is Different from a Standard Placement Test
| Standard Placement Test | Diagnostic Session |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice questions | Real conversation |
| Tests what you know | Reveals what you actually use |
| Generic result: “You’re intermediate” | Specific result: “You drop articles and struggle with conditionals” |
| Determines which class to put you in | Builds a custom curriculum just for you |
A placement test sorts you into a group. A diagnostic session designs a program for you.
What Happens After the Diagnostic Session?
During the Deep Consolidation block (10:30–12:00), I do two things:
- Create your personalized exercises based on the patterns I identified
- Build your flashcard deck with vocabulary you missed
By the time you’re done with your quiet study time, you’ll have materials built from your mistakes—not a generic textbook.
Is the Diagnostic Session Stressful?
It is natural to feel a little nervous, but there is no need to worry. This session is designed to be a relaxed conversation, not an interrogation—the questions are designed to feel natural. If you make a mistake, I don’t stop you; I just note it. You’re not being judged—you’re being analyzed. And the better I understand your English, the better I can help you. The diagnostic session is the foundation of your entire day.
The Takeaway
The diagnostic session reveals patterns you’ve never seen before—not from a test score, but from understanding how you actually use English.
Ready to discover your patterns?