Timothy G. Stout lived in Japan for 20 years and has taught Japanese language for 23 years in public and private schools, and at the university level. While teaching at the American School in Japan, he conducted research on the use of keyword mnemonics in the instruction of Japanese. Stout has a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Utah State University, an M.A. in Japanese Pedagogy from Columbia University and a B.A. in Japanese Teaching from Brigham Young. He currently teaches Japanese at Utah Valley University and resides in Lehi, Utah with his wife and five children. Stout is the author of Japanese Hiragana and Katakana for Beginners and Let's Learn Japanese, both available from Tuttle.