The Missy Mahjong method of teaching

I have taught a lot of mahjong lessons. A common misconception is that I win every game and that I make lots of money in tournaments. Let me be clear- I love mahjong and I love to teach mahjong, but that doesn’t make me a tile shark and I definitely don’t gamble. I am a tile and mahjong enthusiast, which is why it is still so fun. 

I often compare myself to a first grade math teacher instead of a global economist. It is like I have read all of the rules of Monopoly and I am teaching players to be the banker and the player. The setup, the rules, the basic strategies are what I teach. My hope is that I can give my mahjong students the strong foundation and clear understanding of the rules. I want them to win when we play! In the end, I am teaching so that more and more people will play the game and there is always a game for me to join, no matter what city I’m in. My dream student learns from me, practices and then can teach all of her friends. 

There are many methods to teach American mahjong. Some teachers break the lessons into several sessions. A lesson might have 32 students learning at the same time, and other lessons might be a one on one session. Costs for lessons vary and many teachers like to have a session fee while others charge per student. No way to teach is better than another, they are all just different ways to teach the same game.

When I teach, I always prefer a small group of three or four students at a time. I do have a minimum fee and my lessons are usually 3+ hours. I introduce all of the concepts, which can be overwhelming, but I circle back to each concept later during play. Learning in a small group with my undivided attention is an intensive way to get started. I teach the whole card and teach the NMJL rules exactly. Just like a school teacher, I don’t expect a student to remember every single thing during the lesson. I want my students to know how to refer back to the NMJL card to check the rules. Occasionally, I sprinkle in a few table rules once play has really picked up. I also suggest that when someone takes a lesson with me they already own a set or they are ready to buy a set. My students should be ready to practice after they leave a Missy Mahjong lesson. I want to teach the students that want to really jumpstart play.

One of my other specialties to teach are introductory group lessons. These are perfect for birthday parties, corporate events, fundraisers and school moms groups. If I have a group of 24 women coming to take a lesson with me, I pare the lesson way down and get the group excited about the very basics of mahjong. Of course I teach the NMJL rules, but we will fly through the deal and Charleston and only play maybe one game. I am based in three popular travel destinations, so I see a lot of mahjong players that are only in town for a few days. I can introduce them to the game, get them excited about the concepts and find them a way to practice on their own or join a lesson.

Teaching mahjong is a passion for me. I am honored that I have taught American mahjong to people of all ages and from all over the world. My hope is that I will be connecting with people over the mahjong table for pick up games more easily as the momentum for the tiles continues to grow. Let’s play some Mahj!