The allure of Japan, its culture, its role in international trade, and the sheer joy of understanding your favorite anime mean the Japanese language is only growing in popularity. It seems everyone wants a piece of the action! Naturally, this demand has led to a boom in online learning platforms, and Preply is certainly one of the most prominent, offering private classes with tutors from all corners of the globe.
But let's be honest, we all want to know the real deal: “Can I learn Japanese with Preply, and is it worth my time and money?”. In this article, we'll dive deep into the pros and cons of using Preply for your Japanese journey. Crucially, we’ll also look at some other fantastic, often more structured, options for online private japanese tutoring, including what we offer here at Japademy, that might just be a better fit for your specific learning style.
*Just a quick note: all prices and features mentioned here were accurate at the time of writing, but, as with everything online, they’re subject to change!
Advantages of Learning Japanese with Preply
1. A Truly Personalized Tutoring Experience
One of the most appealing aspects of any 1-on-1 language learning platform is the personalization, and Preply delivers on this. You get to play talent scout, choosing a tutor based on what matters most to you: your learning preferences, your budget, and, crucially, your schedule. Whether you're a complete beginner tackling your first Hiragana or an advanced learner who just needs to nail those tricky conversational skills, Preply tutors can tailor lessons to your specific requirements and goals. This focused attention can really help you advance more quickly than just using a generic language app like Duolingo or Japanesepod101.
2. Flexibility and Convenience
Life is busy, right? That's why the sheer flexibility Preply offers is a massive draw. You can easily check a tutor's available time slots and pick what works best for your hectic life, perfect if you're juggling work, school, or other commitments. And let's not forget the convenience: you can log in and learn Japanese anywhere, at your kitchen table, at a cozy café, or maybe even on a flight (if the Wi-Fi is good enough!). That kind of convenience really helps you balance learning Japanese with everything else.
3. A Truly Diverse Tutor Selection
Preply's worldwide tutor pool is huge! You can browse profiles to see their rates, their educational backgrounds, certifications, language specialties, and their available times. Getting to watch their introductory videos and read reviews is incredibly helpful for figuring out their vibe. This wealth of information allows you to hand-pick a tutor whose teaching style and background really resonate with you, which can definitely enhance your learning journey.
4. Interactive Learning Sessions
Learning a language isn't passive; you have to use it. Unlike simple self-study platforms, learning Japanese with Preply offers live, one-on-one lessons. This means you get to actively practice speaking and reading, ask all those burning questions when a grammar point just won't stick, and get instant feedback on your progress. That immediate, interactive feature is exactly what builds the confidence you need to use Japanese in real-life scenarios.
Disadvantages of Learning Japanese with Preply
1. Not All Tutors are Native Japanese Speakers
Now, this is where things get a little tricky. While many of us prefer a native-speaking tutor for that authentic connection, you should know that not all Preply tutors are native Japanese speakers. Sure, a skilled non-native speaker can be a fantastic teacher, but let's face it: if you want a complete immersion experience, the subtle cultural nuances, perfect pronunciation, and natural, everyday language usage, a native speaker is often essential. If full cultural immersion is your main goal, this could be a major drawback.
2. Potentially High Costs (Especially for the Best Tutors)
Ah, the eternal question: what's the price tag? Preply has a huge range of Japanese tutors, but their rates differ significantly. Lessons typically fall somewhere between $19 and $39 USD per lesson. Why the big gap? Well, the lower end is often non-native or uncertified tutors, while the higher end is usually where you'll find the professional, certified native speakers. If you’re on a tight budget, finding a top-tier, certified native tutor might become a real financial hurdle.
3. Tutor Quality Can Vary Wildly
Because Preply is an open platform (anyone can sign up to teach Japanese), the quality of Japanese tutors varies a lot. There are certainly brilliant, highly qualified tutors there, but you might also run into less experienced individuals whose sessions aren't as organized or effective as you'd hope. This means your early experience could be frustrating; it might take several tries (and maybe a few unsuccessful lessons) before you find that perfect match.
4. Lack of a Structured Curriculum
This one is a big deal for many learners. On Preply, the lesson structure is totally up to the individual tutor. They don't follow a standardized, universal curriculum. If you're someone who needs a clear, step-by-step path, this lack of structure can make it really tough to track your progress and ensure you're systematically covering all the essential topics. Believe me, having an unorganized approach can leave gaping holes in your foundational language knowledge.
A Deeper Dive on Preply
Look, Preply is a great Japanese language learning platform, and it has absolutely helped many students achieve their language goals. If you love the freedom of creating your own path and thrive on personalized attention, it could be a fantastic tool for you.
However, you really need to be prepared for the possible drawbacks. Finding the right Japanese tutor might involve a frustrating period of trial-and-error. Plus, that absence of a standardized curriculum means you're entirely responsible for tracking your development and catching any "knowledge gaps" before they become a real problem. I always tell people that a strong foundation is key; if you miss crucial grammar or vocabulary early on, it makes the rest of the journey so much harder!
Better Alternatives for Learning Japanese
After weighing the pros and cons of Preply, you should have a good idea of whether it's right for you. If you're nodding along to the disadvantages, or if you simply prefer a more structured, organized, and perhaps more affordable approach, then you'll definitely want to check out these alternatives:
1. Japademy
This is where we come in! At Japademy, we offer Japanese Online Private Lessons that stand out from the crowd based on student reviews.
Native & Certified Tutors
Our greatest asset is our committed team of native professional Japanese tutors. They bring their extensive teaching experience and backgrounds to every live, interactive lesson. All our teachers are fully certified professionals, a distinction that sets us apart from platforms or websites where a tutor might be native but lack official teaching training.
A Structured Learning Path
Unlike Preply, we follow a structured path to make sure you build a rock-solid Japanese foundation. You can't miss a core concept if the curriculum is designed to prevent it! Our approach includes immersive exercises, live classes, and real-time feedback to ensure you gain a comprehensive understanding of the language.
Affordable Native Instruction
The average cost for our Japanese Online Private Lessons is incredibly competitive at around $25 USD per hour. This makes us an excellent, reasonably priced option for learning with native speakers. Our lesson packages are also straightforward: for US students, packages range from $149 USD for 5 lessons to $449 USD for 15 lessons (which is currently discounted at a lower price of $379 USD!), keeping the price consistent regardless of the tutor you choose.
Added Value
When you enroll, you don't just get the lessons. You also receive free access to a wealth of other learning resources, like our effective Japanese video courses, insightful Japanese blogs, practice flashcards, and learning handouts. We even have a free Japanese app for practicing Hiragana and Katakana, expanding vocabulary, and practicing conversations with an AI tutor.
Getting Started
After a quick enrollment form, we find the best teacher for you, and you get a 30-minute trial lesson to meet them with absolutely no commitment. If you're not satisfied, we can simply allocate you a different teacher.
2. Nihongo-Pro
Nihongo-Pro is another strong contender, known for its highly qualified teaching staff.
Professional Tutors
They exclusively use qualified professionals, many of whom are even government-certified Japanese teachers. They take quality seriously, carefully choosing their tutors and putting them through intense training, workshops, and simulated lessons to maintain high educational standards.
Pricing
Nihongo-Pro's private lessons generally cost between $28 USD and $35 USD for each 50-minute session. This is a slightly higher price point, but students can save money by purchasing more lesson tickets in bulk.
3. Coto Academy
Coto Academy is distinguished by its unique, collaborative teaching style.
Collaborative Approach
Their tutors emphasize teamwork, actively sharing knowledge and insights about their students to monitor development closely. They also focus heavily on giving helpful corrective feedback by modeling appropriate communication.
Pricing
Their private online classes run at an estimated cost of $37.5 USD for a 60-minute session. While this may seem a bit high, the quality of teaching and personalized approach is often considered a worthwhile investment.
Final Words About Learning Japanese with Preply
If you're a self-starter who values that personal touch and wants the freedom to craft your own learning path, Preply can be a really effective tool. Just be aware of the potential bumps in the road: the variability in tutor quality, the lack of a standardized curriculum, and the cost difference for professional native teachers.
However, if you're like me and many of our students, and prefer an organized, systematic learning environment, or if you need a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing the quality of a native, certified teacher, then exploring alternatives like Nihongo-Pro, Coto Academy, or us here at Japademy is likely a better move for your long-term success.
Ultimately, the 'best' choice is the one that aligns with your goals, your financial limits, and your preferred learning style. Take your time, do your research, and choose the platform or website that you truly believe will give you the best private Japanese lessons and help you reach your goals. Happy learning!
FAQ's about Japademy's Online Private Lessons
Here are a few common questions we receive about our Japanese Online Private Lessons:
Will I learn with a native Japanese teacher?
Absolutely! All of our Japanese teachers are native speakers and are fully certified as professional Japanese teachers.
How do I book a trial lesson?
After you fill out our simple enrollment form, we’ll match you with the most suitable teacher based on your experience and availability, and you'll receive a free 30-minute trial lesson with them.
How long are the lessons?
Each live tutor lesson is 55 minutes long and is tailored to your specific goals.
Are there any additional costs for materials?
Not at all! We provide you with exclusive Japanese learning material, including vocabulary flashcards and video lessons, created by our teachers. You won't need to purchase any extra books.
Japanese 10-week online course
Become a proficient speaker with the help of native Japanese teachers.
