The Japanese language and its beautiful culture are deeply interwoven. Learning Japanese isn't just a hobby; it’s an opener to incredible opportunities: traveling in Japan with ease, landing a dream job there, or just engaging authentically with native speakers. This soaring demand for classes paved the way for websites and platforms like Superprof, a popular giant in online tutoring that lists Japanese as one of its most popular subjects.
So, let's dive into the core advantages and disadvantages of learning Japanese with Superprof to help you figure out if it’s the right fit for your goals. I’ll also share some other fantastic alternatives, including our own offering of Japanese Online Private Courses at Japademy. Let’s find out the truth, and you won't regret taking this deep dive!
*Just a quick note: all prices and features mentioned here are accurate at the time of writing, but like everything on the internet, they are subject to change.
Advantages of Learning Japanese with Superprof
1. A Buffet of Tutors
One of the biggest drawcards in learning Japanese with Superprof is the sheer range of tutors. It’s like walking into a massive online market! You can easily browse through profiles, checking out teaching styles, experiences, and, most importantly, the price of their lessons. You can even read the honest reviews and recommendations from their former students to gauge how successful they are. This detailed information should, theoretically, allow you to hand-pick the person who best matches your learning style and goals.
2. Flexible Scheduling
Are you juggling a busy job, school, or other commitments? Flexible scheduling is a lifesaver. Because Superprof’s tutors are scattered across so many time zones, you can usually find someone available at almost any hour of the day. This ability to plan lessons around your life, not the other way around, is incredibly helpful.
3. Personalized Learning
With Superprof, you have the opportunity for truly personalized learning. You get to dictate the focus: maybe you need to drill writing, perfect grammar, study for the JLPT, or just focus on cultural insights. You choose your tutor based on your budget, schedule, and learning preferences, which should provide a highly customized experience to help you progress more quickly and effectively.
4. Cultural Exchange
As you browse the list, you’ll notice many tutors are native Japanese speakers. This is a huge bonus! Beyond just language, they can share the beautiful, subtle cultural insights and nuances. They can teach you how locals really communicate day-to-day. This cultural exchange can genuinely enrich your learning experience and is especially valuable if you dream of visiting or living in Japan.
Disadvantages of Learning Japanese with Superprof
1. Not All Tutors are Native Speakers
Here’s where you need to be careful. While many are native speakers, not every tutor on Superprof speaks Japanese as their first language. While some non-native tutors are highly skilled and certified, a native speaker can give you a more authentic feel for pronunciation, cultural quirks, and everyday conversational language. If total immersion is your goal, missing out on a native teacher can be a definite disadvantage.
2. Lack of a Structured Curriculum
Unlike other language websites that enforce a clear progression path, Superprof tutors largely decide how they organize their lessons. This lack of a predetermined curriculum means you have to be very discerning about which tutor’s structure will be effective. Without a set framework, it’s tough to track your progress or ensure you’re not accidentally skipping vital, foundational concepts. If a tutor doesn't deliver structured lessons, you run the very real risk of overlooking key fundamentals, which will absolutely hinder your path to fluency.
3. Cost Variability
The extensive list of tutors also means prices are all over the map. The average is between $20 and $25 USD per hour, which sounds lower than some specialized sites. But remember this: tutors at the low end are often not native speakers or lack formal teaching credentials, while the more experienced, native-speaking professionals charge significantly more. Also, many tutors don't provide extra resources, meaning you'll likely have to shell out more money for flashcards, grammar books, or JLPT materials.
4. Quality Control Issues
Since Superprof is an open platform, anyone can apply to teach. The result is that the effectiveness, teaching credentials, and experience of the tutors vary wildly. Though student reviews are available, there isn't a single, set standard to guarantee all tutors meet a certain quality threshold. You might find an amazing, highly skilled tutor, but you could just as easily end up with a less seasoned teacher whose lessons aren't well-organized. Finding the perfect match may take time, multiple trial lessons, and a lot of patience.
A Deeper Dive into Learning Japanese with Superprof
On the surface, Superprof seems practical and effective. But watch out for the factors you only notice down the road, which can truly slow your progress.
Tutor-Dependent Quality
Your success is entirely dependent on your chosen tutor. What if their teaching methodology just doesn't click with your needs? You might waste precious time and money before realizing the misfit and finding a replacement. Before you commit, make absolutely sure the tutor's style and experience align with your desired outcome.
Reliance on Self-Motivation
Superprof tutors often don't have built-in structured lessons or accountability systems. This means that if your tutor isn't actively monitoring your progress, the burden falls on you. You’ll need the iron will to stay motivated and measure your own improvement throughout your language journey. (Trust me, that can be exhausting!)
Better Alternatives for Learning Japanese
If the lack of structure, cost variability, and quality control issues of a marketplace model give you pause, there are fantastic alternatives that offer a more streamlined, goal-oriented approach.
1. Japademy
We believe we are among the top choices for Japanese online private lessons. Our greatest strength is our dedicated team of native Japanese tutors. They don't just speak the language; they are professionals with extensive teaching experience, at least three years, in fact. They excel at taking students of all skill levels and customizing lessons to fit individual learning goals.
Unlike the marketplace model of Superprof, our private lessons use a structured approach. This is critical because it gives you that solid foundation in Japanese you need. We incorporate live classes, immersive exercises, and real-time feedback into our methodology to ensure you truly understand the language.
Our average hourly rate for our Japanese Online Private Lessons is just $25 USD. This makes us a truly cost-effective way to learn from a native, certified speaker. And get this: in addition to your lessons, you get free access to our excellent Japanese video courses, practice flashcards, PDF handouts, Japanese language blogs, and our Japanese practice app with an AI tutor to hone your skills whenever you want! We are here to address any questions you may have, so please feel free to reach out.
2. Coto Academy
What makes Coto Academy’s tutors stand out is their collaborative teaching approach. Their tutors, who value teamwork, regularly share information and thoughts about their students while closely monitoring progress. They focus on giving important corrective feedback by carefully listening and modeling effective communication. While the estimated cost for a 60-minute private class, around $37.50 USD, is a little steep, especially for younger learners, the lesson quality and highly individualized approach make it a worthy investment.
3. Nihongo Online School
Nihongo Online School boasts a team of highly qualified, dedicated Japanese tutors. Many have been teaching for over five years, giving them extensive experience with students from around the world. Their passion for teaching and exceptional ability to connect with students is what truly sets them apart. They understand the initial challenges faced by international students and use their experience to create a supportive and motivating learning environment. They offer one-on-one Skype lessons at a competitive price of $30 USD. However, a potential turn-off for some might be the approximately $170 USD one-time fee for new students.
Final Words About Learning Japanese with Superprof
Superprof can be an amazing platform, helping you enhance conversational skills and providing cultural insights. However, it’s not a magic bullet for Japanese fluency, and you simply must be aware of the potential pitfalls. The inconsistent quality of tutors, the lack of a structured curriculum, and the cost variability are all factors that could seriously impact your success.
That's why we strongly advise looking into alternatives like Japademy, Coto Academy, or Nihongo Online School, especially if you prioritize a clearly established curriculum or a more cost-effective solution with built-in materials.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your learning goals, interests, and financial considerations. Every website has its merits, so your top pick should be the one that perfectly aligns with your personal preferences. Take your time, weigh your options, and choose the language learning website or platform you believe will give you the best online Japanese private lessons to achieve your Japanese dreams. Happy learning!
Frequently Asked Questions about Japademy's Online Private Lessons
Do I need to know any Japanese before I start?
Not at all! Our native Japanese teachers are experts at introducing you to the basics, even if you’ve never looked at the language before. Plus, as a student, you get free access to our pre-recorded video lessons, so you can actually start learning before your live lessons even begin.
Will my teacher be a native Japanese speaker?
Yes, absolutely! All of our teachers are native Japanese speakers and are fully certified as professional Japanese teachers. This is actually a key difference between us and other websites, where a teacher might be a native speaker but lacks official training.
How long are the lessons, and what's included?
Each live tutor lesson is 55 minutes long. The environment is completely tailored to your personal goals. Beyond the live class, you get:
- Free access to our pre-recorded video courses to deepen your understanding of grammar.
- Free access to our Japanese practice app to learn Hiragana and Katakana, memorize vocabulary, and even practice conversations with an AI tutor.
- Exclusive learning material created by Japademy, meaning no extra costs for books or other materials.
How do I try a lesson before committing?
First, you fill out our enrollment form, and we find the best teacher for you based on your availability and Japanese experience. Then, you are given a 30-minute trial lesson with that allocated teacher. There’s no commitment for the trial. If you aren't satisfied with the teacher, we can allocate you to a different, more suitable one.
How much do your lesson packages cost?
We offer 5, 10, and 15-lesson packages. The price of each of our lesson packages is as follows:
- 15-Lessons Package: $449 USD (currently discounted at $379 USD!)
- 10-Lessons Package: $299 USD (currently discounted at $269 USD!)
- 5-Lessons Package: $149 USD
Is there an age requirement for the lessons?
Our lessons are designed for learners who are 14 years old or older. For younger learners, we recommend looking for alternative options specifically created for that age group.
Japanese 10-week online course
Become a proficient speaker with the help of native Japanese teachers.
