Learn with Japanese Teachers: 3 Ways to Learn Japanese Faster

Choose between Live Classes, self-paced teacher guidance, or self-study lessons… all taught by native Japanese teachers at JapanesePod101.

Want to learn with a Japanese teacher?

At JapanesePod101, there are 4 ways you can learn with online Japanese teachers. From 1-on-1 to group classes… and down to self-paced lessons by teachers.

1 - Learn with a Real Japanese Teacher

Live weekly classes with a real teacher (Group or Private classes)

Learn with an online Japanese teacher with JapanesePod101's Live Classes

If you want to learn Japanese online with a real teacher…

You can choose between Live Group Classes or Live Private Classes. With Live Group Classes, you’ll learn with a teacher and up to 4 other students. With Live Private Classes, it’s you and the teacher 1-on-1.

Here’s how the teacher-led classes work…

Prepare before class with lesson materials sent in advance.
Practice with the teacher during class instead of spending time on lectures.
Receive immediate feedback from your teacher.
Get personalized feedback on what to improve for next class.

This approach ensures you get as much practice time with your teacher instead of listening to lectures

- Click to learn about Live Group Classes

Why choose JapanesePod101’s Teachers & Live Classes?

Comparison of JapanesePod101’s live classes with typical Japanese teacher platforms
Feature	JapanesePod101’s Live Classes	Typical Japanese Teacher Platforms
Native Japanese teachers	Yes	Yes
Structured curriculum	Yes. Fixed learning path from beginner onward	May depend on the teacher
1-on-1 classes?	Yes	Yes
Group classes	Yes. Up to 5 students	No. Mostly 1-on-1 lessons
Lesson Materials & Homework	Included	May depend on the teacher
Consistent teaching style	Standardized curriculum	Varies significantly between teachers
Self-study lessons included	Includes 6 months of Premium PLUS access with hundreds of lessons and study tools	Usually not included
Progress between lessons	Continue learning anytime with JapanesePod101 lessons	Mostly up to the student

2 - Learn with a Premium PLUS Teacher

Learn at your own pace with the guidance of a Teacher

Premium PLUS - learn with a guidance of a Japanese teacher

Want to learn on your own schedule… while still having a teacher to guide you?

Normally, that’d be impossible since learning with a teacher usually means following their schedule.

But with Premium PLUS, you can learn whenever you want with teacher guidance.

JapanesePod101’s Premium PLUS plan gives you… our complete Japanese learning program plus your very own teacher. You can interact with your teacher via the MyTeacher Messenger. So, whenever you have a question about the language, JapanesePod101 lessons, or want feedback, your teacher is just a message away.

Ask your teacher questions about lessons, grammar, or vocabulary.
Practice writing and receive personalized corrections.
Send audio recordings to improve your pronunciation and speaking.
Get feedback on what to improve as you continue learning.
Study whenever you want… no teacher schedules to follow.

Premium PLUS is perfect if you want to learn at your own pace with a dedicated online Japanese teacher.

- Click to learn about Premium PLUS

3 - Learn From Real Japanese Teachers

If you’re not ready for a teacher… no worries.

Our Japanese lessons are the next best thing. It’s like having a Japanese teacher in your ear.

That’s because you get to learn Japanese from native Japanese teachers in every lesson.

Here’s how the lessons work:

Press play on a lesson.
Listen to a conversation between real native speakers.
Our teachers slow it down and explain every word.
And you understand and start speaking that same Japanese you’ve just heard.

Our teachers slow down and explain each word, grammar point, and any cultural nuances that come up in the lessons. You can also try a free Japanese lesson here to see how it all works

You get access to our lessons with any Basic, Premium or Premium PLUS plan.

- Click to learn about Basic & Premium

Which Teacher Option is Right for You?

Whether you’re looking for a real teacher, occasional guidance, or a flexible self program, there’s an option that fits your learning style

Learning goals and the best option for each goal
If you want to…	Best Option
Learn with a real Japanese teacher in a small group	Live Group Classes
Learn privately with your own Japanese teacher	Live Private Classes
Learn on your own schedule with teacher guidance.	Premium PLUS
Learn on your own with teacher-led lessons	Basic or Premium

No matter which option you choose, you’ll learn from real native Japanese teachers along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this compare to hiring a Japanese tutor?

A tutor can help you practice Japanese or answer specific questions, but the teaching approach, lesson materials, and curriculum often vary from tutor to tutor. With JapanesePod101, you learn from experienced teachers using professionally developed lesson materials and a structured curriculum.

Do I need a Japanese teacher to learn Japanese?

No. Many learners successfully build a strong foundation learning Japanese alone. However, a Japanese language teacher will help you practice, answer questions, correct mistakes, and keep you on track. With JapanesePod101, you can start with the lessons (made by real teachers) and then add personal teacher support whenever you’re ready.

Are your Japanese teachers native speakers?

Yes. All JapanesePod101 lessons are taught by native Japanese teachers. If you choose Live Classes or Premium PLUS, you’ll also receive personalized guidance from experienced Japanese teachers.

Can I learn Japanese without hiring a private teacher?

Yes. While learning with a teacher can help you improve faster, it’s not required. JapanesePod101 offers thousands of self-paced audio and video lessons taught by real native Japanese teachers. If you decide you’d like teacher guidance later, you can always upgrade our Japanese Language Classes or Premium PLUS.

Can private Japanese teachers help me prepare for the JLPT?

Yes. A Japanese teacher can help you prepare for the JLPT by explaining grammar, answering questions, correcting mistakes, and helping you practice the skills tested on the exam. JapanesePod101 also offers JLPT-focused lessons, study materials, and practice resources to help you prepare for every level.