If you want to learn Japanese with a private teacher in London, you have more choice than ever. Many learners now choose online lessons for convenience, while others prefer meeting their teacher in person. This guide explains how private Japanese lessons work at Iroha Passport, who they suit, what a typical lesson looks like, and how to decide between online and in-person study.
What are private Japanese lessons?
A private lesson is a one-to-one session with a teacher, built around your level and your goals. There is no fixed class syllabus to follow and no waiting for the rest of the group. You tell the teacher what you want to achieve, and the lessons are planned around that.
At Iroha Passport, private lessons are taught by native Japanese teachers who live in London. Each lesson is 45 minutes. The main format is online, and in-person lessons are available at a café for learners who prefer to meet face to face.
Who private lessons suit
Private lessons are not the only way to learn Japanese, and they are not right for everyone. They tend to work best for people in these situations.
Busy adults with limited time
If you work full time or have family commitments, a fixed weekly class can be hard to attend. With private lessons you agree a time with your teacher, and online lessons remove travel entirely. Every minute is spent on material that is useful to you.
Travellers preparing for a trip
If you are heading to Japan and want practical Japanese, a private teacher can focus on what you will actually need: greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, shopping, and reading common signs. You do not need to cover a full textbook to speak with confidence on a trip. Our guide on learning Japanese before a Japan trip explains what is realistic in the time you have.
Learners who want speaking practice
Many people study with apps or books for months and still freeze when they have to speak. A private lesson gives you regular, low-pressure speaking time with a native speaker who listens and corrects you as you go.
Learners with a specific goal
If you are preparing for an exam such as the JLPT, learning for work, or studying to talk to family, a private teacher can build a plan around that goal. Our page on JLPT preparation in London covers what exam study involves.
Returning learners
If you studied Japanese years ago and want to pick it up again, a private teacher can quickly find the gaps and skip what you already know.
Online lessons: how they work
Online lessons take place by video call. You need a stable internet connection, a quiet space, and a device with a camera and microphone. Your teacher shares materials on screen and you practise speaking directly.
Advantages of online lessons
- No travel time. You can have a lesson from home, from your office, or while away from London.
- More flexible scheduling, because nobody has to commute.
- Slightly lower prices than in-person lessons.
- Easy access to digital materials, which can be shared and saved during the lesson.
Things to consider
Online lessons suit people who are comfortable on video calls. A weak connection or a noisy room can interrupt the lesson, so it helps to choose a quiet spot. Some learners find it harder to stay focused on a screen, in which case in-person lessons may feel more natural.
In-person lessons at a café
For learners who prefer to study face to face, in-person lessons are available at a café in London. A café is a relaxed setting, and it is a good place to practise the kind of everyday conversation you might have in Japan.
Advantages of in-person lessons
- Face-to-face practice feels closer to a real conversation.
- Writing practice, such as hiragana and katakana, is easy to do on paper with your teacher beside you.
- Some learners find it easier to concentrate away from home.
Things to consider
In-person lessons are priced a little higher than online lessons, and they require you to travel to the lesson location. Availability depends on the teacher and the time, so it is worth asking early.
Online or in person: how to choose
There is no single right answer, but a few questions can help you decide.
- Do you live or work close to central London, or would travel be a burden? If travel is difficult, online is probably better.
- Do you concentrate better in person or on screen? Think about how you work best.
- Is your schedule flexible or tight? Online lessons are easier to fit into a busy week.
- Do you want to practise handwriting? In-person lessons make this simpler, although online teachers can also guide writing practice.
- Is price a factor? Online lessons are slightly lower per lesson.
If you are unsure, start online with a trial lesson. You can always add in-person lessons later.
What happens in a lesson?
Every learner is different, so lessons are shaped around you. A typical 45-minute lesson might look like this.
Warm-up and review
The lesson usually starts with a few minutes of conversation and a review of what you covered last time. This helps you remember material and gives you a gentle start to speaking.
New material
The teacher introduces something new: a grammar point, a set of useful phrases, or a reading or writing skill. Because the lesson is one-to-one, the pace follows you. If something is difficult, the teacher slows down. If you pick it up quickly, you move on.
Speaking practice
Most lessons include time to use what you have just learnt in conversation. This is where the biggest difference from self-study appears: you get immediate feedback on your pronunciation, your word choice, and how natural your Japanese sounds.
Wrap-up
The lesson ends with a short summary and, if you want it, a suggestion for how to practise before the next session. The goal is to leave with something you can use straight away.
Lesson prices and how to book
Prices depend on the format and the number of lessons you book, not on your goal. Lessons are booked in 45-minute units, though we recommend 90 minutes so there is room to practise as well as learn something new. In-person lessons have no extra charge within Zones 1–2; for Zone 3 and beyond, we quote travel costs and a small surcharge in advance.
- Online: £40 for a single lesson, or £36, £32, and £28 per lesson when you book 10, 20, or 30 lessons.
- In person at a café: £45 for a single lesson, or £41, £37, and £33 per lesson when you book 10, 20, or 30 lessons.
- Trial lesson: £24 for a 45-minute online lesson.
- Lessons for two people: add £10 per lesson.
You can see full details and book directly on our private lessons page. Blocks of lessons need to be used within a set period: 4 months for 10 lessons, 8 months for 20, and 12 months for 30. For a longer explanation of what affects tutor prices, see our guide to how much a private Japanese tutor costs in London.
A sample first month
Every plan is different, but it can help to picture what the first month might look like for a beginner who studies once a week.
In the first lesson, your teacher finds out about your goals, checks what you already know, and starts with greetings and a simple self-introduction, so you leave able to say a little about yourself. From the second lesson onward, you build up basic sentence patterns, such as numbers and simple statements using “desu”, while hiragana is introduced gradually over the first five to ten lessons alongside grammar, rather than all at once. Within the first few lessons, you start using what you have learnt in short, simple conversation practice built around the greetings, self-introduction and basic sentences you already know. After a month, most learners are comfortable with the greetings, self-introduction and basic sentences they have practised, and have a clear picture of what to learn next.
Learners who are preparing for a trip often follow a more focused version of this plan, with extra time on travel phrases and reading signs. Learners who want long-term progress usually spend more time on scripts and grammar so that they build a solid foundation.
Common worries about private lessons
“I’m too shy to speak”
This is very common, and a one-to-one lesson is one of the easiest places to get past it. There is no audience, and your teacher expects mistakes. Most learners find that their confidence grows quickly once they start speaking regularly.
“I don’t know if I’ll stick with it”
That is a fair concern, and it is the reason to start with a trial lesson or a single lesson rather than a large block. You can decide whether to continue once you have seen how the lessons feel.
“I’m not sure my level is right”
Your teacher adjusts the lesson to your level, whether you are a complete beginner or someone who studied a long time ago. You do not need to prepare anything in advance.
“I can’t commit to a weekly slot”
If your schedule changes from week to week, single lessons give you the most flexibility. If you prefer a regular rhythm, a block of lessons gives you a lower price per lesson, as long as you use it within the validity period.
How often should you have lessons?
Consistency matters more than intensity. For most adult learners, one lesson a week is a realistic rhythm. It gives you time to practise between sessions without forgetting what you learnt. If you have a deadline, such as a trip in a few months, you can have lessons more often for a short period. If your schedule is unpredictable, a flexible plan with single lessons can work better than a rigid weekly slot.
Whatever frequency you choose, a little practice between lessons makes a big difference. Ten minutes a day on vocabulary, kana, or listening is enough to keep your progress steady.
Why a native Japanese teacher?
A native speaker can explain not only what a phrase means but also how it feels: when it sounds polite, when it sounds too formal, and when it is simply not what people say. These details are hard to get from a textbook, and they are often what makes your Japanese sound natural. Our teachers live in London, so they also understand the particular challenges English speakers face, such as pronunciation, particles, and the shift from reading English to reading Japanese scripts.
If you want to understand more about why this matters, you can read about finding a private Japanese tutor in London.
How to get the most from private lessons
- Be clear about your goal. Tell your teacher what you want to do with Japanese in the next three months.
- Come with questions. Note down anything you came across during the week that confused you.
- Speak as much as you can. Mistakes are useful, because they show your teacher what to work on.
- Keep a notebook of new phrases and corrections.
- Review your notes before the next lesson.
Frequently asked questions
Are online Japanese lessons effective?
Yes, for most learners. Video lessons make it easy to practise speaking and listening, and teachers can share materials on screen. What matters most is a good teacher, a clear plan, and regular practice.
Can I have lessons in person in London?
Yes. In-person lessons are available at a café. They are priced a little higher than online lessons.
Do I need any Japanese to start?
No. Lessons are suitable for complete beginners, and your teacher will begin at your level.
Can two people learn together?
Yes. Add £10 per lesson to the standard rate. The lesson stays 45 minutes with one teacher.
Is there a trial lesson?
Yes. A 45-minute online trial lesson costs £24, which lets you try the teaching style before you book more.
How do I choose between online and in person?
Think about travel, concentration, schedule, and price. If you are unsure, start online. Our guide to choosing Japanese lessons in London can help you compare options.
Ready to start?
A private teacher can help you reach your Japanese goals faster, whether that means a short trip, steady progress, or an exam. The best first step is to share what you want to achieve so that your lessons can be planned around it.
👉 Tell us about your goals and get a free study plan
About Iroha Passport
Iroha Passport helps English speakers learn Japanese and plan their trips to Japan. Lessons are taught by native Japanese teachers living in London, in person or online.
By Iroha Passport