Award-Winning Japanese Tutors

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning Japanese Tutors

Hyun

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Hyun

Bachelor's
Hyun's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
SAT Math
SAT

As a recent graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering, I am passionate about making complex subjects like algebra, calculus, and biology accessible and engaging for my students. With over two years of tutoring experience, I have developed a student-centered approac...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor's

Maika

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Maika

Bachelor
Maika's other Tutor Subjects
Linguistics
Japanese
English Language Arts Substitute
English

I am a graduate of Carleton College, and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics. I have tutored Japanese at elementary and intermediate levels, and also worked as a teaching assistant for linguistics. I plan to continue tutoring and assisting in these fields. I also hope to continue my l...

Education

Carleton College

Bachelor

Zane

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zane

MS
Zane's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4

Everybody learns, and everybody learns differently. The importance of pedagogy, the practice of teaching, cannot be overstated. It is not enough to share knowledge; knowledge must be communicated. This is the philosophy by which I have tutored and by which I currently tutor. With 4th grade students ...

Education

University of Nevada-Reno

MS

Lucy Je

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Lucy Je

MS
Lucy's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

I am a certified Middle School Math Teacher with three years of classroom and tutoring experience, and a Korean and Japanese language instructor with over 15 years of teaching experience. I hold four Bachelor's degrees earned through dual-degree programs at two universities, with academic background...

Education

Pukyung National University

MS

University of Padova

MS

Sonya

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Sonya

Bachelor
Sonya's other Tutor Subjects
Japanese
Languages

I am an undergraduate student at University of Alberta. Japanese is my native language and I have been using English for the past 15 years, so I am fluent in both the languages. I have experience in volunteering at a bilingual preschool, as well as working as a professional interpreter.

Education

University of Alberta

Bachelor

Hatsuki

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Hatsuki

Bachelor of Economics, Development Economics and International Development
Hatsuki's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
College Essays
Literature

I am a Japanese native who now resides in the Midwest with my daughter and grandkids. I have over 50 years of experience speaking, reading and writing in Japanese.

Education

Asia University

Bachelor of Economics, Development Economics and International Development

Darin

Certified Tutor

Darin

PHD, Physical Chemistry
Darin's other Tutor Subjects
Multivariable Calculus
Calculus 3
Calculus
Algebra

I am a recent Chemistry Ph.D. graduate with a 7 month break before starting in my next role in management consulting. As the most enjoyable experiences of my career to date have been in teaching and mentoring, I am spending the intervening period tutoring!

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PHD, Physical Chemistry

Tufts University

Bachelors, Chemical Engineering

Shona

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Shona

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
Shona's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I am a passionate tutor of several subjects, with an emphasis on high school math. I attended Johns Hopkins University and spent a semester abroad in Seville, Spain. Since graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, I have worked in software development, education, and the ...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1480
ACT
34
Cori

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Cori

Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
Cori's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra
Physics

I am a MIT undergrad studying Materials Science and Engineering with minors in Economics and Japanese. I was a TA for Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism at MIT, and I tutored in math and science in high school. I scored a perfect score on the SAT Math section twice, and have taken 11 AP tests wit...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1520
ACT
33
Damien

Certified Tutor

Damien

Bachelor in Arts
Damien's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

I am an intelligent, creative education professional with a passion for Math, English, curriculum development, and intervention strategies. I am currently an Associate Teacher of Mathematics at The School At Columbia University, Columbia's independent K-8 school. Previously, I was an Academic Progra...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor in Arts

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Nicholas

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +19 Subjects

I am currently working towards my degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Dayton. In high school, I tutored students around my age frequently with my school's chapter of Mu Alpha Theta (math national honor society). Since I arrived at college, I have been tutoring my peers in calculus, biology, and chemistry. I'm an engineering major, so of course my favorite subjects are science and math. I love to teach students any type of math or science; in fact, I find it fun. Although, I do find things other than school fun (I'm not that lame). I'm involved in a considerable amount of extracurricular activities at UD. I play trombone my school's jazz band (which recently travelled to New Orleans) and for my school's pep band (which supports the best basketball team in the A10 \[go Flyers!\]). I'm also on the club racquetball team for my school and I am a hockey fanatic. Despite the fact that most engineering majors are introverts, I am quite the talker. I will enjoy sitting down with you and talking through any issues you may have with your subject. I tend to make my students work on their own up to the point where they get stuck in a problem and explain their thought process as they go through. That way, I can understand what my students understand and what they don't. I hope you choose me as your tutor and I am looking forward to helping you succeed!

View Profile

Dylan

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am a freshman Computer Science major enrolled in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. I have a passion for teaching students, and I am experienced with having to give one-on-one guidance in teaching many concepts. Tutoring is very rewarding for me because I am driven to help others and give whatever knowledge I have gained over the years in every field. I also have experience dealing with situations in which students are not quickly or readily grasping concepts, and I have developed the patience to handle these situations. Teaching is just as rewarding for the student as it is for me, because I am thrilled when I see others achieve, and I would love to be part of the process. In addition to high school AP courses and test prep, I have taken college level multivariable calculus, linear algebra, physics electricity/magnetism and mechanics, computer programming (c++, matlab, LISP/Scheme), Dynamics of Systems, and Mechanics of Systems.

View Profile

Sho

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects

I am passionate about teaching and really want to see everyone succeed. Hobbies: writing, reading, music, art, books

View Profile

Shin

12th Grade math Tutor • +120 Subjects

I am currently a sophomore at Columbia University in the City of New York. I am pursuing a degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Sustainability and Energy, and I am minoring in East Asian Studies (specifically, Japanese). After graduation, I plan on working in the renewable energy sector in either the United States or Japan. Hobbies: sports, reading, music, writing, singing, art, books

View Profile

William

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +49 Subjects

I am a graduate of New York University???s undergraduate history program. My main focus was the cultural and intellectual history of WWII Japan. In my final summer at NYU I traveled to Japan where I studied Japanese, traditional music, and Wartime film.

View Profile

Sophie

Calculus Tutor • +22 Subjects

I am a Princeton University graduate ('19) where I majored in East Asian Studies. My academic interests center around language learning Chinese, Japanese, and Korean as well as history, anthropology, and media studies. I have worked as a college advisor for high school students in the United States and have also taught English in Japan to students of all ages. Beyond these academic interests, I enjoy playing cello and guitar, cooking, reading, and drinking all kinds of tea. I'm excited to know my students and look forward to working together with them!

View Profile

Brian

AP Statistics Tutor • +115 Subjects

I'm a recent graduate of the California Institute of Technology in Economics and Computer Science. I was also accepted at Harvard, Princeton, MIT, and Stanford. I have a broad range of interests spanning science, math, engineering, social science, the humanities, the arts, and athletics (I also played on the Caltech basketball team). My background allows me to tutor general college prep, especially the SAT, ACT and the GRE. I love to teach analytical thinking, ranging from advanced Math and Physics to strategies for understanding literature and developing arguments.

View Profile

Caitlin

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects

I am a rising senior at Duke University who is Pre Med and majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. I was born and raised in Miami FL and went to public school until college (Sunset Elementary, GW Carver Middle and Coral Reef Senior High for those from Miami). I decided to start tutoring because I would not be on this path had I not had good teachers supporting me along the way. For that reason I want to be able to help others achieve their goals without academics being a huge hurdle.

View Profile

James

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +55 Subjects

I am a graduate of SUNY University at Albany. I received my Bachelor of Science in Economics and Japanese with a minor in History in 2010. Since then (and even before as a sub) I have predominantly been teaching in the New York City public education system. I had worked as a substitute teaching assistant since 2008, moving between dozens of NYC public schools before finally settling in late 2011 at M.S. 216 George J. Ryan--an incredibly diverse middle school in Queens. During my tenure in the school system I have spent time teaching students from Pre-K to 12th grade, from all cultural background and socioeconomic statuses. Regardless of whom I have taught, I have always enjoyed it, partly because I often learn as much from my students as they learn from me. Regardless of the subject, I love teaching, and I find it to be one of the most rewarding and meaningful activities, which cliched as it may sound, really can make a difference in people's lives. Besides teaching, I am also keenly interested in the human body, specifically biomechanics, kinesiology, and rehabilitation through movement. I am currently enrolled in a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Washington University in St. Louis, which I should finish in 2018. Hobbies: art, books, sports, reading, music, writing

View Profile

Jacob

Calculus Tutor • +26 Subjects

I'm New York City born and raised. I graduated from the University of Chicago last year with a degree in East Asian Languages and Civilizations. I am developing my own teaching methods to evolve traditional East Asian and French language acquisition, and to do this I need even more experience. My course of study has been directed at learning as much as I can about the culture, economy, and history of East Asia, China and Japan in particular. I view myself as someone who is entrepreneurial, collegial, individually motivated to produce high quality work, as well as foster a love of the subject which I teach. I am compassionate and enjoy working with both children and adults. I believe I have something to learn from everyone I meet.

View Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning kanji is one of the biggest challenges for Japanese students—there are thousands of characters to master, each with multiple readings and meanings. A tutor can teach you strategic approaches like learning kanji by radical (the building blocks of characters), grouping characters by similar meanings, and using spaced repetition to lock them into memory. Rather than memorizing in isolation, tutors help you see patterns and connect kanji to vocabulary and real texts, making the learning stick faster than studying alone.

Japanese verbs conjugate based on tense, formality level, and whether they're positive or negative—and there are irregular verbs that break the rules entirely. This creates a system that feels overwhelming at first. A tutor breaks conjugation into logical patterns, shows you why certain forms exist (like the difference between casual and polite forms), and gives you targeted practice with verbs you actually use in conversation. With 1-on-1 instruction, you can ask questions immediately when something doesn't make sense, rather than getting stuck on confusing textbook explanations.

In a typical classroom, students get limited speaking time—maybe a few minutes per class. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you're speaking for most of the session, which means you build confidence and fluency much faster. A tutor can also tailor conversations to your interests and level, correct your pronunciation and grammar in real-time, and adjust the pace so you're challenged but not overwhelmed. This consistent speaking practice is essential for developing natural rhythm and accent in Japanese, which rarely happens in group settings.

Japanese native speakers speak quickly, drop particles, use casual contractions, and have regional accents—all of which make it much harder than textbook audio. Additionally, understanding context and politeness levels affects comprehension in ways that don't exist in English. A tutor exposes you to natural speech patterns, explains cultural context that affects meaning, and can slow down or repeat phrases as needed. They can also train your ear to recognize common listening patterns and help you develop strategies for understanding even when you don't catch every word.

Textbooks often teach grammar rules in isolation, but native speakers don't always follow textbook patterns—they use shortcuts, drop particles, and adapt based on context. A tutor teaches you the rules as a foundation, then shows you how real Japanese actually works through examples, conversation, and exposure to native content. This helps you understand when it's appropriate to use casual versus formal language, when particles can be omitted, and how to sound natural rather than robotic. You learn not just what's grammatically correct, but what native speakers actually say.

Japanese language is deeply tied to culture—politeness levels, honorifics, seasonal references, and indirect communication styles all carry cultural meaning that affects how you understand and speak the language. A tutor helps you grasp why certain phrases are used in specific situations, how to show respect appropriately, and what cultural references are embedded in everyday conversation. This context makes learning feel more connected and helps you communicate authentically rather than just translating words. Understanding culture also helps you remember vocabulary and grammar because it's tied to real, meaningful situations.

Japanese reading progresses through distinct stages: hiragana and katakana basics, simple kanji and grammar, newspaper and novel-level texts, and specialized materials. A tutor assesses your current level and creates a progression path tailored to your goals—whether you're aiming to read manga, news, literature, or business documents. They can introduce new kanji and grammar in context through actual texts you want to read, rather than isolated exercises, which makes learning more motivating and practical. This targeted approach helps you reach reading fluency much faster than working through generic textbooks.

Look for tutors who are either native Japanese speakers or have near-native fluency, ideally with formal teaching experience or certification. They should understand the specific challenges English speakers face (since your native language shapes how you learn), be able to explain grammar clearly, and have exposure to modern conversational Japanese—not just textbook language. A good tutor also understands different proficiency levels (from complete beginner through advanced), can teach all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), and ideally has experience with Japanese cultural context. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who meet these standards and can work at your level and pace.

Connect with Japanese Tutors

Get matched with expert tutors in your subject