Award-Winning Japanese Tutors
serving Portland, OR
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Award-Winning Japanese Tutors serving Portland, OR

Certified Tutor
10+ years
I'm a graduate of Portland State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Language. After graduating in 2012, I moved to Japan to further study Japanese and teach English to children and adults for three years. I love getting students excited about Japan and helping them untangle the challengi...
Portland State University
Bachelors, Japanese

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Andrew
I am open to helping students practice speaking, reading, and writing without any judgment. I am open to helping you learn Chinese or Japanese no matter where you are in the learning process.
Pomona College
Bachelor in Arts, Asian Studies

Certified Tutor
I'm passionate about languages and sharing different cultures, I also enjoy being creative and spend time doing my art projects. I have many experiences teaching languages and I'm very patient and flexible, so I have great confidence that I can help you in many ways to meet your needs.
Fashion Institute of Technology
Bachelors, Fashion Design

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Maylorie
I am there to help make it happen. Building a rapport with students takes time, and this is something I will also build on from session to session.
Portland State University
Masters, Education Adult/Post Secondary
Portland State University
Bachelors, Business Management

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Ryan
As a tutoring expert in Spanish, English, music, and test prep, my teaching journey spans the majority of my life. I worked as a junior golf camp instructor for eight summers during high school and college. During the summer before my junior year of college, I served as a peer mentor to high school ...
Skidmore College
Bachelor in Arts, Spanish

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Katelyn
I am a certified high school English teacher with three years of experience teaching and designing curricula for 9th, 10th, and 10th Honors English for the KIPP charter network. My love of English literature, language, and writing formed the basis of my college career; I graduated summa cum laude fr...
University of Houston
Bachelors, English

Certified Tutor
14+ years
Lindsay
I am a graduate of James Madison University. I received a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education PK-6 and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, Minor in Education and concentration in Math, Science and Technology. I am extremely excited to continue my passion for teaching c...
James Madison University
Master of Arts Teaching, Masters in Teaching
James Madison University
Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Casey
I have over 20 years teaching experience in a public school classroom. I have also spent time tutoring students after school and on weekends. I have a BS Degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Education. I have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL endor...
Middle Tennessee State University
Master of Arts, Education

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Jeffrey
I am a graduate of Santa Clara University, which is a prestigious university with high academic standards. My major was Business and I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.I am passionate regarding two subjects, and both involve numbers (Algebra and Accounting).My philosophy in learning is to...
Santa Clara University
Bachelor of Science, Finance

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Katherine
I help students develop a metacognitive reflective lens for current and lifelong study. I constantly ask students to ask themselves: What am I doing well? And how can I keep doing that? I believe a strengths-based approach is best for learning. I am a board certified art and early childhood-6th grad...
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelors, BS Education, BA Russian
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fluency in Japanese requires significant commitment—the U.S. Foreign Service Institute estimates around 2,200 hours of study to reach professional proficiency for English speakers. However, with personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you can accelerate progress by focusing on your specific goals, whether that's conversational ability, business Japanese, or exam preparation. Most students see meaningful progress in speaking and listening within 3-6 months of consistent tutoring.
Speaking is often the most challenging skill to develop in a classroom setting, where students may have limited opportunities to practice conversation. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction provides dedicated speaking time with an expert tutor who can correct pronunciation, help you navigate natural speech patterns, and build confidence in real-world conversations. This direct feedback loop is essential for developing authentic accent and fluency that classroom instruction alone cannot provide.
Japanese verb conjugation is one of the most common stumbling blocks for learners because the system is complex and requires understanding both grammar rules and contextual usage. A tutor can break down conjugation patterns systematically, show you how they function in real sentences, and provide targeted practice with immediate feedback. Spaced repetition and retrieval practice—reviewing conjugations at strategic intervals—significantly improve retention and automatic recall.
Kanji mastery requires a strategic approach: learning radicals (components), understanding on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, and practicing characters in context rather than isolation. A tutor can help you prioritize which kanji and vocabulary to focus on based on your goals—whether that's JLPT preparation, business communication, or general fluency. Consistent, spaced practice combined with real-world usage makes retention far more effective than memorization alone.
Japanese language is deeply tied to culture—honorifics, formality levels, and communication styles reflect social relationships and context in ways that pure grammar study cannot explain. Expert tutors can teach you not just the language, but the cultural reasoning behind it, helping you understand when to use formal versus casual speech and how to navigate social situations authentically. This cultural fluency is what transforms language learners into confident communicators.
Your first session is an opportunity for a tutor to understand your current level, learning goals, and preferred learning style. Whether you're a complete beginner, preparing for the JLPT, or looking to improve conversational skills, the tutor will assess where you are and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs. This foundation ensures that every subsequent session builds effectively toward your specific objectives.
Yes—one of the biggest advantages of personalized instruction is real-time feedback on pronunciation and accent. Tutors can identify specific sounds that differ from English, explain the mouth positioning and intonation patterns of Japanese, and provide corrective guidance that's impossible to get from apps or self-study. Consistent practice with expert feedback builds muscle memory and helps you develop a natural-sounding accent.
Whether you're targeting JLPT levels N5 through N1, AP Japanese, or school-based assessments, a tutor can structure your preparation around the specific skills and content each exam requires. They'll help you understand test formats, build exam-specific vocabulary and grammar, practice timed sections, and develop test-taking strategies. Personalized tutoring is far more efficient than generic test prep because it addresses your individual weak points.
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