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Japanese Private Lessons vs Japanese Group Lessons - Which is Better for Me?

November 21, 2023
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Japanese Private Lessons vs Japanese Group Lessons - Which is Better for Me?

Learning Japanese is a thrilling adventure as it opens up new opportunities, such as being able to communicate with native speakers effectively, travel easily in Japan, and exchange cultures with other people. In learning Japanese, choosing the right environment and learning method is your key to success, whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner looking to enhance your skills. Japanese private lessons and group lessons are two popular options for learning the language, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Japanese Private Lessons and Japanese Group Lessons are two of the best ways to learn Japanese and  you might wonder which method suits you the best. Well, the right method will really depend on your goals, preferences, budget, and other factors that you should consider.

In this article, we will define Japanese private lessons and Japanese group lessons as well as discuss their pros and cons to help you decide which one will benefit you the most. Let's get started! 

Japanese Private Lessons 

A native Japanese teacher teaching Japanese Private Lessons online
Photo taken from japademy.com

Japanese private lessons are one-on-one language learning sessions with a qualified teacher who can help you learn or improve your Japanese language skills. In private lessons, Japanese teachers tailor the lessons according to your specific goals, learning style, and interests and usually cover fundamental topics such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, culture, writing, and conversation. The great thing about Japanese private lessons is that they can be conducted online or in person, which makes it a great option if you prefer to learn at home or have a busy schedule. 

If you’re interested in Japanese Private Lessons, we recommend looking at Japademy’s Online Private Lessons, wherein you will have a one-on-one lesson with one of our native Japanese teachers. Our teachers have extensive experience in teaching the language and are friendly, so you will be guaranteed to have insightful and engaging sessions with them. If you want to know more about our Online Private Lessons and native Japanese teachers, feel free to contact us at hello@japademy.com

Advantages of Japanese Private Lessons: 

1. Personalized Attention and Guidance 

A student having a one-on-one learning session with a Japanese teacher
Photo taken from media.connectiu.com

With Japanese private lessons, you will have the undivided attention of your Japanese teacher, which means that you can focus on areas of the language that you find challenging. Your Japanese teacher can provide you with more detailed explanations and help you work through these topics that are hard for you to understand. This can be especially helpful if you need extra support in mastering the nuances of Japanese pronunciation and grammar. 

Additionally, having personalized attention and guidance will enable you to foster a personal connection with your teacher, which can make your learning process more enjoyable and engaging. Overall, personalized attention and guidance from a Japanese teacher can be a game-changer in your Japanese language learning journey because it helps you to achieve your goals with confidence and ease. 

2. Customized Lessons 

A Japanese teacher preparing lesson plans and activities for students
Photo taken from japademy.com

Every student has different strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and goals, and a one-size-fits-all approach to Japanese language learning may not work for everyone. With Japanese private lessons, your teacher will take the time to understand your unique needs and goals and tailor the lessons accordingly. This means that you'll have the opportunity to focus on areas of Japanese that are most relevant and interesting to you, whether it's conversational Japanese, business Japanese, or mastering the intricacies of written Japanese. 

Additionally, you can work with your Japanese teacher to create a customized learning plan that fits your needs and helps you achieve your Japanese language goals more efficiently and effectively. 

At Japademy, we have developed our own curriculum that maximizes learning outcomes. But don’t worry because you can always consult with one of our native Japanese teachers about your needs or the topics that you are having difficulty with and work together to create customized lessons that are more effective for you. If you want to know more about how it works, contact us at hello@japademy.com or book a call with one of our teachers here: https://www.japademy.com/book-call

3. Flexibility in Scheduling

One of the biggest challenges of learning a language is finding the time to fit it into your already busy schedule. But with Japanese private lessons, especially if it’s conducted online, you can schedule the lessons at a time that works best for you, whether it's early morning, late at night, or on weekends. This can be especially helpful for you if you have demanding work schedules, family obligations, or other commitments that make it difficult to attend classroom-based Japanese classes. 

Additionally, with Japanese private lessons, you won't have to worry about missing a class due to scheduling conflicts, as you can communicate with your Japanese teacher to reschedule your lessons as needed. This level of flexibility can help you stay motivated and committed to your language learning goals, as you won't have to sacrifice other important areas of your life to attend your classes. 

What’s great about Japademy’s Online Private Lessons is that if you’re busy or have other important commitments, you can always let us know if you want to adjust the time and hour of the lessons. This will save you from a headache because of conflicts in schedules. 

4. Opportunities for more in-depth conversation and practice 

In a Japanese private lesson, you have undivided attention and support from your teacher. As a result, you will have more opportunities to practice speaking Japanese in a safe and supportive environment, without the pressure of speaking in front of a larger group, just like in Japanese group lessons. Additionally, your Japanese teacher can provide you with more detailed feedback and corrections, helping you to improve your pronunciation, intonation, and grammar. 

Japanese private lessons also offer the chance for more personalized practice activities, such as role-playing exercises, conversational drills, and interactive games. All of these factors can help you build your confidence in speaking Japanese and improve your overall communication skills. 

At Japademy’s Japanese Online Private Lessons, you will have access to different learning materials such as learning handouts, practice flashcards, in-lesson learning slides, and in-lesson audio practices. Aside from this, you will also have free access to our amazing and effective Japanese Video Courses, which are helpful when practicing Japanese at your own time and pace. If you’re interested in our learning materials, you can email us at hello@japademy.com, and we can share some of these with you!

Disadvantages of Japanese Private Lessons: 

1. Higher Cost 

Compared to group lessons, private lessons often have higher costs. Japanese private lessons involve one-on-one learning with a Japanese teacher, which means that the cost of the teacher's time and expertise is concentrated solely on you. This can make Japanese private lessons more costly than group lessons, which typically involve more students per teacher. Additionally, private lessons often require more preparation and planning on the part of the Japanese teacher, which can also contribute to higher costs. 

2. Limited Opportunity for Group Interaction 

As Japanese private lessons typically involve one-on-one instruction, it means that you won't have the chance to practice speaking and interacting with other students in a group setting. This can be a disadvantage for you if you prefer learning with other people because group practice can be a more effective way to develop your communication skills and build your confidence. 

Japanese Group Lessons 

Japanese Group Lessons at Japademy
Photo taken from  japademy.com

Japanese group lessons involve a Japanese teacher who provides instruction and guidance and multiple students who participate in activities, exercises, and discussions to practice their language skills. If you prefer a social and interactive learning environment, Japanese group lessons are an excellent option for you. Group lessons provide a range of benefits, including diverse perspectives, engaging activities, and opportunities for practice and feedback. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, a Japanese group lesson can help you achieve your language learning goals while enjoying the company of other students. 

If you’re interested in Japanese Group Lessons, we recommend taking a look at Japademy’s Japanese Online Courses, where you will be part of a group of students sharing the same goal of improving your Japanese skills within 10 weeks. Our Group Lessons are beginner-friendly, so even if you have little to no knowledge of Japanese, our Online 10-week Courses are perfect for you! If you want to know more about our Online Courses, contact us at hello@japademy.com or visit our website at japademy.com, and we will be more than happy to answer all your questions!

Advantages of Japanese Group Lessons: 

1. More Affordable 

Price comparison of Japademy’s Online Courses with other language schools‍
Photo taken from  japademy.com

Japanese group lessons are typically more affordable compared to Japanese private lessons because the cost is spread across multiple students. In a group lesson, the Japanese teacher's time and resources are shared among several students, reducing the cost per person. This makes Japanese group lessons a more cost-effective option for you if you want to study Japanese without exceeding your budget.

Additionally, Japanese group lessons can generate more revenue for the teacher or language school since they can accommodate more students at once. This will allow the teacher or school to offer more affordable rates without sacrificing the quality of their lessons.

At Japademy, our Japanese Online Courses are priced at 249 USD, which is significantly lower than other language schools. The affordability of our courses will allow you to save extra money for other meaningful expenses while learning with an insightful and value-packed Japanese course. If you’re interested to know more about our Online Courses, feel free to contact us at hello@japademy.com

2. Opportunities for Social Interaction 

In a Japanese group lesson, you can engage in conversations, ask questions, and exchange ideas with your classmates to create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment for you and other students. The social aspect of Japanese group lessons can help you build your confidence, develop your communication skills, and learn how to work effectively in a team. 

Japanese group lessons also provide you with ample opportunities to practice your Japanese language skills with other students. You can practice your speaking and listening skills by engaging in group conversations and discussions and reading and writing skills by completing group assignments, sharing ideas, and giving feedback to others. 

3. Learning from Other Students' Mistakes and Successes

In a group lesson, you can learn from your classmates’ mistakes, which can help you avoid making similar mistakes. For example, if one student struggles with the pronunciation of a particular word, you can learn from that mistake and practice the correct pronunciation. This can save time and effort in correcting mistakes, as you can learn from each other and progress faster. 

Moreover, Japanese group lessons provide you with a chance to observe and learn from others' successes. When your classmate achieves a milestone, such as mastering a difficult grammar point or speaking fluently in a conversation, you can learn from that success and strive to achieve similar goals. This can create healthy competition and motivation among you, which can lead to better learning outcomes. 

4. Potential for More Diverse Learning Experiences 

In a Japanese group lesson, you can be exposed to a wider range of topics and activities that can cater to your interests and needs. For example, a Japanese group lesson can include activities such as role-playing, group discussions, cultural presentations, and language games, which can make learning more interactive and enjoyable for you and other students. You can also learn from each other's interests and experiences, which can broaden your understanding of Japanese culture. 

Moreover, you can benefit from the diversity of teaching styles and techniques in a Japanese group lesson. A skilled Japanese teacher can employ different approaches to cater to the diverse learning styles and needs of their students. Some students may benefit from a more visual or hands-on approach, while others may prefer a more structured or analytical approach. By exposing you to different teaching methods, Japanese group lessons can help you discover your learning preferences and strategies. 

Disadvantages of Japanese Group Lessons: 

1. Less Personalized Attention and Guidance 

In a group setting, the Japanese teacher must cater to the needs of multiple students, which can make it challenging to provide individualized attention to each student. When you don't receive sufficient attention or guidance, you may struggle to understand certain Japanese concepts or make progress in your Japanese language skills. For example, if you have difficulty with a particular grammar point, your Japanese teacher may not have enough time to fully address your concerns in a group lesson. This can lead to feeling the pressure to keep up with the fast pace of learning.

2. May Not Fit Everyone's Learning Style 

In a Japanese group lesson, learners may have different learning styles or preferences, which can make it challenging for the Japanese teacher to cater to everyone's needs. Some learners may prefer a more structured approach, while others may prefer a more interactive or creative approach. 

3. Limited Flexibility in Scheduling 

Japanese group lessons are typically scheduled at a set time and place, which can make it challenging for you if you have busy schedules or conflicting commitments. This lack of flexibility can be a significant challenge for you if you want to pursue Japanese language study but find it difficult to commit to a fixed schedule. This can lead to you to feel that you are falling behind  if you cannot attend the lesson due to scheduling conflicts. 

Final Thoughts About Which Learning Method Is Best For You

A student learning Japanese through Private Japanese Lessons
Photo taken from nihongo.connectenglish.jp

When it comes to deciding between Japanese private lessons and Japanese group lessons, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages that we've mentioned above. Of course, the choice between Japanese private lessons and Japanese group lessons will depend on your learning style, goals, and budget. It's important to carefully consider your options and to choose the learning environment that will provide you with the support, resources, and experiences you need to achieve your Japanese language goals. Happy learning!

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Kanami Iwasaki, Japademy Founder

Japademy | Learn Japanese

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