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
5+ years
Jean
I am a certified teacher, qualified to teach Social Studies, Math, and English in grades 7 through 12. With four years of substitute teaching and other classroom experience, as well as many years of tutoring in various subject areas, I am a seasoned and versatile tutor. Not only have I taught math a...
Hofstra University
Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology State Certified Teacher

Certified Tutor
Sarah
I grew up in Central Arkansas and discovered my love for teaching while mentoring in impoverished schools in Little Rock. I went on to receive my Bachelor of Science in Education and my Masters of Art in Teaching with a Special Education Endorsement at the University of Arkansas. Now I am a 4th grad...
University of Arkansas
Master of Arts Teaching, Elementary School Teaching
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching

Certified Tutor
7+ years
Nabil
I am a sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University majoring in History with a minor in Spanish. I have 4 years tutoring experience with middle school, high school, and college students with specialties in math, writing, and Spanish. Outside of school, I enjoy working out, going to museums, a...
Barnard College
Bachelor in Arts, History

Certified Tutor
7+ years
Amanda
My name is Amanda Pursel and I am a freshman at Shippensburg University this year. I am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Psychology. I have a love for working with kids and have been volunteering in classrooms since my junior year of high school. Senior year I spent every day after s...
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Current Undergrad, Elementary Education

Certified Tutor
14+ years
Linda
I am a licensed teacher with 15 years of classroom teaching experience. I am certified to teach grades 1 - 6 and high school English, and I also have certifications in AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted) and ESL (English as a Second Language). I received a BS degree in Elementary Education ...
National Louis University
Masters in Education, Educational Leadership
UW-Milwaukee
Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education

Certified Tutor
Tivoli
I am currently a fourth grade special educator providing support in primarily math, reading and writing. I also work as a reading interventionist with the Leveled Literacy Intervention program as well as Sonday for students who benefited from multisensory reading instruction.I graduated in June 2004...
Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University
Master of Arts, Education
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
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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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