What these lessons are
One-on-one online lessons with Naoko, taught on original materials rather than a textbook you could have bought yourself. Lessons run from N5 through N1, business Japanese, and JLPT preparation, with particular attention to the vocabulary and communication habits of engineering and corporate workplaces.
Naoko can teach in English or Sinhala as well as Japanese, so a complete beginner and someone preparing for N1 can both start here. What changes is the material, not the format.
Who this is for
You are studying for the JLPT
N5 through N1. Grammar, reading, and listening built toward the test, with the gaps found by a real diagnostic rather than a guess.
You already work in Japanese
Meetings, email, and the phrasing that decides whether your Japanese colleagues follow you. Engineering and corporate vocabulary included.
You are job hunting in Japan
Interview Japanese, keigo that lands, and the questions Japanese employers actually ask. Paired with the interview and keigo diagnostics on this site.
How it works
- 1
Take the placement test
Before the first lesson. It tells us your level, section by section, so the first 60 minutes aren’t spent working out where you are.
- 2
Your first lesson
30 or 60 minutes, one-on-one, online. Japanese and English mixed to whatever degree you need on the day.
- 3
A plan built from your result
Original materials chosen against the gaps the test found, and against the goal you came with.
- 4
Measure again
Every diagnostic on the site stays free while you’re learning here, with no daily cap. Retake them and watch the number move.
Plans
Two ways to start: try one lesson, or commit to six.
Single lesson
$35/ 60 min
- One-on-one with Naoko, online
- Placement test before your first lesson
- Taught in Japanese, English, or Sinhala
- Every diagnostic test free for a week
Card, PayPal, and bank transfer. The payment options appear once you have picked a date and time.
Six-lesson pack
$175/ 6 × 60 min
About $29 a lesson. $35 less than six single lessons.
- Six 60-minute lessons
- Book them one at a time, within three months
- Book the first one right after you pay
- Every diagnostic test free for three months
Please read the cancellation and refund policy before you buy.
$20 · 30 min
What comes with the lessons
The lessons are the paid part. Everything below is already built into this site and comes with them at no extra cost.
Every diagnostic test on the site INCLUDED
Ten tests covering Japanese level, keigo, job interviews, workplace situations, culture, business culture, living in Japan, and English. Unlimited retakes, no daily cap.
A single lesson makes all of them free for a week. The six-lesson pack keeps them free for three months.
Your record, and your teacher’s view of it INCLUDED
Every result is saved with a question-by-question review: the correct answer and a short explanation of why it’s the correct answer.
- A share link for any result, so you can send it to your teacher or keep it for yourself
- Your full test history in one place, oldest to newest
- Naoko can open your results before the lesson, so no lesson time goes into re-explaining where you are
The practice app and the timeline FREE FOR EVERYONE
Speaking practice with an AI partner in real scenarios, and a timeline where learners post what they are working on. Neither is locked behind the lessons; both are simply here, and Naoko can point you to them between sessions.
The tests that come with it
Your teacher
Naoko
Japanese lessons and English lessons
Naoko’s background spans international cooperation and cross-border recruitment, including work with the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), UN-related organizations, and recruitment for Japanese companies operating overseas. She has sat on the hiring side of the table, so she knows what Japanese employers are actually listening for.
She holds a degree from North Central College and spent years living in the U.S. That combination is what lets her bridge English-speaking logic and Japanese business etiquette, rather than simply translating between the two: she can explain not just what to say, but why a Japanese counterpart hears it the way they do.
Students
“It was really good. I think being able to communicate with her in English is a big advantage. She is very helpful and explained things in an easy to understand way. I am interested in booking a pack of lessons.”
Adnan Khan
“Naoko is very friendly and willing to help with teaching Japanese. Her patience with instructing is a great combination of professionalism and a relaxed learning environment. The learning sessions also empower communications, especially for those who want to understand Japanese culture more!”
Nico Castillo
Questions people ask
What level do I need to start?
None. Absolute beginners are welcome, and so are people preparing for N1. The placement test exists so that the first lesson already knows which of those you are.
What language are the lessons in?
Naoko teaches in Japanese, English, or Sinhala, and adjusts how much Japanese she uses to what you can follow that day.
How do I book a time?
Pick a date on the booking calendar and you will see the times that are genuinely open. You pay for that session at the time you book it.
Can I cancel or move a lesson?
Cancel at least 72 hours before the session and it is refunded, minus payment processing fees. After that point it is not refundable. If you are using the six-lesson pack, cancelling 72 hours ahead returns the session to your account as an unused credit instead.
Do the six lessons expire?
They are valid for three months from purchase. You book them one at a time, at your own pace, rather than fixing all six dates on the day you buy.
I live in Fukuoka. Can I take lessons in person?
In-person lessons are available in and around Fukuoka. Send your preferred place and time through the contact form and we will arrange it individually.
What if I am not sure it is for me?
Start with a 30-minute lesson. Nothing about it commits you to the pack, and the free test trial on this site will already tell you something about your level before you book anything.
Related pages
Start with one lesson
Take the placement test, meet Naoko, and decide after that.