The Best Way to Learn Japanese Depends on Your Goal

There are as many ways to learn Japanese as there are learners. In traditional classroom settings, students usually learn grammar and vocabulary through textbooks and reinforce what they have learned with workbook exercises. This approach has many benefits, but it is not always the best fit for every learner or every goal.

One of the greatest advantages of private lessons is the flexibility to focus on what each learner needs most. The content and priorities of a lesson can change considerably depending on whether a student wants to communicate with friends, pass an exam, or prepare for a trip to Japan.

1. Everyday Conversation

One of my students was a martial arts instructor who was studying Japanese with the Genki textbooks. One day, he said, “I’d like to spend more time practicing casual Japanese. Whenever I talk with my Japanese friends, they speak casually, so I’d like to get used to it.”

I completely understood his request. Most Japanese textbooks focus on polite speech because that is what adults usually use in everyday situations with colleagues, neighbors, and shop staff. However, his goal was different. He wanted to communicate with his Japanese friends in casual Japanese, so spending more time practicing casual speech was much more important for him.

A few months later, he told me that the more comfortable he became using casual Japanese, the more enjoyable his conversations with his friends became.

2. JLPT Preparation

Some of my students are preparing for the JLPT. Many of them initially tell me that they would like to spend part of each lesson on JLPT preparation and the rest on conversation practice. However, I usually explain that trying to cover both effectively in a 60-minute lesson can be difficult.

The JLPT covers a wide range of areas, including vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading, and listening. Once students begin preparing for the exam, they quickly realize how much there is to cover. Since lesson time is limited, it is usually more effective to focus on the skills that will help them achieve their immediate goal: passing the JLPT.

3. Travel-Related Expressions

Some of my students start learning Japanese because they want to communicate with local people during a trip to Japan.

In these cases, I focus on useful expressions they are likely to need while traveling rather than following a textbook from Lesson 1 and building their grammar and vocabulary step by step. We practice expressions for situations such as shopping, dining out, and using public transportation.

Because students can easily imagine themselves using these expressions in Japan, they often become highly motivated to learn. As we study travel-related Japanese, I naturally introduce the grammar and vocabulary behind each expression. This helps them understand Japanese in context while keeping the lessons practical and relevant to their immediate goal.

Many of these students become interested in continuing to study Japanese even after returning home.

4. Finding the Right Focus

Although these students had completely different goals, they all had one thing in common: once their purpose became clear, it was much easier to decide what they should focus on.

There is no single best way to learn Japanese. The most effective approach depends on what you want to do with the language. That is why I do not teach every student in exactly the same way. I first try to understand each learner’s goals, current level, and priorities. I then design the lessons around what will help that person use their limited study time most effectively.

For some learners, that means practicing casual conversation. For others, it means concentrating on JLPT preparation or learning practical expressions for an upcoming trip. 

Private lessons make it possible to choose a learning path that reflects the learner’s actual purpose rather than following the same curriculum for everyone.

Learn Japanese with lessons tailored to your goals.

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