How to Choose Japanese Classes in London: 2026 Guide
Want to learn Japanese in London? There are plenty of options — university courses, private schools, one-on-one tutoring, online lessons. Prices and styles vary wildly.
This guide covers what to check before you commit.
What You Need to Know First
“Speaking Japanese” and “Teaching Japanese” Are Different Things
This gets overlooked a lot.
Being a native speaker doesn’t mean you can teach. Not every English native can be an English teacher — same logic applies.
Teaching Japanese requires expertise: explaining grammar, understanding where learners struggle, adapting to different levels. At minimum, check if the teacher has proper qualifications.
For a detailed breakdown of what to look for in a Japanese teacher, see: How to Find a Good Japanese Teacher
Who Designed the Curriculum?
Even if the teacher is Japanese, the curriculum might not be.
Curriculums designed by non-natives can teach unnatural Japanese. Textbook Japanese and real Japanese aren’t the same. Only specialists in Japanese language education can bridge that gap.
Comparing Your Options
University Courses (SOAS, King’s, etc.)
Pros:
- More likely to have qualified instructors
- Structured curriculum
- Some courses count toward degrees
Cons:
- Group lessons only
- Fixed term schedules
- Hard to attend while working full-time
- Can’t learn at your own pace
Good if you want an academic approach and have flexible time.
Private Language Schools
There are many Japanese schools in London, but quality varies massively.
Things to check:
- Teacher qualifications (Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test, teaching certification courses, etc.)
- Is the teacher a native Japanese speaker?
- Who designed the curriculum?
- Is there a free trial?
If the website doesn’t list teacher credentials, ask directly. Schools that can’t answer are probably best avoided.
Online Lessons
Flexible location and scheduling are the main advantages.
But teacher quality and curriculum matter just as much — arguably more, since communication is harder online than in person.
Choosing online just because it’s cheap often backfires.
If you’re looking for free resources to supplement your lessons, check out our guide: Best Online Resources to Learn Japanese in 2026
Checklist
Before choosing, confirm:
☑ Does the teacher hold Japanese teaching qualifications? ☑ Does the teacher have substantial experience teaching Japanese? ☑ Is the teacher a native Japanese speaker? ☑ Was the curriculum designed by Japanese language education specialists? ☑ Does it cover your goals (conversation, JLPT, business Japanese, etc.)? ☑ Does the schedule fit your lifestyle? ☑ Is there a free trial or taster lesson?
About Nihon GO! World
We tick all the boxes above.
- All teachers hold recognised Japanese teaching qualifications (Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test or certified training courses)
- Curriculum designed by Japanese language education specialists
- One-to-one lessons — learn at your pace, focus on your goals
- Online available — accessible from UK, EU, and Australia
- Flexible scheduling — fits around work and life
Free trial available. Give it a try.
Summary
There are lots of options for learning Japanese in London. But picking the cheapest or most convenient can waste your time and money.
Check three things: teacher qualifications, curriculum design, lesson format. Get those right and you’ll avoid the biggest mistakes.
Written by Ayaka Uchida — CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.