Group classes aren’t bad. Having classmates keeps you motivated, and the cost is lower.
But if you’re serious about improving, private lessons will get you there faster.
What’s Good About Group Lessons
Groups have their advantages:
- Motivation — Learning with others helps you stay on track
- Lower cost — The per-lesson price is cheaper than private
- Learning from others — You pick things up from other students’ questions and mistakes
If you’re a beginner just wanting to try Japanese, starting with a group is fine.
The Problems With Group Lessons
But groups have limits.
Fixed weekly schedule Most group classes run once a week. Want to learn faster? Too bad. Busy this week? The class moves on without you.
You can’t choose your teacher The school assigns whoever’s available. If they’re not a good fit, you’re stuck.
Miss one class and you’re lost Groups follow a set curriculum. Skip one session and you’re behind. Many people drop out because they can’t catch up.
If you don’t stick with it, you’ve wasted your money.
Private Lessons Solve Everything
Learn at your own pace Want to do two lessons a week? Done. Need to skip a week and double up later? No problem. You can slow down when something’s difficult and skip what you already know.
Fully customised content “I want to pass JLPT N2 in six months.” “I only need keigo for work.” “Just teach me travel phrases.” Whatever you need. In a group, you follow the curriculum whether it suits you or not.
You choose your teacher Teaching style, personality, specialisation. Pick someone who fits, and switch if they don’t.
Missing a lesson isn’t a disaster With private lessons, you continue where you left off. No catching up, no falling behind.
It’s Actually Better Value
“Private lessons are expensive.” Per lesson, yes.
But think about efficiency.
Group lessons look cheap, but calculate the time you actually spend speaking. In a 60-minute class with 6 people, you might get 10 minutes of talking time. In a private lesson, the full 55 minutes is yours.
On top of that, what takes a year in a group might take six months privately. And you’re less likely to drop out. When you look at the total cost to reach your goal, private often works out cheaper.
This isn’t just true for languages. Tennis, golf, piano — it’s the same. If you’re serious about getting good, one-on-one is the fastest route.
How to Choose a Teacher
Private lessons live or die by the teacher. Here’s what to look for:
Are they a native speaker? For pronunciation and natural phrasing, native is best.
Do they have proper qualifications? In Japan, professional Japanese teachers need a national qualification called “Registered Japanese Language Teacher” (登録日本語教員). It requires serious training and exams. “I’m a native speaker” and “I’m a trained teacher” are completely different things.
A word of caution: there are also private “Japanese teacher certificates” out there that aren’t the same as the national qualification. Some can be earned through a few days of online study. When choosing a teacher, check what their qualification actually is.
Do they have experience with your goals? JLPT prep and business Japanese are completely different. Make sure they’ve done what you need.
Private Lessons at Nihon GO!
Nihon GO! offers private Japanese lessons in London, Manchester, and online.
Every teacher holds a government-recognised teaching qualification from Japan. Not “I’m a native speaker so I can teach” — actual professional training in how to teach Japanese.
What we offer:
- In-person lessons in London and Manchester
- Online lessons (from anywhere)
- JLPT preparation (N5–N1)
- Business Japanese
Whether you’re a complete beginner or aiming for N1, we’ll build a plan around your goals.
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- Japanese Classes in London: How to Choose
- Japanese Classes in Manchester: 2026 Guide
- JLPT UK 2026: Complete Guide
Written by Ayaka Uchida – CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.