Beginners
Never studied Japanese? Start with hiragana, katakana and the phrases you need to get by in Japan: ordering food, buying a train ticket, asking for directions and chatting with locals.
Speak Japanese with confidence
Japanese conversation lessons
Plenty of learners can read Japanese but freeze when it's time to speak. Conversation lessons are an hour of talking with a native speaker, about things that interest you, with gentle corrections along the way.
1-to-1 with a native teacher, at your home or online
What you'll learn
- Speaking without translating in your head first
- Following native-speed Japanese
- Natural fillers and the little reactions that keep a conversation going (あいづち)
- When to use polite and when to use casual speech
- Vocabulary for your own interests, work and life
- Fixing the habitual mistakes you didn't know you made
What a conversation lesson looks like
You choose the topic, or your teacher brings one: your week, the news, a film, plans for a trip to Japan. You do most of the talking. Your teacher keeps the conversation going, notes useful vocabulary and corrections, and goes over them with you at the end so you leave with something concrete to practise.
Before you start
Conversation lessons work best once you can make simple sentences and handle basic questions. If you're new to Japanese, start with our beginners course and build up to it. Many students mix the two.
Who it's for
- Learners who understand more than they can say
- Anyone preparing for a trip, a move to Japan or a Japanese partner's family
- Advanced speakers who want regular practice to stay fluent
Free practice
Keep going between lessons with our free learning tools.
Simple prices
Lessons are 1 hour, 1-to-1, with a native teacher.
5 lessons
£190
£38 per lesson
Best value
10 lessons
£360
£36 per lesson
Small steps.
Big progress.
Conversation: questions
What level do I need for conversation lessons?
You should be able to make simple sentences and understand basic questions. If you're not there yet, start with beginners lessons; your teacher can add conversation practice as you go.
Will my teacher correct my mistakes?
Yes, as much or as little as you like. Most students prefer corrections noted during the conversation and reviewed at the end, so the conversation keeps flowing.
Do I need to prepare anything?
No, but you can. Some students bring a topic, an article or a question they've been wondering about.
Other courses
Every course is 1-to-1 with a native teacher, and you can mix them as you go.
Intermediate & advanced
Already know the basics, or studied at school or university? Build your kanji, polish your grammar and learn the natural, casual Japanese you won't find in a textbook.
Anime, manga & culture
Learn through the shows, manga and music you love: read real pages, pick up the casual speech you hear on screen, and understand the culture behind it.
JLPT preparation
Structured preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, from N5 to N1, with practice papers, vocabulary and kanji drills.
Business Japanese
Keigo (polite language), meetings, emails and business etiquette for anyone working with Japanese companies or colleagues.
Start with a £1 trial.
20 minutes. Meet your teacher.
Book a £1 trial →