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.
Pass the JLPT with a native teacher
JLPT preparation, N5 to N1
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is the best-known Japanese qualification, for study, work or your own sense of progress. Your teacher builds a study plan to your exam date and level, and gets you ready for every section of the test.
1-to-1 with a native teacher, at your home or online
What you'll learn
- The kanji, vocabulary and grammar for your level
- Reading strategies for the timed reading section
- Listening practice at the speed of the real test
- Practice papers, marked and reviewed with your teacher
- Exam technique and time management
- A study plan that fits the weeks you have before the test
The five JLPT levels
Kanji and vocabulary counts are a rough, unofficial guide.
| Level | What it means | Kanji | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | Basic phrases and simple sentences in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji | about 100 | about 800 |
| N4 | Basic everyday Japanese, read and understood slowly | about 300 | about 1,500 |
| N3 | Everyday Japanese to some degree, including written texts | about 650 | about 3,750 |
| N2 | Everyday Japanese and a range of other situations | about 1,000 | about 6,000 |
| N1 | Japanese in a wide range of situations, at natural speed | about 2,000 | about 10,000 |
About the JLPT
The JLPT has five levels, from N5 (the easiest) to N1. Each is a multiple-choice test covering vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening; there's no speaking or writing section. You need both an overall pass mark and a minimum score in each section, so a weak spot can cost you the whole test.
The test is held once or twice a year depending on the country, and places fill up, so register early. The official JLPT website lists dates and test centres worldwide.
How we prepare you
Your teacher starts by finding your level and your weak spots, then plans backwards from your test date. Lessons combine the material for your level with timed practice, and every practice paper is reviewed together, so you understand why each answer is right.
Because the JLPT doesn't test speaking, many learners pass but still struggle to talk. With a native teacher, your lessons can include conversation too, so your new grammar and vocabulary become Japanese you can actually use.
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.
JLPT preparation: questions
Which JLPT level should I take?
Your teacher can tell you after your trial lesson. Many students aim one level above where they are now, which gives a clear goal without being out of reach.
How long does it take to prepare for the JLPT?
It depends on your level and how much you study between lessons. Starting at least several months before the test gives you time to cover the material and practise under timed conditions.
Does the JLPT include speaking?
No. It tests vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening. Many students add conversation practice to their lessons so they can speak at the level they're studying for.
Do you provide practice papers?
Yes. Your teacher brings practice questions and sample papers for your level and goes through them with you.
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.
Conversation
Know the basics but want to speak with more confidence? Spend an hour or two a week just talking with a native speaker. Conversation skills take some groundwork first, so if you're new to Japanese, start with our beginners course and build up to it.
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.
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 →