Online Japanese FAQs

About Nihongo-Pro FAQs
How do Nihongo-Pro classrooms compare to Skype chat?

Nihongo-Pro Online Japanese Classroom
Nihongo-Pro classrooms are custom built for online Japanese classes, with learning features that Skype chat cannot match:
  • ProPad™ helps you learn to write Japanese
  • Built-in Japanese-English dictionary
  • Large whiteboard for presenting lesson materials
  • Teacher-directed audio playback (great for listening comprehension)
  • Easy to use, nothing to install. Log in from your browser.

Test drive our classroom here.

How does Nihongo-Pro compare to other online Japanese schools?

Nihongo-Pro offers an unmatched environment for learning Japanese online, with better teachers, better classrooms, and better lessons. Our platform is designed to make Nihongo-Pro the best place to learn Japanese online and achieve your Japanese language goals. Compare for yourself:
Other Online Japanese Schools
Professional, native-speaking Japanese teachers
Nihongo-Pro teaching staff includes government-certified Japanese teachers with advanced teaching experience, including experience with online Japanese lessons. All teachers complete two months of paid training and participate in our continuing teacher education sessions.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
question
Private lessons customized to your goals
Other schools may force you into their curriculum, but at Nihongo-Pro you get private lessons tailored specifically to your Japanese goals.
Learn more about private lessons.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
question
Earn free lessons with ProPoints
You earn points for every paid Nihongo-Pro lesson you take. Then, you can redeem your points for free online Japanese lessons!
Learn more about ProPoints program.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
question
Classroom custom built for online Japanese lessons
No other online Japanese school offers a better learning environment, custom built for online Japanese lessons. A Skype chat session cannot match these learning features:
  • Built-in Japanese-English dictionary
  • Large whiteboard for presenting lesson materials
  • Audio playback for listening comprehension lessons
  • ProPad™ for learning to write Japanese
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
Skype chat or shared rooms
Learn how to write Japanese with ProPad™
ProPad lets you and your teacher share a real-time whiteboard where you can practice Japanese writing, learn kanji stroke orders, even play Japanese games! ProPad is fun and effective, and no other online Japanese school has it.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
no
Get to know other Japanese learners in our Hiroba™ social forum
Hiroba is our community for Japanese learners and fans. You can meet new friends, set up chats with other Japanese students, get tips for learning Japanese, ask questions, talk with Nihongo-Pro teachers, and more. 100% free!
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
no
24-hour-a-day chat room—free to everyone
Nihongo-Pro offers a 24-hour-a-day video chat room, free to everyone. Practice speaking Japanese with other students and Japanese learners, or simply meet up for free chat.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
question
Reserve lessons up to 30 days in advance
Fit online Japanese lessons into your busy schedule up to 30 days in advance. Other schools may allow reservations only 7 days in advance, or charge extra for 30-day advance booking.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
extra-cost
Trial lesson at no charge
If you’re considering private online Japanese lessons, try before you buy. Meet your new Japanese teacher, discuss what you want to focus on during your online lessons, and then get a taste of your teacher’s lesson content and style. Learn more about private lessons.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
question
Triple protection against missing your lessons
Only Nihongo-Pro makes sure you don't forget a lesson with triple protection:
  • Upcoming lesson reminder emails
  • Late-lesson reminder emails
  • Automatic export of your lesson schedule to calendar apps
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
no
Email privately with your teacher
Nihongo-Pro respects your privacy: No one but your teacher sees your email. All we ask is that you respect your teacher's time.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
question
Lesson tickets good for up to a year (more if you need it)
Lesson tickets are good for 3 to 12 months, depending on how many tickets you buy.
If you need more time, Nihongo-Pro offers low-cost ticket extensions. At other schools, you can lose unused tickets.
Nihongo-Pro
check
Other Schools
no
Free Japanese quizzes—100% free to everyone!
Try free Japanese language quizzes every day at Nihongo-Pro. Nihongo-Pro quizzes work on any PC, smartphone, or tablet, so you can try our free quizzes anywhere.
Try free Japanese quizzes.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
no
Free kanji and kana games
Practice hiragana and katakana, or test your kanji knowledge with free games. Look up animated stroke order, sample words, and other details of over 6,000 kanji with KanjiPal.
Learn more about free kanji games and kana games.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
no
No entry fee
Never pay an introductory or entry fee at Nihongo-Pro.
Nihongo-Pro
free
Other Schools
Up to $90

What kind of teachers are available at Nihongo-Pro?

  • Nihongo-Pro teachers are professional Japanese teachers, trained in teaching Japanese and teaching online.
  • Our careful selection process and paid teacher training ensure your Nihongo-Pro teacher is expertly prepared for your lesson.
  • Many students have taken online lessons from their Nihongo-Pro teachers for years, as they progressed in learning Japanese.
  • Learning Japanese is more than chatting in Japanese. In our private lessons, Nihongo-Pro teachers build lesson plans customized to your goals and learning style.

See all Nihongo-Pro teachers here.

What kind of curriculum is offered at Nihongo-Pro?

Private lessons at Nihongo-Pro are fully customized to your needs and goals, ensuring that you will learn Japanese online as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Whether you are studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), learning business Japanese, focusing on written Japanese, or learning Japanese for fun, Nihongo-Pro teachers tailor your private online Japanese lessons to make your learning fast, efficient, and fun.

Typical Skype Lesson

The student or teacher reads from the textbook.

With no whiteboard for lesson materials, the teacher relies on verbal instruction to direct the student.

Limited learning environment means slower learning.
Nihongo-Pro Lesson

Your Nihongo-Pro teacher presents textbook and custom lesson materials on the whiteboard, guiding you just as if you were in a real classroom.

Custom lessons in a custom classroom make your Japanese learning fast and efficient.

    Enrollment is free. Enroll for online Japanese lessons.

    What do students say about learning Japanese at Nihongo-Pro?

    Our students are our greatest supporters. Many of our students have studied Japanese for years with their Nihongo-Pro teacher, progressing step by step in their Japanese language skill.

    Our students give Nihongo-Pro high marks in these areas:

    • Teacher quality
    • Lesson quality and customization
    • Classroom software
    • Lesson policies

    But don't just take our word for it: Read student testimonials.

    Message from a Nihongo-Pro Student
    I passed the JLPT N3 thanks to Nakano-sensei!
    Hi, my name is Deise Noriko and I have been Nakano sensei’s student since September 2014. I found Nihongo-Pro when I was looking for books to study Japanese and it is the best thing that has happened to my Japanese learning!!

    Since the first contact Steve was very helpful, with prompt reply to my doubts. Then I read some testimonials and asked to have a trial lesson with Nakano sensei. Steve was always assisting me through the process, answering my emails right away.

    The Nihongo-Pro classroom is very good, the whiteboard is a plus helping the understanding of topics. Even with the geographic distance that separates us from the teacher, it is like we are in a real classroom in person.

    I met Nakano sensei in my trial lesson, and liked her from that first contact!! Nakano sensei is very dynamic and cheerful. Her classes are always balanced with conversation, reading, listening. I could even practice my writing skills through the emails that we always exchange, and she even helped me with sakubun-writing!

    Nakano sensei cares a lot about my improvement, noticing my weak points and working on them in a very personalized teaching. She prepares the classes very carefully, trying to explain the topics in a very didatic way. Even in the conversation at the beginning of the class, she makes sure that we always learn new vocabulary, the way it is written and used, and she gives me many examples of different ways I can use it.

    We try to use Japanese as much as possible. My lessons with Nakano sensei are almost all in Japanese, which for sure helps a lot my Japanese skills. After every lesson she sends me review files with the topics that were taught and the new vocabulary. That way, during the class I can focus only on learning without having to rush to take notes because I know she will send it after the class. At the end of each month she sends a report of my monthly progress so I can follow it.

    I passed JLPT N3 in December 2014 with a very good score (my reading and listening were 60/60 with a total grade of 164/180), thanks to Nakano sensei! My Japanese certainly improved a lot in a very noticeable way!

    Moreover, I feel that Nakano sensei is more than a teacher—she is a friend!

    Read More...
    Deise
    (student of Michiko NAKANO)
    Enrollment and Setup FAQs
    Will Nihongo-Pro lessons work on my device?

    The Nihongo-Pro classroom works on any Windows or Macintosh PC, Chromebook, iPad, or Android device with these requirements:

    • Broadband Internet connection (1 Mb/s download, 0.5 Mb/s upload)
    • Headset is recommended
    • Webcam is optional, but highly recommended
    • iPhone is not supported
    Do I need a web cam?

    No, web cams are optional (but highly recommended) for students. All Nihongo-Pro teachers use a web cam.

    What forms of payment can I use?

    Nihongo-Pro accepts PayPal payments, wire transfers, Western Union transfers, checks drawn on a U.S. bank, and money orders.

    For quickest service, we recommend PayPal, where a variety of options are available:

    • Credit card (no PayPal account is required)
    • Electronic transfer from your bank account (verified PayPal account is required)
    • E-check (verified PayPal account is required, and takes up to 5 business days to clear)

    In the case of wire transfers outside of PayPal, you are responsible for transaction fees. To pay by check, checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Money orders must be in U.S. dollars.

    For wire transfer, Western Union transfers, or checks, please contact Nihongo-Pro support for payment details.

    Private Lessons FAQs
    Can I choose my private-lesson teacher?

    Yes. If you have a preferred teacher, let us know when you complete the enrollment form for private lessons.

    Or, let us do the work for you. We will match you with one of our experienced Japanese teachers based on your level, goals, and desired lesson times. Your assigned teacher will prepare a customized curriculum for your online lessons, and will instruct all of your private lessons.

    If you need more flexibility in private lessons, you can take lessons from two or more teachers, who will work together to prepare a coordinated lesson plan to meet your Japanese language goals.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    Do I need to reserve my private lesson?

    Yes, all Nihongo-Pro lessons require a reservation.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    How much do private lessons cost?

    Each 50-minute private lesson is US $28 to $35 (depending on how many tickets you buy). You can purchase any number of tickets, from 1 to 100.

    Tickets are good for 3 to 12 months from the date of purchase, depending on the number of tickets you buy. After that, if you need more time, you can buy a low-cost extension for unused tickets.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    What is the deadline for reserving a private lesson?

    The reservation deadline depends on your teacher, and varies from 24 to 48 hours before class.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    Can I cancel a private-lesson reservation?

    You can cancel a private-lesson reservation until 24 hours before lesson time. After that, the reservation cannot be cancelled.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    Can I get a refund for a private lesson I missed?

    No, we cannot refund a lesson ticket after the cancellation deadline (24 hours before class), even if you could not take the lesson for reasons beyond your control.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    What textbooks are used in private lessons?

    Our private lessons are customized for each student, so a variety of textbooks are used. You and your teacher will decide which textbook to use during your trial lesson.

    Learn more about private lessons.

    How do I order textbooks?

    We recommend Amazon.co.jp.

    As of January 1, 2019, Amazon.co.jp does not ship to Switzerland, due to Swiss VAT tax changes. For shipment to Switzerland, please try Roellin Books (large selection of Japanese books), or one of Amazon's EU-based sites (Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es, or Amazon.co.uk).

    Amazon.co.jp, Japan’s Amazon, offers virtually any Japanese book at reasonable prices, and ships books worldwide at low rates. Points to keep in mind:

    • Amazon.co.jp is one of several Amazon sites; each site (Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.co.jp, etc.) operates separately, and your account at each site is separate.
    • Amazon Prime offered at one Amazon site cannot be used at the other sites. Also, Amazon Prime cannot be used for international shipments.
    • Used books are available at Amazon.co.jp from third-party sellers; however, most sellers do not ship outside Japan.

    If you live outside Japan, here’s how to order a book from Amazon.co.jp:

    1. Open the Amazon.co.jp URL your teacher sent you.
      • Many popular Japanese textbooks are series with many different books. Please use the URL your teacher sent you to make sure you get the right book.
    2. If the page is in Japanese, click “Would you like to see this page in English? Click here.” Most of the page content will switch to English.
    3. Click “Add to Cart”.
    4. Click “Proceed to Checkout”. If a message regarding Amazon Prime appears, click “No Thanks”. Amazon Prime cannot be used for shipments outside of Japan.
    5. Next, register with Amazon.co.jp. Enter your email address and choose “I am a new customer”. Click “Sign in using our secure server”.
    6. Enter your name, email address (again), and choose a password. In the “Name Pronunciation” box, enter your name again. Click Continue.
    7. On the shipping address page, click “Add an international address”, and then enter your address.
    8. The “Choose your shipping options” page will appear. For international shipments (most countries), AmazonGlobal Priority Shipping is the only option. Click Continue.
    9. On the “Select a payment method” page, click “Add a card”, and enter your credit card details. Click Continue to get to the final order review page.
      • The only payment method available outside Japan is a credit card. Making payment at convenience stores is available only inside Japan.
      • US customers: You can pay in dollars or yen. If you pay in yen, your credit card company may charge a foreign transaction fee. The fee can be 5% or more, so buying in dollars is usually a better deal.
    10. Review the order details, click “Place your order”, and you’re done. Depending on where you live, the order should arrive 3 to 7 days after the shipping date. For more info, please visit Amazon.co.jp International Shipping.

    If you need help finding or ordering a textbook, please contact Nihongo-Pro support.

    Classroom Troubleshooting FAQs
    Can I make the whiteboard larger?

    If you can't see the whole slide during your lesson, there are several ways to make the whiteboard larger, as shown below.

    Make whiteboard larger
    How do I login to the classroom for my lesson?

    Each teacher has his or her own classroom. All lessons (except trial lessons) are held in that classroom.

    At your lesson time, login to Nihongo-Pro as usual (click "Login" on the menu, or login here). A link to your teacher's classroom will appear five minutes before your lesson starts. Click the link to enter the classroom.

    If the link does not appear, please login as usual, choose "All Classrooms" from the "Classrooms" menu, and click your teacher's classroom link.

    How do I set up my computer for Japanese text?

    Most computers can display Japanese without any special setup. Follow these instructions to set up your computer so you can enter Japanese text, too. No special equipment (Japanese keyboard, etc.) is needed.

    The whiteboard won't scroll down during my lesson. (Mac only)

    To make the scrollbar visible, follow these steps:

    1. Open System Preferences.
    2. Click General.
    3. In the Show scroll bars section, click Always. (See picture below.)
    Mac scrollbar setting
    I cannot log in to the Nihongo-Pro classroom.
    • Be sure you have completed the classroom setup.
    • Double-check your anti-virus software. Some programs interfere with the classroom.
    The sound breaks up in the classroom.

    Your Internet connection may be slow or having problems.

    • Make sure any other windows that use the Internet are closed.
    • Inside the classroom, try these steps:
      Turn off your camera.
      Turn off your video reception.
    • Run these Internet connection tests.
    My teacher hears echoes when I talk.

    The problem is likely your microphone.

    • Check your headset batteries (if any).
    • Turn off sound mixers from your computer’s sound control panel.
    • Turn off extra microphones.
    • Lower your microphone volume.
    • If your webcam or computer has a built-in microphone, try using it instead of your headset’s microphone.
    • Use a noise-canceling headset (a headset with a built-in noise-canceling microphone) for the best sound quality.
    I cannot hear anything in the Nihongo-Pro classroom.
    • Make sure the volume (if any) on your headset is turned up.
    • Check that the headset is plugged in and the batteries are good (if any).
    • Check that your computer’s sound is not muted.
    • Log out of the classroom, and log in again.
    I can't see any video in the classroom. (iPadOS 15 only)

    If you are using iPadOS 15 (the new version released September 2021), please make the following change to your Safari settings:

    1. Open Settings.
    2. Tap Safari on the left side.
    3. Scroll down on the right side and tap Advanced.
    4. Tap Experimental Features on the right side.
    5. Find WebRTC Platform UDP Sockets on the right side, and turn it off.
      Don't change WebRTC Platform TCP Sockets.
    6. IMPORTANT! Force-quit Safari. The new settings take effect the next time Safari starts.