I chose John because of his impressive credentials, but as impressive is his true dedication and care for his students. Not only does John know his stuff (and has a wonderful ability to break down difficult grammar points), but he is supportive, patient, incredibly encouraging, and one of the most compassionate instructors I have ever encountered. His love of the language and passion for Japanese culture means that he goes the extra mile for his students. Planning to take the JLPT? John Sensei will ensure that you get registered in time and will not just prep you for the content of the test, but ensure that you enter the test room nourished, hydrated, and ready to handle any emergency. Visiting Japan? John will help you itinerary plan, prep your lessons to ensure you have the right phrases for situations, prepare printable (and super kawaii) allergy cards to show waiters (should you have a food intolerance), and give you his LINE info so that you can contact him any time for language assistance while you're traveling. As importantly, John tutors as a career. This isn't a side gig or something he does until something better comes along, so he is organized, focused, and will (thankfully) be available to support your language journey for years to come. My Japanese has improved immensely while studying with John and I'm excited that I'll be on this long journey to Japanese proficiency with him at my side.

— Melissa P (Seattle, WA) 76 lessons

I started taking lessons from John about two years ago and it was such a great decision for my language learning journey! I feel as though I have made so much progress in learning the language and I was exposed to so much new vocabulary and grammar. John's lessons allow you to build all the skills you need to be experienced at Japanese, such as listening, reading, and communication. I had to meet with the Japanese advisor at my college for a placement test and was told that my reading comprehension was impressive, and it's all because of these lessons. Not only that, there were many times where I had to cancel, reschedule, or change the time of our lessons, and, every time, John was very kind and accommodating. Overall, I think it is a very good idea to take lessons from John because they are so fun and you will be able to learn a lot more Japanese!

Robert H (Houston, TX) 103 lessons

After only one lesson I already feel far more confident about my Japanese. Particles actually make sense now. I only wish I had contacted John for help earlier in the semester because I'm pretty sure that instead of playing catch-up I'd have a couple of letter grades higher and a lot less anxiety. John is great for students with dyslexia like me, and not just aware of the fact that people have different learning styles, but able to put that understanding into practice by suggesting lots of different ways to study and practice that are appropriate and advantageous for different types of learners. I was thrilled to actually understand my homework from school when I actually looked back at it after our lesson. My past experiences with tutors made me apprehensive and skeptical about working with a tutor again because I've had tutors who were kind of patronizing or would easily lose patience and make me feel bad when I made an error. I am happy to say that does not describe John. He is patient and supportive and, for a student like me who does better with the carrot than the stick, he is exactly the kind of tutor I need and the kind of tutor who makes me want to better next time. I gave in to my parents' urging to try a tutor when Japanese was no longer fun for me and was becoming a chore and another thing adding to my anxiety and I'm so glad that I did, or rather, I'm glad that I turned to John for help. This review will probably backfire on me and make John even more popular, but he deserves it. He's worth every penny and then some.

Julia B (Seattle, WA) 18 lessons

I am an older student, taking Japanese for travel and to have some basic knowledge and reading. I came to John later in my one year journey, since I planned to try the N5 exam. He really knows the needs of learners that are interested in formal study, and we had great time together. I looked forward to each class, even though Japanese is challenging. I felt prepared for the exam.

— Richard G (Dayton, OH) 43 lessons

John Sensei has been tutoring my son for Japanese for a month. My son’s attitude toward learning Japanese has changed from “lacking interest” to “it is a great class”. In addition, John sensei has also tutored my husband for Japanese, preparing him for the Japanese test. And my husband enjoys John Sensei’s lesson.

Shin S (Bellevue, WA) 28 lessons

I am currently taking Japanese courses at Harvard and applying for a fellowship in Japan, tutoring with John Sensei has set me up for success as he provides constant encouragement and an array of study techniques and resources. He is also very knowledgeable about Japanese customs and norms, which is helpful in understanding the correct formality when speaking to a native Japanese speaker.

Braden B (Washington, DC) 36 lessons

I've only just begun with John, but I can safely say he is a one of a kind tutor. His knowledge, teaching skills and patience are unbeatable. He creates a safe place for you when learning and makes it a lot of fun. I'm always excited for our next session. I will be continuing my lessons with him for a long time.

Mike H (New York, NY) 164 lessons

John is a great tutor. I've been seeing him for a year and a half now. I started with a different tutor and switched to John later on. And boy am I glad I did. I was doing a lot of learning on my own, but I truly believe switching to John is what really made the difference in me learning Japanese. He is always prepared for lessons with powerpoints and other helpful tips. I can't believe I'm almost finished with the first textbook when 2 years ago that seemed so daunting. He's also just super friendly, easy to get along with and really encouraging. I look forward to our weekly lesson!

Marissa G (Arlington, VA) 189 lessons

My 12 year old son loves John finds him very knowledgeable! He says that his curriculum is amazing. He loves being able to talk to him and get direct feedback. He had been learning these languages on his own for a while through books and apps but finds the tutoring by John to be much much better. We will continue on with John for a long time I am sure!

Kim F (Freehold, NJ) 12 lessons

John helped my son with his homework and gave him the confidence he needs to continue with something that takes practice, dedication and resilience. He now has someone he can use to assist him when he runs into road blocks. So thankful for John.

Misty C. (Alexandria, VA) 66 lessons

John adapts to learning pace and material that the student wishes to go over. I happen to learn very quickly, and John had no problem zooming through material at the rate that kept me stimulated. He also let me essentially lead the direction of the content we went over. This is great, because I have a specific idea of what I want to learn before I go on my trip to Japan, and so John helped me figure out the Japanese phrases and vocabulary I need to know before I go and began to teach me the important things like sentence structures most commonly used in Japan, how to order sushi there, and more.

Daniel W (Glendale, CA) 6 lessons

Mr. John taught me the parts of Japanese I from the Genki handbook that I had missed when I had to withdraw from a class. We did the workbook from the end of chapter 3 and all of chapter 4. John was very encouraging, kind, and patient. He was very knowledgeable and could answer any question I asked him in full detail. He made sure I understood previous concepts before moving on, so it felt like it was perfectly paced. In addition, I had many times where I was grumpy or frustrated, prior to and during the lesson, but he never once acted bothered by it and was very patient and kind to me regardless. By the end of our tutoring sessions, I had an exam that was required for me to move into Japanese II. I passed the exam, and the class, with an A. I'm very happy with John's service and would definitely recommend him to those looking for a Japanese tutor.

Jesse M (Allen, TX) 11 lessons

My college senior son needed to pass Japanese in order to graduate and receive his degree, but for a variety of (complicated) reasons his 3rd and final quarter of Japanese had been delayed, putting him in the difficult position of needing to catch up after a hiatus. John's tutoring proved to be absolutely indispensable in shepherding him through that final term. He focused on the important matters and was patient and helpful at every step, and my son was able to pass the class and graduate. Highly recommended!

William C (Seattle, WA) 23 lessons

In grammar exercises and practice, John Sensei provides practical usage in sentences helping to pull together grammar rules, reading and writing. He helps me correctly pronounce words and allows me to hear vocabulary and grammar properly used at the sentence level.

Tifinie L (Owasso, OK) 207 lessons

What a GEM! Patient and knows his stuff. So much fun learning Japanese. Can't wait for next class. Punctual and great communication! Finally found what I was looking for. Thank you again.

Niko C (Dana Point, CA) 31 lessons

John is super awesome, his classes are always paced well. He is patient and willing to review as many times as needed. He is helping me with my japanese class and since I started with tutoring there has been a noticeable change in my grades, he is the reason i'm going to pass the class.

Christopher Z (Evanston, IL) 18 lessons

John is the epitome of what a teacher/tutor should be! He's knowledgeable, patient, helpful, encouraging, and makes the material easy to understand. It's amazing the progress I've seen in my comprehension and it's thanks to him. If you're looking for quality with excellence then contact him... but don't take my time slot lol... Kidding aside, you don't need to look any further :)

Michelle W (Glendale, CA)

John is teaching me Japanese. He's really patient with me when I'm trying to remember things. It takes me a bit sometimes to respond and he never rushes me. I am also a student who gets bored if things are too easy, but can also get frustrated if I don't feel successful. John challenges me just enough to make me feel like I am really successful in learning, without feeling like I am always failing. John changes his lessons to fit each student, and is really helpful whenever I have questions.

Jennifer I (Ypsilanti, MI) 43 lessons

John makes an effort to connect with his students and adapts his teaching to the level and pace appropriate for each student. He challenges students and keeps the learning fun! Overall, John is an excellent tutor and we are very pleased with his teaching!

Jen M (Vernon Rockville, CT) 36 lessons

John is very patient and encouraging in helping me pursue my interest in learning Japanese. He is very knowledgeable and clear in his explanations so I always understand the lesson. He is very friendly and makes the lesson enjoyable. I can get discouraged learning a new language, but John is always encouraging and supportive which has been so important for me to make progress.

Barbara L (Santa Cruz, CA) 12 lessons

John has been a great instructor. He is patient and very understanding. I have never learned another language and while Japanese is not easy, John is making the lessons as new friendly as possible and always has an answer to any questions I have. He uses the GENKI book and is able to explain what the book is trying to teach in a way that is easy to understand while still going to the depth needed for actually learning the language not just memorizing words.

Josh K (Hurst, TX) 23 lessons

Explains things clearly and adds nuances not shown by the textbook. Always open to any and all questions and answers them clearly and effectively. Also has a cat, cats are a plus.

Darren W (Stevens, PA) 27 lessons

John makes my son very engaged in learning and lessons are always very interactive. My son wants one every day and always looking forward to it. Thank you John!

Alexandra S (New York NY) 19 lessons

John is an extraordinary teacher. He knows a lot about Japanese and organizes the class very well. He also personalizes the class to your particular needs and makes sure the learning experience is fulfilling and fun! I highly recommend him!!

Catherine H (San Francisco, CA) 27 lessons

John made everything very clear to me while we went through all the grammar I used to learn at school and patiently waited for me answering the questions on the test. It was great!

Olga U (New York, NY) 3 lessons

I am not great at learning languages, but John is incredibly friendly and patient, and is even responsive to questions in between sessions. Couldn't ask for better!

Evan S (Boca Raton, FL) 9 lessons

I really enjoyed my first lesson with John. I got through a few chapters of my textbook by myself but I really felt like I needed another person to work with. John reviewed the first few chapters with me and gave great feedback. We then focused on the last chapter I had been working with; verbs. Also, I haven't done really any speaking up to this point and he was very patient and understanding. Overall, we were able to figure out what I need to review and what I should focus on next and what we're going to do next time. Now I can't wait for my lesson every week and in between I have a much clearer understanding of how to progress forward!

Jake U (Salem, CT) 98 lessons

We will be doing Mannnny more lessons with John! He's patient, kind, and my daughter picked up quickly! He isn't charging an arm and a leg at the same time! My daughter took notes and was so excited when she was finished with her lesson that she had to make sure she had her notes in her backpack to show her friends at school tomorrow!

Mary Rose K (Denton, TX) 5 lessons

I signed up for tutoring because I was nervous about speaking in Japanese. John has helped me to practice vocabulary and grammar concepts and I feel a lot more confident now! He always answers questions outside of tutoring sessions quickly and is very kind about correcting any mistakes I make during our actual lessons. He's a very friendly person and a pleasure to work with!

Maria M (Marlton, NJ) 8 lessons

I am studying the Japanese language with John. In just an month, I feel much more comfortable with the grammar and vocabulary. I like that he is very adaptable and ready to change his teaching style for the specific needs of each student. He is very patient and wants his students to take the time to understand the topics before they move on. I really appreciate all the help that he is giving me.

Peter R (Westborough, MA) 33 lessons

John is super patient and kind. He works at a good pace and goes out of his way to make sure it's comfortable, and tailored to your abilities. So far, we've reviewed things I've previously learned, and added upon that which is perfect, as I need to solidify my pre existing knowledge, and working on slowly adding to this foundation is important so I can retain and utilize the information, which is something I struggle with. John is awesome though.

Nick B (Middletown, CT) 32 lessons

John was a delight! He broke down the lesson with pictures and was patient with me. He was encouraging and kind and I look forward to our next lessons.he gave me some great resources to check out. I’ve already learned so much.

Tate S (Dallas, TX) 8 lessons

Very patient and gives a lot of much needed encouragement! Understands the subject matter very well and would highly recommend!

Kyle W (Seattle, WA) 67 lessons

John is helping a senior get through Advanced Japanese. He is always encouraging, offers alternative ideas and resources to study, and provides helpful updates on progress. We are very grateful to have found John this year.

Callie C (Edmonds, WA) 21 lessons

先生、ありがとうございます Great teacher, patient, and always answers my questions no matter what. Strong recommendation for anyone wanting to learn Japanese!

Justin K (Kirkland, WA) 110 lessons

John is a wonderful Japanese teacher! I have been taking lessons from him for a couple of months now, and have really enjoyed them and been able to learn Japanese very well and much faster than I expected! The lessons are very engaging and he explains all the concepts very well!

John P (Memphis, TN) 105 lessons

Honestly, everything about John is terrific. He mainly helped me with grammar and sentence structure. As a beginner, I fully understood everything he taught me. John is patient, kind, and humble. Definitely will work with John again!

Fuchun Z (China) 12 lessons

Very flexible and gives you options to start off. No judgement with him where you are in learning. Very friendly and easy to talk to. Would highly recommend him!

Jeremy B (Beverly Hills, CA) 3 lessons

My first meeting with John was great. We discussed my long term goal and set some reason short term goals as well to keep the motivation high. During our lesson he was patient, encouraging, gave useful feedback and had great memorization hacks. I am excited to continue lessons with him.

Robert D, (Los Angeles, CA) 12 lessons

John is a great amalgamation of patience, knowledge, and ability! He always makes sure that the pace you're going at is right for you, and that you're getting the absolute most out of the time you have! I highly recommend contacting John for lessons!

Doi P (Los Angeles, CA) 214 lessons

John is a great tutor. He is patient and knowledgeable. He provides helpful methods and is encouraging. I'm so glad I happened to find him to prepare for a trip to Japan. I was very discouraged at first but when I found John I knew everything would be okay. I would highly recommend him to a student of any level.

Joan G (Sandy Hook, CT)

My wife and I were travelling to Japan and wanted to learn a bit of the language to help us get around. John taught us the basics of grammar, numbers, and common phrases we would need to get around. He was incredibly polite, respectful and encouraging. It was so fun!! We might continue with lessons after we return!

Ajay B (Los Angeles, CA) 4 lessons

John was a great tutor. The fact that he is a native English speaker also went a long way in being able to understand what it was I was misunderstanding. Not always something easy to explain to native Japanese speakers unless they have very extensive English experience.

Kristian C (Camp Lejeune, NC) 1 lesson

He's helping my son with speaking and writing. It has changed his afternoons and his life. Wonderful to see his dedication and progress. So Happy. :) It's what he looks forward to all week - the best gift I could give.

Melissa W (Clarksville TN) 43 lessons

John just started tutoring my high school son who struggled with his first year of Japanese . After just the first session, John was able to get him engaged and committed to making progress with his Japanese. Great tutor.

Mandy L (Richmond, NY) 44 lessons

Testimonials