I want to begin to teach Japanese in private lessons , and I am trying to find out what kind of learners or most common level I can expect and prepare more resource for. Thanks =}
I started with a tutor right away (The first time I started to learn) and I stopped because of time and money constraints. I’ve picked up learning again over the last few months and feel like I’m at a point where having a tutor would be beneficial.
Having said that, a lot of the tutors I’ve come across when looking around say they teach all the way from beginner level through to advanced, so I’d play it safe and have resources prepared for a variety of levels.
Do you mind me asking how much you will be charging and what times you’ll be teaching?
Expect absolute beginners for most of the time. If you’re in Japan you can expect more advanced students
Get one from the start, there are soo many dumb errors that I still do and wish I had a tutor from the start.
I am a tutor and I’ve used tutoring in the past, particularly for conversation skills. Any time is a good time for tutoring. As a beginner it helps give you support, as an advanced student it helps you maintain your level or get the finer points.
As an independent tutor, I’m pretty flexible to do as I want or as needed. I don’t have to use a particular resource or do lessons in such-and-such a way.
As some advice to you, be very specific about what you want. It’s you’re time and your money. If you want conversation, make that clear. If you need help with grammar, do that. If it’s homework support, definitely. DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS OR REQUEST FURTHER EXPLANATION.
Be clear about who is leading the session. Are they creating a curriculum for you? If that’s the case, you just need to go with the flow.
Are you bringing what you want to work on to them? Have an idea of what you need to work on, triage it and bring relevant materials. “I have a Japanese test coming up on Friday. I need most help for the writing prompts – the teacher gave use two choices. Next, I want to clarify the ことがあります grammar point. If we have time, can we cover these three kanji?” (Your tutor may want to cover the smaller fry first).
Explain your thought process and where you’re stuck: “So ことがあります means “I have done X,” but もう〜しました means the same thing. What’s the difference? Can I say もう日本に行きました to say I’ve been to Japan? Can I say 宿題したことがあります to say I’ve done the homework?”
Don’t be afraid to use trial periods (if offered) to get a good match. Sometimes there are personality clashes. Sometimes how we learn and how someone teaches don’t quite match up. That’s fair! You’re not enrolled in a school with a teacher for a year.
I did after self-study for a couple years
IDK what is the best way but you asked so …
I started after University—got up to 302, but then took a long break for grad school. One of my tutors was surprised I could speak at all, so it seems that very new learners are very commons
I think a tutor is a wonderful investment that can be helpful from any stage of learning! I started using one at around N3-N2 level (she helped me study for N2 and onto N1), stopped after changing jobs, and currently use a different tutor for just light conversation practice to brush up on my weak points. In Japan the rates are so reasonable; around 2,000 yen per hour, is a common price, thoug I’m not sure about in other countries.
Edit: my bad, you’re meaning yourself as the tutor! I thought you were asking as a student, when is a good level to get a tutor. Sorry
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I started with a tutor right away (The first time I started to learn) and I stopped because of time and money constraints. I’ve picked up learning again over the last few months and feel like I’m at a point where having a tutor would be beneficial.
Having said that, a lot of the tutors I’ve come across when looking around say they teach all the way from beginner level through to advanced, so I’d play it safe and have resources prepared for a variety of levels.
Do you mind me asking how much you will be charging and what times you’ll be teaching?
Expect absolute beginners for most of the time. If you’re in Japan you can expect more advanced students
Get one from the start, there are soo many dumb errors that I still do and wish I had a tutor from the start.
I am a tutor and I’ve used tutoring in the past, particularly for conversation skills. Any time is a good time for tutoring. As a beginner it helps give you support, as an advanced student it helps you maintain your level or get the finer points.
As an independent tutor, I’m pretty flexible to do as I want or as needed. I don’t have to use a particular resource or do lessons in such-and-such a way.
As some advice to you, be very specific about what you want. It’s you’re time and your money. If you want conversation, make that clear. If you need help with grammar, do that. If it’s homework support, definitely. DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS OR REQUEST FURTHER EXPLANATION.
Be clear about who is leading the session. Are they creating a curriculum for you? If that’s the case, you just need to go with the flow.
Are you bringing what you want to work on to them? Have an idea of what you need to work on, triage it and bring relevant materials. “I have a Japanese test coming up on Friday. I need most help for the writing prompts – the teacher gave use two choices. Next, I want to clarify the ことがあります grammar point. If we have time, can we cover these three kanji?” (Your tutor may want to cover the smaller fry first).
Explain your thought process and where you’re stuck: “So ことがあります means “I have done X,” but もう〜しました means the same thing. What’s the difference? Can I say もう日本に行きました to say I’ve been to Japan? Can I say 宿題したことがあります to say I’ve done the homework?”
Don’t be afraid to use trial periods (if offered) to get a good match. Sometimes there are personality clashes. Sometimes how we learn and how someone teaches don’t quite match up. That’s fair! You’re not enrolled in a school with a teacher for a year.
I did after self-study for a couple years
IDK what is the best way but you asked so …
I started after University—got up to 302, but then took a long break for grad school. One of my tutors was surprised I could speak at all, so it seems that very new learners are very commons
I think a tutor is a wonderful investment that can be helpful from any stage of learning! I started using one at around N3-N2 level (she helped me study for N2 and onto N1), stopped after changing jobs, and currently use a different tutor for just light conversation practice to brush up on my weak points. In Japan the rates are so reasonable; around 2,000 yen per hour, is a common price, thoug I’m not sure about in other countries.
Edit: my bad, you’re meaning yourself as the tutor! I thought you were asking as a student, when is a good level to get a tutor. Sorry