So since I started learning Japanese this year I have switched Italki teachers many times. I have had around 6 now and tried a lot more. I changed from community teachers to professional teachers because they could explain grammar better and knew what they were doing. I wasted time on not understanding concepts from cheaper teachers (I’m quite dumb). I also only see teachers with good English so they can explain well, and teachers with high lesson to student ratios.
So I’ve been seeing a teacher whos quite good at explaining for a few months. But i’ve had to book many lessons with her a week because she moves quite slow. We cover 0-2 grammar points per lesson(usually 1). We usually practice the point a and do some reading which is good. She notes the important things down in google docs which I love because I can review. She is a good teacher at a cheaper price than a lot of other professional ones.
I was bored of her lessons and annoyed by her going slow so literally went through all the professional teachers on Italki within a specific price range. I tried a few and I found a comparable one that’s not too much more expensive. Some were almost double her price.
This new teacher explained んです/のです well which I had struggled to understand even from my good teacher. She also requested me to say things in different ways, hinting how to correct myself and explaining when I couldn’t. This has continued for several lessons and my speaking is much more correct. My older teacherdidn’t do this. I feel I will speak much better with her and will be able to notice grammatical mistakes instead of just recognizing the grammar when I see it.
I also noticed my last teacher hadn’t comprehensively explained a couple of grammar points to me as I made mistakes when tested. This new teacher is like 1.5 times more expensive than the old one although we do move at a quicker pace so some of the extra price is offset by that value. However my old teacher read and watched natural Japanese content with me and helped translate what I didn’t know. I don’t really need that for now but it was fun, and I don’t know if the new teacher will do anything similar when I reach high intermediate level or advanced level. I’m afraid of losing some good points if I switch.
1 comment
I think you’re bringing up some good points.
Everyone’s criteria is going to be different, but for me:
Experience and certifications. A teacher who has worked for a long time and/or has a teaching certification is going to be worth the price.
A teacher who moves at a good pace is also key. It’s one thing to be thorough, but quite another to drag things out. As a tutor myself, 1-2 points in an hour is perfect. Granted, some points are quite quick and easy, while others might need multiple sessions.
Depending on your budget, you can have two tutors. One can help with reading and correction, the other can help you with speaking. I’d do that if I had the time.