Award-Winning Japanese Tutors serving Portland, OR

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Award-Winning Japanese Tutors serving Portland, OR

Andrew

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Andrew

Bachelor in Arts, Asian Studies
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
College Essays
Literature

I am open to helping students practice speaking, reading, and writing without any judgment. I am open to helping you learn Chinese or Japanese no matter where you are in the learning process.

Education

Pomona College

Bachelor in Arts, Asian Studies

Test Scores
ACT
33
Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jai

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Jai

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jai's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Electrical Engineering
ACT Writing

I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1590
ACT
35
Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Rhea

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Rhea's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36
Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Sharon

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Sharon

Master of Science, Journalism
Sharon's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classro...

Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Master of Science, Journalism

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Matthew

Certified Tutor

Matthew

Bachelors in Human Biology (concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science)
Matthew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer i...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Human Biology (concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science)

Test Scores
SAT
1510
Tiffany

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Tiffany

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Tiffany's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting

University of Chicago

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
31

Frequently Asked Questions

Fluency in Japanese requires significant commitment—the U.S. Foreign Service Institute estimates around 2,200 hours of study to reach professional proficiency for English speakers. However, with personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you can accelerate progress by focusing on your specific goals, whether that's conversational ability, business Japanese, or exam preparation. Most students see meaningful progress in speaking and listening within 3-6 months of consistent tutoring.

Speaking is often the most challenging skill to develop in a classroom setting, where students may have limited opportunities to practice conversation. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction provides dedicated speaking time with an expert tutor who can correct pronunciation, help you navigate natural speech patterns, and build confidence in real-world conversations. This direct feedback loop is essential for developing authentic accent and fluency that classroom instruction alone cannot provide.

Japanese verb conjugation is one of the most common stumbling blocks for learners because the system is complex and requires understanding both grammar rules and contextual usage. A tutor can break down conjugation patterns systematically, show you how they function in real sentences, and provide targeted practice with immediate feedback. Spaced repetition and retrieval practice—reviewing conjugations at strategic intervals—significantly improve retention and automatic recall.

Kanji mastery requires a strategic approach: learning radicals (components), understanding on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, and practicing characters in context rather than isolation. A tutor can help you prioritize which kanji and vocabulary to focus on based on your goals—whether that's JLPT preparation, business communication, or general fluency. Consistent, spaced practice combined with real-world usage makes retention far more effective than memorization alone.

Japanese language is deeply tied to culture—honorifics, formality levels, and communication styles reflect social relationships and context in ways that pure grammar study cannot explain. Expert tutors can teach you not just the language, but the cultural reasoning behind it, helping you understand when to use formal versus casual speech and how to navigate social situations authentically. This cultural fluency is what transforms language learners into confident communicators.

Your first session is an opportunity for a tutor to understand your current level, learning goals, and preferred learning style. Whether you're a complete beginner, preparing for the JLPT, or looking to improve conversational skills, the tutor will assess where you are and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs. This foundation ensures that every subsequent session builds effectively toward your specific objectives.

Yes—one of the biggest advantages of personalized instruction is real-time feedback on pronunciation and accent. Tutors can identify specific sounds that differ from English, explain the mouth positioning and intonation patterns of Japanese, and provide corrective guidance that's impossible to get from apps or self-study. Consistent practice with expert feedback builds muscle memory and helps you develop a natural-sounding accent.

Whether you're targeting JLPT levels N5 through N1, AP Japanese, or school-based assessments, a tutor can structure your preparation around the specific skills and content each exam requires. They'll help you understand test formats, build exam-specific vocabulary and grammar, practice timed sections, and develop test-taking strategies. Personalized tutoring is far more efficient than generic test prep because it addresses your individual weak points.

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