Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🌆 How can I master Japanese in Toronto and what are my options in terms of commitment?
Besides self-study with recorded courses, you have 4 primary options for learning Japanese interactively in Toronto. First, universities and community colleges are an especially good idea for in-state residents. Also, check centers for continuing education and professional studies (they are less pricey.) Your 2nd possibility can be local specialized language academies that are cheaper and flexible in schedule and requirements. Third, non-profit learning centers usually offer cheaper group and more expensive in-person courses. Fourth, you can find a private Japanese tutor in Toronto. If flexibility is key, you can compare local Toronto and online Japanese tutors.
🎟 Is it affordable to learn Japanese and what does a lesson with a tutor of Japanese cost?
For university and college courses you can estimate Japanese course cost by dividing annual tuition by 10 (one course is usually 3 out of 30 credit hours offered) to get the price of 1/2 of a hundred lesson hours each semester. Language academies and private Japanese tutors charge $30-55 per hourly group lesson, with private classes starting around $50 or more. Some of the better priced Japanese tutors can be found online, with prices on Preply averaging 19 and tutor rates varying widely based on tutor location, positive reviews and student demand. Average reviews for Japanese lessons on Preply is 4.96 out of 5 stars.
📚 How much Japanese do I need to know to sign up for a course?
When considering college and learning center classes be prepared pass a few pre-requisites. 'Canned' classes vary widely in terms of textbook quality, homework load and testing, so research those in advance. With personal Japanese tutors you can find reviews for whom the tutor is effective with and which other extras they make available (like teaching children or teens, etc.) For maximum flexibility, choose a tutor from those who are teaching online.
🔥 Why is Japanese so difficult and are there ways to learn it the easy way?
One-size-fits-all language instruction practiced in schools is not the most effective way to learn Japanese. As proven by others before, you can gain basic Japanese fluency in 300 hours from zero knowledge. Studying and getting feedback 5 hours a week you will be able to understand common sentences, have simple conversations, do most everyday tasks in about a year. Finding native speakers is not a practical option for everyone, so online classes are a ready and easy way of acquiring the basic knowledge of Japanese. After acquiring basic skills, online marketplaces like Preply have Japanese tutors who specialize in intensive classes for intermediate and advanced speakers.
🤷 How long does it take to achieve a good level of Japanese?
Some people seem to have a natural ability and learn languages quickly, but for most to go beyond the basics and gain working fluency in Japanese will take at least 600 hours of practice. The length of time can differ significantly depending on your existing level of Japanese or knowledge of other languages in the same group. After alphabet and basic reading it is a good idea to use the language as often as possible: watch videos, start a journal or write posts and comments using your new language skills, try to communicate with native speakers to speak with, try more ways to think and speak in Japanese out loud. If it's more difficult than you had imagined you can also take conversational Japanese classes online.
🤳 How many possibilities do I choose among when I select the right Japanese teacher?
In language learning academies, there's a likelyhood you could choose your own tutor (from up to a dozen teachers). Online, certainly! The largest selection of pre-screened Japanese tutors with detailed profiles and customer reviews is available on online language learning 'supermarkets' like Preply.
🗓 What's the lesson schedule like?
Colleges as a rule run classes two times weekly over a semester (75-day period). Language schools as a rule offer shorter, 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week course sessions. Online, you can choose your own lesson frequency and time, on weekdays and/or weekends.