Every app can teach you vocabulary. Every app can give you grammar exercises. But none of them can tell you when you sound like a foreigner โ or help you have a real conversation that isn’t scripted.
That’s what Preply does.
I’m a native Japanese speaker, and I spent 8 weeks testing Preply’s Japanese tutors โ evaluating tutor quality, lesson structures, and whether the platform actually helps learners reach conversational ability faster than apps alone.
What Is Preply?
Preply is an online tutoring marketplace connecting students with private teachers via video call. For Japanese, the platform has hundreds of tutors ranging from university professors to native speakers who teach conversationally.
The basics:
- 1-on-1 video lessons (25 min or 50 min options)
- Real-time speaking and feedback
- Tutor selection based on specialty, schedule, and price
- First lesson discount available
- Price range: $8-$80/hr depending on tutor
How the Tutor Marketplace Works
Unlike structured apps, Preply puts you in charge of finding the right teacher. You can filter by:
- Price per hour
- Native speaker or near-native
- Specialty (anime Japanese, JLPT prep, business Japanese, conversation)
- Schedule availability
- Community ratings and reviews
My testing process: I booked lessons with 8 different Japanese tutors at varying price points, specifically requesting:
- Lessons focused on anime/casual Japanese
- JLPT N3 preparation
- Business/formal Japanese conversation
Tutor Quality: The Real Picture
This is the most important question, and the honest answer is: tutor quality varies significantly.
The best tutors I worked with:
- Adapted lessons immediately to my level and goals
- Corrected pronunciation errors in real-time with explanation
- Knew anime-specific vocabulary and could explain register differences
- Provided structured homework between sessions
The less effective tutors:
- Used the same lesson structure regardless of my feedback
- Stuck to textbook Japanese that doesn’t sound natural in conversation
- Couldn’t explain why certain expressions sound unnatural
The key lesson: Read tutor reviews carefully. Look for reviews from learners with similar goals to yours. A tutor excellent at formal business Japanese may not be the right fit for an anime fan learning casual speech.
For Anime Fans: What to Ask Your Tutor
Before booking, look for tutors who specifically mention:
- Casual/colloquial Japanese (ๅฃ่ช, kลgo)
- Anime or manga Japanese
- Youth speech patterns
- Pitch accent instruction
In your first lesson, tell your tutor exactly what you want: “I want to understand anime dialogue and have natural casual conversations. Can we practice informal speech patterns?”
The best tutors will adapt. Tutors who insist on exclusively formal Japanese despite this request aren’t the right fit for you.
โ Pros
- Real speaking practice โ irreplaceable
- Immediate feedback on pronunciation
- Can find tutors specializing in anime Japanese
- Flexible scheduling (many tutors in Japan time zones)
- Trial lesson available at reduced price
- Faster progress toward conversational ability
โ Cons
- Quality varies โ requires careful tutor selection
- More expensive than apps ($15-40/hr typical)
- No built-in vocabulary or grammar curriculum
- Requires some prior foundation to benefit fully
- Scheduling across time zones can be tricky
Preply vs. Apps: When Should You Add a Tutor?
The right time to start Preply: Once you have a foundation โ roughly JLPT N5 vocabulary and basic grammar. Starting with zero Japanese makes it hard to use lesson time efficiently.
The wrong time to start Preply: As your only learning resource. Apps like JapanesePod101 and vocabulary tools should supplement tutoring โ they build the knowledge that tutoring then activates in real conversation.
Best combination:
- JapanesePod101 for daily vocabulary and listening (20-30 min/day)
- Preply lesson once or twice a week (50 min)
- WaniKani for kanji if you’re serious (15-20 min/day)
Pricing: Is It Worth It?
Budget tier ($8-15/hr): Community tutors, less structured, great for conversation practice.
Mid tier ($16-30/hr): Experienced tutors with teaching backgrounds. Best value for most learners.
Premium tier ($31+/hr): Professional teachers, often with JLPT certification expertise. Worth it for intensive test prep.
My recommendation: Start with a mid-tier tutor ($20-25/hr) who has strong reviews for conversation. Book twice a week for the first month โ that’s $160-200/month, comparable to a gym membership and more transformative for your Japanese.
FAQ
Do I need any Japanese before starting Preply?
Technically no, but you'll get much more value with basic hiragana and 100-200 vocabulary words first. Complete JapanesePod101's free absolute beginner series before your first Preply lesson โ it'll make the lesson far more productive.
Are Preply tutors native speakers?
Many are, but not all. The platform has both native Japanese speakers and highly fluent non-native teachers. Both can be excellent โ what matters more is teaching quality and fit with your goals. The tutor profile shows their background clearly.
How long until I can hold a conversation in Japanese?
With Preply twice a week plus daily app study, most learners can hold basic conversations within 3-6 months. "Basic conversation" means introductions, simple questions and answers, talking about yourself and daily life. Anime-level fluency takes 1-2 years of consistent work.
Can I find a tutor who focuses on anime Japanese?
Yes โ search for tutors who mention anime, manga, or popular culture in their profile. Several Preply tutors specifically cater to anime fans and can structure lessons around your favorite shows.
Final Verdict
Preply rating: 4.2/5
Preply is the best way to develop actual speaking ability in Japanese โ but it works best as a complement to structured app learning, not a replacement for it.
If your goal is to talk to Japanese people, understand anime dialogue in real time, or travel to Japan confidently, there is no substitute for real conversation practice with a native speaker. Preply delivers that, when you choose your tutor wisely.
Start with JapanesePod101 for free to build your vocabulary base. Then add Preply once you’re ready to speak.
