ServicesTestimonialsFAQArticlesContactFree Consultation

Learning Japanese

Online Japanese Lessons in Singapore: Times, Goals and Choosing a Tutor

By the Hanabuddies team · · 3 min read

If you live in Singapore, online lessons are a very practical way to learn Japanese with a native tutor: Japan is only one hour ahead, so a lesson at 8 pm in Singapore is 9 pm in Japan, and you can fit lessons around school, work and travel without any awkward early mornings. A good setup is one or two one-to-one video lessons a week at a fixed slot, built around your goal, whether that is travel to Japan, a school subject, the JLPT, a job at a Japanese company or study in Japan. Chinese speakers also get a head start with kanji. This guide covers lesson times, common goals for learners in Singapore and what to look for in a tutor.

Lesson times: only one hour apart

Singapore is on UTC+8 and Japan is on UTC+9, and neither uses daylight saving, so the gap is one hour all year. That makes scheduling easy:

  • Weekday evenings: 7 pm to 9 pm in Singapore is 8 pm to 10 pm in Japan.
  • Lunch breaks: a 30-minute lesson at 12:30 pm in Singapore is 1:30 pm in Japan.
  • Weekends: morning and afternoon slots line up easily.

Because the time difference is small, you can also keep the same lesson slot when you travel to Japan. See Japanese lessons across time zones if you move around the region for work.

Common goals for learners in Singapore

  • Travel to Japan. Japan is a favourite holiday destination, and a little Japanese goes a long way beyond the big cities. See learning Japanese before a trip.
  • School exams. Some secondary students take Japanese as a third language, and they often want more speaking practice and feedback than a class can give. See high school Japanese exam tutoring.
  • The JLPT. The JLPT is held in Singapore, so you can plan your study back from a test date. Check the local host’s site for dates and registration. See which JLPT level to take.
  • Work at a Japanese company. Many Japanese companies have regional offices in Singapore, and Japanese helps with colleagues, clients and head office. See working at a Japanese company abroad.
  • Study or work in Japan. University study, exchanges and jobs in Japan usually need a solid level of Japanese. See studying abroad in Japan.

If you speak Chinese

Many learners in Singapore read Chinese, which is a real advantage: you’ll recognise the meaning of many kanji straight away. The catch is that Japanese readings, grammar and politeness levels are completely different, and some characters look the same but mean something else. A tutor can help you use your kanji knowledge without relying on it for pronunciation. See Japanese for Chinese speakers.

What to look for in an online tutor

  • A native Japanese speaker who can explain in English, so grammar questions get clear answers.
  • A regular weekly slot that fits around school, work or travel.
  • Lessons built around your goal, whether that is an exam, a job or a trip.
  • Lots of speaking time and corrections in the moment.
  • A free trial, so you can check the fit before committing.

See how to choose a Japanese tutor and private vs group lessons.

How Hanabuddies can help

Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one or in small groups online, in English. Tell us your goal and when you’re free, and we’ll suggest a weekly slot and a plan. Your first 15 minutes are a free trial. For companies in Singapore working with Japan, we also offer team lessons, translation and English–Japanese interpreting.