Friday, June 20th
2025 Japanese Lesson Reviews
FluentU
- Priced from $29.99 per month to up to $359.99 per year
- Video-based approach
- Context exercises and vocab
- App for Android and iOS
- 14-day free trial
- 20-day money-back guarantee
- 4.3-star average
FluentU offers a unique approach to Japanese learning, aiming to help you gain fluency by immersing you in authentic video content from various sources like music videos, TV shows, and movies. Unlike traditional classroom methods, FluentU provides context-rich lessons that mirror real-life language usage (like watching Iron Man in Japanese) to foster a deeper understanding and comfort with Japanese.
No trial lessons unless you give them your payment info
When you first get started on FluentU, you'll see a preview video (or rather, a movie trailer) of what you can expect from the FluentU teaching style. Using TV, movies, and music videos in Japanese, you can learn from your favorite entertaining sources rather than a textbook. To jump into the process just click the "14-days free” button. You'll be asked questions about which language you want to learn, how fluent you already are, your age, your daily goal (from 5-50 minutes per day), and then asked to sign up with your email. However, before you can get to any lessons, you'll have to put in your credit card information. Unlike competitors that offer sample lessons with no strings attached, FluentU's trial terms may keep students from even trying the program out.
Great for visual learners
FluentU supports Japanese lessons from the beginner to the advanced level. By using authentic video clips, FluentU offers a "dynamic” learning experience supplemented with interactive tools such as word lookup, contextual examples, subtitles in Japanese and English, and spaced repetition exercises. This is definitely a program for any visual learners (and film fans).
Price includes multiple languages
FluentU offers subscription options at $29.99 per month or $359.99 per year (or $143.99 per year on sale). This is a bit more expensive than many other Japanese lessons online, and your purchase might incur foreign transaction fees between 1-3% because FluentU is based in Hong Kong. Despite the relatively higher cost, subscribers enjoy access to a wide variety of languages, which could be attractive for those interested in learning multiple languages simultaneously.
Gain skills by watching captioned videos
You can progress from beginner to intermediate through context-based learning. One way that FluentU helps with this is the interactive video lessons. While the video plays, captions are displayed at the bottom, featuring Japanese text accompanied by furigana (character readings) and English translations. There's an option to toggle the captions to show only Japanese without furigana or English, which can help you improve your reading speed faster. What distinguishes FluentU is its feature which allows you to hover your mouse over unfamiliar words in the video captions, automatically pausing the video and displaying the word's definition before you continue your content. This, mixed with other interactive exercises and vocab study, helps students move from beginner to advanced Japanese.
20-day money-back guarantee
FluentU has recently added a refund policy to its site. You are offered a 20-day money-back guarantee, which makes it a little easier to sign up for the free trial with your credit card information. However, it's still a smaller refund window than many competitors. According to FluentU, all you have to do is contact customer service to get your refund within that 20-day window.
Solid, but not the best reviews
The feedback for FluentU is solid, though not the highest we've seen in our review. It averages around 4 stars from the Google Play store and 4.3 stars from the Apple store. While it gets a favorable score from Trustpilot with a 4.3-star average there too, there are only around 80 total reviews to back up that score. Generally, students praise how easy and fun the program is, though a handful of reviews call the lessons "scattered”, making it harder to learn Japanese with FluentU from scratch.
Misses the mark with transparency and structure
Overall, while FluentU offers an innovative approach to language learning through authentic content, it may not be as suitable for beginners. While it's a fun way to learn Japanese using videos and contextual exercises, the concerns from students who called it "scattered” make it less ideal for those looking for a structured lesson plan. Given that you can't try the program before you put in your payment information, it doesn't rank high in transparency either. Many of our higher-rated programs offer more complete lessons and the ability to try the program first.
More Japanese Lesson Reviews
The 11 Best Japanese Lessons
Where Can You Find the Best Japanese Lessons?
Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Japanese is one of the most intriguing languages you can choose. Suppose you're fascinated by Japanese culture, anime, manga, or traditional arts like tea ceremonies and calligraphy. In that case, delving into the Japanese language can provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of what you love.
Fortunately, with the increasing popularity of online learning, you can easily find Japanese lessons on the internet. Whether you're a complete beginner or seeking to refine your conversational skills, online Japanese courses offer a variety of teaching styles. From immersive audio lessons and interactive quizzes to multimedia resources and virtual language exchanges, online platforms offer an engaging learning environment.
Japanese Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
Whether you dream of exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, immersing yourself in the serene landscapes of Kyoto, or simply connecting with Japanese speakers, learning the language can be a rewarding experience.
Japan has a rich cultural heritage, steeped in centuries-old traditions and modern innovations. From the graceful movements of traditional dance forms like Noh and Kabuki to the intricate artistry of sushi-making and bonsai cultivation, Japanese culture offers art, history, and innovation. By learning Japanese, you gain access to a vibrant cultural world that spans ancient history and contemporary pop culture phenomena like J-pop music. From the elegance of Japanese architecture to the dynamic energy of modern city life, learning Japanese allows you to delve deeper into the heart and soul of Japan.
In today's interconnected world, proficiency in Japanese can open doors to many personal and professional opportunities. Japan is a global economic powerhouse, home to leading technology companies, automotive giants, and influential cultural exports. Whether you aspire to work for a Japanese corporation, pursue academic research in collaboration with Japanese institutions, or engage in cross-cultural exchange programs, fluency in Japanese can significantly broaden your horizons.
As you embark on your journey to learn Japanese, it can be hard to narrow down the options. Here are some key factors to consider to help you find the best resource for your Japanese lessons:
- Teaching methodology. Identify your preferred learning style - whether auditory, visual, or kinesthetic - and select a Japanese course that works best with how you learn. Whether you thrive on interactive exercises, audiovisual content, or structured grammar discussions, make sure you prioritize platforms that offer methods that support how you learn best.
- Free trial option. Look for Japanese language platforms that offer free trials or sample lessons. This allows you to check out the program before committing to a subscription. Some platforms offer course previews or multi-day trials. These will give you the best chance at trying a language program before you have to pay.
- Cost. Evaluate the cost of Japanese language courses with respect to the value they offer in terms of educational content and language proficiency outcomes. Many Japanese language lessons are free, but you may not get full proficiency from those sources. On the other hand, some programs are very expensive, but you still might miss some key features. Balance the cost and value of the language instruction to find your best fit.
- Reputation. Research the reputation and credibility of Japanese language platforms through customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Explore third-party review sites, language learning forums, and social media channels to see if your favorite Japanese lesson provider offers the results you want. Look for platforms with positive feedback regarding instructional effectiveness, customer support, and learning outcomes for a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience.
To help you get the most out of your language studies, Top Consumer Reviews has tested, evaluated and ranked the best options for online Japanese lessons today. We know this information will give you all the info you need to choose the best program for your learning style and schedule.
Compare Japanese Lessons
Select any 2 Japanese Lessons to compare them head to head
Trending Japanese Lessons News
Related Japanese Lesson Reviews
Since you're interested in Japanese Lessons, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
