High school entrance exam English, one-to-one
High school entrance English,
starting from where the marks are lost.
Even with cram school, English is sometimes the one subject that does not improve. Petra looks at mock exams, marked papers, school materials and the target school's past papers, and sorts out one-to-one what is needed now, from gaps in vocabulary and grammar to reading, writing and listening.
- Junior high students
- One-to-one
- Online lessons
- In person in Tokyo by arrangement
Only in English,
you do not know what to fix.
You learned the grammar, but cannot read a long passage
You can solve unit-by-unit questions, but cannot use grammar and vocabulary within a text.
Mock exam scores are not steady
You lose marks in different places each time and do not know what to prioritise.
You do not know why you lose marks in English writing
You have not sorted out whether it is writing, grammar or content.
Cram school moves on, but gaps from earlier remain
You want to go back to Year 7 and 8 content, but that is hard in a group class.
Not just "weak at English":
we separate where the marks go.
The same 50 marks can mean different things: running short of vocabulary, or stopping on how to read a long passage. What to do first differs. We start from the papers and mock exams you have and check where marks are being lost.
An example of what we check
- Vocabulary and expressionsStopping on words or phrases you do not know?
- GrammarUsing the forms you learned within questions?
- Sentence structureFinding the subject and verb of a sentence?
- Reading passagesFollowing the flow and the evidence?
- Reading the questionAnswering what is actually asked?
- English writingLosing marks on content or on grammar?
- ListeningSound, vocabulary or how you read the task?
- Past papers and timingFinishing the whole paper?
Not every student goes in this order. We look at what is needed first.
Not to replace cram school,
but to look at English in depth.
You can keep school or cram school and add one-to-one help for English only. It is a matter of different roles.
| The usual set-up at school or group cram school | Petra |
|---|---|
| The pace of the whole class | Starts from your own papers and weak points |
| Covers several subjects broadly | Focuses on English in depth |
| Moves on to the planned unit | Goes back to earlier years if needed |
| Time for questions can be limited | One-to-one, looking at where you stopped |
| The overall exam plan | Sorts out the priorities for English |
If you need management of all five subjects or a large-scale mock exam environment, an exam cram school may suit you better. Petra can also be a good fit if you want to keep school or cram school and add one-to-one help for English only.
A different target school
means different English preparation.
English in high school entrance exams differs in format by target school and selection method. If you already have a target school, we check the latest application guidelines and past papers and sort out what to prioritise: reading, writing, listening and so on.
Tokyo public and other public schools
We check whether the exam uses common questions or the school's own.
Private schools
We check each school's application guidelines, question format and past papers.
No target school yet
We start from your current English and your school grades and mock results, and sort out the basics everyone needs.
If you are considering Tokyo public high schools, we also check the relevant latest official information, including ESAT-J YEAR 3.
Question formats and selection methods can change. Check each school's and each board of education's official announcements for the latest.
We connect what is needed
to the exam questions.
Vocabulary and grammar
If needed, we go back to Year 7 and 8 content and sort out the foundation for reading exam questions.
Reading passages
We read while checking sentence structure, the flow of the text and the evidence for each question.
English writing
Beyond grammar, we check whether the answer responds to the question and whether the content comes across, and rewrite if needed.
Listening
We check why you could not catch it and sort out sound, vocabulary and how to read the task.
Past papers
More than solving and marking, we check why marks were lost and what to go back to next.
Speaking
Where it is needed, such as for Tokyo public school entry, we check which tutors and what content are available before advising.
First, we look at
what you already have.
You do not need new materials. Recent marked papers or mock exams are enough. If you do not know what to show us, just ask.
Helpful to have
- Recent regular tests
- Mock exams
- Marked papers
- School textbook and workbook
- Cram school materials
- Target school's past papers
- Target school and exam timing
You do not need everything.
Share your situation
We check recent scores, what you find hard and your target school.
Sort out priorities
We separate what to do now from what can wait.
Propose a tutor who fits
We consider candidates from your English needs, teaching style, times and format.
Check in a trial
Looking at real questions, we check how clear the explanations are and how the lesson runs.
Because it is entrance exam prep,
we want a tutor who fits your needs now.
We do not decide on English teaching experience alone. We ask about the points below and look for a tutor who may fit. Depending on tutors' abilities and availability, we may not always be able to meet your wishes.
- Fit with teaching junior high students
- Fit as an English tutor
- Explaining grammar
- Help with reading passages
- Help with English writing
- Whether you want explanations in Japanese
- Online or in person
- Days and times
- Personality and teaching style
Explanations in Japanese and support for a specific exam format are confirmed tutor by tutor before we advise.
Online lessons. In person in Tokyo by arrangement.
- Online
- One-to-one lessons from home.
- In person in Tokyo
- Possible if the area, day and tutor availability line up. Please ask.
Price guide
EIKEN and exam preparation
¥4,500~ / 60 min
Entrance exam English is priced in the EIKEN and exam preparation category.
No enrolment fee · no material fees in most cases · no-obligation advice
See pricing →Pages closer to your aim
- If school lessons and regular tests come first →For supporting everyday school English, such as homework, school workbooks and regular tests.
- See EIKEN preparation →See what each grade involves and how to approach EIKEN.
- See Petra's tutors →Read the tutor profiles.
- See pricing →See prices and lesson formats.
Entrance exam English:
frequently asked questions
If something is unclear, please just ask.
Can we start entrance exam preparation if English is quite weak?
Yes. Rather than going straight to hard past papers, we check where you are stuck now and go back to the basics that are needed. First we look at recent marked papers or mocks and sort out where to start.
Can we go back to Year 7 and 8 grammar?
Yes. If lost marks in exam questions point to gaps in the basics, we go back to earlier years' content to check. We limit how far we go back to what the papers show is needed.
Can I use this alongside cram school?
Yes. It is not meant to replace cram school; it is for adding one-to-one help in English only. We ask about the cram school's schedule and materials and adjust how we work.
Can we ask before a target school is decided?
Yes. Even before you decide, we can start by checking where your English is now. Once the target is set, we check that exam's format.
Can you help with both Tokyo public and private schools?
We check the target school's application guidelines and past papers and sort out what support is appropriate. We cannot promise to cover every school or question format. First tell us your target school and situation.
Can you look at mock exams and past papers?
Yes. If you show us your mock exams and past papers, we look at the mistakes and sort out what to prioritise.
Can I ask about ESAT-J YEAR 3?
You can ask us. Where it applies, we check what is needed from the latest official information and confirm whether we have a suitable tutor before explaining specific support.
Can you also help with EIKEN?
Depending on your goal, you can ask us. For preparation aimed at passing EIKEN, see the EIKEN page for the details.
First, from your recent
marked papers or mock exams.
It is fine if you have not chosen a target school. If you have a recent test or a question you do not understand, we sort out together where to start.