Work from the school's real materials
Lessons can use current assignments and submission requirements rather than relying only on generic English materials.
Lessons taught in English,
support tailored to your child.
We support homework, reading, essay writing and presentation preparation for international school students, following the material covered at school. If working entirely in English feels difficult, we can also consider tutors who are able to explain relevant content in Japanese, depending on availability and fit.
Homework, reading, essays and presentations. IB preparation support may be available depending on the subject and content.
What we consider when supporting international school students
We look at English ability, understanding of the subject content, how assignments are approached and the quality of submitted work.
Using the school's assignments and materials
Japanese-language support where a suitable tutor is available
Supporting essays, presentations and other submissions
Quick answer
One-to-one help with homework, essays and presentations.
Petra Tutors supports international-school students one to one, using the student's actual school textbooks, assignments and lesson materials. Support can include homework, reading, essays, research and presentation preparation, with the focus on understanding the content, developing the student's own reasoning and expressing it clearly in English.
Support subjects taught in English
Reading and Writing can be combined with areas such as Science, Humanities or Research where the subject content and tutor fit are suitable.
Japanese clarification where available
If a suitable tutor can also explain in Japanese, Japanese-language clarification can be considered depending on the subject, fit and availability.
IB and specific overseas curricula are handled case by case. Petra checks the subject, materials and type of support needed before suggesting a tutor.
Concerns we can help with
We help students understand lesson content, approach assignments more efficiently and strengthen the work they submit.
Lessons in English are hard to follow
Where the tutor can provide Japanese-language support, difficult content can also be clarified in Japanese.
Homework and assignments take too long
We break down the task, research and writing process, then plan the work leading up to the deadline.
Writing or presenting opinions in English is hard
We practise the phrasing, structure and reasoning that essays and presentations call for.
Following the school's content,
with support where it is needed.
We help your child understand the task, think through the content and express their own ideas, without completing the homework for them.
Homework support
We read the instructions together and clarify what the task requires.
Reading support
We work through textbooks and source materials, clarifying key terms, main ideas and relevant background knowledge.
Essays and written work
We work together on argument, paragraph structure, reasoning and natural English phrasing.
Presentation preparation
Where needed, we help organise what to say, structure the slides and rehearse the delivery.
Japanese-language support, where available
Where the assigned tutor can provide Japanese-language support, we can also work through difficult ideas in Japanese.
Subjects and skills taught in English
Content differs by school and year group, so we start by looking at the current assignments and materials before suggesting an approach.
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Reading | We work through textbooks and source materials and identify the main points. |
| Writing | Reviewing the argument, reasoning and paragraph structure to strengthen submitted work. |
| Presentation | Support with what to say, how to structure the slides, and rehearsing the delivery. |
| Subjects and preparation | |
| Science | Working through terminology and concepts to make sense of science content. |
| Humanities | Support with reading history, social science and inquiry materials, and forming a clear view of the content. |
| IB preparation | IB preparation may be available depending on the subject and content. Support can cover the reading, writing and research foundations needed for the programme. |
Homework, research and essay support can also be discussed based on the school's assignments.
We work alongside school assignments.
We begin with the lesson content and assignments, then identify which areas need to be understood before the rest becomes manageable.
Review assignments and materials
We look at school assignments, lesson handouts, textbooks and submission requirements.
Identify what is unclear
We look at the English, the subject content, relevant background knowledge and the reasoning required.
Prepare work for submission or presentation
We help bring essays, research and presentations closer to the school's requirements.
If school science is the worry, see Science tutoring →Preparing for overseas university? See TOEFL support →Looking for Japanese as a subject rather than Japanese clarification? See Japanese support for children →
Petra tutors for international-school and IB study
Each name links to the tutor's own profile.
Keio University · Faculty of Economics
IB Physics, Maths & English
Currently in his second year of an economics degree, Dominic also attended Saint Mary's International School through graduation. Half-Japanese and half-English, he teaches IB Physics, Mathematics and English Language and Literature, and has already tutored with Petra.
The University of Hong Kong · Economics and Finance
IB English, Chinese, economics & TOK
As a mentor close to students in age, Cian provides structured support for the IB and international curricula, as well as English, Chinese and economics.
Keio University · PEARL
Maths, physics, English & MYP/PYP
Siya focuses on maths and also covers physics, English and economics, explaining each step clearly.
Sophia University · SPSF
IB English, economics & IELTS/TOEFL/SAT
Tina focuses on the IB, English examinations and essay writing, identifying what to strengthen even when the available preparation time is limited.
London School of Economics (LSE) · Actuarial Science
Maths, Geography & GCSE/A-Level
Leon grew up in Tokyo and studies Actuarial Science at the London School of Economics. A native English speaker with advanced Japanese, he teaches Maths (including Further Maths), Geography and GCSE Physics, with GCSE/A-level preparation, entrance-exam support and university-application essay support. He has taught both one-to-one and in groups.
International school support:
common questions
Questions we're often asked about homework, lessons taught in English, and support in Japanese.
Can you help with international school homework?
Yes. We read the instructions together and clarify what the task requires.
Can things be explained in Japanese?
In some cases, yes. We can consider tutors who are able to explain relevant content in Japanese, depending on the subject, materials, tutor fit and availability.
Do you cover the IB and overseas curricula?
It depends on the subject and content. Once we have reviewed the materials and assignments, we can suggest a tutor who may be suitable.
Can Petra provide an in-person international-school tutor in Tokyo?
It can be discussed. In-person lessons depend on the area, preferred day and time, subject required, tutor travel range and current availability.
Will the tutor complete my child's homework for them?
No. The aim is to help the student understand the instructions and content, develop their own reasoning and complete the work themselves. The tutor is not there to produce submitted work on the student's behalf.
International school support
Guides for international-school English
Petra articles for when homework, writing or reading gets stuck.
- Choosing a tutorHow to Choose Tutoring or a Private Tutor for International School Students in Tokyo: IB, IGCSE, AP and School Support Compared
- Writing homeworkWhat to check when written homework comes to a halt
- Classes and homeworkWhat to check when English feels like it's too hard at international school
- IB analysisWhat is analysis in IB? How it differs from summary and how to write it
- Vocabulary in writingWhy words you memorised do not come out in English writing, and how to practise
Whatever is hard about school work,
let's work through it together.
We will ask about lesson content, homework and submitted work, then suggest an appropriate form of support.