A tutor for students returning to Japan.Connecting your English and studies to life back in Japan.
Keep the English you built abroad, and get ready for Japanese school and exams. We sort out your English, school and goals together, then match you with a tutor who fits.
- Online lessons
- In person in Tokyo depending on area and tutor
- No enrolment fee
- Start by asking
Studying after you return is not only about English.
Every returnee needs something different. We start from what you want to keep, connect and aim for next, not from what you cannot do.
KeepKeep using the English you built abroad
Get used toGet used to how Japanese schools and materials work
ConnectLink it to EIKEN, IELTS, TOEFL or your next path
We sort out what to keep, connect and build next.
Keeping skills
Keep using the English you have
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Vocabulary
- Academic English if needed
Connecting skills
Fit your school and daily life now
- School materials
- Grammar terms
- Assignments
- Study habits
- Current lessons
- Support in Japanese where it helps
Skills to build next
Widen towards the next goal
- EIKEN
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Writing
- Presentation
- Interviews (with a tutor who can help)
Rather than raising everything at once, we set priorities around your school life and schedule.
We combine only the support you need, one-to-one.
Keeping and building English
We check which of reading, writing, listening and speaking you use less now, or want to build.
Moving into Japanese school and study
School materials, homework, grammar and vocabulary, and how to study: whatever school life now requires.
EIKEN, IELTS, TOEFL and more
Link your current English to the next exam. Which exams we can cover depends on tutors' experience and current conditions.
Writing, essays and presentations
Plan structure, improve expression and rewrite after feedback, so you can finish the work yourself.
Being a returnee does not mean one course fits everyone.
| Strengths | What you study | Pace | Best if | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group classes for returnees | An English-using environment and peers in the same position | A set curriculum that keeps English going | Moves at the pace of the whole class | You value an English environment and learning with peers |
| Cram schools specialising in returnee exams | Courses built for returnee entrance exams, with preparation by target school | Mainly exam-preparation courses and past-paper practice | A plan worked back from the exam dates | You put school-by-school information and large specialist courses first |
| Petra Tutors | One-to-one at your child's pace, covering several concerns together | Combines English, school assignments, exams and writing as needed | Adjusted around school events and your schedule | You want to combine keeping English and school and exam support around one student's situation |
Petra is not always the best fit. If school-by-school returnee admissions information or a large specialist course comes first, a specialist cram school is a strong option. If you want English, school and exam support combined around one student, one-to-one tutoring tends to fit better.
Ask about studying after returningWe do not choose a tutor on English ability alone.
We check six things, then propose a tutor who fits.
- How English and Japanese are usedMostly English, or support in Japanese needed?
- School and curriculum experienceExperience close to the current school or materials?
- Subjects and examsCan they cover the subject or exam you need?
- Teaching style and fitEasy for your child to talk to and keep going with?
- Online or in personAvailable in the format you want?
- Days and timesFits school and your schedule without strain?
Support in Japanese, particular exams or subjects, and in-person lessons in Tokyo are offered after we confirm which tutors can help and the current conditions.
An example of the first four weeks
This is one example. What actually happens depends on year, school and goal.
- Week 1Check your situation and materials
- Week 2Decide the skills to prioritise and the pace
- Week 3Use them in school, exams and assignments
- Week 4Review what worked and the next priorities
About pricing
Pricing depends on what you need and on the tutor. Lesson formats and price guides are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can we ask if my child's English is already strong?
Yes. We check the current level and which skills you want to keep or build, then think about the content. Beyond conversation, you can ask about reading, writing and exams too.
My child attends a Japanese school now. Can you help with schoolwork too?
You can ask us. We check the school, year, materials and subjects, then tell you which tutors can help.
Can lessons be explained in Japanese?
If support in Japanese is needed, we include it when choosing a tutor. Not every tutor can offer it.
Can you help prepare for returnee entrance exams?
In some cases you can ask about writing, interviews and English qualifications. Because requirements and formats differ by school, we check the target school's latest application guidelines and whether we have a tutor with the right experience before advising.
Do you offer both online and in-person lessons?
Online lessons are available. In-person lessons in Tokyo are offered where the area, day, time and the tutor's travel conditions line up.
Let's start with what matters most to you now.
Not sure of your priorities yet? That's fine. Tell us the year, your situation and preferred lesson format, and we'll propose an approach and tutor candidates.