Teaching English to Japanese students has been an eye-opening experience. As a work-from-home mom tutoring part-time at RareJob, I’ve had my fair share of lessons—not just for my students but for myself, too. One thing I quickly realized? Learning English isn’t just about memorizing words and grammar rules. It’s about unlearning habits deeply rooted in one’s native language.

Japanese learners, in particular, bring unique challenges to the table. Some struggle with pronunciation, turning rice into lice, while others skip over articles like a and the entirely. Some hesitate to speak, afraid of making mistakes—a mindset shaped by a culture that values precision.

So, how do you guide Japanese learners toward better English without shaking their confidence? This post is all about that. We’ll go over the common mistakes they make and, more importantly, how to correct them in a way that builds their skills and keeps them motivated.

Pronunciation Challenges

For many Japanese ESL learners, pronunciation is one of the biggest hurdles. Unlike English, Japanese has a relatively simple set of sounds, and some English phonemes simply don’t exist in their language. This often leads to mispronunciations that can make communication tricky. But these challenges aren’t impossible to overcome! With the proper guidance and gentle corrections, students can improve their pronunciation without feeling discouraged.

Common Mistakes:

✅ L vs. R Confusion
One of the most well-known pronunciation struggles is distinguishing between L and R sounds. Since the Japanese language doesn’t have a clear equivalent for these sounds, words like rice and lice, or light and right, often sound identical.

✅ The “TH” Sound (θ and ð)
English words like think and this can be tough because the th sound doesn’t exist in Japanese. Many students substitute it with S (sink instead of think) or Z/D (zis instead of this).

✅ Dropped or Added Vowel Sounds
In Japanese, most words end in a vowel sound, so students tend to add an extra vowel to English words. This results in words like milk becoming miruku and desk sounding like desuku. On the flip side, final consonants (like t in cat) sometimes get dropped.

✅ V and B Mix-Up
Japanese has a much softer V sound, so many students pronounce vase as base or very as bery. This happens because the V sound isn’t naturally present in the Japanese phonetic system.

✅ Flat Intonation
English has a natural rhythm with rising and falling intonation, but Japanese speech tends to be more monotone. This can make some students sound robotic when they speak English, even if their grammar is correct.

How to Correct Gently:

🎯 Use Minimal Pairs Practice
Minimal pairs are word pairs that differ by only one sound (like light vs. right or sink vs. think). Practicing these with students helps them notice subtle pronunciation differences. Instead of just explaining, have them repeat the words after you, listening closely to the distinctions.

🎯 Teach the “LA LE LI LO LU & RA RE RI RO RU” Tongue Exercise
Whenever I encounter students struggling with L and R, I introduce them to a simple tongue exercise:
➡️ “Try saying LA LE LI LO LU slowly, then switch to RA RE RI RO RU.”
This helps loosen up their tongue muscles and trains their mouth to form these sounds separately. I remind them that they can practice this when they’re not too preoccupied—like when taking a bath, cooking, or even walking around the house. It’s an effortless way to sneak in pronunciation practice without making it feel like extra homework.

🎯 Demonstrate Tongue and Lip Placement
For tricky sounds like TH, showing how to place the tongue between the teeth can work wonders. Instead of just saying, “You’re saying it wrong,” guide them visually:

➡️ “Try sticking your tongue out just a little when you say ‘think’—like this…” (Demonstrate exaggeratedly.)
➡️ “Now try ‘sink.’ Notice the difference?”

Letting them physically feel the difference makes it easier to correct the mistake.

🎯 Break Words into Syllables
For words where students add unnecessary vowels (blue becomes buruu), try breaking the word down:

➡️ “Let’s say this slowly: /b/-/lu:/ … No extra u sound at the end, just ‘blue.’”

The same goes for words like milk, where the final consonant is often missing. Have them hold the L sound a bit longer: milk-k-k.

🎯 Shadowing and Listening Exercises
Encourage students to shadow native speakers—listening to short sentences and repeating them exactly as they hear them. Watching English movies or YouTube videos with subtitles off and mimicking pronunciation is another great trick.

🎯 Use Gentle Corrections in Context
Instead of interrupting students mid-sentence, wait for a natural pause and rephrase their sentence with the correct pronunciation:

❌ Student: “I rike to eat lice.”
✅ Teacher: “Oh, you like to eat rice? That sounds delicious! What kind of rice do you like?”

This way, they hear the correction naturally without feeling embarrassed.

Japanese students can significantly improve their pronunciation with consistent practice and supportive feedback. The key is patience—it’s not about perfecting every sound overnight but making small, steady progress. And remember, even native English speakers don’t pronounce every word flawlessly!

Grammar Errors

In Japanese, sentences often rely on context rather than strict word order, while English has clearer rules that must be followed. Because of these differences, Japanese students tend to make predictable grammar mistakes—nothing that can’t be fixed with the right approach!

Common Mistakes:

✅ Incorrect Verb Tenses
Japanese doesn’t have the same tense system as English, so many students struggle with past, present, and future tense forms.
❌ Yesterday, I go to the park.
✅ Yesterday, I went to the park.

❌ Tomorrow, I go shopping.
✅ Tomorrow, I will go shopping.

Since Japanese often relies on context rather than explicit tense markers, students sometimes forget to change the verb.

✅ Omitting Articles (A, An, The)
Japanese doesn’t have articles like a, an, or the, so students often leave them out.
❌ I bought book yesterday.
✅ I bought a book yesterday.

A simple way to correct this is by emphasizing that English nouns need a “helper” word before them in most cases. I usually compare it to how Japanese uses “この (kono)” or “その (sono)” to point out specific things.

✅ Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Many students forget to match the subject with the correct verb form.
❌ He go to school every day.
✅ He goes to school every day.

❌ My friend like pizza.
✅ My friend likes pizza.

Japanese verbs don’t change based on the subject, so this rule feels unnatural to them at first.

✅ Translating Directly from Japanese
Since Japanese sentence structure is different, students sometimes create awkward English sentences.
❌ I am study English. (From “私は英語を勉強しています” which translates more directly to “I am studying English.”)
✅ I am studying English.

Or they might leave out the subject completely:
❌ Is difficult to speak English.
✅ It is difficult to speak English.

Since Japanese often drops subjects when the context is clear, this carries over into their English.

How to Correct Gently:

🎯 Use Simple Explanations, Not Overloaded Grammar Rules
Instead of bombarding students with technical grammar explanations, I break it down with examples.
➡️ “Past tense means it already happened, so ‘go’ turns into ‘went.'”
➡️ “In English, nouns like ‘book’ usually need a small helper word like ‘a’ or ‘the.'”

Short, simple explanations work much better than textbook definitions.

🎯 Model the Correct Sentence Naturally
If a student makes a mistake, I repeat their sentence correctly instead of just pointing out the error.
❌ Student: Yesterday, I go shopping.
✅ Teacher: Oh, yesterday you went shopping? Nice! What did you buy?

This way, they hear the right version without feeling like they made a huge mistake.

🎯 Practice With Fun Fill-in-the-Blank Activities
To help with articles and verb tenses, I sometimes use a fill-in-the-blank method. For example:

• “Yesterday, I ___ (go) to the park.”
• “She ___ (like) to eat sushi.”

This allows students to focus on the grammar in a low-pressure way.

🎯 Encourage Self-Correction
Instead of correcting immediately, I sometimes ask, “Does that sound right?” or “Try that sentence again.” Giving students a moment to think often helps them spot their own errors.

Mastering English grammar takes time, but with patience and consistent exposure, students gradually improve. The key is gentle correction—ensuring they learn without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Small changes lead to big progress!

Hesitation in Speaking Due to Fear of Mistakes

Many Japanese ESL learners struggle with speaking not because they don’t know the words, but because they fear getting it wrong. This hesitation is deeply rooted in cultural values—Japan emphasizes precision, politeness, and avoiding embarrassment. In a classroom or tutoring session, it’s common to see students pause for long stretches, whisper answers, or avoid speaking altogether. Some will type perfect sentences in the chat but refuse to say them out loud.

But the more students hold back, the harder it is for them to improve. That’s why creating a safe, judgment-free space is crucial to getting them to speak with confidence.

Common Causes of Hesitation:

✅ Fear of Making Grammar or Pronunciation Mistakes
Many students believe they must speak perfect English or not speak at all. They worry about saying something grammatically incorrect or mispronouncing words and being judged for it.

✅ Lack of Exposure to Casual, Spoken English
In Japan, English is often taught with a strong focus on reading, writing, and test-taking rather than actual conversation. As a result, many students feel unprepared for real-life spoken English.

✅ Cultural Influence – Avoiding Embarrassment
In Japan, speaking incorrectly—especially in front of others—can feel embarrassing. Students would rather stay silent than risk making an error, even if their teacher is encouraging.

✅ Difficulty With English Intonation and Expressiveness
English uses rising and falling intonations, while Japanese tends to be more monotone. Some students feel self-conscious mimicking the natural rhythm of English speech because it feels exaggerated compared to their native language.

How to Correct Gently and Encourage Speaking:

🎯 Normalize Mistakes – “Even Native Speakers Mess Up!”
I always remind my students that mistakes are a natural part of learning. One of the best ways to ease their fear is by pointing out that even native English speakers make grammar slips, mispronounce words, or forget what they are about to say.

➡️ “You know, even I make mistakes when speaking English sometimes! It’s completely normal.”
➡️ “The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to communicate!”

This shifts their mindset from “I must get everything right” to “It’s okay to try.”

🎯 Encourage Low-Pressure Speaking Activities
Instead of jumping straight into full conversations, I use small, comfortable speaking exercises to build their confidence:

• Read Aloud Practice – Having students read short sentences or dialogues lets them focus on pronunciation without worrying about grammar.
• Yes/No or One-Word Responses – If they’re nervous, I start with questions that require only one word. Once they get comfortable, I encourage longer answers.
• Fill-in-the-Blank Conversations – Instead of making them think of complete sentences on the spot, I provide part of a sentence and let them finish it.

🎯 Use Familiar Topics to Boost Confidence
When students talk about something they love—like anime, food, or travel—they forget they’re nervous! I always ask about topics they’re interested in so they can speak more freely.

➡️ “What’s your favorite anime?”
➡️ “Have you ever tried Filipino food?”
➡️ “If you could visit any country, where would you go?”

Because they already know what they want to say, they focus more on speaking rather than worrying about mistakes.

🎯 Rephrase Instead of Correcting Directly
If a student makes a mistake, I don’t interrupt them or say, “That’s wrong.” Instead, I repeat their sentence correctly in a natural way so they can hear the difference.

❌ Student: Yesterday, I go to shopping.
✅ Teacher: Oh, yesterday you went shopping? Nice! Where did you go?

This method corrects them without making them feel bad about the mistake.

🎯 Encourage Them to Speak When Alone
I tell my students they can practice English without anyone listening—when they’re in the shower, cooking, or even looking in the mirror. It sounds silly, but speaking out loud in private helps remove the fear of judgment.

➡️ “Try describing what you’re doing—like, ‘I am cooking rice’ or ‘I am washing my face.’ It helps get your brain used to forming sentences!”

🎯 Use Fun, Non-Threatening Speaking Games
To take the pressure off, I sometimes introduce simple games:

• 20 Questions – They can only answer with yes/no at first, then gradually move to full sentences.
• Would You Rather? – Forces them to explain their choice in a fun way.
• Describe the Picture – A no-pressure way to practice vocabulary and sentence building.

Overcoming the fear of speaking English takes time, but small steps lead to huge progress. The key is to make students feel safe and supported so they focus on communication instead of perfection. A mistake isn’t a failure—it’s a sign that they’re learning.

Difficulty With Casual and Polite Language Differences

In Japanese, there’s a well-defined hierarchy of speech, with different levels of politeness depending on who you’re talking to. But in English, the lines between formal and casual speech are blurrier, often leading to awkward conversations.

Some students end up sounding too formal in casual situations, while others use overly casual language when politeness is needed. Knowing how to adjust their speech naturally takes practice, but it’s something they can definitely master with the right guidance.

Common Mistakes:

✅ Using Overly Formal Phrases in Everyday Conversations
Japanese learners tend to stick to polite, textbook-style English, even when talking to friends or in relaxed situations.

❌ May I have your esteemed guidance on this matter?
✅ Can you help me with this?

❌ Would you be so kind as to pass the salt?
✅ Can you pass the salt, please?

This happens because Japanese has formal honorifics (keigo), and students worry about sounding rude if they don’t use polite language.

✅ Using Casual Expressions in Professional or Respectful Settings
On the flip side, some students pick up informal phrases from movies, social media, or friends and unknowingly use them in the wrong situations.

❌ Hey dude, I need this report ASAP. (Talking to a boss)
✅ Could you send me the report as soon as possible?

❌ What’s up, teacher?
✅ Good morning, Sensei!

Since English doesn’t have honorific titles like -san or -sama, students sometimes struggle to sound polite in a natural way.

✅ Overusing “Sir” and “Ma’am”
In Japan, addressing people with titles is common, so some students overuse “sir” and “ma’am” when speaking English. While it’s polite, it can sound stiff or unnatural in casual settings.

❌ Excuse me, sir, may I sit here? (Talking to a classmate)
✅ Excuse me, is this seat taken?

✅ Misunderstanding Politeness in Requests
Japanese students sometimes translate requests directly, which can sound either too direct or too formal.

❌ Give me a coffee. (Too direct)
✅ Can I get a coffee, please?

❌ Would it be acceptable if I were to inquire about the menu offerings? (Too formal)
✅ Can I ask what’s on the menu?

How to Correct Gently:

🎯 Explain That English Is More Flexible Than Japanese
I reassure students that English isn’t as strict about politeness levels as Japanese. There’s no keigo, so they don’t have to stress about choosing the “perfect” polite phrase every time.

🎯 Teach Politeness Through Common Phrases
Instead of overwhelming students with complex grammar explanations, I teach them go-to polite phrases that work in most situations.

✅ Casual: “Can I…?”
✅ Polite: “Could I…?”
✅ Formal: “May I…?”

For example, if ordering at a café:

• Casual (to a friend): “I’ll grab a coffee.”
• Polite (to a barista): “Can I get a coffee, please?”
• More formal (in a business meeting): “May I have a coffee?”

🎯 Use Role-Playing to Show the Difference
One of the best ways to help students feel the difference between casual and polite speech is through role-playing. I’ll give them a situation and let them practice adjusting their language.

💬 Scenario 1: Ordering at a coffee shop
👩‍🎓 Student: “I want coffee.”
👩‍🏫 Me: “Okay, but let’s make it sound more natural. Try: ‘Can I get a coffee, please?’”

💬 Scenario 2: Asking a teacher for an extension on homework
👩‍🎓 Student: “Yo, Sensei, I need more time.”
👩‍🏫 Me: “That sounds too casual! Try: ‘Excuse me, could I have an extension on my assignment?’”

By practicing real-life situations, they quickly pick up on the tone that fits best.

🎯 Use Casual and Polite Dialogues for Comparison
I like showing side-by-side examples so students can see the difference.

Casual (Friends, Informal Settings)	Polite (Work, Teachers, Customers, etc.)
“Hey, what’s up?”	“Good morning. How are you?”
“Can I sit here?”	“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
“I don’t get it.”	“Could you explain that again?”
“Gimme a sec.”	“Just a moment, please.”

This helps them understand the nuances of polite speech without feeling pressured.

🎯 Introduce Common Politeness Strategies
To help students sound naturally polite without sounding stiff, I introduce simple tricks:

• Using softeners like “just,” “maybe,” or “a little”
  • ❌ “That’s wrong.” → ✅ “That’s just a little off.”
  • ❌ “This is expensive.” → ✅ “This is a little pricey.”
• Using indirect questions instead of direct commands
  • ❌ “Open the window.” → ✅ “Could you open the window?”

🎯 Noticing More Casual Phrases in ESL Materials
I’ve also noticed that some RareJob materials include casual phrases like “man” in their exercises, which helps students recognize the informal side of English. However, many students still hesitate to use them naturally because they aren’t sure when casual expressions are appropriate. I like pointing out these examples when I teach, encouraging students to notice how the tone changes based on context.

For example, if a student reads a sentence like:
➡️ “Man, that was tough!”
I explain that it’s a casual way to express frustration. It wouldn’t be something they’d say to their boss, but if they were talking to a friend, it would be completely fine.

Mastering the balance between casual and polite English takes time, but once students get the hang of it, they feel more confident and natural in conversations. By giving them real-world examples, low-pressure practice, and gentle corrections, they’ll gradually develop an instinct for when to use formal and informal language. And the best part? They’ll no longer sound like a textbook! 😉

Final Thoughts

Learning English is about building confidence to communicate. Every mistake a student makes is a step toward progress, not a failure. The key to effective teaching isn’t just correcting errors but doing so with patience, encouragement, and a sense of support.

If you’re working with Japanese ESL learners, remember that how you correct is just as important as what you correct. Keep the conversation going, create a space where mistakes are learning opportunities, and help your students find their voice in English—one confident sentence at a time.