After we receive your completed enrollment form and after you have purchased a lesson package, we'll send you a confirmation email message. This email, which is your official enrollment notification, usually takes no more than 24 hours from the time your payment clears.

This modular approach means you can take lessons at your own pace, on your own schedule. Even if you choose not to take a class every day, you can be confident of keeping up when you rejoin the class.

FlexLessons are available at all learning levels, from Introductory to Advanced, and include JLPT classes and discussion classes. Learn more about FlexLessons.

The best way is to try our 3-lesson trial package, and check out the different course levels.

Once you feel confident at your current level, step up to the next level. Our philosophy is to create a learning space where you can learn at your own pace.

With our FlexLessons, you're always free to choose the teacher, level, and times for your online Japanese lessons (subject to scheduling availability; please see lesson schedule for class availability).

With private lessons, you choose one teacher, who prepares a customized, individualized curriculum for your online lessons. That teacher will instruct all of your private lessons.

If you need more flexibility in scheduling private lessons, you can take advantage of our Team-Up Private Lessons. Two or more teachers will prepare coordinated, customized lesson plans to meet your Japanese learning needs.

Online Japanese classes at JOI are conducted fully in Japanese, and our teachers are experienced in teaching all levels. At the Introductory level, teachers use some English for explanations.

Yes. FlexLessons and private lessons are purchased separately, but if you purchase both packages, you're free to take lessons of both types.

For your first lessons, don't worry about textbooks. Try a lesson package of a few lessons to gauge which level suits you best. Then, when you've decided on your level, please contact us. We'll order the textbook on your behalf and mail it to you. Payment for this service must be made by direct bank transfer or through PayPal.

JOI accepts PayPal payments and direct bank transfers.
We recommend PayPal, where you can use 3 methods
■ Credit card payments (no Paypal account necessary)
■ A direct transfer from your bank account (a verified PayPal account is required)
■ An e-check ( a verified PayPal account is required and e-checks take up to 5 business days to clear)

In the case of direct bank transfers outside of PayPal, transaction fees and charges are incurred by the applicant. If the net amount received differs from the lesson package cost, we will adjust the number of tickets accordingly.

No, there are no extra costs other than your lesson package. For some classes, you may wish to purchase a textbook.

The JOI Student Advantages 24-hour chat rooms, Japanese language quizzes, weekly lesson blog, message board, and more are all included in your lesson package price.

You need to adjust your computer to display Japanese text. The methods differ depending on your operating system. 

For tips on displaying and typing Japanese text in Windows, please see this page

For tips on displaying and typing Japanese text in Mac,  please see this page

For tips on writing and typing Japanese text, please see this page

The classroom system is really simple we're confident you'll find it easy to understand. JOI's unique system lets you reserve online Japanese classes in your local time zone, so you don't have to keep track of Japan time. When class time approaches, simply log in, click your classroom link, and you're learning Japanese live, online!

We want your JOI experience to be a success, so please test the classroom software on your computer before buying lessons.

No, dial-up connections are too usually too slow for our classroom, but almost any broadband connection (cable or DSL) will work. Satellite connections are not recommended, because of their high latencies.

Please do the quick connection test here

No, while all teachers use a web cam (which means you can see your teacher during class), web cams are optional for students.

Any computer or electronics store sells headsets, generally for US $10 to $30 (prices vary).

A quality headset is essential. Low-quality headsets bleed sound from the earphones into the microphone, causing echoes when you talk. (Often, you cannot hear your own echoes, but the rest of the class can.)

The best headset is one with noise-reducing or noise-cancelling circuitry (search Google). These headsets cost a little more (US $20 to $40), but they produce clear sound without echoes or background noise.

A headset has two cords that plug into your computer: one cord plugs into your microphone jack, the other cord plugs into your headphones jack.

An ordinary microphone and audio headphones will also work, but you'll get better sound and a more comfortable experience with a headset.

Please contact support@japonin.com for a new password and username reminder.

If using a credit card or a PayPal transfer, simply complete a purchase from the Buy Lessons page. We'll credit your account with the new lessons within 24 hours. (For direct bank transfer procedures, please contact us.)

If you purchase a new package of tickets BEFORE your current package expires, the new ticket packages expiration date applies to all tickets. Please note - FlexLesson purchases extend FlexLesson packages only.
And Private lesson ticket packages extend Private lesson packages only.

On October 9th 2011, (BEFORE THE PACKAGE EXPIRES) you buy 5 tickets ( 5 FlexLessons = 1 month validity. Expiration = November 9th 2011)

13 tickets + 5 tickets = 18 tickets . All 18 tickets expire on November 9th 2011.

On October 11th 2011, (AFTER THE PACKAGE EXPIRES) you buy 5 tickets ( 5 FlexLessons = 1 month validity. Expiration = November 9th 2011)

Login to your account after you have purchased lesson tickets, visit your Current Reservations page, and click the "Make a Reservation" link.

The reservation deadline is 17 hours before class. (This JOI feature is the best service among all online
                                                                         Japanese schools !)

To cancel a reservation, visit your Current Reservations page, and click the "Cancel" button next to the reservation you wish to cancel. When you cancel a reservation, the lesson ticket is added back to your account balance.

The cancellation deadline is 17 hours before class.

Unfortunately, no. Although we understand the frustration of this situation, we cannot re-award a lesson ticket after the cancellation deadline, even if you couldn't take the lesson for reasons beyond your control.

The reservation deadline is 17 hours before class.

Classes are available for reservation 7 days in advance.
Private Gold lessons can be reserved 30 days in advance.

Unfortunately, the class cannot be cancelled after the cancellation deadline.
The cancellation deadline is 17 hours before class.

Please try to find another class within our schedule. The lesson schedule lists all available FlexLessons and private lessons in Japan time or your local time. The reservation system lists available classes and your reserved classes in your local time.  (See schedule here )

When logging in to the Reservations System, make sure you are entering your username and password correctly. If you have forgotten your password or username, please contact us.
To enter the classroom - click Enter as Guest, then enter your username and room passcode