PonPon Japanese Language School

Expérience fantastique: If you're looking for an affordable, amazing learning environment with a schedule meant for busy adult learners, you've come to the right place. Mandy and Ritomo are incredible teachers who both shine in their own ways. Ritomo is a native speaker with amazing insight into the history and nuances of Japanese, whereas Mandy can help frame tricky grammar points from someone who has spent years studying them from an English perspective. As someone who works a full-time job, twice weekly evening group classes easily fit into my lifestyle. The homework is released on a reasonable schedule and there is no pressure if you miss a class because everything is always recorded. I really appreciate the group learning environment that PonPon fosters and I will always recommend them for any aspiring Japanese learners.

Expérience fantastique: Great teachers and fantastic pacing! The number of classes per week plus homework have kept me on track for practicing. I can tell I have improved from level to level and have met some great friends along the way.

Expérience fantastique: I started PonPon in September and have completed level 2. It has been such a wonderful experience. Learning a new language can be very intimidating but my teachers, Mandy and Ritomo, have been so supportive, encouraging and all around awesome teachers or shal I say せんせい! I highly recommend taking thier classes or doing one on one lessons. They have so many resources and experiences that can really give you the confidence to read, write and speak Japanese! Another thing I have loved is that all of my classmates are also so supportive and excited to learn. Again, it's a great choice that I highly recommend!

Expérience fantastique: I feel so lucky to have found PonPon! I’m half Japanese and a 4th-generation Canadian, and my family no longer speaks Japanese—so being able to reconnect with the language means a lot to me. The teachers are relatable, clear, incredibly helpful, and patient. Every week I leave class feeling more confident and empowered in my language skills. The price is more than fair for the quality of lessons! I can’t recommend it enough if you’re looking for a REAL Japanese language class! Mandy & Ritomo, thank you for helping me reconnect with my family’s language—see you next semester! !! どうもありがとうございます !!

Expérience fantastique: Very good school which understands the needs of the students (both globally and for each individual). Mandy and Ritomo make the lessons both fun and crystal clear and the atmosphere is very motivating. The group lessons aren't like massively large so there's still time for everyone and for the important chit chat about japanese culture and whatnot. There's also an element of "helping you with your journey to Japan" all the way to guiding you with the administrative tasks and so on, which is very handy. Super happy with the lessons which I also think are very good value for money. Thanks Mandy and Ritomo ! ✨✨

Expérience fantastique: Recently wrapped up Level 3 with Mandy and Ritomo. It's been such a joy to learn with them and my fellow students. Highly recommend for anyone looking to level up their Japanese. You'll get a lot of speaking practice with real time feedback, which is so invaluable. レベル４が楽しみです！

Expérience fantastique: Do yourself a favor and ditch duolingo! Who needs to learn how to say "cool lawyer" in Japanese anyway?! PonPon Japanese Language School is an incredible way to learn. Great for both conversational (you get practice with your fellow students) and writing Japanese skills, the teachers offer real, culturally-informed lessons. I just completed Level 2, and love the community they have built. Every class is so much fun and informative. Plus, its designed for busy people and they do not test. Which helps make it so much fun!.

Expérience fantastique: Just finished my first class with Mandy and Ritomo, and it was absolutely wonderful. Good teaching, great insight/deeper dives where the textbooks fall short, and a great community.

Expérience fantastique: Ritomo and Mandy run a very fun school for Japanese learners. I'd highly recommend them to everyone looking to learn or improve their Japanese.

Expérience fantastique: I went into the level 2 course with previous knowledge from a different program but this course has been a game changer! There were so many concepts I had trouble grasping before, such as -te form, but Mandy and Ritomo teach these concepts so clearly! I'm now heading into level 4 and I've met some great people. We get to actually practice speaking out loud each class which is a huge bonus since it's so hard to get speaking practice in elsewhere. Super comfortable environment yet pushed out of my comfort zone so that I actually improve. Would highly recommend this course!

Expérience fantastique: I found this class because I follow Ritomo on Instagram, where he posts kanji mnemonics under the name ponponsensei. Mandy and Ritomo are a team composed of a native English speaker fluent in Japanese, and a native Japanese speaker fluent in English. Having both perspectives is very helpful. The classes are given on Zoom, which makes it easy for me to attend. If you have to miss a class, you can watch a recording. There is plenty of opportunity to ask questions in class. The homework is not excessive and they always correct my submitted homework. It is really difficult to find a higher level Japanese class once you have been studying the language for a while. Most people give up. But if you are one of the few who stuck with it, then level 7 is for you. We gather Japanese language learners from all over (in my class, New York, Maine. Texas, Maryland, Alberta, Arizona and Ohio) and enjoy learning together to improve our Japanese. Mandy and Ritomo are supportive and patient, and at times silly and wacky. This is a fun class.

Expérience fantastique: I've been taking classes at PonPon Japanese Language School for a little over a year now. So far I've completed the first 4 courses and have begun the 5th. I've learned so much on this journey and love attending classes. Studying with a teaching duo like Mandy and Ritomo is an amazing opportunity, and the group classes quite affordable for the amount I've learned in such a short time. I really appreciate the chance to learn from a both a native speaker and someone who has learned Japanese as a second language, it really gives their classes a unique view into the language. I would definitely recommend learning Japanese at PonPon!

Expérience fantastique: I've been taking their one-on-one lessons for a couple of months now to prepare myself to communicate Japanese properly and potentially for the JPLT tests. So far it's going great and the prices are really fair. This is the school for both beginner and experienced speakers/readers!

Expérience fantastique: I absolutely love this course! The structured classes make it easy to follow and progress, and the homework with detailed feedback ensures I stay on track. Having two teachers with different backgrounds is a huge plus—it’s great to hear different pronunciations and learn from their unique perspectives. What really sets this course apart is how they go beyond just teaching the language—they also provide fascinating cultural insights, which makes learning even more engaging and meaningful. Plus, being online is so convenient, and for the quality of teaching, it’s incredible value for money. I’d recommend this course to anyone looking to learn Japanese, whether it’s for practical use or just as a hobby. It’s an all-around fantastic experience! Daisuki!

Expérience fantastique: I have taken both the level one and two courses with Mandy and Ritomo and they have been so fun. I learned leagues more about Japanese than I would have just trying to teach myself. Having perspectives from both a native and non-native speaker is incredibly helpful. Japanese is a very intense language to master but PonPon JLS breaks it down into digestible bites. I appreciate the opportunities for speaking practice and feedback. The workload is very manageable while working full time and having other hobbies. I would definitely recommend their classes to any working adult (or busy student) looking to challenge themselves with a new learning experience!

Expérience fantastique: Great classes! If you’re learning Japanese on your own, it makes a big difference to get the chance to speak the language, have someone teach you useful methods for understanding the verb conjugation and grammar structures, and be with other people who are trying to make the same connections. Also, a lot of the Genki textbook doesn’t really work unless you can do the exercises, and they use it for these classes. I always have fun speaking with Ritomo and Mandy from PonPon school and my classmates, and they are quick to return homework and give feedback. You also get one teacher who is a native Japanese speaker, and one who did the work of learning the language, so the different perspectives are interesting from class to class, as they alternate teaching. I will continue to study with PonPon next month! がんばって！

Expérience fantastique: I have really enjoyed learning Japanese through Pon Pon academy over the last four terms. The teachers are funny and engaging, we took a lot of time going over each section, and I really liked my classmates. I highly recommend for adult learners who don't want to learn Japanese at a break neck speed and want to understand the materials thoroughly.

Expérience fantastique: Mandy is absolutely phenomenal and our daughter has learned SO much!!

Expérience fantastique: After years of trying to learn Japanese myself, subsequently giving up, and then restarting—I decided I wanted to try taking a class this time around. I had followed their IG page for a while and really loved the way Ritomo taught Kanji. So, when I heard they were going to start doing group classes, I immediately signed up. I’m really glad I did, and am forever grateful to both Mandy and Ritomo, as this is the furthest I’ve made it in my Japanese studies. Being able to get insight from Ritomo, who is a native speaker, is great. He provides a lot of nuance you won’t find in a textbook. Mandy, who learned Japanese as a second language, has also been invaluable as she understands what it is like and can offer tips for learning and advice to avoid stumbles she made during her learning journey. Moreover, they are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and put a lot of care and dedication into teaching the course, answering our questions, and providing feedback on homework. I started with them at level one and am now in the level four class. I plan to continue for as long as they offer classes, because I truly can’t imagine a better way to learn the language!

Expérience fantastique: Fantastic teachers. Classes are engaging, informative, and fun. I learned so much more japanese taking these classes than I did with self study. Mandy and Ritomo are amazing at adding context around the lessons to really help cement the concepts. If you come to class ready to learn and make time between classes to study; your japanese ability will skyrocket. I took level 1 and 2, and will definitely continue in the future. The online lessons are a bargain for the amount of instuction and feedback you will recieve.

Expérience fantastique: After finishing level one with Ritomo and Mandy I can say I've learned so much more that I had ever expected was possible in such a short time. They are both excellent teachers making learning Japanese fun, accessible and relevant. The materials they use are really spot on and allows for easy revision after you finish the lessons. Who would have thought that learning a language online instead of in a classroom was possible and so enjoyable!

Expérience fantastique: I came across PonPon when I set a goal for myself this year to explore learning a new language. PonPon provides a wide selection of group classes and personalized sessions catering to various levels of proficiency in Japanese. These classes are offered for both North America and Euro time zones. For myself I had no prior knowledge of Japanese writing systems or language. As of writing this review I am now coming to the end of the introductory group class "Japanese Course Level 1", which is aimed at those with no prior knowledge. I am now able to read the full hiragana character set and some basic kanji, create and speak basic sentences, and acquired the tools to begin listening and deciphering spoken Japanese. I have to say that Mandy and Ritomo are an excellent teaching duo. Mandy has an empathetic understanding of the struggles an English speaker may have when learning Japanese, and Ritamo gives wonderful insights into "why" the language may operate in the ways it does. The combination of these teaching styles work wonderfully in giving a person an awesome foundation into learning the language. I look forward to finishing this course, working hard to cement the knowledge I have learned, and take the next available lesson level with PonPon.

Expérience fantastique: Yep, these guys are legit! Having a baby and a little kid, I found the Level 1 course to be a challenging but doable pace. Looking forward to keeping on with the next level. Mandy and Ritomo dig in to the language to explain interesting facts and history along the way which I found to be valuable as memory aids. They are both easygoing, humorous and helpful. Even with my sleep-deprived brain I managed to learn hiragana and katakana. What are you waiting for? Ganbatte kudasai!

Expérience fantastique: I found this course almost by chance on instagram and decided to try it since the price was very competitive compared to others. It was not disappointing! The pace is not too fast since it's thought for people working/studying, but it still requires you to properly study at least once a week to be able to keep following, especially from level 2. The teachers are nice and explain things very clearly. The atmosphere during class is very relaxed and you have fun practicing with both the teachers and the other students, also in small groups. I am already waiting for the next level course!

Expérience fantastique: I took the level 1 Japanese group course for the last 3 months and it was wonderful! They are both super great teachers and offer unique perspectives into the language. I have already signed up to take level 2 starting in January. If you're looking to start learning Japanese but have no idea where to start look no further! I cannot recommend them enough! The course is fun and keeps a fairly decent pace that is achievable even with a busy schedule. If you're interested at all give it a shot and you won't be disappointed!

Expérience fantastique: About two-thirds through the first level PonPon course, Ritomo and Mandy had already surpassed what I'd learned in two semesters of Japanese classes in university. For as much as these classes cover (twice a week, with homework assigned after each class), I did not feel overwhelmed with the work. After two courses, my writing and listening skills are up, and I'm even feeling a bit more confident in speaking! For the length of the course, the length of each class, the amount of homework and practice in and out of class, the dedication of the teachers (learning from a native speaker and a fluent learner together is incredibly advantageous), and having the classes recorded to watch again (or on your own time, if you miss a class) is absolutely worth the very reasonable price of the class. My personal recommendation for the class is to have two or three notebooks - one to take notes during class, transferred into a more organized notebook afterwards (rewriting is a form of study), and another notebook to keep as a journal, so you can practice writing your own sentences from what you've learned.

Expérience fantastique: I found PonPon when i was frustrated with the lack of any in-person Japanese language learning anywhere near me. I'm so glad that I did! Mandy and Ritomo are great teachers and provide really useful feedback to your work and valuable insight on real-world Japanese beyond the textbook. The group lessons really foster a fun sense of community with your classmates, despite being Zoom-based. Looking forward to continuing my language education here.

Expérience fantastique: I Love my lessons with Mandy and Ritomo. It is helping my Japanese grammar to get better and often in fun ways! They put together great videos and interactive lesson plans. I can't wait to go to Japan in March and will be in a better position to converse because of their lessons. Angelica Roth

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritmo are excellent teachers and fantastic with children. My kiddo is not only learning to speak, read and write, but is also learning so much about the culture. It's been wonderful. I highly recommend PonPon Japanese Language School!

Expérience fantastique: I've only been able to do the written lessons, but always get great feedback from Mandy and Ritomo, and find their teaching videos very helpful and thorough. The Kanji lessons and great and I've been encouraged to refine my technique. Mandy's grammar explanations hit the important points and are worth viewing again and again. I had a few chances to converse with them early on and found them personally delightful and friendly, and professionally encouraging.

Expérience fantastique: Thank you Pon Pon for your amazing lessons! I believe the teachers are more familiar with older teen/adult learners, but they've done a wonderful job adapting to a younger audience. My daughter started at age 9 with Pon Pon Japanese Language School, and has spent time with both teachers. She looks forward to every class! From quality to communication to flexibility and customizing to meet the learner's needs/interests, 5 stars across the board! I'd recommend Pon Pon to anyone looking to more about the Japanese language and culture.

Expérience fantastique: My Japanese proficiency has increased by leaps and bounds since starting lessons with Mandy and Ritamo. They are very professional and customize each lesson to the learner. I highly recommend Pon Pon!

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo are fantastic teachers! My husband and I really enjoy learning with PonPon Japanese Language School.

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo are amazing teachers and make you feel super comfortable, which is important because it can be nerve-wracking to speak/learn another language! I love that you can work at your own pace and you can also request different fun lessons, like Japanese onomatopoeias. I highly recommend Pon Pon to those interested in learning Japanese, these lessons have helped me feel more comfortable and confident for when I study abroad in Japan! 日本語を教えてくれてありがとう！ 日本語の授業が大好き！

Expérience fantastique: At first, I was nervous about online tutoring sessions because I have never done it before but after meeting Mandy and Ritomo I have no regrets. They are the perfect team to teach anyone Japanese. Mandy is a native english speaker who understands from an English speakers perspective why certain concepts in Japanese are harder for us to grasp and then Ritomo who is a native speaker who can help guide you in a more authentic way of writing and speaking. I always rave about them and recommend them to anyone. Not to mention they have the most patience in the world lol. I know I’ve been giving them a run for their money with my memory skills ahaha. But that’s why they’re amazing and if you’re reading this that means you’re already thinking about doing it so just do it! :) Also just wanted to mention that I was able to pass a Japanese placement test because of their help. I was able to skip the classes I didn’t need to take for my Japanese degree which truly showed me how much they’ve taught me just from online. They use the same curriculum as universities and everything so don’t be nervous and don’t have doubts. Mandy and Ritomo know what they’re doing!

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo are fantastic teachers. Their combination of being able to learn from a native speaker, as well as someone who studied the language for many years, is incredibly beneficial. They are both so kind, helpful, and supportive. I highly recommend PonPon Japanese Language School!

Expérience fantastique: I highly recommend! They teach you from a natives perspective and a non natives perspective! I’ve improved a lot and they alway encourage me to go out and practice ! They also explain everything very well

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo make Japanese class so much fun and explain things so well. I look forward to every class that I have with them and would highly recommend them for learning Japanese

Expérience fantastique: My daughter and I started learning Japanese 2 months ago and already see great progress. Mandy is a great, knowledgeable and fun teacher. If you are thinking of learning Japanese, PonPon is highly recommended. You can learn on your own pace and have a great support along the way for a great price.

Expérience fantastique: I very much enjoy taking language lessons from PonPon Japanese Language School. Developing foreign language skills can be a challenge as it requires a lot of time and patience. PonPon is an excellent team to work with. They’ve been very supportive and encouraging of my progress. Lessons are conducted in a very friendly environment and are fairly priced. If you’re interested in learning the Japanese language, I highly recommend PonPon Japanese Language School.

Expérience fantastique: the best !

Expérience fantastique: Ritomo and Mandy have created a wonderful and comprehensive language program. You really get the best of both worlds since Ritomo is a Japanese native and Mandy is a fluent Japanese speaker, but is English-first-language. They both bring a really important piece of language learning to their program and I couldn't suggest them more. ありがとうございます!!!

Expérience fantastique: The topics are great and easy to understand! Their method of teaching has helped alottt. 10/10 would recommend.

Expérience fantastique: PonPon Japanese Language School is amazing! I've taken Japanese classes at a university years ago, and Mandy was great at refreshing my memory. PonPon also gives interesting language & cultural background that I do not recall learning about in university. I enjoy the combination of homework/self-study and online meetings. Mandy creates a great atmosphere with the one-on-one online meetings. She gives great feedback which definitely increases my confidence in the language. I look forward to learning more about Japanese from PonPon Japanese Language School in the future!

Expérience fantastique: 10/10 love it! its helped me so much! Mandy and ritomo go at your speed of learning and go over anything you don't understand. most of the others i have tried only meet once a month or so and give tons of things to do on your own, but PonPon japanese school allows you to meet aleast once every week and you get to book! i reccomend this to anyone wanting to learn japanese long term and for short term!

Expérience fantastique: My experience with this school has been amazing, Mandy and Ritomo are the absolute best instructors you could ask for and they do a really amazing job at making a fun and interesting learning experience.

Expérience fantastique: Love taking lessons with them. Very great teachers for a not too expensive price!

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo are excellent instructors. I really appreciate that they personalize our lessons. It helps me learn a lot better. Highly recommend.

Expérience fantastique: Mandy and Ritomo are GREAT at explaining the intricacies of the Japanese language. I haven't spent much time with them yet but I keep on coming back for more learning and hope to continue doing so!

Expérience fantastique: Fantastic experience! I chose this school due to the flexible scheduling and have stayed (almost 8 months now) due to the quality of learning. Mandy and Ritomo are very adaptive to all learning styles, and even though most other online lessons are generally very self-study oriented, the instructors here are very good at keeping the momentum going in their lessons. My lessons are mostly structured through the use of a textbook, but even if I have an "off" week and perhaps didn't study as much as I should have, the instructors have a plethora of Japanese Language and knowledge at their disposal and are more than happy to do a lesson that diverges from the textbook. I would recommend PonPon Japanese School to anyone who is thinking of learning Japanese - I was on the fence at first but the free consultation was exactly what I needed to give me a push. 8 months later, I am still excited to continue my learning and I foresee myself with PonPon Japanese School for quite awhile longer.

Expérience fantastique: I absolutely love PonPon Japanese school! The teachers are kind and fun to work with, and they teach things that are useful in real world situations. With the private lessons, you can work at your own pace, and learn in a way that works for you.