Before you start

What you need

All you need to start taking Japanese lessons on SuraPera is:

A computer or a smart device

A stable Internet connection

Zoom app

A webcam and a headset

Step 1. Sign up

1. Sign up for SuraPera account on the Sign Up page

Access the Sign Up page and enter the required information.

A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you entered. Click the confirmation link in the email.

2. Log in to your account

After completing the member registration process, go to the Log In page and log in to your account with your email and password.

3. Complete your profile

When you log in for the first time, the profile creation window will appear on the screen. Enter your profile information. (You cannot book any lessons without completing your profile.)

The information you enter under About Me and My Goal can be very helpful to SuraPera teachers. Be sure to include as many details as you can!

Step 2. Book a lesson

There are two ways to book a lesson: by selecting the name of the instructor or by selecting a date.

Way to book a lesson 1/2

Select a teacher to book a lesson

  1. To book a lesson by selecting a teacher, click the Book a Lesson by Teacher button on your My Page.
  2. Filter your search and Click the Find Teachers button.
  3. Click the photo or name of the teacher you want to take a lesson with.
  4. You will see the available time slots on their calendar. Click a time slot to select it.
  5. Click the Confirm Booking button to confirm it.
  • You need to book your lesson at least 12 hours in advance. (Please note that if you cancel 24 hours or less before your lesson starts, you will be charged a cancellation fee.)
  • All time slots show Japan Standard Time (UTC +9).
  • If you wish to take a 50-minute lesson, book two consecutive 25-minute slots. (Please note that you will have to book a lesson for each time slot separately.)
Way to book a lesson 2/2

Select a date and time to book a lesson

  1. To book a lesson by selecting a teacher, click the Book a Lesson by Calendar button on your My Page.
  2. Click the day you want to take a lesson on the calendar.
  3. You will see a list of available slots on that day. Click the Book this Lesson button to the right of the slot you want to book.
  4. Click the Confirm Booking button to confirm it.
  • You need to book your lesson at least 12 hours in advance. (Please note that if you cancel 24 hours or less before your lesson starts, you will be charged a cancellation fee.)
  • All time slots show Japan Standard Time (UTC +9).
  • If you wish to take a 50-minute lesson, book two consecutive 25-minute slots for the same teacher. (Please note that you will have to book a lesson for each time slot separately.)

Lesson cancellation

How to cancel your lesson

If you wish to cancel a lesson you booked, open the Lesson Details page, describe your reasons for canceling in the Reasons for Cancellation field and click the Submit button.

If your lesson was canceled by you

You may be charged a cancellation fee depending on when you cancel your lesson.

  • If you cancel your lesson at least 24 hours before it starts: no cancellation fee.
  • If you cancel your lesson later than 24 hours before it starts: 100% cancellation fee.

If your lesson was canceled by the teacher

If the teacher cancels your lesson, we will do the following.

  • Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will be notified via email.
  • You will get back all the points you used on booking that lesson.

Step 3. Contact your teacher

Send a message to your teacher

After you book a lesson, you can exchange messages with your teacher. You can tell them in advance what you would like to learn during your lesson.

To send a message to your teacher, click the lesson in the My Lesson List section on your My Page. On the Lesson Details page, enter your message in the Messages section and click the Submit button.

Step 4. Start your lesson

All lessons on the SuraPera platform are conducted via Zoom.
For details on how to use Zoom, see About Zoom Lessons.

1. Setup the Zoom app (If you are new to Zoom)

Before you take a lesson, you need to install the Zoom app and create your Zoom account.
For more details about the Zoom app installation and Zoom aaccount sign-up procedures, see About Zoom Lessons.

2. Test your devices

About 5 minutes before the lesson start time, start Zoom and test your camera, speakers, and microphone.

3. Start your lesson

When it is time to start your lesson, join the session by doing either of the following.

  • Click the line of the lesson in the My Lesson List section on your My Page. On the Lesson Details page, click the Join Zoom meeting button.
  • Click the Zoom link in the lesson start notification email you received.

After starting Zoom, wait for the teacher to let you into the virtual classroom, and start your lesson.

If the teacher did not show up after the lesson start time

If the teacher did not show up after the lesson start time, report it in the Lesson Report section on the Lesson Details page. We will try to find out what the issue was and give you back your points.
*If you contact us outside of AIBS business hours, we will process your request on the following business day.

If your lesson was interrupted due to an issue with the teacher’s Internet connection

If your lesson was interrupted due to an issue with the teacher’s Internet connection, report it in the Lesson Report section on the Lesson Details page. We will find out what the issue was and adjust your point balance as follows.

  • If the lesson was interrupted for less than 5 minutes: You do not get any points back.
  • If the lesson was interrupted for 5 minutes or longer: You get back all the points you used on that lesson.

*If you contact us outside of AIBS business hours, we will process your request on the following business day.
* If your lesson is interrupted due to an issue with your own Internet connection, you will not get any points back.

After the lesson ends

Review the lesson

After the lesson ends, please review the lesson.
To review the lesson, open the Lesson Details page. In the Lesson Report section, write a short review, rate your lesson, and click the Submit button.
You need to submit a review within 120 minutes after your lesson ends. If you do not submit a review within that time limit, your lesson will be automatically marked as “Completed.”