Native Camp is a popular online English learning platform that offers unlimited lessons 24/7, all year round. As a heavy user, I was so fascinated by the variety of tutors that I ended up taking 1,000 lessons in just nine months—even though I’m just an ordinary office worker. On average, I take three to four lessons a day, and with each lesson lasting 26 minutes, that adds up to about 430 hours of English-only conversation.
After 1,000 lessons, it’s only natural that I’ve improved. The difference from where I was nine months ago is clear: I feel much more confident in professional conversations. I’ve also learned how to fill in gaps smoothly, thanks to developing a habit of using useful English phrases and expressions.
The main reason I was able to take 1,000 lessons is simple—it’s fun! I’m very satisfied with the quality of the service. As you keep taking lessons, you build a relationship with your tutors and gradually create an environment where you can learn comfortably. A big part of that comes down to the tutors’ personalities. The key point I want to make in this article is that it’s not just about the skills of the tutors—it’s about their personalities.
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In this article, I’ll share the characteristics of popular tutors that I’ve noticed after taking 1,000 lessons at Native Camp. Naturally, popular tutors receive more reservations, which makes it harder and harder to book their classes. I’ll share my personal experiences and give my thoughts on what makes them stand out.
※I have not taken any Callan lessons, so my discussion of Callan is not reflected in this article.
※And the internet connection environment and ambient noise is a big factor too! However, we will not deal with these items in this article.
Let’s get started!
General student psychology
Every student looks for something different in a lesson, and I’m no exception. For me, the ideal outcome is simply being able to say at the end, “Oh, that was fun!” Tutors who create a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere tend to be especially popular. Of course, there are students with a strong spirit who prefer a strict, highly skilled instructor—but I believe they are in the minority.
This ease of attending lessons highlights an important point: a tutor’s strengths can generally be divided into two main categories:
- Skills for teaching English
- Personality (character)
The first is a given. If a tutor is fluent in English and skilled at teaching, they will naturally attract students.
However, in my experience, there are also many tutors who are very popular even if their teaching skills are only average. That popularity often comes down to personality—the kind of tutor you want to meet again and again. In other words, a tutor who understands and adapts well to Japanese learners’ personalities.
In the following sections, I’ll take a closer look at the characteristics that make certain tutors popular—focusing not just on their teaching ability, but on the personal qualities that set them apart.
5 characteristics of popular instructors
Smile a lot
Popular tutors are almost always smiling during lessons. A teacher’s smile is especially helpful when students feel nervous or tense. With just the right balance of smiles and reactions, popular tutors put their students at ease.
Some tutors laugh a little more than usual when a student makes a joke—but honestly, I don’t mind at all. In fact, the more they laugh, the more motivated I feel to keep the conversation going, and it leaves a great impression of the tutor. Of course, lessons don’t consist only of lighthearted topics; we also talk about serious or even sad subjects. Still, having good reactions makes all the difference.
This seems to be a common pattern at Native Camp: if a new tutor gives a blunt or cold self-introduction at the start, it can make you want to abandon the lesson right there (laughs).
On the other hand, a tutor with a warm, genuine smile is someone you’ll want to learn from again.
Teachers who like Japan
The second characteristic of a popular tutor is having a “strong interest in Japan.” For students, simply knowing that a tutor is curious about your country makes you feel more relaxed. Typical topics include Japanese culture, different regions, and the characteristics of Japanese people.
Tutors who are studying Japanese themselves are especially popular. It’s not only because they’re interested in the language, but also because they can empathize with students who are learning a foreign language. On top of that, it’s a lot of fun to be able to teach them a bit of Japanese during the lesson.
Here are some memorable experiences I’ve had with tutors who showed a genuine interest in Japan:
- A tutor took a deep dive into the differences between the personalities of people from Kanto and Kansai.
- Another spoke passionately about why he loves the Okinawan dialect.
- One tutor even emphasized the advantages of Japanese hybrid cars.
What do you think? Experiences like these make me genuinely happy. When foreign tutors explore deep topics that even many Japanese people don’t know much about, I can’t help but admire them—and it leaves me with an excellent impression.
Teachers who can speak their mind
Good listening and speaking skills play an important role in conversation, and tutors who can clearly express their own opinions are especially popular. This is because their responses make the conversation more engaging, while also providing excellent listening practice. On top of that, it naturally helps expand your vocabulary. For example, when a tutor shares their thoughts and uses a word I don’t know, I often say, “You just used the word ●●●. I’m not familiar with it—what does it mean?” This way, I can pick up new words directly from the conversation.
On the other hand, there are tutors who simply respond with “How about you?” without offering their own opinions—and to be honest, those lessons feel dull. The tutors who are willing to share their perspectives on any topic are the ones who stand out. Their popularity comes from how knowledgeable and experienced they are, and that always makes for a much more enjoyable and meaningful lesson.
A good listener
The way tutors listen to students varies greatly from one instructor to another. Tutors who listen carefully and respond sincerely are always popular. They also take the time to correct your English when necessary, which is very much appreciated.
I often feel that many foreign tutors don’t always realize something that Japanese people take for granted: even when students have something they want to say, they may not be able to express it well in English. Some tutors lack patience in these moments. Others let their attention wander, and in the worst cases, they may even start playing with their phones.
This is exactly where a tutor’s effort matters most. Instructors who give students the reassurance that they are truly being listened to are naturally the ones who become the most popular.
Skilled chat-box user
One particularly helpful feature of Native Camp, especially for students who struggle with listening, is the chat box. Being able to type out a word you don’t understand or share a useful web link during the lesson makes it much easier to follow the conversation.
Personally, I don’t rely on the chat box very much, but I’ve noticed that popular tutors tend to use it very effectively. A skilled tutor can quickly type a word into the chat box the moment they notice a student tilting their head in confusion.
Of course, it’s important for students to practice asking questions themselves when they don’t understand something—that’s part of improving conversation skills. But I’ve found that tutors who are sharp enough to anticipate those questions and provide support before you even ask are the ones who become especially popular.
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Summary
In this article, I’ve shared my personal observations about the characteristics of popular tutors at Native Camp. From my experience, it seems that many Japanese learners value not only teaching ability but also what you might call a sense of hospitality in lessons. In other words, it’s not just about how well English is taught, but also about how the tutor makes the student feel during the lesson.
To summarize, the key traits of popular tutors are:
- Smile a lot
- Teachers who like Japan
- Teachers who can speak their mind
- A good listener
- Skilled chat-box user
What do you think?
I’m truly grateful to have met so many wonderful tutors. Thanks to them, I feel motivated to keep going—and I’m excited to continue my English learning journey.
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