Best Teacher
Best Teacher is a Tokyo-based online English conversation platform that uses a write-then-speak methodology to help Japanese individual learners and enterprises improve English fluency via subscription-based lessons with foreign instructor corrections.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Best Teacher does
Best Teacher (株式会社ベストティーチャー) is a Tokyo-based online English conversation platform founded in 2011 that serves Japanese learners seeking to improve spoken and written English proficiency. The company operates a subscription-based service accessible 24/7 via web browser and dedicated iOS/Android applications, combining asynchronous Writing lessons with synchronous instructor-led Speaking lessons in a unique "write-then-speak" methodology: students write what they want to express in English, receive grammar and natural-expression corrections from foreign instructors, practice through Training modules, and then conduct Speaking lessons using the corrected content. The product surface is segmented across a Regular Course (¥12,000/month, tax included), an enhanced Nikkei LissN Course (¥13,500/month), and a portfolio of Exam Preparation Courses (¥16,500/month each) covering IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC SW, Eiken, DET, TEAP, and VERSANT, plus a separate BT Writing app for grammar and composition practice.
The business model is primarily consumer subscription with unlimited lesson access, monetized through monthly recurring fees and a free-trial funnel. GTM motion is product-led growth: users sign up directly via the website or app, self-onboard through a free trial, and convert to paid monthly subscriptions. The company also operates dedicated enterprise (Mizuho, Yomiuri, Mitsui) and educational-institution sales channels for B2B corporate English training, providing a secondary revenue stream. Marketing is executed through a Japan-native channel mix including a content blog, Twitter, Instagram, LINE Official Account, YouTube, and a related media property (4skills Media).
Best Teacher is a subsidiary of SAPIX YOZEMI GROUP, one of Japan's leading education conglomerates that also operates SAPIX (K-12 supplementary education) and Yozemi Seminars (university entrance preparation), providing brand credibility, parent-group cross-sell potential, and access to a captive Japanese student base. The company has received the 9th Japan e-Learning Awards Social Online English Conversation Department Award and holds ISMS certification (IS 757758) for information security management. Geographic footprint is Japan-domestic only, with no disclosed international expansion.
Best Teacher firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Best Teacher
- Legal name
- 株式会社ベストティーチャー (Best Teacher Inc.)
- Website
- https://best-teacher-inc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Best Teacher is a Tokyo-based online English conversation platform that uses a write-then-speak methodology to help Japanese individual learners and enterprises improve English fluency via subscription-based lessons with foreign instructor corrections.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Best Teacher industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online English Language Learning
- NAICS
- Language Schools (61163), Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Tutoring, Conversation Exchange & Language Coaching Platforms (EDAFAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA), Teacher-Led Conversation Exchanges (Language Partner Matching & Facilitated) (EDAMAFAN), General Language Tutoring (Conversation & Fluency) (EDANACAA)
Keywords
Where Best Teacher is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Best Teacher business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Monthly Subscription - Regular Course: Recurring monthly subscription providing unlimited Writing lessons and Speaking lessons. Users pay a fixed monthly fee for access to all core platform features.
- Monthly Subscription - Exam Preparation Courses: Specialized courses for English proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, Eiken, etc.) with dedicated curriculum and instructors, billed monthly at premium pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | 通常コース (Regular Course) - Unlimited Writing and Speaking lessons |
| Subscription | Monthly | 日経LissNコース (Nikkei LissN Course) - Enhanced course with additional features |
| Subscription | Monthly | 試験対策コース (Exam Preparation Course) - IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Eiken, TOEIC SW, DET, TEAP, VERSANT |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Best Teacher product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Best Teacher is an online English conversation school that delivers language instruction through a proprietary write-then-speak methodology. Students first write what they want to express in English, receive corrections from foreign instructors on grammar and natural expressions, practice via Training lessons, and then conduct Speaking lessons using the corrected material. The service offers a Regular Course for daily and business English, the Nikkei LissN enhanced business course, and exam preparation courses for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC SW, Eiken, DET, TEAP, and VERSANT, accessible 24/7 via web and mobile applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BT Writing: Grammar learning to composition app - helps users learn grammar and improve their English composition skills
- Best Teacher App
Products and services
- Regular Course (通常コース)
Quantifiable outcome
- IELTS Overall 7.0 achieved with 6.5 in Writing and Speaking
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Best Teacher
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Best Teacher technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Best Teacher partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SAPIX YOZEMI GROUPflagshipBest Teacher is a subsidiary and part of SAPIX YOZEMI GROUP, one of Japan's leading education groups that also operates SAPIX (supplementary education) and Yozemi Seminars (university exam preparation). This partnership provides brand credibility, educational expertise, and cross-selling opportunities within the group.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Best Teacher competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Preply: Preply is a global online marketplace for language tutors offering one-on-one lessons, including English. It is comparable to Best Teacher as an online platform monetizing per-lesson and subscription tutoring, though it operates across many languages and geographies.
- Bizmates: Bizmates is a Japan-based online English platform focused on business English for working professionals, offering live lessons with instructors. It directly overlaps with Best Teacher's 'daily/business' and corporate-training segments.
- Cambly: Cambly is a global online platform connecting learners with native English-speaking tutors for on-demand conversation practice. It competes with Best Teacher in the online English conversation category, particularly for learners outside Japan's traditional test-prep track.
- DMM Eikaiwa: DMM Eikaiwa is the online English conversation service operated by DMM.com in Japan, offering subscription-based lessons with foreign instructors. It competes head-on with Best Teacher in the Japanese online English subscription category.
- RareJob: RareJob is the leading online English conversation service in Japan, connecting Japanese learners with Filipino instructors via subscription. It is the most direct Japanese-market peer to Best Teacher, competing on the same consumer subscription value proposition.
- italki: italki is a global online marketplace for language tutors, including English conversation and writing correction. It overlaps with Best Teacher's tutor-led correction and conversation model, though it operates globally and across many languages.
Broad incumbents
- AEON e-ラーニング: AEON is a major Japanese English conversation school chain, with AEON e-Learning providing an online subscription channel. It is a broad incumbent in the same learner demographic, with overlapping course content for daily and business English.
- Berlitz Japan: Berlitz operates a global network of language schools with a substantial Japan presence, including corporate English training. It overlaps with Best Teacher's enterprise English training offering but is a much larger incumbent serving a similar corporate segment.
- ECC Web School: ECC is one of Japan's largest English conversation school chains, with ECC Web School offering an online channel. It is a broad incumbent overlapping with Best Teacher's online English offerings but with a much larger physical-school footprint.
- Gaba: Gaba operates instructor-led English conversation schools across Japan, providing one-on-one lessons. It is a broad incumbent in the Japanese English learning market, with comparable adult learner targeting though delivered primarily through physical classrooms.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Best Teacher social profiles
Digital presenceBest Teacher financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Best Teacher leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Best Teacher funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Best Teacher M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Best Teacher
What does Best Teacher do?
Best Teacher is an online English conversation school that delivers language instruction through a proprietary write-then-speak methodology. Students first write what they want to express in English, receive corrections from foreign instructors on grammar and natural expressions, practice via Training lessons, and then conduct Speaking lessons using the corrected material. The service offers a Regular Course for daily and business English, the Nikkei LissN enhanced business course, and exam preparation courses for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC SW, Eiken, DET, TEAP, and VERSANT, accessible 24/7 via web and mobile applications.
Is Best Teacher a public or private company?
Best Teacher is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Best Teacher founded?
Best Teacher was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Best Teacher based?
Best Teacher is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Best Teacher make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Monthly Subscription - Regular Course is the primary driver. The others are monthly Subscription - Exam Preparation Courses.
Who are Best Teacher's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Preply, Bizmates, Cambly, DMM Eikaiwa, RareJob and italki. Broad incumbents are AEON e-ラーニング, Berlitz Japan, ECC Web School and Gaba.
Does Best Teacher have an API?
No public API is recorded for Best Teacher.
What industry is Best Teacher in?
Best Teacher's product category is Online English Language Learning. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAOAB, Online Tutoring, Conversation Exchange & Language Coaching Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAMAFAA, General Language Schools & Institutes. Its NAICS code is 61163 and its SIC code is 8200.