There are so many reasons for someone to move to Japan, and one of the best bonuses of doing so is the unique experience of trying to learn Japanese while in Japan. Where else could you get a better shot of learning Japanese than Japan itself? Being multilingual opens opportunities for you and allows you to form relationships with many new people; even the process of learning itself is valuable.
It’s a common sentiment that immersion is the key to achieving fluency. And moving to Japan is the ultimate immersion opportunity. All that is left to figure out is where to start. The good thing is that you have a lot of options.
Just a few of the possible benefits are:
- It makes a difference – Japanese is an almost impossible language to study without delving deeper into the native speakers’ culture and mindset. Learning it will help you get a better understanding of the people of Japan.
- It comes in handy – Japanese culture is highly integrated into the rest of the world, from pop culture and anime to Japanese products and companies being everywhere.
- It is useful in employment, business, and technology – Japan’s economy generally focuses on technological development and related businesses. Even if you end up moving away, most companies offer jobs that you can do long-distance.
- It is easy to make more acquaintances – Learning Japanese, and any new language for that matter, opens up a whole new demographic of people you can meet and form closer relationships with.
Applying to a language school makes it easier to learn Japanese while in Japan
Of course, applying to a language school is the first option for learning Japanese in Japan. Immersion is generally a must for students to be able to experience and apply what they have learned. This means that certain courses might have restrictions, like only being allowed to talk to classmates in Japanese.
The environment in these schools can sometimes catch people off guard. The teachers will usually be fairly strict but also fair. Do expect a little bit of a competitive atmosphere. You will also get mandatory reading materials. However, if you want to succeed, we recommend looking for other things to read.
These schools offer a wide range of choices regarding which course you’ll be taking, from beginner to advanced courses to refresher courses for those who already have a background in Japanese. While this might seem like it can only be an option for people moving to Japan to learn the language, this is untrue. Another example of this being useful is for people moving for a job.
However, because it can be very time-consuming, experts from moving companies such as Transparent International recommend trying to move to Japan a couple of months before you start working. This will allow you first to get a general knowledge of the language and get through the beginning of the course before you get other obligations such as work.
Learning through your work
There has recently been a surge in jobs for foreigners in Japan, and you can take advantage of this phenomenon to help you learn Japanese while in Japan. Working in Japan will allow you to earn money while learning the language and absorbing the culture in a professional environment. You will have to write in Japanese, from frequent interactions with native speakers and new professional relationships to reports and e-mails.
Working in Japan is true language immersion. Of course, a great bonus will be all the work skills you’ll acquire in the process and professional contacts. And as we have said before Japanese economy has influence all over the world. Even if you have to move away, you will probably be able to continue working long-distance.
Meet people and find friends
If you are moving to Japan intending to study the language for a certain amount of time and then leave, making friends can be a big part of being able to continue your education after you leave. Do your best not to be shy and converse with others as much as possible in Japanese. This will, of course, be easier if done with friends.
It would be best if you didn’t worry about talking to new people in Japanese. Most native speakers are aware that it is a hard language to learn as a foreigner. This means they are more likely to be impressed with your knowledge rather than try to make fun of you. This will not only help you with practicing vocabulary and pronunciation, but it will also be a great chance to enjoy Japanese culture and practices.
Embrace the culture shock
The fact that Japanese culture is very different from other cultures worldwide is no news. When they move to Japan, all expats experience some sort of culture shock. If you want to be able to handle that culture shock, you have to try to be open-minded.
However, you can also use that culture shock to help you learn Japanese. Use any opportunity to try new foods and go to cultural events. This is sure to help you better understand the mindset of native Japanese speakers.
This, in turn, will give you a way to look at speaking and thinking in Japanese from a new perspective. By doing this, you will have a new understanding of where specific phrases and colloquialisms come from.
Taking a day off can also help
Relaxing and watching TV can help you learn Japanese too.
TV shows like “Honma Dekka TV” are a great place to start. “Honma Dekka TV” is a variety show where scientists come to discuss sensational findings. While this happens, a group of comedians riff on the presented content.
It’s perfect for improving both science vocabulary and topical slang. While watching, you’ll improve your listening and reading skills while following subtitles.
Final thoughts…
Learning the language is a great way to adapt after moving from a different country like the US. Deciding to move there so you can learn Japanese while in Japan is definitely worthwhile. You will find that living in Japan is an excellent source of opportunity and self-growth.
By: Jassica Mendez