Job Discussion Forums

[solarmist]

As I mentioned in a previous post I will be moving to Osaka this summer (July/August) to work for Nova's Multimedia center. Right now I'm right around a level 3 JLPT level, but my listening is much higher (though not level 2), and my goal is to pass level 2 by the time the test rolls around.


I would like to solicit the advise of all the veterans on the board and ask:
What are some good Japanese language schools in the Osaka area (hopefully affordable)?

What kinds of things do you do to enhance your language learning?

And what have you found to be good ways of meeting and making Japanese friends?

[canuck]

www.japanesepod101.com

[solarmist]

[sethness]

I wouldn't go to ANY school to learn Japanese, while living in Japan.
You'd only get a group lesson at the lowest-common-denominator pace a few days a week, and waste valuable study time going to and from classes. Worse, you might find the classroom filled with Chinese foreigners, who have exactly the opposite needs that you do-- they know many Kanji, but not many English loan-words in Japanese-- so you may find that the lessons are shifted diametrically away from your strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
In short, going to a true private school to learn Japanese in Japan is like hitting the brakes when you want to hit the gas.

If you MUST hit a school, there are free Japanese classes at many "kouminkan" ( community activity centers ) in the countryside and in small cities, and also at International Centers in most fair-sized cities (where foreigners gather). Some of them will even help you prepare for specific Japanese proficiency tests.

What I'd recommend is finding a private language exchange... one or more of them. You can find them at many community centers, international centers, and universities. You can also find Japanese people training to be Japanese teachers, who will volunteer to "practice" on you. In Hiroshima, for example, I recall seeing an ad where a particular school was PAYING foreigners to come in and be sample students for Japanese-teachers-in-training.

Please keep in mind that in Japan, you're the rarity and potential Japanese teachers are as common as chairs in a stadium. Use that imbalance to your advantage.

[kdynamic]

If you are serious about kicking your Japanese up a level, you've got to be committed. It's veeeeery easy to think to yourself "well, I know enough to order at restaurants and life is easy... I don't need to study..." You will have a moment when you feel like that. So if you want to go for it, make a commitment.

Osaka is a great place to go for this. There are so many interesting and friendly people, and happening places to go. I would definitely encourage you to get a private tutor several times a week. And also:

1) do not get sucked into an English bubble. This is harder than you think. You will meet lots of nice people who speak English who are far easier to communicate with. There will also be a contingent of English speaking Japanese people who will want to be your friend. You need to force yourself into a Japanese world. This may mean turning down invitations from people. This may mean a few lonely months before you build up a group of Japanese friends. But it's necessary.

2) Get a significant other that speaks only Japanese and is not interested in learning English. Spend a lot of time talking to them, mailing with them, etc.

3) Set your mobile to Japanese. Watch Japanese TV with your dictionary. Carry flashcards with you on the train. All the little things add up.

4) Join some kind of club. Sports, arts, hobby, anything that has nothing to do with English and is populated with people around your age. Be friends with them.

5) don't be afraid to go out alone. be willing to strike up conversations with strangers. don't be pushy, but you can't afford to be shy. smile. say hi. be the one to break the ice and see where it goes.

When I was a student in Japan, I gained a reputation as a loner among the other foreign students, because I never went out with them. I was nice to them all, but never got close. Eventually many were surprised to find out I am actually a very social and outgoing person, and was just busy going out on my own to clubs and bars, spending time with my Japanese boyfriend at the time, and with my Japanese friends. The first few months were hard because I saw all the other students forming into cliques and leaning on each other for support, whereas it took me a while to form truly deep friendships and a support network out in the real world in Japan. But I knew why I was there and it wasn't to make friends with other Americans and speak English. And in the end, I made great friends and it was definitely worth it.

[flyingkiwi]