How to Master Japanese While Living in Japan

You’ve finally moved to Japan, but your language level is still lagging! Unfortunately, just because you’re living in a new country doesn’t mean you’ll automatically become fluent in the local language. It still takes time, study, and practice to master a language.

Moreover, mastering Japanese is always a bigger challenge considering the scripts and grammar, which differs greatly from English and many other languages.

While with thousands of Kanji, foreigners who do not try to make it a fun activity wonder how to learn Kanji and remember those complex characters.

On the grammar side, English is an S-V-O (subject-verb-object) language, while Japanese is an S-O-V (subject-object-verb) language. So, for native English and many other language speakers, it is like switching between driving on the left-hand side to the right-hand side of the road.

Here, we will discuss how you can boost your Japanese skills while living in Japan, making daily life easier and your CV more impressive!

Attend a Japanese Language School

Japan is chock-full of language schools accommodating various needs and schedules. This includes the following:

• Full-time: The best option for younger people looking to start a career in Japan. Classes are held every weekday and usually run for around 5-6 hours.
• Part-time: Better for those who already have a career but with ample free time and are seeking to improve themselves by mastering Japanese quickly. Classes are usually 2-3 hours every weekday or a few full-time days per week.
• Private: While private classes cost more than shared classes, students will receive 100% of the attention from the teacher while being able to customize the class to suit individual needs and interests.
• Volunteer: Many municipalities (Ward Offices) hold Japanese classes generally run by retired volunteers for free or an insignificant fee. For those wanting to save money, this is your best bet. However, the teachers are far from professional, and the quality of the class may be low. It’s the classic “you get what you pay for” situation. Don’t let that deter you, though – there are plenty around that are even better than real schools!

How to Select a Japanese Language School

Before joining any of the above, check reviews online and ask for and join a free trial lesson. Be wary of schools who refuse this, as it may mean they have something to hide! If you attend a trial, resist signing or agreeing to anything on the spot. It could be another red flag if you feel pressure to do so.

Afterward, see if you can speak to a current or former student to learn more. Try also to determine if they are learning rudimentary Japanese to go off and work in a nameless factory or if they really care about the depth of the Japanese language.

You may also know a lot about the quality of the Japanese language school by the quality of students. Try to determine the overall character of the student body. Try to determine if they have high expectations from their teachers. This is because, often, the quality of a school’s teaching gets refined by the expectations of its students.

Apart from the language check, the focus of the school is orienting the students about Japanese culture. It does not mean that they should have a formal course in Japanese culture and traditions, but some informal and occasional orientation about the cultural aspects always helps them understand the language more smoothly.

The unfortunate reality is that many Japanese schools are shockingly similar to the infamous “degree mills,” having no legitimate qualifications while simply looking to grab and hook the wallets of unwitting students for as long as possible.

Be smart, research, feel the vibe, and carefully decide on your future school. Just to make it as clear as possible.

Checklist to Help You Decide about the School:

• Read reviews online
• Attend a trial class
• Check textbooks and other materials
• Speak to the teachers, ask about qualifications and experience
• Speak to a current or former student
• Compare fees with other schools (check carefully for hidden fees, ask firmly for the absolute final cost)
• Check the character of the current student body (see if they’re really keen to learn Japanese, already well educated)
• Don’t sign anything on the day, just say you’ll think about it

Self-study of Japanese Language

If signing up for a Japanese language school feels too intense, self-study at home can be a surprisingly effective method if practiced correctly. Start by purchasing high-quality textbooks covering all the major grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and kanji subjects. Some popular ones include:

• Genki
• Minna no Nihongo
• Japanese from Zero!
• Try!
• Tobira
• Nihongo So Matome

Augment this with free resources on the internet, including:

• Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
• NHK News WEB EASY
• NHK Easy Japanese Lessons
• Japanese Made Easy
• Nihongo Master
• Japanese Ammo with Misa
• How to Learn and Remember Kanji

In the meantime, create physical flashcards or use a well-regarded flashcard app to ensure you can practice vocabulary every day.

While grammar and kanji are initially important, memorizing a strong set of vocabulary is the key to perfecting Japanese. We recommend “Anki,” which allows one to build or download flashcard decks to cycle through every day and encourage long-lasting memorization.

Build your decks from words in your textbooks, daily life, or Japanese news and media. While doing this, download a kanji writing app like Japanese Kanji Study to practice writing and memorizing kanji. Using apps over paper will save time and money in the long run while cutting down on resources.  

Engage with Japanese Media

Unfortunately, it’s shockingly easy to become trapped in an English-speaking bubble in Japan. This has been exacerbated by the advent of COVID-19, whereby remote work has significantly reduced opportunities to meet people and engage with the Japanese world around us. This situation makes these bubbles even more fortified.

While it may be intimidating, going out of your way to watch Japanese TV, film, and anime while reading Japanese news, books, and manga will significantly increase your Japanese abilities. There’s a large enough catalog of incredible media out there waiting to be discovered, so search for something you like!

Moreover, try to read every sign, billboard, and advertisement you encounter while listening to surrounding conversations. This will increase awareness of the world around you while encouraging your brain to absorb Japanese naturally.

Chat as Much as You Can 

Self-study can easily lead to one becoming exceptional in written but not spoken Japanese. Fortunately, this can be avoided by finding Japanese partners to speak using their native language, either as a once-off or regularly.

In case you find it challenging to find a partner to practice your Japanese skills, start by using common Japanese phrases and greetings in Japanese, even during your English communication. You will be pleasantly surprised by finding Japanese people’s interest in engaging with you in communication just by this simple gesture.

For this, it’s best to find someone who doesn’t speak English, as you’ll be too tempted to jump back into English when you can’t think of what to say.

Of course, talking to random people in broken Japanese can annoy the listener, so you should practice the basics with a willing partner, friend, or teacher before trying to strike up conversations with strangers.

Once you make genuine connections and relationships with people who can only speak Japanese, your skill will naturally skyrocket as your mind realizes you need to memorize all this!

Get Creative with Your Learning

Learning a language can also be done through creative projects to get your feet wet in a new domain and make learning more fun.

Many expats turn to blogging, journalism, and even creating music to enhance their language learning skills. In addition, many expats use their social media channels to explore their language abilities by translating YouTube videos, creating skits, or writing comics.

Learning a language can be tough, but you must put in some real study hours if you expect it to stick. Of course, there’s no secret to learning Japanese or any other language, but hopefully, this article was able to offer a little bit of guidance on where to start.

Conclusion

Mastering Japanese in Japan is a journey that combines dedication, practice, and immersion in the local culture. While the challenge is significant due to the language’s complex scripts and unique grammar structure, success is achievable through a balanced approach.

Attending language schools, engaging in self-study with reliable resources, practicing vocabulary and kanji diligently, immersing oneself in Japanese media, and actively participating in conversations with native speakers are key strategies.

Creative methods like blogging or social media can add an enjoyable dimension to the learning process. Ultimately, the path to fluency in Japanese is paved with consistent effort, an open mind, and a willingness to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Japan’s language and culture. This journey enhances linguistic skills and enriches one’s understanding and appreciation of Japan’s unique heritage.

Steven Csorgo

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Steven came to Japan as an English teacher and currently works as a writer in Niigata City. Bilingual with fluent Japanese language, Steven loves relishing local sake, reading anime, and traveling.