View Learning:Japanese
You might pick up some Japanese while you are here, but you will need to make an effort in order to become a competent speaker, and a huge effort to be able to read kanji. Kanji is a form of writing that consists of Chinese characters. You need to know about eight hundred just to read a newspaper. Hiragana and katakana are the other forms of writing; there are about forty-five symbols in each syllabary, which are quite easy to learn. Katakana is often used for words ‘borrowed’ from other languages. For example, katakana is used for ‘beer’and ‘door’. Your name will be written in katakana. Pronunciation and basic grammar are not that difficult to grasp.
You can study Japanese wherever you live in Japan, but in the big cities, especially Tokyo, actually practising what you have learnt requires real effort. People who live in the countryside tend to become fluent in Japanese after a few years out of sheer necessity, while people who live in Tokyo for over ten years sometimes speak only basic Japanese, but find that it doesn’t limit their lives at all. Basic English is so widely spoken in Tokyo that it can be difficult to justify the effort of learning Japanese while managing a hectic lifestyle.
Schools
There are many schools established to teach foreigners Japanese. Class size varies, as do tuition fees, but they are usually reasonable. Hours are usually flexible, and some schools have many different programs to suit your level and schedule, including intensive courses. Many of the universities offer Japanese courses that are highly regarded. Each ward also holds very cheap Japanese classes for foreign residents. As with so many things, it’s best to go to a recommended school or ask friends.
Teachers
Many Western women wanting to learn Japanese feel that Japanese teachers are unable to teach in a way that encourages foreigners who are interested in communication rather than rote memorisation. Unfortunately it can be difficult for foreigners studying Japanese to find a place where they can practise ‘real’ Japanese conversation or to find a method of studying that will allow them to do this. Again, ask friends for recommendations.
Private lessons
Private Japanese teachers are not much more expensive than enrolling in a school and, if you choose carefully, you may find one who is flexible and experienced enough to meet your needs. Some Western women found that their Japanese teachers became good friends and general ‘guides’ to living in Japan.
Language exchange
You often see classified advertisements for people who want to practise their English and let you practise your Japanese. Exchanges may be useful for making friends, but the system rarely works to improve your Japanese. You will likely find that most of the language exchange time is spent speaking English you may not have much Japanese taught to you, never mind a chance to practise speaking it. If you find this happening to you, then try to be strict about the amount of time allocated to communicating in each language.
Self-study
Many Western women recommend self-study as the best method for learning Japanese. Textbooks, kanji cards, listening to the people around you, refusing to speak English with Japanese people and plain hard work are all beneficial.