Atom Feed 
I have noticed that we have recently had several interesting and helpful articles on this website dealing with various aspects of Japanese language study, and I thought that I would contribute something to this important conversation. You see, I am one of those (increasingly rare, it seems) foreign residents with limited language ability, and my struggle to learn Japanese might be instructive for many of our readers.
Now, at the risk of spoiling the ending for you, let me sum up what is about to follow by echoing the advice given by virtually everyone on this topic: learn as much Japanese as you are capable of before you move to Japan, or, at the very least, work hard at acquiring the ability to use it freely once you arrive.
That sounds simple, but it in fact takes effort and determination to accomplish - and it is absolutely imperative to achieve if you wish to have a decent "quality of life" over here. I know from bitter experience that without a solid footing in Japanese, life here can be exceedingly difficult - particularly if you reside outside a major metropolitan area.
I was once told by a colleague at university, who spent many years in South Korea and ended up becoming a scholar of Korean literature, that "there are two types of expats in Asia, on the whole: the ones who speak the native languages well, and then those who don't speak a lick. Don't end up like the latter! They rely upon their spouses, usually, to translate and interpret, and that can be really taxing."
And I must admit that he was absolutely correct. I nodded and agreed with him at the time, but now, looking back on that advice, I finally realize just how "taxing" it indeed can be. It is not easy for an adult to be reduced, repeatedly and humiliatingly, to a state of infancy; but this is what one can expect if one comes here and cannot read, cannot form a proper sentence, cannot understand what is being asked, and so on. Turning to one's wife or husband each time is frustrating for both partners. It takes a toll not only on one's self-esteem and self-image (as in "I'm afraid to walk into a restaurant by myself!" or "I can't even answer the telephone!"), but it diminishes a person in the eyes of his or her partner, as well. And then all manner of passive-aggressive behavior usually ensues, as the mutual frustration bubbles up to the surface, and finally there is the inevitable refrain of "I hate it here," or "I can't do anything right," or even "I am moving back home on the next plane!"
Now, that is the worst-case scenario, to be sure, but it is one that almost everyone goes through at some stage (usually at an early stage, and it serves as motivation to stop making excuses and finally get down to studying and improving one's language ability) of what I guess we can call "culture shock." It might be a language-based problem, or it might be cultural; in fact, it normally is some mixture of the two. But, regardless, the point is that this is not something that you want to go through on a daily basis for any length of time-and yet, someone who does not learn adequate Japanese will remain stuck in this position indefinitely. I know, because I am there right now.
My personal situation is an odd one, and I will keep the details to a minimum. I don't think the particularities of my story would be of much help or interest to those thinking of working and living in Japan, but I do believe that some of the more universal aspects, shall we say, might be worth relating to you.
I am not going to exaggerate or make excuses. I have had ample opportunity to learn Japanese. Each time, during each occasion when I should have been studying, I found something else - something I would rationalize as more "important" or "pressing" - to occupy my time and energy, and I neglected my studies. "Next summer," I would say; "When such-and-such is finished," and so forth.
At the moment I am writing my dissertation and have, once again, put the study of Japanese on the back burner. I have sworn to myself and to my wife that this is the final excuse. But be that as it may, I think the moral of my story - a kind of cautionary tale, I suppose - would be that if you are serious about moving to Japan and attempting to pursue a career in anything other than "English teaching," then you must put language learning at the top of your priority list. It really cannot be deferred or otherwise placed on any "back burner."
The best piece of advice I suppose that I could provide would be this, then: establish a solid foundation in the language, well before other priorities begin to announce themselves. It is much more difficult to squeeze in a few hours a day of Japanese language study once you have children, attempt to further your credentials or acquire new skills, pursue a graduate degree, or start a business. It would be much better for you to focus upon Japanese study before anything else comes along to occupy - or, rather, demand - your time.
And it won't happen entirely through simple osmosis, as some people I've met seem to imagine - just live in Japan, "immerse yourself," and you'll be fine (though, of course, this helps) - but, rather, it will take time and commitment. That being said, there are so many people these days with such excellent language skills - as is the case with the professionals working for and through this website and company - that those of us who are just at the foot of the mountain, so to speak, can take heart and realize that it is indeed possible to reach the summit. On top of that, and in part because of the emergence of so many bilingual professionals, it seems to me that the era of seemingly unlimited opportunities for limited ability Japanese speakers is most definitely at an end.
I think that, on the whole, this is a very positive turn of events. It means, for one thing, that foreign residents, scholars, businesspeople and so on, will find many more exciting opportunities beyond the "if you can speak English, you can teach English" - variety. It also raises the bar for those of us who wish to live and work in Japan long-term.
So, in wrapping this up, I guess that I will advise you to make time, while you can, to learn as much Japanese as possible. You will find that your life in Japan will be more comfortable - and richer in opportunity - than if you keep putting it off and making excuses. After all, there are always new, unforeseen "priorities" waiting, just around the bend!
The Need to Learn Japanese
I have noticed that we have recently had several interesting and helpful articles on this website dealing with various aspects of Japanese language study, and I thought that I would contribute something to this important conversation. You see, I am one of those (increasingly rare, it seems) foreign residents with limited language ability, and my struggle to learn Japanese might be instructive for many of our readers.
Now, at the risk of spoiling the ending for you, let me sum up what is about to follow by echoing the advice given by virtually everyone on this topic: learn as much Japanese as you are capable of before you move to Japan, or, at the very least, work hard at acquiring the ability to use it freely once you arrive.
That sounds simple, but it in fact takes effort and determination to accomplish - and it is absolutely imperative to achieve if you wish to have a decent "quality of life" over here. I know from bitter experience that without a solid footing in Japanese, life here can be exceedingly difficult - particularly if you reside outside a major metropolitan area.
I was once told by a colleague at university, who spent many years in South Korea and ended up becoming a scholar of Korean literature, that "there are two types of expats in Asia, on the whole: the ones who speak the native languages well, and then those who don't speak a lick. Don't end up like the latter! They rely upon their spouses, usually, to translate and interpret, and that can be really taxing."
And I must admit that he was absolutely correct. I nodded and agreed with him at the time, but now, looking back on that advice, I finally realize just how "taxing" it indeed can be. It is not easy for an adult to be reduced, repeatedly and humiliatingly, to a state of infancy; but this is what one can expect if one comes here and cannot read, cannot form a proper sentence, cannot understand what is being asked, and so on. Turning to one's wife or husband each time is frustrating for both partners. It takes a toll not only on one's self-esteem and self-image (as in "I'm afraid to walk into a restaurant by myself!" or "I can't even answer the telephone!"), but it diminishes a person in the eyes of his or her partner, as well. And then all manner of passive-aggressive behavior usually ensues, as the mutual frustration bubbles up to the surface, and finally there is the inevitable refrain of "I hate it here," or "I can't do anything right," or even "I am moving back home on the next plane!"
Now, that is the worst-case scenario, to be sure, but it is one that almost everyone goes through at some stage (usually at an early stage, and it serves as motivation to stop making excuses and finally get down to studying and improving one's language ability) of what I guess we can call "culture shock." It might be a language-based problem, or it might be cultural; in fact, it normally is some mixture of the two. But, regardless, the point is that this is not something that you want to go through on a daily basis for any length of time-and yet, someone who does not learn adequate Japanese will remain stuck in this position indefinitely. I know, because I am there right now.
My personal situation is an odd one, and I will keep the details to a minimum. I don't think the particularities of my story would be of much help or interest to those thinking of working and living in Japan, but I do believe that some of the more universal aspects, shall we say, might be worth relating to you.
I am not going to exaggerate or make excuses. I have had ample opportunity to learn Japanese. Each time, during each occasion when I should have been studying, I found something else - something I would rationalize as more "important" or "pressing" - to occupy my time and energy, and I neglected my studies. "Next summer," I would say; "When such-and-such is finished," and so forth.
At the moment I am writing my dissertation and have, once again, put the study of Japanese on the back burner. I have sworn to myself and to my wife that this is the final excuse. But be that as it may, I think the moral of my story - a kind of cautionary tale, I suppose - would be that if you are serious about moving to Japan and attempting to pursue a career in anything other than "English teaching," then you must put language learning at the top of your priority list. It really cannot be deferred or otherwise placed on any "back burner."
The best piece of advice I suppose that I could provide would be this, then: establish a solid foundation in the language, well before other priorities begin to announce themselves. It is much more difficult to squeeze in a few hours a day of Japanese language study once you have children, attempt to further your credentials or acquire new skills, pursue a graduate degree, or start a business. It would be much better for you to focus upon Japanese study before anything else comes along to occupy - or, rather, demand - your time.
And it won't happen entirely through simple osmosis, as some people I've met seem to imagine - just live in Japan, "immerse yourself," and you'll be fine (though, of course, this helps) - but, rather, it will take time and commitment. That being said, there are so many people these days with such excellent language skills - as is the case with the professionals working for and through this website and company - that those of us who are just at the foot of the mountain, so to speak, can take heart and realize that it is indeed possible to reach the summit. On top of that, and in part because of the emergence of so many bilingual professionals, it seems to me that the era of seemingly unlimited opportunities for limited ability Japanese speakers is most definitely at an end.
I think that, on the whole, this is a very positive turn of events. It means, for one thing, that foreign residents, scholars, businesspeople and so on, will find many more exciting opportunities beyond the "if you can speak English, you can teach English" - variety. It also raises the bar for those of us who wish to live and work in Japan long-term.
So, in wrapping this up, I guess that I will advise you to make time, while you can, to learn as much Japanese as possible. You will find that your life in Japan will be more comfortable - and richer in opportunity - than if you keep putting it off and making excuses. After all, there are always new, unforeseen "priorities" waiting, just around the bend!
Career Support
LIVING IN JAPAN