Thinking about going to Japan to study the Japanese language? We brought on Ariana today who has been to language school in Tokyo for half a year (on a student visa). Frankie has attended part-time at a language school in Osaka, and Cheyenne has some insight about the student visa from doing an exchange in university. Is it worth the costs? How much do you need up front? Will going to school improve your Japanese and help you enter the work force? Do you have to take the JLPT? Let’s find out!
Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at conbinicultpod@gmail.com
Frankie - @franklinthewoman
Cheyenne - @lostwithlow
Ariana - @maplesushi
Words mentioned/useful words
先輩 senpai - senior, mentor
後輩 kouhai (opposite of senpai)
移民 imin - immigrant
方言 hougen - dialect
誘惑に負けた yuwaku ni maketa - fell/lost to temptation
文法 bunpo - grammar
敬語 Keigo - honorific language
時事問題 jiji mondai - current events
漫才 manzai - style of comedy in Japan (usually has 2 performers)
ダジャレ dajare - bad joke or pun
字幕 jimaku - subtitles
飲み会 nomikai - drinking party
例文 reibun - example sentence
面接 mensetsu - interview (for something like a job or school)
音読み onyomi - “sound reading” way of reading kanji
訓読み kunyomi - “meaning reading” way of reading kanji - original Japanese word
漢字圏 kanjiken - countries that use Chinese characters
入学式 nyugaku shiki - school entrance ceremony
卒業式 sotsugyo shiki - graduation ceremony
聴解 chōkai - listening comprehension
資格 shikaku - qualifications
専門学校 senmon gakko - vocational/training schools
奨学金 shogakkin - scholarship
貧乏ゆすり binbou yusuri - unconsciously shaking your legs
条件 jōken - conditions
手話 shuwa - sign language
お疲れ様です otsukare sama desu - good job, you’ve worked hard
References/sources:
We referenced Go! Go! Nihon a few times, the service Ariana used to find a school. It’s worth checking out if you’re looking for assistance finding a school to study at full time! https://gogonihon.com/en/
For people who’ve lived in Japan 10+ years but never learned Japanese, how do you feel about it?
https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1n606w3/for_people_whove_lived_in_japan_10_years_but/
Time stamps
00:00 hello
03:09 language study background
04:59 full vs part time language school, classes, visa, etc
23:44 average costs
36:30 JLPT
41:12 worth it? Putting in effort irl
48:10 other listener testimonials
55:13 why people don’t learn Japanese