Konbanwa Listeners!

This evening I thought I’d bring you a story about a foreigner living in Tokyo, but finding it difficult to practice Japanese.

In Tokyo many Japanese speak basic English or the store clerks have mastered simple phrases to conduct business with the many foreigners living here.  This is great for the newly arrived or confused traveler, but for those trying to speak the language it can be quite frustrating!  There are also many people who speak only English at work and have no contact with Japanese. This makes learning even more difficult!

This week’s story comes from Julie Mitchell  in Tokyo.  Julie shared a story with us about this difficult to escape “expat bubble”:

“Why am I studying Japanese?  I ask myself that question every month when I need to pay for my Japanese lessons.

Of course, it is helpful to know Japanese, but as an obvious gaijin, the Japanese people are very accommodating to English speaking foreigners.  And when you live in the “expat bubble” you can actually survive quite well not knowing a word of Japanese…

So why do I pursue this endeavor?  I think its fun to learn another language, difficult and challenging too, but since I’m arafo (a woman around 40) I need to keep my mind active and Nihongo is good brain food.    

 The problem with studying Japanese and living in the “expat bubble” is that I don’t always have the opportunity to use my emerging skills.  I’m able to say many phrases in Japanese but I’m not able to understand the response spoken back to me. 

 Japanesepod101.com has been a huge boon to my listening comprehension.  I try to eavesdrop on the train and on street corners, but I think it would be rude if I told my victims, “Mo ichido, yukkuri itte kudasai.”  Your dialogues politely fill that void. I can listen as many times, even slowed down, until I understand!

 I just started listening in November of 2008 and I love the topics, grammar points, cultural info, and the pop culture too.

Because I have a “Type A” personality I want to catch up on all the episodes I’ve missed.  On Monday, I listened for about four hours on my daughter’s iPod; I stopped only because the ear buds hurt my ears. That’s why I’ve told countless people about your site because I’m feeling a need to form a japanesepod101.com support group because of my recent addiction!

Your site is a great value and if someone didn’t have access to Japanese instruction this would give them an opportunity to study.   I’ve used Rosetta Stone and other resources, but your site is BY FAR the best instruction I’ve come across so far!

Otsukare-sama!“

Keep trying hard Julie!

Any suggestions for those times when it’s hard to practice Japanese because your native language is so comfortable? Send us an e-mail!