Understanding Western people speaking Japanese-Hard?

[nihongojackie]

Hi,

Does anyone else find it hard to do? I thought "maybe" I could go into teaching Japanese some day but man, when I hear people speaking Japanese (non-native) I find it so difficult to understand what they are talking about. Not like I am amazing with my pronunciation either but.. Is it just me?

I am high intermediate and am fine listening otherwise.

Just curious.

[Javizy]

Unless they are absolute beginners, it's quite easy to understand English speakers because I know English and they basically just "English up" the Japanese words.

As for teaching Japanese, I knew a couple of natives who had masters in linguistics and tons of teaching experience in Japan and China, but found it hard to make ends meet by teaching Japanese in London. I think you could make a lot more money teaching and tutoring English in Japan, although that's not a great long-term option either.