CarsAndGames

Feb 23 2012, 07:26 PM

Unless you plan on moving to Japan to pursue a career you are wasting your time.

skooks

Feb 24 2012, 07:09 AM

CarsAndGames

Feb 23 2012, 07:26 PM

Unless you plan on moving to Japan to pursue a career you are wasting your time.

That's a ridiculous thing to say. Lots of people learn languages for all kinds of reasons. It doesn't have to have anything to do with a career.

CarsAndGames

Feb 24 2012, 06:26 PM

It's not needed for sex....trust me. Japanese girls love when a white guy speaks English.

Don't ask how I know

KingJames88

Feb 25 2012, 07:14 PM

, then most hobbies and subjects to study should be considered a waste of time.

CarsAndGames

Feb 24 2012, 06:26 PM

It's not needed for sex....trust me. Japanese girls love when a white guy speaks English.

Don't ask how I know

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

That's good that you are interested in learning another language, but, unless you plan on using it when you get older in your profession, I would advise against learning Japanese for now. I say this for a few reasons.

1. I have known quite a lot of people take on the task of learning Japanese. However, many of them give up after a month or so. It can be a very difficult and frustrating language to learn. You not only have the written language, but the spoken language is a lot different , especially once you start having to deal with dialects. Given your situation, you're going to need patience to persevere and time.

2. If you are thinking of using it in your profession, keep this in mind. Many of my friends cannot find any practical use for it after they graduated from University. Heck, a few friends whom I have studied with still cannot find a job even though they graduated back in 2008/2009. I know you're saying you want to learn it on the side, but it seems like that is the result of your school not providing any for you to take. It can be very difficult, but it can also be very easy. It seems a bit of a crap shoot.

3. If you're simply planning on learning it as something for leisure, more power to you. In that case, I would go for a private tutor/group. You'll want people to focus on a 2 way dialogue and not just someone who will drill you on questions all the time. You'll also want to immerse yourself into Television or films, music, etc. Get subtitles and lyrics, but in Japanese! Grind grind grind.

4. If it's not going to be a part of your profession, I would hold off for the time being and strive for things that would benefit you when it comes time to transition from being a student to a worker.

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

JohntheGameCollector

Feb 26 2012, 09:49 PM

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

That's good that you are interested in learning another language, but, unless you plan on using it when you get older in your profession, I would advise against learning Japanese for now. I say this for a few reasons.

1. I have known quite a lot of people take on the task of learning Japanese. However, many of them give up after a month or so. It can be a very difficult and frustrating language to learn. You not only have the written language, but the spoken language is a lot different , especially once you start having to deal with dialects. Given your situation, you're going to need patience to persevere and time.

2. If you are thinking of using it in your profession, keep this in mind. Many of my friends cannot find any practical use for it after they graduated from University. Heck, a few friends whom I have studied with still cannot find a job even though they graduated back in 2008/2009. I know you're saying you want to learn it on the side, but it seems like that is the result of your school not providing any for you to take. It can be very difficult, but it can also be very easy. It seems a bit of a crap shoot.

3. If you're simply planning on learning it as something for leisure, more power to you. In that case, I would go for a private tutor/group. You'll want people to focus on a 2 way dialogue and not just someone who will drill you on questions all the time. You'll also want to immerse yourself into Television or films, music, etc. Get subtitles and lyrics, but in Japanese! Grind grind grind.

4. If it's not going to be a part of your profession, I would hold off for the time being and strive for things that would benefit you when it comes time to transition from being a student to a worker.

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

thank you this was very helpful.... I'm seriously considering moving to Japan after college..... but I'll see what my future holds..

JohntheGameCollector

Feb 26 2012, 09:49 PM

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

That's good that you are interested in learning another language, but, unless you plan on using it when you get older in your profession, I would advise against learning Japanese for now. I say this for a few reasons.

1. I have known quite a lot of people take on the task of learning Japanese. However, many of them give up after a month or so. It can be a very difficult and frustrating language to learn. You not only have the written language, but the spoken language is a lot different , especially once you start having to deal with dialects. Given your situation, you're going to need patience to persevere and time.

2. If you are thinking of using it in your profession, keep this in mind. Many of my friends cannot find any practical use for it after they graduated from University. Heck, a few friends whom I have studied with still cannot find a job even though they graduated back in 2008/2009. I know you're saying you want to learn it on the side, but it seems like that is the result of your school not providing any for you to take. It can be very difficult, but it can also be very easy. It seems a bit of a crap shoot.

3. If you're simply planning on learning it as something for leisure, more power to you. In that case, I would go for a private tutor/group. You'll want people to focus on a 2 way dialogue and not just someone who will drill you on questions all the time. You'll also want to immerse yourself into Television or films, music, etc. Get subtitles and lyrics, but in Japanese! Grind grind grind.

4. If it's not going to be a part of your profession, I would hold off for the time being and strive for things that would benefit you when it comes time to transition from being a student to a worker.

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

thank you this was very helpful.... I'm seriously considering moving to Japan after college..... but I'll see what my future holds..

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

MidiPour

Feb 27 2012, 07:06 AM

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

I mean, we're all gamers here, and the Japanese develop a good junk of videos. Although games do get translated from Japan to the rest of the world, learning Japanese as a gamer has its perks. But again, I can see where you coming from with being sort of cautious about learning Japanese, and whether it would affect your profession. After all, learning a foreign language isn't a walk in a park.

sushi_b

Feb 27 2012, 10:19 AM

MidiPour

Feb 27 2012, 07:06 AM

muragaru553

Feb 26 2012, 06:03 AM

While it's great that you're trying to take the initiative and learn a new language, you might want to think about how practical Japanese will be as you grow older. If it's not really going to have any connection to what you want to do when you are an adult, I would hold off, personally. If you're just wanting to learn it simply to learn it, more power to you and good luck.

I mean, we're all gamers here, and the Japanese develop a good junk of videos. Although games do get translated from Japan to the rest of the world, learning Japanese as a gamer has its perks. But again, I can see where you coming from with being sort of cautious about learning Japanese, and whether it would affect your profession. After all, learning a foreign language isn't a walk in a park.

I think that Muragaru, and I could be wrong, is getting at the point that a large number of people only want to learn Japanese because they think it's cool and that it's going to mean they can import video games, manga and movies. It's not easy to learn something new and languages are probably the most difficult of all. It takes serious commitment and the best way to learn is to build a solid basic foundation in a class or at a school and then to drop yourself cold turkey in town where no one speaks your native tongue. You learn because you need it to survive.


If you are considering learning the language, make sure you are in the proper mindset from the start and keep being motivated despite any set backs you may face. You can do it if you have the drive and ambition to do so.


@Pete - Just to reiterate what Muragaru553 already said, there is always this common conception that Japan is some sort of impossible place to live because of a sky high living expenses. While there is some truth to it, many jobs take that into account and adjust pay based on that factor (not always though). It's not that terribly to find cheap food, clothes and other basic needs. Typically housing is what kills your wallet (which is the case in most of Asia).