Is it possible to learn japanese when you are 20 years old and speak it fluently?

[venesetch]

I'm a 15-year old girl who would love to learn japanese and speak it fluently. My big dream is to travel to Japan and find a job as a English teacher, it might be as easy as it sounds but I will try my best.
Does any of you know anything about the JET Programme? ☝

 

[Karamuucho]

As far as I'm aware working in Japan as an English teacher requires you to have atleast a bachelor's degree. The JET programme has a website that could probably explain more than I can, lol.

As for learning Japanese, I guess it depends on how hard you try and how far you're prepared to go. I don't quite understand but if you mean learning to speak fluently before you're 20 I don't know, I think that'd be a little tough.

 

[-Rudel-]

Well the general public says that the yonger you are the better it is to learn a new language, and now is the time to start.

But to speak it fluently might require you to do a high-school exchange program if it's available.

 

[Steppenwulf26]

It depends on what you mean by fluent. To what degree you will be able to talk about any given topic of conversation will be limited not only by your language ability but also by how much you know about that topic in any language. Studying abroad, for at least a year or two, is always the best option. However, if you work hard on your own and take classes in high school/college you will be pretty fluent by the time you're 22 or so. ﾅ?ﾃｦ窶卍｣窶堙≫?堙?！

 

[Elizabeth]

I'm a 15-year old girl who would love to learn japanese and speak it fluently. My big dream is to travel to Japan and find a job as a English teacher, it might be as easy as it sounds but I will try my best.
Does any of you know anything about the JET Programme? ☝

I think certainly you can attain a high proficiency in Japanese in five years....what I don't think is possible, or is much more difficult, is to become an English teacher if that is not your native language or language of your schooling. Someone will correct me if this is in error, but I'm pretty sure JET, for instance, only recruits either English speaking countries or where English is one of the principle languages. There may be some trend towards an interest in European languages and Swedish teachers, though ?

 

[Emoni]

Try Japanese out and see how it goes. It takes a LOT of effort, as does any major undertaking, but if you enjoy it and are getting a benefit keep with it. You're young so try all sorts of things, just remember to get the most out of anything you have to be willing to invest in it.

 

[Mrjones]

"I think certainly you can attain a high proficiency in Japanese in five years....what I don't think is possible, or is much more difficult, is to become an English teacher if that is not your native language or language of your schooling." Dont let elizabeths comment bring your dreams down, Japan has jets which are not native too.

 

[undrentide]

If you are interested in JET programme, you can find a lot of information at their website:
The JET Programme - Aspiring JETs
"Eligibility Creteria", "Participating Countries" (this year there are participants from Finland and Norway, so why not Sweden? ), "Positions on JET" (to teach English, you must be from English speaking country, it seems, but teaching English is not the only possibility for you!).

If you wish to work in Japan, bachelor's degree (subject and field do not really matter) seems to make it easier for you. And as Emoni suggested, try out learning Japanese first would be a good start.

Wishing all the best for your dream!

 

[loquela]

You have lots of time

It is true that you will need a bachelors degree before you can work legally in Japan so that you have up to 7 years to get prepared. That is more than enough to become fluent in Japanese.

Many will disagree with that. But trust me, language learning is about the individual and and it is entirely up to you how successful you will be. Given you already have good experience of learning a second language you are already ahead of many. It is very, very possible to become very fluent in the time you have, if you put the work in. The more you enjoy it, the easier it will be.

I was seven years in Japan and I met many non-native English speakers teaching English both in eikaiwa and in junior/high schools. There used to be a very strong preference for native speaker teachers but the Japanese seem to have realised the futility of this, thankfully.

As well as the Jet programme, you might want to consider the other options like GEOS, NOVA, AEON. There are also lots of independent language schools all over Japan that offer a variety of opportunities. I talk about my experiences on my website (see signature). GOOD LUCK!

 

[pipokun]

Ask your local Japanese embassy for more info on The Japan-EU Mutual Understanding Scholarship Programme. The program is for highschoolers aged 16/17, so I think it is a good program for you.
A German guy became a fluent speaker after she spent her 1 year at my highschool, though she was not in the program above.

I suppose there will be more IKEA in Japan when you are going to do your job-hunting.

 

[loquela]

I suppose there will be more IKEA in Japan when you are going to do your job-hunting.

I reckon there be loads more Tecos as well!

 

[JerseyBoy]

I think there is no age limit in learning new language. It's up to the person. If he/she is committed to learning the language, the result will show. In Japan, there are many accents. As long as you can communicate with the people in Japanese, you have achieved the goal of learning Japanese. I went to a college in an English speaking country and graded with BA and I have been doing the sales/marketing with the people in the same country I studied with great success.

 

[Elizabeth]

I was seven years in Japan and I met many non-native English speakers teaching English both in eikaiwa and in junior/high schools. There used to be a very strong preference for native speaker teachers but the Japanese seem to have realised the futility of this, thankfully.

I recognize the practical limitations of insufficient supply and seemingly limitless demand but personally I would still have a very strong preference for being taught by a native speaker. If it is going to be non-native, though, Europeans are at least generally hands down more proficient than regular Japanese teachers...

 

[KirinMan]

I came to Japan the first time when I was 24 years old, I have been living here for nearly 20 years now and when I first came here I could speak next to zero Japanese. Now I am told that I speak Japanese at near native level, so I guess it depends a lot on how much you are willing to dedicate yourself to learning the language. It really doesnt matter how old you are, but how much you are willing to dedicate yourself to putting the energy into learning the language.

The harder you work at it, the better you will be able to communicate in the language.

 

[JimmySeal]

I've met two JETs in my prefecture who were not native English speakers. One was from South Africa. But both spoke English at a near-native level and without a foreign accent.

The JET programme also hires people to work as Coordinators of International Relations (CIRs), who don't teach but instead plan events, write newsletters, and things like that. There are such positions for English speakers, Korean speakers, and several other languages.

I started learning Japanese at age 16 and I speak it fluently now (I am 24). Reaching fluency by age 20 sounds a bit ambitious, but you can certainly learn a lot by then. It would help a lot to take some Japanese classes if you can, or even do an exchange program.
About 2/3 of the people who teach English on the JET programme know no Japanese at all when they come. A decent level of ability is required for the CIR position.

 

[Elizabeth]

I've met two JETs in my prefecture who were not native English speakers. One was from South Africa. But both spoke English at a near-native level and without a foreign accent.

It is not uncommon to reach a native level in countries where English is an official language and most widely used in the commercial sector, such as South Africa. My only concern was teachers that are making mistakes around
small, impressionable children in particular. The kids are apt to copy directly what they hear without the ability to distinguish why it may not necessarily be correct.

 

[maushan3]

You are still young (so am I!), try a high school exchange program. Try AFS or Rotary. You don't need any Japanese language knowledge. It is not so expensive either. You might also wanna search for some Japanese lessons. I just started yesterday and I like it a lot!


So, I've had 3 Japanese lessons already and I already know the five hiragana vocals, some 'k' and 's' syllables and I also know "boku wa sensei ja arimasen." and "watashi wa mekishikojin desu." Am I learning fast or slow? Just wondering. I finally found something I really like!

Back to the thread... Yes, you can learn it. Only if you are dedicated to it you will. Did you already contact your local AFS or Rotary clubs?

Mauricio Mejia

 

[maushan3]

"Impossible is nothing" - Adidas

Mauricio