Learning Japanese by living in Japan?

[BroChiMinh]

After you moved to Japan, how long did it take to start becoming somewhat familiar with the spoken language?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

That depends on the person. I knew people who had lived there for years and never learned more than a couple of words. I also know at least one guy who is very fluent after learning Japanese in Japan.

It all depends on the effort you put into it. Being in Japan gives you a lot more opportunity to learn, but its not a panacea.

 

[Brandan]

It took me about 3 or 4 months to start picking up on a good majority of the words my classmates were saying.

I had studied for a few years before going to Japan, though. I'm not sure what your situation is, but it's like Mikawa said: how much you understand is proportional to how much effort you put into it.

 

[Mike Cash]

Actually being physically present in Japan is a major advantage when learning Japanese. Unfortunately, it doesnt absolve one of the necessity of working at it.

I've never understood the thinking behind this very common question. To me, it always sounds like "If it is a few months, I'll go for it. If it's a few years, then screw it".

It takes you as long as it takes you.

There's a common pattern to short-termers not learning Japanese very well:

"I can't wait to get started! But I just got here and need to get settled in first. Then I'll start cracking the books hard!"

"Oh, I mean to study more. But I'm so busy with work and hanging out with all my gaijin friends. I'll get serious tomorrow for sure!"

"I'm only going to be here a few more months and it isn't worth wasting my time on it".

There you have the typical western foreigner's learning Japanese in Japan experience in a nutshell.

 

[Half-n-Half]

There's a common pattern to short-termers not learning Japanese very well:

I had a friend like that. He said he would become fluent in Japanese in 6 months. Truth is, he was so lazy he never went to Japanese class (or any class for that matter) and never learned a thing.

Mikawa, Brandan, and Mike have already made the same point and it doesn't go against what I experienced learning Japanese and being around others who were also learning.

In terms of the spoken language you'll most probably pick that up sooner than you do the written language or language you hear on TV/in movies. At least, that's how it was for me. Face-to-face was always much easier than Japanese in the media.

 

[FrustratedDave]

I would say the answer to this question would rest entirely on how many Japanese girls would swarm to a caucasian guy.

 

[AJBryant]

When I lived in Japan, one of the guys I worked with had been there about seven or eight years, and couldn't even order demae. On the phone, his best was pidgin Japanese/English, and shouting.

 

[Mike Cash]

While Bro has not left the building, it would appear he has abandoned his thread.

 

[BroChiMinh]

ye have little faith...want a cookie?

 

[Mike Cash]

ye have little faith...want a cookie?

This is the first time since you started the thread (ten days) that we even have any indication you may have read the replies.

Oatmeal, please. Haven't had an oatmeal cookie in years.

 

[Chidoriashi]

This is the first time since you started the thread (ten days) that we even have any indication you may have read the replies.
Oatmeal, please. Haven't had an oatmeal cookie in years.

Can I have one too. Oatmeal sounds great! Throw some raisins in and I'll be the best asian wh0re white dude you evar seen!

 

[BroChiMinh]

I was disheartened by my prior failure, but i'm giving it another try. Oatmeal cookies are delicious.

 

[Pachipro]

Everyone is different and it depends on how bad one wants to learn the language. While it is easier to learn the language while living there and immersed in the culture, it does not mean you will learn it. After one learns that they can get around quite well without hardly knowing the language, many abandon their efforts and go the lazy route where they just know and use elementary words. These people can easily be identified in, for example a bar or other establishment where they will say something like, "Watashi beer dozo."

I've known more than my share of foreigners who have lived in Japan for ten years or more and know nothing of the language save for a few sentences here and there and a basic vocabulary with horrible pronunciation.

If you have a fairly basic understanding of the language it would be best to live alone, away from other foreigners and limit your contact with them and you will have no choice but to learn the language as it will be required in your daily activities of shopping, banking and getting around and, as they say, practice make perfect. Living among the Japanese with limited access to English will greatly help in your efforts to learn the language fairly quickly if that is what you desire.