Why I Started Learning Japanese

When I was in junior high school, there was a time when we had to choose a second language at school. I wasn’t sure which one to pick, but for a simple reason—I thought “Japanese sounds the coolest!” I started learning it. Now, I also enjoy Japanese culture like anime and manga, so I’ve continued studying Japanese ever since.

What Was Difficult About Studying Japanese?

The first challenge was having natural conversations.In private lessons, I learned a lot of grammar and vocabulary, but my speaking didn’t improve much, so I felt frustrated. I also tried using language exchange apps, but most people were focused on learning their own target language, and they didn’t correct my mistakes. I was just saying what I wanted, but I didn’t know if it was right or not. I used other apps too, but sometimes they marked correct Japanese as wrong, which felt unnatural. I also joined other group classes, but the teachers didn’t check mistakes much, and I didn’t feel like I was improving.

The second challenge was my accent. When I speak, it still sounds like a foreign accent. I want to sound more natural in Japanese.

The third challenge was nervousness when speaking. Even when I knew what I wanted to say, the words didn’t come out quickly. That made me feel embarrassed, and I often got nervous when I spoke.

What Changed After Joining SSJ?

First, I stopped feeling nervous when speaking. I got used to speaking Japanese, so I can now say what I want more quickly. Even if I make mistakes or take time to speak, I can think, “This is part of my learning,” and I don’t feel embarrassed anymore. Because of that, I’ve gained more confidence.

What’s Good About Group Classes?

One great thing is that we can have natural conversations. Private lessons are nice too, but since they’re one-on-one, it still feels like a “teacher and student” relationship. But in group classes, everyone—including the teacher—talks together equally, so it feels more like chatting with friends. Also, I’ve made good friends in class. I’m a shy person, so I used to worry, “If I make a mistake, will people think I’m strange?” But in SSJ, there are many different kinds of people, so I realized I don’t need to worry about that. Some people are shy like me, and some are more talkative. The balance is really good.

What Do You Like About SSJ Compared to Other Services?

What I like most is that the teachers always correct my mistakes clearly. When I can’t say something well, the teacher tells me the correct way and often says, “Here’s a better way to say that!” Of course, getting more chances to speak has helped my confidence grow. But another big reason is that the teachers always give careful corrections. Also, it’s really fun to talk with the other members. We talk online, but now it feels like we’re real friends. When I went to Japan recently, I got to meet some members in person. That made me really happy. Before, I studied Japanese alone. It was fun, but sometimes a little lonely. Now, I have a community. We can share our worries and give each other study tips. Because of that, my way of learning Japanese has changed a lot.

What Is Your Dream Through Japanese?

My speaking has improved, but I still can’t speak smoothly sometimes. Especially when I try to explain something, I can’t always find the right words or grammar, and it takes time. So, I want to explain things more simply and quickly. Also, I want to try translating Japanese. My dream is to translate a Japanese novel into English someday. Right now, I’m practicing translation and planning to join an amateur translation contest. It’s very difficult, but I’ll keep working hard toward my dream!