If you’re dreaming of working in Japan all the way from Thailand, then you must know that learning Japanese is the first step towards that dream. Aside from a necessary skill to commuznicate with your Japanese-speaking interviewers, it will also be vital to enjoy most of life in Japan. We know, though, that it’s not an easy journey and challenges differ from person-to-person. To give you advice that might better fit you, we gathered Japanese language learning tips from our successful Thai talents.
Join Exchange Programs
“During high school, I qualified for a 2-week sponsored program called Japan Future Leaders School in Fukuoka. I got to practice the Japanese I had been learning!”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: How I Studied and Worked in Japan
Participating in an exchange program will help you practice Japanese in a real-world setting. Aside from the language skills, you’ll also have a better grasp of cultural nuances. A lot of programs require only basic Japanese and are supported by the Japanese government.
Get an internship with a Japanese company.
“Because I was studying Japanese, I hoped to find an internship where I could use the language. A university senior introduced me to an internship at ASIA to JAPAN. Working in a Japanese company environment and using Japanese daily taught me so much, and it strengthened my desire to pursue a career in Japan.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: How I Studied and Worked in Japan
Whether in person or remote, working with a Japanese company will help familiarize you with their ways of working and Business Japanese.
Join a Japanese Class.
“I found my Japanese language proficiency increased after I enrolled to the FAST OFFER Int’l and got used to the Japanese interviewing system.”
Read more: How a Targeted Job Placement Program and Dedicated Support Made My Japanese Career Dream Come True
“In terms of learning Japanese, I initially studied on my own. While my pronunciation was fine, I struggled with grammar, and I had only learned N5-level grammar. Luckily, my university professor introduced me to FAST OFFER International’s Japanese classes through a group chat, which gave me the opportunity to improve my Japanese with a clear goal.”
Read more: How Online Japanese Classes Helped a Thai Engineer Secure a Career in Japan
Having expert guidance can speed up your learning process and give you community-based motivation to keep up with the journey. You can check out FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes for Thai university students for a specialized Japan career-oriented curriculum.
Find the joy in speaking Japanese.
“I was especially encouraged by the Japanese friends I met in the program, who spoke slowly and clearly so I could understand. Their support helped me gain confidence. Although I often hesitated because I worried too much about grammar, I soon realized how enjoyable it was to speak Japanese.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: How I Studied and Worked in Japan
Once you find genuine enjoyment in speaking Japanese, learning becomes a fun activity. Whether it’s through fun conversations with understanding friends or consuming media you genuinely like, learning Japanese doesn’t have to be a chore!
Try reading Japanese materials.
“Luckily, Thailand has a Kinokuniya branch that sells Japanese books, so I’ve been practicing by reading short articles and light novels. It’s challenging, but I find them intriguing.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: A Robotics Student’s Journey Through Language and Internship
Expect to read slowly, with heavy assistance from your phone. As you read more though, soon you’ll be picking up more vocabulary and later, instead of picking up your phone, you can start relying on context clues. If you plan on getting JLPT certified, increasing you reading speed will also be greatly advantageous.
Translate J-Pop and sing them in Karaoke.
“Recently, I’ve discovered a new hobby: listening to Japanese songs. Whenever I have free time, I head to karaoke to sing Japanese tunes with fellow enthusiasts. I particularly enjoy Japanese pop music and anime songs. My favorite song is Lion (ライオン) by May’n and Megumi Nakajima(中島愛), and I’m also fond of ‘Kanade’ (奏) by SUKIMASWITCH (スキマスイッチ). I’ve been trying to read the lyrics in Japanese, which I believe has helped improve my pronunciation and listening skills. It’s a fun and rewarding way to enhance my Japanese abilities.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: A Robotics Student’s Journey Through Language and Internship
Engaging in the language in fun ways help keep your brain absorbent of new knowledge. Adding music will also help you remember words and phrases better. Karaoke can also help you speed up reading hiragana!
Understand what motivates you to study Japanese.
“By understanding your reasons for learning Japanese and pursuing a career in Japan, you can stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges. With determination and a sincere connection to your goals, success in Japan is within reach.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: A Robotics Student’s Journey Through Language and Internship
Failures, challenges, and hardships inevitably come when learning something new. In those times, it’s important to hold onto something that can keep you going forward.
Start your Japanese classes early.
“Over a year and a half, starting in 2022, I took three online courses: JLPT N4, N3, and Business Japanese. The classes were entirely online, but the teacher provided materials in advance and taught both grammar and conversation. All materials included furigana, making them easy to read.
Thanks to these online Japanese classes, I was able to clarify the parts of Japanese I struggled with, as the teacher explained things in a way that made them easy to understand.”
Read more: How Online Japanese Classes Helped a Thai Engineer Secure a Career in Japan
If you’re learning Japanese for a job in Japan, you can never be too fluent. Though the time it takes to get conversational Japanese differs from person-to-person, it can’t hurt to start early—whether through self-studying or Japanese classes.
Use your personal interests for learning Japanese.
“When learning a language, I try different methods, like playing games or watching YouTube videos. I believe it’s more efficient to study in a way that aligns with your personal interests. If you want to enjoy learning Japanese more, I recommend trying a variety of methods.”
Read more: How Online Japanese Classes Helped a Thai Engineer Secure a Career in Japan
You can make learning Japanese a part of your everyday life by pursuing your Japanese interests in your free time.
Overcome your shyness!
“Many students find Japanese conversation difficult—I felt the same. At first, I lacked confidence and was afraid to speak. But even if your grammar isn’t perfect, it’s okay. Japanese people listen kindly and patiently, so take the chance to practice speaking whenever you can.”
Read more: From Thailand to Japan: How I Studied and Worked in Japan
It’s hard to be a beginner, fumbling through newly-learned grammar and vocabulary. You need to be brave! You’ll learn quicker if you’re not afraid of making mistakes and manage to spark those Japanese conversations.
Ready to Take Your Dreams to Japan?
Start your language learning journey.
If you’re about to be a thailand university student who wants to be working in Japan, you may qualify for FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes! Check out our Free Japanese Classes for Thai students or our Japanese classes for worldwide talents.
Apply with FAST OFFER International
If you can already manage conversational Japanese, are an active university student or recent graduate, and have a qualified degree, it’s time to sign up with us! Be part of our list of Thailand university graduates working in Japan. Read more in our jobs in japan for Thais career guide.
