Page not found – Japanese London https://www.japaneselondon.com Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:17:55 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Do I Have Time to Learn Japanese (Before My Trip)? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself https://www.japaneselondon.com/do-i-have-time-to-learn-japanese/ Mon, 18 Jul 2022 10:45:47 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=18372 “Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to’.”

Lao Tzu

At first glance, I thought this Lao Tzu quote was unduly negative. I felt seen. I felt a touch triggered… but I LITERALLY DON’T HAVE TIME, OK? I’m very very extremely busy! It’s not that I don’t WANT TO! OF COURSE I’d love to learn Japanese… but I just don’t have enough TIME.

When I thought about the quote more deeply, however, I realised that the message is actually highly empowering. It’s about letting go. Let go of the feeling of ‘wanting’ to do all the things, or in this case, learn ALL the Japanese. It’s about clarity, focus and intentionally creating time for what you wish to include in your life.

If a long-awaited trip to Japan seems to be sneaking up on you all of a sudden, you might be feeling the pressure and decide there just isn’t enough time for you to learn any Japanese before you go.

Why not make it ridiculously simple?

In this article are 3 ridiculously simple questions to ask yourself that will help you strip learning Japanese back to the most basic essentials – to make it work for YOU.

1. What Japanese Do You NOT Want to Learn?

It might seem counterintuitive to start this way. Nonetheless, the root cause of OVERWHELM when learning Japanese is one easy-to-correct error: that is, approaching it as if it were a headlong, direct race from A-Z (with A being beginner level and Z being ‘native level’ fluency).

A journey starts with one step. There are so many areas you might like to explore along the way, once you get going. If you are a total beginner preparing for a holiday to Japan, you might be gently strolling from A-B by learning a friendly Japanese greeting, for example. Instead of a A-Z sprint, though, all learning is a journey of many stages, right?

Or, you could be returning to Japanese study after life (work, relationships, health, etc.) got in the way, and meandering around at the G-J area and considering taking a JLPT level 4. Or, at various points you might like to stop off at C, or P, or T. You might decide you like it there, grab a bento box and spread out your picnic blanket with the intention of staying for some time!

Now, it is true that when you start learning something new, you ‘don’t know what you don’t know’ – so you can’t predict the future and know exactly how far you want to go with your learning or where you might like to stop off.

But if you, like me, are one of those people who is constantly magnetically attracted to all things Japan-related, I urge you to take a look at learning the language in the most empowering way possible.

Let go of preconceived notions what is the ‘right’ way or attachment to a rigid timeline. You don’t need to learn things that are neither fun for you, nor functional right now, at this stage in your life, to meet your needs!

Here is a list of things I do NOT currently want to do:

  • I do NOT want to cram kanji
  • I do NOT want to use a textbook
  • I do NOT want to learn to read the newspaper
  • I do NOT want to learn to talk about politics
  • I do NOT want to learn translation skills
  • I do NOT want to interview people for my podcast in Japanese

This eliminates so many possible goals that I can really focus on things that I truly love to include in my daily life.

“The problem with trying to make time for everything that feels important—or just for enough of what feels important—is that you definitely never will.”

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

As an example, I have let go of my urge to cram kanji. I do love kanji – the logographic Chinese characters that form main content words in Japanese – and I thought that I WANTED to learn them all. Well… if not ALL, then I certainly wanted to learn at least the 2136 Joyo kanji that are taught through primary & secondary school… IT FEELS IMPORTANT – BUT I DON’T HAVE THE TIME.

Instead I have flipped my urge into a thought that is much more empowering for me: I don’t WANT TO use my limited time for this at the moment. I don’t actually choose to. Rather, I allow myself a relaxing daily practise that gently explores my interest in kanji and is gazillions of times better than being frozen in a state of throat-constricting overwhelm!

I give myself permission to simply ENJOY kanji characters & appreciate them from an aesthetic point of view.

How I do it: I pick a kanji flashcard from my deck every week and practice writing it as calligraphy on my Buddha board (a type of whiteboard that you write on with brush dipped in water, and watch what you’ve written slowly fade away as it dries). It’s a mindful practice that brings me a highly satisfying feeling of creativity.

Here are some other things you might NOT want to learn:

  • NOT to write the phonetic scripts – hiragana and katakana (use ‘romaji’ or Roman letters instead)
  • NOT to read the phonetic scripts – hiragana and katakana (use ‘romaji’ or Roman letters instead)
  • NOT to ask directions (use an app instead)
  • NOT to focus on grammatical sentence structures (rather, rote learn some key vocabulary, words & phrases instead)
  • and so on…

Letting go of things on our ‘to do’ list; letting go of unnecessarily high expectations of ourselves is very freeing. It’s about getting intentional; stopping clinging to the ‘wanting’ of things that are honestly just not our top priorities.

2. What Do You LOVE MOST About Japan?

What it is that you really enjoy about Japan at this precise moment in life? There’s no right or wrong answers here. Below I’ll list some things that people typically LOVE about Japan:

  • Food – ingredients, cooking, visiting restaurants
  • Drink – tea, matcha and sake
  • Film – of so many genres
  • Design – architecture, ergonomics
  • Clothes – fashion, practicality, Cosplay
  • Traditional Arts – ikebana (flower arranging), Shodo (calligraphy)
  • Gardens – Zen gardens, Bonsai

What do you want to concentrate on? It’s totally cool to just massively geek out on what you like best and explore that. Explore the vocabulary surrounding your current top area of interest. Immerse yourself in the history, or the technique, or simply absorb the aesthetics. Cherry pick what you want, and leave out the rest.

Taking the path of least resistance to learning means you might find you are already be doing things that you can ‘count’ as ‘learning Japanese’ – for example, reading Japan related books, or watching Japan-related Netflix shows. Bonus!

In my case, what really floats my boat is learning about the kind of ‘lost in translation’ words and phrases that express Japanese ways of thinking, speaking and doing things. I absolutely can’t get enough of concepts represented by philosophical concepts such as ‘Wabi Sabi’, ‘Ikigai’ and ‘Kaizen’. I really enjoy reading and reflecting on books about Zen, travel, mindfulness, cooking, craftsmanship and design.

Whilst reading these books (in English) does not offer me anything in the way of communicative language skills, the knowledge I extract does give me a background understanding of aspects of Japanese culture, which in turn offers insight into the motivation of Japanese individuals & the potential of deeper connections.

3. What Japanese DO I HAVE TIME to Learn?

Ok, so you have eliminated things that you don’t want to do at this time, and considered the things that you love the most. Now, let’s strip learning Japanese back to the absolute ESSENTIALS.

Here are my top suggestions for short timeframes:

If you only have a few days:

  • Etiquette

I suggest you forget about the language & focus on the ETIQUETTE. Japanese people have many specific ways of doing daily things. There are basic rules that people may be too polite to let you know about (i.e. not eating whilst walking on the street), as well as infractions that are so easy to do but are seriously frowned upon (i.e. speaking loudly on your mobile phone, especially on public transport). Knowledge of the basic etiquette is crucial to enjoying your time in Japan.

It can be intimidating as there is so much to learn, but it isn’t expected as a visitor that you would know all the ins & outs of the notorious complicated Japanese etiquette systems. It’s fine to make mistakes, however, there are things that many Japanese take for granted as their social responsibility that simply don’t occur to non-Japanese people. For that reason, I recommend to this book everyone:

Amy’s Guide To Best Behaviour in Japan: Do It Right and Be Polite (Amazon Affiliate Link)

It is a fairly recently published & non-stuffy guide to the basics. I so wish I’d had it when I first when to Japan and had no idea what was going on! I would have avoided so many faux pas. Even now, though I feel quite familiar with Japanese customs, I nonetheless learned all sorts of useful tips from this book.

If you only have a few weeks:

  • Etiquette (as above) + ‘Magic Phrases’

Everyday, commonplace phrases in Japanese can have a magical effect on people and situations you encounter. Oft-said phrases are literally music to Japanese people’s ears.

This is true in English as well of course – think about the stupefying rudeness of leaving out the word ‘thank you’. I have attempted to train my children to always say thank you – I don’t care if it sounds robotic! I believe people treat you very differently when they perceive you to be polite and have ‘manners’. A respectful attitude will get you everywhere. Nowhere more so than in Japan!

5 Magic Japanese Phrases 

  1. Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you
  2. Sumimensen – excuse me
  3. Gomen Nasai – I’m sorry
  4. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu – untranslatable utterance of cooperation and meaning well (see this BBC article ‘Is this phrase the Swiss Army knife of Japanese?‘)
  5. Hai – Yes

Don’t be shy about your pronunciation, practise these phrases lots, and sprinkle them about liberally!

If you only have a few months:

  • Etiquette + ‘Magic Phrases’ + Kana + Survival Japanese + Communicative Japanese

You can learn a lot in a few months! Beginner Japanese is incredibly satisfying – and the good news is that it is much more simple than you may fear. There’s a steep but straightforward path up the mountain.

Learning kana (hiragana & katakana) can be achieved with self study on apps and can be easy if you have a good memory & practice little & often. It is so helpful to learn, since each characters is a phoneme, and learning how they are said will lead naturally to the correct pronunciation of Japanese words.

‘Survival Japanese‘ will is for those functional interactions, such as ordering in a restaurant, asking directions and asking how much something costs, for example.

Communicative Japanese‘ will include personal introductions, talking about likes and dislikes and the weather, for example. This type of ‘smalltalk’ is often considered tedious, but it can really help you to create moments of connection with locals.

The thing about communicative Japanese is that it is difficult to learn without someone to communicate with. It’s so important to speak Japanese out loud, to get used to ourselves making Japanese sounds. We need to practise conversation in order to shift our identity into someone who can really communicate in Japanese, with confidence.

If you have a few months or longer it can be a great experience to take 1-1 lessons with a private Japanese tutor. Many of our Japanese learners start with a block booking of our minimum 15 hours. Thus often taken as weekly 10 lessons of 90 minutes, so that takes about 2.5 – 3 months.

We can usually make the connection with a native Japanese tutor, considering your preferred time, place (online or in person), and level within about week.  Get in touch with me, Vanessa, if you’d like to book a consultation!

Thank you so much for reading, and if you take one thing away from this article, I hope that it is the knowing that you needn’t avoid filling that Japan-shaped hole in your heart because you fear you haven’t got time.

Create a little corner for some Japan joy! ♡

]]>
Explore Britain’s Best Japanese Gardens https://www.japaneselondon.com/explore-britains-best-japanese-gardens/ Mon, 23 May 2022 13:30:41 +0000 http://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=11559 One of my happiest memories is a solo trip to Kyoto one year in early autumn, where I borrowed an old ‘mamachari’ (slightly cronky city bike) from the ryokan, and pedalled around sightseeing.

For some reason lost in time, I choose a bright blue toe sock and flip-flop combo as I toured the city, but nonetheless, touring Kyoto as solo traveller was incredible.

The gorgeous gardens I saw gave me such a sense of serenity that I have always tried to re-capture by visiting Japanese gardens here in the UK.

Fortunately, over here we do enjoy a climate conducive to re-creating Japanese garden landscapes, and we certainly have had a a good crack at it over the years!

Read on to learn more about Japanese gardens in London, and all around the UK.

Top 5 Japanese Gardens in London

1. Kyoto Garden in Holland Park

I met some fellow ex-JET teachers (Japan English Teaching programme) in the park one spring, onigiri rice balls & blue tarp at the ready, hoping to enjoy a ‘hanami’ picnic. Don’t make the same mistake – it isn’t allowed  (fair enough).

After all, the outstanding ‘Kyoto Garden’ in Holland Park has got to be the top destination in London for Japanese gardens enthusiasts & it’s really rather ravishing.

This Seriously Rocks - Kyoto Gardens

This Seriously Rocks – Kyoto Gardens

The carefully-tended landscaped Japanese garden was donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991 to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain. It features a tumbling waterfall as a centrepiece – it’s so scenic in all seasons.

The Fukushima Memorial Garden was opened in July 2012 with an official ceremony. It is a symbol of appreciation from the Japanese people, to the British people, for their support following the Great Tōhoku Earthquake which struck on March 11, 2011 in northeastern Japan.

A stone lantern in a garden

Stone Lantern Feature in Kyoto Park

There are Japanese maple trees, traditional stone lanterns with trickling water, a rock garden to contemplate, hidden nooks with benches, wandering peacocks, and koi carp drift lazily around the pond. Relax on a bench to enjoy the peaceful oasis!

2. Japan-Inspired Features at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is an outstanding destination, starring several Japanese and Eastern architectural elements which add interest to their glorious gardens.

‘Chokushi-Mon’ in Kew, set in the Japanese landscape area is a 4/5th replica of the karamon (gate) of Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto – 16th Century style of ‘Momoyama’, with finely carved woodwork. It was moved to Kew from Hammersmith Park in 1911.

Chokushi-Mon Gateway

Thank Kew Very Much – Chokushi-Mon Gateway Found a Home in a Lovely Setting

The garden’s Great Pagoda was finished in 1762, and is an interesting example of the time’s fashion for ‘Chinoiserie’. It has been loved and loathed over the years, presenting restoration – as well as safety – challenges. Once famous for its exotic, heavy, and eventually rotting wooden dragons, they had long since been removed.

Following a restoration by Historic Royal Palaces the dragons are now back in place (due to the wonders of 3D printing! Read the fascinating ‘Ian Visits’ blog here). And what’s more, the pagoda is open to the public in the summer months.

Kew Gardens ‘Chinoiserie’ Style Pagoda

Kew Gardens ‘Chinoiserie’ Style Pagoda – Controversial Since 1762

A traditional Japanese ‘Minka’ farmhouse was painstakingly imported from suburb of Okazaki City, and now stands within a gently rustling Bamboo Garden. These features and buildings serve as a backdrop to the countless Japanese plants and flowers that can be discovered all over Kew.

3. Garden of Peace in Hammersmith Park

First opened in 1950, the garden in Hammersmith Park, contains a remnant of ‘Garden of Peace’ from the 1910 Japan-British Exhibition.

A man in a large garden with a pond in it

Hammersmith Park – Garden of Peace

In 2018, stone lanterns were added to the entranceway to commemorate the park. The stroll garden has been restored, and there is a rock garden, pond, and forest garden.

4. The Japanese Island Garden in Regent’s Park

This calming Japan-inspired garden near Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens was created in about 1930, and offers a lovely tranquil setting. There is a waterfall cascading down to a pond, and a small bridge that you can cross over.

There are places you can sit around the circular stone path, and stopping to listening to the waterfall whilst viewing the water lilies creates a lovely tranquil moment of calm in the city.

There are also other features of note, such as stone lanterns and a bronze flying eagle statue.

5. SOAS Japanese Rooftop Garden*

A sublime space in the middle of the metropolis can be found in the Japanese Rooftop garden on top of the Brunei Gallery; a place for quiet contemplation and cultural events.

Dedicated to forgiveness, the garden is free to enter and is normally open to the public when the Brunei Gallery is open (Tues-Sat 10.30am – 5pm). The gallery is located at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), near Russell Square.

Other Japanese gardens in the London & South East area include:

Japanese Gardens in the UK – Outside London

The Japanese and the British both share a deep-rooted appreciation of gardens, and Japanese gardens are to be found all over the UK.

Tatton Park Japanese Garden

One of the first gardens in the UK was ‘almost certainly’ inspired by the 1910 Japan-British Exhibition at White City. Tatton Park in Cheshire has a Japanese garden in a ‘tea garden’ style.

A Japanese garden with many flowers and a pond

Tatton Park Japanese Garden

All things Japanese seemed fabulously exotic to the British public in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and this Japanese garden with its Western aesthetic will have been the height of fashion.

Boasting a Shinto shrine and various authentic artefacts, it is reputed to be “finest example of a Japanese Garden in Europe.”

The garden can only be viewed from the perimeter except during tours, given on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1.20pm and 2.20pm for a small fee in the high season. Visit the Tatton Park website for details.

Pure Land Japanese Garden, Nottinghamshire

Probably one of the most unusual Japanese gardens in the UK must be the ‘world’s first crystal garden’ in the Pure Land Japanese Garden in Nottinghamshire, which was created by the head of the temple, Maitreya, and opened in May 2013.

A Japanese garden made of crystals

Pure Land’s Crystal Garden

This stunning creation has thousands of crystals which has positioned to represent facets of nature, such as rivers and mountains, and it is symbolic of how beautiful the universe is.

The crystal garden is contained within their more traditional Japanese garden, which features ‘a traditional repertoire of garden elements such as water, carp, bridges, moss, bamboo, evergreens, maples, cherry, and stone lanterns’.

Open to visitors from March, there is an entrance fee. In August & September, you can also experience a magical lantern-lit garden experience, evocative of a bygone age in Japan. Check the website for more info.

List of Japanese Gardens in the UK Open to the Public

Japanese Gardens in the Republic of Ireland

Japanese Gardens in the Midlands & East Anglia

Japanese Gardens in Northern England

Japanese Gardens in Scotland

Japanese Gardens in the South West

Japanese Gardens in Wales

Can’t get enough of Japanese Gardens?

Founded in 1993, the Japanese Garden Society (JGS) brings together people interested in the gardens of Japan and Japanese gardens in the UK. Members enjoy garden visits, a journal, newsletter and workshops and talks.

The Japanese Garden Society’s publication ‘Visions of Paradise’ is based on the society’s exhibition ‘Visions of Paradise – the Japanese Garden in the UK’, with contents covering the style and design of gardens in Japan; the history and development of gardens in the UK; ‘Cultural Borrowing’; and a list of gardens open to the public in the UK.

An honourable mention should be given to the website GreatBritishGardens.co.uk – which offers a nice round up of their favourite 15 Japanese gardens in the UK.

Love Japanese gardens? You might like this article too:

How to Enjoy Cherry Blossom in the UK

Learning the Japanese language? Did you know JapaneseLondon.com connects learners with 1-1 native-speaking private Japanese tutors, online & right here in London? Learn more here.

]]>
How to Enjoy Cherry Blossom in the UK https://www.japaneselondon.com/how-to-enjoy-cherry-blossom-in-the-uk/ Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:01:04 +0000 http://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=16019 a sakura cherry blossom tree in Tottenham

Has Spring Truly Sprung? There’s only one way to find out… Where’s the Cherry Blossom At?!

Admiring the springtime blooms is a bit of a national obsession common to both Britain and Japan. Cherry blossoms are being rapturously received in the UK in 2023 as we speak, and the first wave of cherry blossoms will be getting started in Japan.

Here in Britain we are known for seasonally swooning over daffodils, snowdrops and glades of bluebells, but we do also proudly boast a growing number of cherry trees – both imported Japanese and wild.

Why Do We Love Cherry Blossoms So Much?

In Japan cherry blossom is known as ‘sakura’ 桜 and it holds a very special place in people’s hearts. So much so that it is the national flower, and has inspired poets and creatives since ancient times. Appreciating the sakura is literally known as flower viewing, 花見 ‘hanami’ in Japanese, and people gather underneath trees to drink and picnic.

a cherry blossom tree

To avoid missing out there is a national Japanese ‘blooming forecast’ to be found in newspapers and on television, which charts the expected progress of the blossoms. There are lots of recommended destinations for spectacular cherry blossom viewing in Japan on the Japan National Tourist Organisation website.

Unfortunately nothing quite so comprehensive as a forecast existing in the UK, but the National Trust’s #BlossomWatch hashtag on social media will point you in the right direction. Different varieties bloom at different times between late February and early April, with mid-March to mid-April being the prime time.

But hey – part of the magic of the cherry blossom is its unpredictability – the adventure in searching it out as it varies in from year to year!

But people don’t just love sakura because it’s pink & fluffy. To celebrate the fleeting, frothing beauty of the cherry blossom trees is to recognise that everything in existence is temporary. One of those ‘lost in translation’ Japanese words that sums up so much, so elegantly, ‘mono no aware’ 物の哀れ refers to the bittersweet awareness of the ephemeral nature of all things.

Although springtime weather tends to be less settled here in the UK, we can still enjoy this cherrific custom – if we time it right and the petals haven’t all blown away! Read on to find out how and, importantly, where to enjoy the season.

Top 10 London Parks for Cherry Blossom

  1. Regent’s Park – Chester Road entrance, find an avenue lined with old, tall cherry blossom trees, also, Avenue Gardens
  2. Greenwich Park – you’ll find lovely flower arches behind the cricket pitch, on the avenue leading to the Georgian villa, known as the Ranger’s House.
  3. Kew Gardens – Cherry Walk begins at the Rose Garden at the back of Palm House with an avenue of Japanese cherries leading to Temperate House
  4. Alexandra Park – fantastic views towards the City, framed by cherry trees
  5. St James’s Park – Storey’s Gate, plus others by the lake
  6. Kensington Gardens – Lancaster Gate, and a patch near the Albert Memorial
  7. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park – there is a koi-filled pond with a bridge over, and some cherry trees complete the look. Just stick to the benches (we got told off for spreading a picnic blanket)
  8. Battersea Park – on the aptly names Cherry Tree Avenue
  9. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – The London Blossom Garden, opened in 2021 as a ‘living memorial’ to the Coronavirus pandemic with 33 blossom trees representing each London borough. Close to the Timber Lodge Café
  10. Tavistock Square Gardens – a cherry tree stands as a Hiroshima memorial
a cherry blossom tree

Cherry Blossom Trees on London Streets

Are there any cherry trees on the streets near you? We are lucky enough to pass five trees – all in bloom in differing delicate pinks) on our three minute walk to our local primary school, right here in leafy old Tottenham (see pic below).

a cherry blossom tree on a London street

*Please be mindful of residents of these streets if you go to check out their sakura!

Crouch End – Near Hornsey Town Hall is Cecile Park, a road lined with pink blooms.

Herne Hill – You can find Yoshino trees on Stradella Road and Winterbrook Road, off Half Moon Lane.

Notting Hill – Many residential streets boast cherry trees – Stanley Crescent, Boltons, Little Boltons.

St Pauls Churchyard – not a street as such, but not exactly a park either.

Swiss Cottage Station – between Swiss Cottage Station and the Swiss Cottage Library.

If you want to get to know your local street trees of all types, the fortuitously named tree expert Paul Wood has compiled a smashing guide to street trees in London, including tips on where to spot cherry blossom on urban streets. London’s Street Trees 2020: A Field Guide to the Urban Forest (Amazon associate link).

a group of people sitting in a park

Cherry Blossom Viewing ‘Hanami’ Parties

If you like to enjoy your blooms with others, join a hanami gathering in London. The Japanese Conversation Group (affiliated to The Japan Society London) hold an annual hanami event, usually under the trees in Kensington Park. Naturally, the date changes every year, so check their website / subscribe to their mailing list for details.

The London Japanese Conversation Meetup Group also usually holds an annual hanami event in Regent’s Park. Check their meetup profile for updates.

Cherry Blossom in the UK

Outside of London? From RHS Wisley in Surrey, to Alnwick in Northumberland, to Tatton Park in Cheshire, to the special Hanami event at Brogdale Farm in Kent, it is worth checking out if there is a particular place to catch sakura blooms near you!

a cherry blossom flower

The National Trust – launched #BlossomWatch in the UK to get everybody connected to nature, and to track and chart where blooms can be found. The conservation charity, which first launched the initiative in lockdown, wants to make it an annual tradition, asking people to share their photos on social media using the hashtag.

The Sakura Cherry Tree Project – planted approx. 6,500 trees across the UK in 2021 to celebrate UK-Japan friendship and cooperation. The trees are sponsored Japanese individuals and businesses and can be found all over the UK. 125 trees were planted in the Royal Parks in London.

Love Japanese gardens? There are lots of lovely Japan-inspired gardens all over Britain. We are so lucky! I’d recommend you check out this article for more on the topic (including a list of Japanese gardens in the UK open to the public):
Explore Britain’s Best Japanese Gardens

Hey! Thanks for reading! Are you learning the Japanese language? Did you know JapaneseLondon.com connects learners with wonderful 1-1 native-speaking private Japanese tutors? Learn more here.

]]>
The Real Reason You May Fail to Learn Japanese https://www.japaneselondon.com/the-real-reason-you-may-fail-to-learn-japanese/ Thu, 03 Dec 2020 07:52:22 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19480 Podcast cover art

My 7-year-old’s middle name is Zen.

No, really, it is.

We gave him the name hoping naively that it might, I don’t know… infuse qualities of calm into his nature?

He is, ermm, not calm. He is like a tightly coiled spring, ready to bounce off unpredictably in any direction. His spirit animal is, I think, Tigger.

2020’s adventure in ‘home schooling’ rapidly led to clenched fists, hyperventilating, hiding under the desk, shouting ‘NO!’. And that was just me!

All the lessons in the meaning of Zen are for mummy.

Something I had to quickly understand is to follow the path of least resistance. Make it easy. Make it fun. Make it interesting. This inspired me to think more deeply about learning Japanese, and how it can be Omoshiroi.

Really, this applies to all learning, doesn’t it? EVERYTHING we do in life. It’s just got to be compelling and enjoyable, or else we resist doing it.

In kids, this resistance to applying themselves to focusing on a task is more commonly known as ‘naughty behaviour’. It is seen as defiant. Yet, learning through play is children’s natural state of being, their default setting, and we need to make things fun & interesting to channel this flow of energy.

In adults, resistance turns up as ‘self-sabotage’. You’ve DECIDED to do it, you LIKE doing it, you WANT to do it, yet you can’t GET yourself to do it. It’s so frustrating and I think it is one of the main challenges of being human.

Resistance is the Real Reason You May Fail to Learn Japanese

If you want to learn Japanese, you may have thought – perhaps unconsciously – that would be very ‘difficult’ and that strict discipline to somehow cram the language into your brain with intense study sessions is the way to do it – but happily, it really isn’t.

At this point, I’d just like to clarify that what I mean by ‘fail to learn Japanese’. What I’m talking about is self-sabotage. It’s giving up before you want to. Before you have decided to. It leaves you hanging, with an unclosed loop, and an empty, unfulfilled feeling.

To fail does not mean changing your mind, taking a break, or not becoming fluent. The key is to INTENTIONALLY DECIDE.

The real reason people fail to learn Japanese is not that the language is too hard, or that it takes too much time, or that it costs too much money (although these are very handy excuses).

The real root reason is RESISTANCE. Resistance is FEAR.

Fear sets off the body’s ‘fight or flight’ reaction. The good news is that moving away from that fear-based reaction does not require a complex plan, or worse still, force.

3 Steps to Smash Your Resistance to Learning Japanese

It can be SO FRUSTRATING to gently coax your inner child out from under the desk. It can be incredibly challenging to stay patient and consistent, and be kind to yourself. But we know that dragging them out, kicking and screaming will only win you more resistance.

So, I’d love to share 3 practical steps I’ve been working on for myself, and which you can take right away to combat resistance (and they don’t involve any bribery with Percy Pigs).

The first crucial step is to break down learning goals into tiny, miniscule steps; the second step is to make learning easier by cementing every day habits, and the third is about how creating a ‘language community’ can offer both meaningful social interaction and in turn, accountability.

Step 1: Break Your Learning Up into Small Chunks

I don’t know about you, but when something has been driving me nuts, hanging around on my ‘to do’ list for ever, I always find the task is not actually a task – because it’s too big and involves multiple decisions and actions. If I have written ‘learn Japanese’ on my list, I’m obviously never going to be able to cross that off!

I’d say the main reason why people fail to learn Japanese is because they want to eat the fruit without first having even planted the seeds. Wanting to jump straight to the results is totally natural. Wow, I feel like that every day about one thing or another – study, exercise, diet, writing, podcasting… the list goes on. To go against this natural instinct involves focusing in on the details and granular planning.

Japanese is NOT too hard for you to learn. But it can be overwhelming and does require plenty of focused attention. If you’ve been following my OMOSHIROI method, you will have examined your BIG WHY for learning Japanese – your past, your current interests, your future vision. Plus, you will have set goals which will make a real difference in your life.

The small steps are your tactics.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  1. What are my top 3 goals in learning Japanese language and culture?
  2. What resources have I decided to utilise to reach those goals? (this could be apps, textbooks, lessons, flashcards, group lessons, a Japanese tutor)
  3. Examine the resources. What chunk or unit of work from those resources can I fit in to my schedule, and when exactly? It is best to hugely underestimate (i.e. learn 1 kanji per week by practising it whilst my coffee brews) than overestimate (i.e. learn 10 kanji per week all at once).

Once you have broken the tactics down into pieces which cannot be reduced any further, you need to slot those pieces into your day.

Step 2: Get the Habit of Learning Japanese

It’s natural to feel that when you have decided WHY you want to do something, and WHAT you want to do, that you should be able to summon the will-power to JUST DO IT. If only it were that easy!

I just read a book by James Clear, called ‘Atomic Habits’ and it was really eye-opening for me. Have you read it? It’s an odd combination of tiny, simple hints that on one hand seem somehow really obvious, but on the other are also very powerful in application.

Yesterday I shared a post on Instagram with my favourite quote from the book, and it got (by far) the highest reach that any of my posts have ever enjoyed. Here’s the quote, in case you missed it:

“Bamboo can barely be seen for the first five years as it builds extensive root systems underground before exploding ninety feet into the air with six weeks.”

If you ever feel like you are not making progress fast enough, this quote says it all.

James Clear offers a model to create habits that stick, to create tiny, 1% improvements with results that snowball. I’ll just give a super quick summary here.

Atomic Habits: How to Create Good Habits.

Habits, good or bad, consist of cue, a craving, a response and a reward. So if you want to establish a desired habit, you need to take these steps:

  • Cue – Make it obvious
  • Craving – Make it attractive
  • Response – Make it easy
  • Reward – Make it satisfying

Let’s see how to apply these tips to examples of learning Japanese consistently:

  • Cue – Make it obvious => Put your Japanese study materials where they are clearly visible in your home (or on your desk).
  • Craving – Make it attractive => Follow a simple routine that’s fun and efficient that fits within your schedule (for example, practice writing for five minutes, followed by reviewing 1 page of your textbook).
  • Response – Make it easy => Take Japanese lessons online at home, or choose a tutor in the most convenient location as possible.
  • Reward – Make it satisfying => Log the lesson, and what you did, as daily wins in your journal, spreadsheet or calendar. Progress makes you feel good, it’s a reward in itself.

It’s easy to think the small steps are too small to bother with – put Japanese learning resources in a clearly visible place – duh! However, I find if I leave out some calligraphy positioned on my desk, I am 100% more likely to do it.

Step 3: Create Your Japanese Language Community

When I returned to London after living in Japan for three years, I didn’t want to leave all that I loved about Japan behind me.

I became totally obsessed with finding Japanese places, Japan-related groups, businesses and individuals, and other things here in London.  I just find so many aspects of Japanese ways of speaking, thinking and doing things so fascinating and inspiring.

After extensive research, I can say, hand on heart, that London is THE BEST place in the world to be, if you love Japan (except Japan – obviously).  But actually… in some ways, it’s even better!

And it’s not just that all the Japanese films are subtitled in English (though that’s pretty awesome). When we experience Japanese culture and attend events in the UK, things are explained to us in an easy-to-understand way. It’s so accessible! We are so lucky.

Here are some ideas to establish a ‘Japanese Language community’ of your very own:

1. Join a Japanese Club

I really enjoy The Japan Society’s Bilingual Speaking Club, where half of the session is conducted in Japanese only. This is fantastic for intermediate or higher levels. The Japan Society also offers other online events, such as a book club and a film club.

Try searching www.meetup.com to find out about local clubs where you can explore any and every interest, from afternoon tea to Zen, with a group of like-minded people. There are various niche meetups related to other aspects of Japanese culture.

Conversation clubs are a wonderful option for language exchange and friendship – there are several in to join in London and online.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter – sign up here to be the first to hear about the Japanese London Conversation Club events that I have planned for 2021.

2. Go to Japan-related Events & Make Friends

If you are looking for events where you meet can bilingual speakers of English/Japanese:

all offer amazing, often free, events which attract people interested in all aspects of Japanese culture. During 2020, they have put on a variety of really interesting online events.

However, I do find there is a slight problem when you want to practice: it’s easier than ever to default to English when speaking to Japanese people in the UK. Ex-pats of course often speak do a very good level of English. Also, always ask before you practise (not everyone wants to be a Japanese teacher!).

On the other hand, Japanese people you meet in the UK may well have learned the skill of speaking an easier-to-understand Japanese (like the way we modify English by dropping idioms and colloquialisms when speaking to non-native speakers, and it is a definitely is a kind of skill). This makes it easier to have a successful beginner level Japanese conversation.

3. Take Japanese Lessons with a Private 1-to-1 tutor

A problem I used to have when I went out socially to practice Japanese was that not only that it’s so easy to revert to English, but also I always got over involved in the ‘nomunication’ aspect. If you haven’t heard the word before, ‘nomunication’ is a ‘Japlish’ word combining the Japanese word ‘nomu’ (to drink) with ‘communication’ which is often used as a loan word in Japanese. A beer or three loosens the tongue but does not sharpen the memory!

I find that to actually improve my speaking, private 1-to-1 lessons give an opportunity to speak at length with your tutor, making mistakes and correcting them as you go along. Your tutor is a language coach; a trusted guide who will help to navigate through your studies, provide accountability, and keep you motivated.

If you are interested in getting a Japanese tutor, please do get in touch with me, Vanessa to arrange a consultation.

Japanese tuition has worked really well online in 2020. Like everyone else, I didn’t know what to expect, as we had been delivering most lessons in person. Now I’m not going to lie – the transition was challenging – but I have been pleasantly surprised.

Online lessons work very well to focus on the spoken communication skills of speaking and listening. Removing the commute to a location has also meant some students find it easier to keep up with their lessons. The way I see lessons going in 2021 is that I will continue to match tutors and students bearing location in mind, so that when they want to meet in person, they can. I imagine that in-person lessons may take place every other lessons, or once a month, with the other lessons taking place online.

Thank you so much for reading / listening! I sincerely hope that taking the 3 steps of breaking your learning up into small steps, getting tiny habits of learning Japanese, and creating your Japanese language community will help you smash resistance to smithereens!

I’ll be back in 2021 with my next Japanese London Living series of podcasts. So I can let you know when I’m starting, please do sign up to my newsletter today!

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

If the OMOSHIROI approach to learning Japanese resonates with you, I’d like to invite you again to head over to JapaneseLondon.com/playbook to get a planner to nail your Japanese learning plan.

The playbook is an e-book with an interactive element so you don’t need to print it out. Once you’ve got your plans down, do email them over to me and I will give you my feedback, including any recommendations for how to go forward with your Japanese learning.

Or, if you are after personal attention to guide you, I also  connect learners of Japanese to private, 1-1 native-speaking Japanese tutors.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
How Teaching Yourself Japanese Is Like Conveyor Belt Sushi https://www.japaneselondon.com/how-teaching-yourself-japanese-is-like-conveyor-belt-sushi/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 07:25:19 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19471 Podcast cover art

Ever been to a kaiten-zushi restaurant? I love the weirdly futuristic simplicity of the conveyor belt concept. Tantalising morsels of white, red and orange fish, laid like glistening gems on their thrones of rice glide regally past.

You grab what delights you most, and devour it. Actually, the kaiten zushi experience is such an apt metaphor for Japanese study – in fact, for life in general…

The choice can seem overwhelming, and you aren’t sure what to pick. Sometimes you get put off by accidentally picking something that’s not to your taste. Raw squid? Salmon Roe? Octopus balls? We all get it wrong sometimes. Other times a new flavour surprises you, and you acquire a taste for it.

You don’t need to gobble up everything that passes. You need to become more familiar, more discerning. In fact, the likelihood of getting exactly what you want increases every time we try again – you might even summon the courage to ask the sushi chef with the big sharp knives for directly for what you want. Ask, and it is given.

If you’ve been following my series about the ‘OMOSHIROI’ method (you can download the playbook here), you’ll know that I believe learning Japanese should be just to your taste – that is, both fun and interesting TO YOU.

And the way to make things fun and interesting is YOUR WAY – to really consider what it is you enjoy, and grab it / do it / read it / learn it / watch it / listen to it / eat it! More! Little and often.

Look, I just want to say that I do understand sometimes there are things that must be swallowed whole. There are grammar points to be memorised, there are Japanese Language Proficiency Tests to be passed. At times, we must apply our grey matter very seriously to absorbing facts and repetition of rules.

However, truth be told, I think that most of us, myself included can benefit by generally lightening up and enjoying the process of learning more.

In this episode, I will talk about my top picks for ‘How to Teach Yourself Japanese’, including specific Japanese learning resources and recommendations (books, podcasts, activities) to cover three crucial areas of learning – Japanese language, Japanese mind-set and Japanese lifestyle.

Japanese Language Learning Books

Have you ever been to a large bookshop, say, Waterstones Piccadilly or the Foyles on Charing Cross Road and browsed through the Japanese learning section?

Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath. I have to say, no matter how enthusiastic you might be, the Japanese textbook section is always a bit disappointing!

With a background in teaching English as a Foreign Language, I know that for years now, English language textbooks have looked like magazines, featuring cutting edge (in fact, one of the series is called ‘Cutting Edge’) contemporary topics such as technology, the environment, travel, etc. all really attractively laid out and dynamically presented.

Japanese textbooks, on the other hand, are generally printed in plain black and white, with sparse stick-figure illustrations, and seem to focus mostly on dialogues about Jones-san talking to Suzuki-san asking the location of the bus stop.

That said, Japanese textbooks serve as a useful springboard to further study. It can be very helpful to have a textbook as a foundation, if it works for you personally to work through the material in this way.

Most traditional group language classes use either the long-standing publications of ‘Japanese for Busy People’ (first published in 1984) or ‘Minna No Nihongo’. I used Minna No Nihongo in group classes myself, with teacher to bring it to life! Japanese for Busy People is sometimes unpopular for using just romaji (the Roman alphabet) in the beginner level book, but depending on your ambitions, that might be just what you want. Minna No Nihongo book has an accompanying translation & grammar book, but is really not suited for self study.

Newer Japanese textbook series include ‘Japanese From Zero’ and ‘Genki: An Integrated Course in Japanese’. A main difference between them is that Japanese from Zero teaches kana very slowly. The first book teaches only one hiragana line per chapter, and then only the sounds learned are shown in kana, the rest in romaji. It was written by an American man who has a Japanese wife, and there is quite a bit of accompanying support online.

Genki is one of the most popular textbooks, and it was mainly written by Japanese university professors. It moves more quickly, with Chapter 1 teaching hiragana, chapter 2 katakana, and from chapter 3 there are kanji.

To make up for the disappointment of the unflashy textbooks which are a little bit much of a muchness, I’d like to recommend a few Japan guides which have been released recently, that are packed with cultural information and fab photos:

  • Be More Japan: The Art of Japanese Living’ – is a fantastic book for Japan fans, published in 2019. It’s a travel guide, but it’s a long way from the boring old Lonely Planet guides I used to use. It’s a DK Eyewitness book, and if you are familiar with the brand, you’ll know their publications tend to have a lot of lovely illustrations.
  • How to Live Japanese’ by Yutaka Yuzawa – is a brilliant book, although it isn’t quite sure what it wants to be. The title should probably be ‘How the Japanese Live’ as it’s a kind of cultural reference guide, rather than a do-it-yourself kind of guide, but it is very interesting.
  • TOKYO’ by Steve Wide & Michelle Mackintosh is the most aesthetically pleasing and deeply approachable guide to Tokyo, and Japanese living, that I’ve ever seen. I’m dying to get my hands on the other books written by this Australian Japanophile husband and wife team, on Onsen, Kyoto Precincts, etc.

And I’d also like to recommended the gorgeous ‘Hai Hiragana’ flashcards, to add some colour to your studies. They are beautifully designed mnemonic cards with visual hints to remember the characters. What makes them really special, is that the designers have chosen many Japanese things to illustrate the phonemes.

Japanese Mind-set Learning Resources

When in Rome, do as the Romans do a Japanese colleague once suggested to me. I’m all for it, but what if you really have no idea what the Romans are doing? And what if the Romans are basically too polite to tell you what they are doing, what you should do, or if you are doing something they don’t want you to do?

Learning as much as possible about Japanese ways of thinking and doing things will be a huge benefit for anyone planning to travel to Japan, and will mean you get shouted at and told off less, which is always a HUGE bonus.

I’ll never forget being on a train in Japan, with some friends who were visiting from the UK, when we were all in our twenties. The train was very quiet, there were hardly any people on it, and Katie had casually draped her leg over Al’s, as they sat next to each other on the bench seat. There was certainly nothing weird or overtly sexy about their behaviour.

Suddenly a train conductor passed and became incensed by their public display of affection. ‘This is NOT AMERICA!’ he barked at them in Japanese, ‘There are children on this train!’.

Now, it’s almost impossible to stop all misunderstandings from happening, and he was likely just a grumpy old man having a bad day. We didn’t realise that we were doing anything which could be offensive.

However, I have to admit, I’d never read a book about Japanese etiquette, which does seem a dry topic. But no longer does it have to be!

I’m delighted to recommend ‘Amy’s Guide to Best Behaviour in Japan – Do It Right and Be Polite’ by American ex-pat author, Amy Chavez.

It is a fresh and modern take on everything from bath and toilet etiquette, to ordering in bars and restaurants, how I wish this book had been available when I first went to Japan! Amy even explains what the weird tap on the back of the loo is for.

Another genre of books I’d highly recommend if you are interested in the type of self-help / philosophy / travel books which have become so popular recently is the ‘Japanese wisdom explained afresh’ category. I’ve mentioned before my writing mentor, Beth Kempton’s wonderful book, ‘Wabi Sabi’.

There are other books available about many Japanese ideas, from ikigai to zen. If you want any book recommendations, feel free to get in touch with me! I love talking about J-books!

Podcasts are another really simple and accessible way to learn about the Japanese mind-set, and two of the most popular ones about Japan are ‘Tofugu’ (link to the extensive website) and ‘Abroad in Japan’. Tofugu is great because they include episodes about specific language learning points, but also much more general overviews of the culture. Abroad in Japan is full of anecdotes told from the point of view of the hosts, Pete and Chris, and their YouTube channel is also very popular.

Japanese Lifestyle Recommendations

Are one of those people, like me, who struggles to breathe if you put an entire piece of nigari sushi in your mouth at once? Yes, me too, I have to bite them and it sometimes makes a terrible mess. Ok, I’ve seriously bitten off more than I can chew here –  trying to define a ‘Japanese lifestyle’!

In the interests of simplicity, I would like to choose ‘food’ and ‘karaoke’ as areas of the daily lifestyle in Japan that you will be hard pressed to escape on a visit.

So, in March this year I went to an event. Remember those? I saw real people in the flesh. I got to talking to a man was going on honeymoon to Japan in the spring. It was their first time to visit Japan, and he showed me their itinerary. It was INCREDIBLE. He’d spent six months of evenings after work with his partner looking up where they wanted to go and carefully planning.

I asked him what Japanese restaurants in London were his favourites. Oh, he said, I don’t know, I haven’t really tried any Japanese food. I was like: whaaaaaat???! Honestly, you could have scraped my jaw off the floor. London is so plentifully supplied with excellent Japanese restaurants!

I suppose there’s no way that you’d necessarily realise how important food is in Japanese culture until you go. There’s so much else to think about when planning a trip – the gardens, the temples, the cities, the shinkansen journeys. And after all, the French are foodies, but we wouldn’t prepare for a trip to France by eating loads of French food in London. We’d just enjoy it whilst there.

Nonetheless, Japanese food can be such an acquired taste, that I believe that acquiring it ahead of your trip will make your experience so much better. You’ll know what to order in restaurants and what not to. There is just so much to take in on a trip to Japan, that being baffled by the food can be not just an adventure, but an annoying distraction, or even a disappointment.

When my mum came to visit me in Japan, she was given a very beautiful box of sweets by some friends when she left, and she took it on the plane with her. She was excited about having a treat and assumed the sweets would be full of chocolate.

But every sweet that she bit into was full of anko – sweet red bean paste. Yuck! She said and spat it out. Like mushed up baked beans, she said. I disagree by the way – I love azuki beans.

Of course, getting familiar Japanese food won’t just mean we have a better trip to Japan, but enjoy more varied nutrition, textures, colours, flavour and experiences in the meantime.

The second area I have chosen as representative of a Japanese lifestyle is karaoke. I’ve always kind of hated it. A colleague of mine in Japan was such an excellent singer. When she finished her turn, I was so embarrassed to take mine. I really disliked the way that karaoke can put you on the spot in front of an audience, and that people seemed to ‘expect’ a performance.

Nonetheless, I found myself at karaoke countless times. I resisted it and make far too much use of the frequent ‘nomihodai’ offers (all you can drink) to summon the courage. It always seemed to get a bit messy.

Instead of resisting it, what if I’d embraced it instead? I love music and I enjoy many types. If I had just picked several songs and practised them properly (did you know that Japanese people are often known to go to karaoke by themselves in order to practise?) I would have had a much better time.

I’ll leave you here with the words of Frank Sinatra – this has traditionally been a big favourite with Japanese salarymen at karaoke.

I planned each charted course
Each careful step on the byway
And more, much more than this
I DID IT MY WAY

Thanks so much for reading! I hope this episode has given you some ideas about including Japanese textbooks, guidebooks, podcast and experiences in your daily life. If you would like further recommendations, get in touch! I love talking about all things Japan-related.

Disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links.

Thank you so much for reading. If the OMOSHIROI approach to learning Japanese resonates with you, I’d like to invite you again to head over to JapaneseLondon.com/playbook to get a planner to nail your Japanese learning plan.

The playbook is an e-book with an interactive element so you don’t need to print it out. Once you’ve got your plans down, do email them over to me and I will give you my feedback, including any recommendations for how to go forward with your Japanese learning.

If you are serious about learning Japanese YOUR WAY and would like someone to point you in the right direction, do get in touch with me, Vanessa and we can talk about connecting you with a private 1-1 native speaking Japanese tutor.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
Delete Your Japanese Learning Apps (and What to Do Instead) https://www.japaneselondon.com/delete-your-japanese-learning-apps-and-what-to-do-instead/ Wed, 18 Nov 2020 07:36:10 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19467 Podcast cover art - learning apps

When I lived in Japan, it was in the pre-smart phone era. I had a large map of Tochigi city and the whole surrounding area pinned to the wall in my apartment, and I studied the routes to the many elementary and middle schools I needed to visit. Some of them were quite far away by bicycle.

I’d be on my way to school in the morning, zig-zagging gingerly along narrow paths between the rice fields, perched on my mama-chari bicycle, and clutching in my fist a small, damp note for security. On the note had been written neatly, in Japanese (not by me!): ‘Excuse me, I’ve lost my way, where is Chizuka Shogako?’.

If my spoken Japanese was not immediately successful, which was often the case, I could show the innocent victim the note. I’d be pointed in the right direction and off I’d trundle again. I would breathe a deep sigh of relief when the school I’d been sent to as a visiting English teacher finally materialised, hazily, in the shadow of the mountains.

If I’d had a smartphone back then, it would have been SO MUCH easier.

I wouldn’t have had to attempt to memorise my route from a map. I wouldn’t have even needed to ask directions. Or, if I did, I could have had the phone speak the words, instead of me, slowly dying inside of acute embarrassment.

That would have been AMAZING! So, no, I’m not really serious about deleting our incredibly handy Japanese learning and translating apps. We do have the technology, and we should make good use of it.

BUT, what I am concerned about is the PASSIVITY that the comfort of APPS can create.

It’s not always easy to reach your destination, but it sure helps to know where you are heading. I believe that apps take that agency away, eliminating the need to actually know where we are going in the first place. I think it’s really important to set our goals and then use apps as stepping stones towards these pre-determined goals.

There is A LOT of information available these days about goal-setting itself, but I’m going to focus on a few key points to consider from two experts, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, and Mark Manson, author of swearily titled books including The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.

Apps encourage passivity not just in terms of taking away the need to set goals, but also in terms of the actual Japanese skills that are learned and practised. Listening, reading and vocabulary building are naturally easier to present through the means a teaching app, or indeed a Japanese textbook. But listening and reading skills are passive skills, and only one part of communication.

The other language skills, speaking and writing are active skills, that is, they require us to produce something using our own creative faculties. These skills are harder to learn when studying by ourselves, using the technology of apps.

In this article I will talk about setting your own goals (one that don’t make you bored stiff), the difference between goals and systems, and deciding whether you actually want to speak and write in Japanese (spoiler alert: you don’t have to).

1. Set Your Own, Unique Goals for the Lifestyle You Want

Earlier this year, before I had the chance to work with the amazing copywriting and story strategy coach, Anna Iveson, I wrote a goal setting planner based on the SMART goal system, that I planned to make available on my website for learners of Japanese. If you aren’t familiar with it, the acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Action-orientated, Realistic and Timed.

I just got it out of my files to check, because I knew I was focusing on goal-setting in this episode. And do you know what? It’s RUBBISH. It’s soooo boring I almost fell asleep reading it! I mean, I honestly do think the SMART principles are great, but my planner was drier than a Rich Tea biscuit.

Goals are the trunk of the tree, providing a firm centre to all the areas where we will branch out with language learning. We can come back to our central goals as a reference point whenever we wander off on a tangent. We want to have ambitious goals that excite us and give our Japanese study real purpose.

But conversely, it’s easy to set super exciting goals about getting fluent and working in Japan. We can get carried away with lofty thoughts about all the things that we could, figuratively, achieve.

But here, I am reminded of Mark Manson’s approach. He asks: ‘What’s your favourite flavour of shit sandwich, and does it come with an olive?’.

That’s gross. But it’s memorable, right? And what he is saying, is that rather than considering what kind of exciting success we want, we ought to ask: ‘What kind of pain do I want on the way there?’.

In other words, ‘Do I want the lifestyle that comes with this quest?’.

So, in setting your Japanese learning goals, consider, for example, whether you you’re your lifestyle to include using flashcard apps such Anki to learn hiragana? Do you want to subscribe to the particular learning system of Remembering the Kanji? Do you want to include that type of learning in your daily routine?

Of course, you might need to try a technique of learning Japanese before you know. But don’t be afraid to drop it like it’s hot if it’s not fun & interesting for you.

2. Know the Difference Between Goals & Systems

So this is something I didn’t fully appreciate until recently, when I’ve been working with my fantastic coach, Ri Justin (she’s a coach for busy mums, if you’re interested). An app which teaches you Japanese is a system. A tactic.

Using apps without having set the firm central pillar of goals is a bit like having branches without a tree. Where do they lead?

Once we define clearly the goals to which we are heading, using apps is to get there can be a really effective system. Systems achieve results.

Systems and tactics need to be fixed carefully and sustainably into our lifestyles. In this awesome article on goal setting, by James Clear, he cites a study which asked people to fill in this sentence:

‘During the next week, I will partake in at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise on [DAY] at [TIME OF DAY] at / in [PLACE]. Researchers found that people who filled in that sentence were 2x to 3x more likely to actually exercise.

Let’s do that now for our Japanese learning.

‘During the next week, I will partake in at least 20 minutes of Japanese learning on [DAY] at [TIME OF DAY] at / in [PLACE].’

So determining our goals, and then using study apps on a specific day, time and place can be very effective. Apps are built to demand our attention, and they can train us to have a certain lifestyle.

We just need to be sure that we want that lifestyle.

For me, at the moment, I don’t feel that I can use apps to learn Japanese with. This is because it is a particular priority of mine to spend less time on my phone. In fact, I have just bought myself a lovely little lock box to put it into at certain pre-determined times.

One big reason for this is because I have young children. I don’t want them to see me constantly on the phone. They don’t understand that I’m not just playing Pac-man. I’d rather they see me doing something else more tangible, and perhaps easier to break off from.

And also, I crave the calm that other types of activities, such as reading books about Japanese wisdom and ways of doing things, and doing calligraphy can bring me.

3. Decide If You Actually Want to Speak Japanese

Speaking Japanese will mean that you need to find Japanese people to speak to. Coming back to the lifestyle question again, is that something you want to do? Is it something that you can do right now?

I remember a colleague of mine. Let’s call him Barry. He was famous for his ability to clap with one hand. No, he really could, having large flappy hands. Barry was always to be found droning on, practising his Japanese with waiting staff in restaurants, who were a captive audience, and too polite to tell him to stick it. Don’t be like Barry.

Here are some ways to learn to speak Japanese:

  • a. Restaurant staff (respectfully – remember Barry)
  • b. Join The Japan Society’s Bilingual Speaking club
  • c. Sing! Learn Japanese lyrics
  • d. Find a Japanese study buddy – try online meet-ups
  • e. Watch films, paying particular attention to the dialogue
  • f. Get a 1-1 Japanese tutor

Although I sincerely believe that language is for the purpose of real communication, which involves speaking to other human beings, there is a time and a place for this.

You may find that what you are enjoying most of all IS learning the Japanese writing system, using a textbook or an app. And that is absolutely fine! The important point is your intentionality and feeling good about the choices that you are making.

4. Decide If You Actually Want to Write in Japanese

When I taught in Japanese schools, I was always struck by the calligraphy hanging on the walls in the classrooms. At first glance, the papers appeared identical, the very same kanji or phrase having been inked by the 30+ students in the class. I wondered why they bothered? Why such uniformity?

But on closer examination, I realised they were, of course, all unique, and that writing calligraphy serves several purposes.

Firstly, it teaches penmanship and stroke order. It also teaches the words and phrases themselves. But perhaps most importantly, it is a creative, focused artistic endeavour with set parameters for learners. It can be intensely calming and satisfying. Calligraphy can be a valuable life skill.

Learning to write in Japanese really can be quite laborious. Although I’ve always prided myself on having a very nice cursive hand in English (I learned to write in Canada, so it’s that swirly, American style), my flowing style did NOT immediately translate to the minute, intricate strokes of kanji.

There’s a reason why mechanical pencils are so popular in Japan. They are very precise, rendering tiny, neat lines, and can be easily and accurately erased.

If physically writing Japanese doesn’t sound particularly appealing to you, rest assured, you don’t have to do it. Many Japanese people rarely put pen to paper these days, and instead rely on predictive text functions to find the right kanji. Many Japanese people say that are forgetting the correct stroke order, in the same way the English users forget how to spell words.

Others are really put off learning Japanese as they literally just don’t want to learn another writing script. It’s useful for these learners to note, that, several Japanese textbooks, such as Japanese for Busy People have beginner levels which are written entirely in roman letters, known as romaji. That is, the English alphabet.

You get to decide how far along the road you want to go with your Japanese learning. I sincerely believe that any distance covered is valuable – after all, sprinting and marathons are both valid pursuits.

So, I hope you found this useful to reflect on to your Japanese learning goals, and the systems or tactics that lead to a lifestyle that you can really enjoy – whether or not you want to actually speak or write Japanese.

The problem with apps is you can only go so far. But that might be where you want to go! Only you can decide.

*Disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links.

Thank you very much for reading this article / listening the podcast! It means a lot to me.

If you are serious about learning Japanese and would like someone to point you in the right direction, do get in touch with me, Vanessa and we can talk about connecting you with a 1-1 Japanese tutor.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
Love Japan? What’s Your Japan Story? https://www.japaneselondon.com/love-japan-whats-your-japan-story/ Wed, 11 Nov 2020 07:49:47 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19458

When I was 15 years old, my father went on a business trip to Japan.

My father was a Yorkshireman, and not at all given to gushing enthusiasm, except perhaps for a chip butty. Given his usual world-weary demeanour and workaholic tendencies, I was gobsmacked when he came back from his Japan trip all lit up like Akihabara electronic district on a Saturday night.

He had cool Japanese souvenirs too: some weird ‘coffee’ gum, a hand-carved wooden Hokkaido bear, and a lovely crane-printed summer yutaka (cotton gown) for me. It was very exciting.

He said: “Vanessa, if you ever get the chance to go to Japan – GO!”

I was like ‘yeah, ok dad…’ *rolls eyes*

Like many people who fall for Japan’s charms, my dad couldn’t even put his finger on what it was exactly that he loved about the place.

He liked the way the staff in McDonalds bowed when handing over his cheeseburger. He loved the gardens at Kyoto’s temples. He appreciated the craftsmanship of the Hokkaido bear. He wasn’t crazy about the food (not a seafood fan).

So I didn’t understand quite what it was that he found so wonderful about the place, and neither did he.

But I never forgot that spark that Japan had somehow managed to kindle in my cynical father.

And when I discovered the opportunity of teaching in Japan on the JET Programme (Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme) in my last year of my English degree at Nottingham University, I positively leaped at the chance.

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I came down to London for my interview at The Embassy of Japan and I remember spending ages squeezed into the Japan Centre shop, which was in a VERY cramped location right on Piccadilly back then.

I ogled the imported groceries, having no idea what they might be but loving the packaging, and then I wedged myself into a tight space to fully immerse myself in the glory of the stationery section.

I recall Japanese restaurant (it’s long gone I’m afraid) across from the youth hostel I stayed in had a splendid display of replica plastic food in the window – bowls of noodles and plates of salad – I’ve never seen that in London since actually.

I found it SO compelling. I was hooked already – on something – I didn’t know what.

Fast forward to arriving at my apartment in Tochigi on a sticky humid day in mid-August, I found watermelon ice lollies in the freezer, peach-scented shampoo in the shower, and a towelling summer blanket on my bed. How thoughtful! I was incredibly touched.

This was in the pre-smartphone era, and I spoke barely a word of Japanese. I didn’t even own a laptop. I was totally immersed in Japanese, well, everything.

And that everything was so different to what I’d previously experienced, and often so topsy-turvy opposite to what I’d thought was THE RIGHT WAY, that sometimes I felt like Alice in Wonderland trying to make sense of an experience seemed often quite surreal. You know, that part where she meets the Queen and says to her:

“There’s no use trying,” Alice said: “one CAN’T believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

I often had the chance to practise believing the impossible. It felt urgent to me to get my head around my mind-bending new circumstances and extract the key, the solution, the essence.

I was on a mission to find that spark for my dad. He had slipped into a very deep depression, and had become seriously ill. I wanted to ‘fix’ him. After all, he was the reason I’d been inspired to travel to Japan.

During rushed (expensive!) international phone calls, I told him what I’d seen and learned about Japanese ways of doing things. I told him phrases I’d learned, the incredible attention to detail I saw, and the small, simple rituals I saw elegantly embedded into everyday life.

But, although he was happy that I was happy in Japan, there was nothing I could say that could light him up.

I couldn’t ‘fix’ my dad – but I could ‘fix’ myself.

I Thought My Love Affair With Japan Was Over

I stayed in Japan for 3 years, immersed in the culture, and after tantalising glimpses of understanding, it was time for me to leave.

Craning my neck, I caught a last peek of my Japanese friends and colleagues, waving goodbye from the station platform. My eyes stung as the train pulled away. I was Narita bound. I thought my love-affair with Japan was over.

Back in the UK, I was madly keen to make sense of my Japan experience and keep a tight hold of it.

I got the Rosetta Stone language study programme, kanji cards and an intimidating pile of Japanese textbooks. I just couldn’t find the right Japanese language lessons in London, at the perfect level, at the ideal time & a convenient location.

Many group lessons were aimed at beginners, and others were all textbook based. Some focused exclusively on JLPT exam prep, or passing Japanese GCSEs or A levels. This wasn’t what I was looking for.

I worried about wasting time and money on group lessons that didn’t give me much chance to properly communicate with the only Japanese native speaker in the room – the teacher.

I felt lost. I wondered about just giving it up. After all, I still wasn’t anywhere near ‘fluent’ (even though my mum swears I am) and I didn’t even work for a Japanese company. What was the point?

It was then I realised something deceptively simple:

Language is culture. Culture is language.

You can’t separate the two.

I was no longer grasping at some kind of special secret wisdom to save my father’s mental health. I wasn’t living in Japan anymore and so I didn’t need to lunge desperately towards fluency in the language.

What I needed to do now to improve my understanding of Japan was: LIVE IT.

I loosened up! I focused on chatting with Japanese friends and colleagues in Japanese or English. Reading books on Japan. I went to see Japanese films in the BFI London Film Festival. I listened to Japanese music. I took Japanese cooking classes.

I found I could capture the essence of my time in Japan by slowing down and looking at the small details that made up my life. I brought Japanese designed objects into my home – a rice cooker, beautiful bowls, and we got stackable futon beds from the British ‘Futon Company’.

To use, and appreciate, every single day.

Step-by-step, I work to consciously create a Japan-inspired style of living, in London. I practise calligraphy, celebrate the passing seasons, and fold like Marie Kondo (sometimes!). I LOVE it all!

Dig Deep: Your Japan Inventory

So how about you? If you listened to episode one of this series, you might remember that I talked about excavating your own unique Japan story; checking out your roots.

Can you remember your very first experience with Japanese culture or language? Was it a film, a video game, a book or a friend at school?

Look back into your past and list your experiences with anything and everything Japanese. Why did you like it? Or not like it? How did it make you feel?

And what about now? What gets you excited?

If you have been following the Omoshiroi method (first article in the series here), you might have already done a Japan-related interests inventory.

Cooking, film, origami, manga, fashion, MUJI, bonsai… anything. Defining what you love and getting more of it into your daily life is such a fruitful way to yes, learn Japanese language and culture, but more crucially, enjoy your everyday existence.

Now, I know it’s easy to get a bit despondent here. Japan feels particularly far away this year, in 2020. It was more reassuring to think that we could just hop on a flight over there anytime (even if in fact it is an expensive, long-haul flight).

But life is what happens when we are making other plans, right? If you love Japan, there is so much you can access from London, from right here in the UK.

Japanese things have never been so popular or accessible all over the world. Here are five Japanese things that can be enjoyed every day.

5 Japanese Things to Enjoy Every Day

1.Japanese Food

Although I have to admit I’ve been enjoying Japanese food a little too much in 2020, it has definitely been a pleasant diversion.

There was a bit of controversy in October when the Bake Off TV series had a ‘Japanese’ special but utilised Indian and Chinese ingredients! It was a bit of a poorly researched show! My article ‘Where Can I Get Japanese Sweets, Cakes & Bread in London?’ suddenly got a surge of traffic of people after the real thing.

There are hundreds of Japanese restaurants in the UK, and there’s never been a better time to support small businesses. We can’t eat delivery every day though, so I for one and certainly cooking more.

We are so lucky to have some wonderful Japanese chefs who reside in London and many have published cookery books in English. A few of my personal go-to favourites are Reiko Hashimoto’s (of Hashi Cooking School) ‘Cook Japan’, Yumi Gomi’s ‘Sushi at Home’ and Tim Andersen’s ‘Japaneasy’.

2. Japanese Design

I’ve been reading the classic book ‘The Beauty of Everyday Things’ by Soetsu Yanagi and thinking more about basic Japanese items.

My Japanese cup and Japan-inspired, German-made iron teapot from Rouge (fabulous Eastern-focused interiors & homeware shop in Stoke Newington) give me pleasure every day.

My dad passed down some Japanese knives to us, and I’m keen to invest in more Japanese knives and sharpening lessons from Kitchen Provisions, with branches in Stoke Newington (and Coal’s Drop Yard).

3. Japanese Film

What is better than sitting down to escape the strangeness of 2020 with a film? I’ve been buying some DVDs and finally watched ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’.

If do if right, time spend watching film can be counted as time spent learning Japanese! If that sound good to you, check out my article ‘How to Learn Japanese by Watching Film’ for my top tips, including what genre to pick!

4. Japanese Awareness of Nature

There’s a cherry tree right outside the window of my home office, here in sunny Tottenham. I have never been so aware of it – in previous years the fruit crunched under my feet as I hurried off to the station. This year, we picked the cherries with the boys and made cherry pancakes. Currently, just a few yellow leaves cling to the branches.

So much of Japanese culture is centred around observing the seasons and generally being present in nature. Shinrin-yoku is an official Japanese government-sanctioned term for ‘forest-therapy’. What I love about this term is that it serves as a reminder to be fully present when you are outside – even literally the smell of the earth and trees have health benefits.

5. Japanese Style Decluttering

With spending so much time at home in 2020, my house has become messier and I am A LOT more aware of it. I’ve been working on a Marie Kondo approach to tidying for years, but it’s never been more relevant.

I love knowing where everything is, so that I use things more, and buy less.

Another book I am currently re-reading is ‘Goodbye, Things’ by Fumio Sasaki. It’s a very convincing essay on the philosophical and cultural history of minimalism.

I really hope you enjoyed this third episode in my Omoshiroi series. Learning Japanese is a journey, not a destination. Let’s enjoy our trip!

So, what’s your Japan Story? I’d love to know. Drop me an email!

*Disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links.

If the Omoshiroi approach to learning Japanese resonates with you, I’d like to invite you again to head over to JapaneseLondon.com/playbook to get a planner to nail your Japanese learning plan.

The playbook is an e-book with an interactive element so you don’t need to print it out. Once you’ve got your plans down, do email them over to me and I will give you my feedback, including any recommendations for how to go forward with your Japanese learning.

Or, if you are after personal attention to guide you, I also  connect learners of Japanese to private, 1-1 native-speaking Japanese tutors.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
Is it Worth Learning Japanese? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself https://www.japaneselondon.com/is-it-worth-learning-japanese-3-questions-to-ask-yourself/ Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:34:29 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19453 The outside of a Japanese grocery shop

You might not be offended by the F WORD, but I am.

In the last month, I’ve had two consultation calls with Japanese learners where they just kept dropping the F BOMB – without even thinking about it.

FLUENCY.💣

The learners, both complete beginners, wanted to get fluent in Japanese. Quick! Now! Yesterday if possible!

One had a time scale of 6 months, and the other a year. Now, I’m not one to rain on anyone’s parade, but I needed to break to the sad news that going from zero to Japanese hero in such a short time would be… well, unlikely.

One of them took it well. The other was insulted. But why do you think I can’t become fluent in a year if I study every day? she said. I explained that it very much depended on what fluency really means to her. Also, she would need to be highly motivated to reach that level so quickly, and devote almost all of her time to this goal to make it happen.

A quote with the question.

This sparked lots of comments – click the image to go to the Facebook post.

On the other hand, I just spoke to a guy who has been studying Japanese for a long time, but who is now feeling particularly unmotivated, given the global pandemic situation in 2020. Millions of trips to Japan have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. He said: why bother now when I don’t even know when I’ll be able to go to Japan?

I know that there have been lots of headlines about people learning languages during lockdown.

So, I’d like to focus on 3 really important questions to ask yourself when it comes to making a decision on whether learning Japanese is right for you, right now. And, importantly, what Japanese to learn.

What I will cover will be, firstly, what problem will learning Japanese solve for you, in your life? Why do you want to learn Japanese?  Secondly, are you even aiming for fluency and what does the F word mean to you? Finally, what’s been stopping you learning Japanese? What obstacles might get in your way?

1. What Problem Will Learning Japanese Solve in My Life?

How will learning Japanese help you progress in your personal life or in your work or studies? What real problems in your life will learning Japanese solve?

  • I want to be able to order food confidently in Japanese restaurant
  • I want to be transferred to Japan through my work
  • I want to successfully pass a JLPT level (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
  • I don’t want rely on my Japanese partner to translate everything for me

Do these any of these sound familiar to you? They are all very solid reasons to learn Japanese.

But let’s dig a little deeper.

Let me tell you a story about Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota.

Toyoda-san’s father was a well-respected carpenter, but the family was poor and lived in a small village in the countryside. Looking for a way out of poverty, the young Toyoda totally geeked out on LOOMS. (Not cars! I know, right?).

He was a determined problem-solver. In 1891, at the tender age of 24, he had invented and received a patent for his revolutionary design of the ‘Toyoda Wooden Hand Loom’ (it only needed one hand to operate, instead of two).

You could say, success loomed large (ahem).

Anyhow, the Toyota company’s success was thanks to a deceptively simple problem-solving technique Toyoda-san developed.  It goes deep into the root problems as they arise, to offer insight to their real cause.

The technique is known as ‘The 5 WHYS’.

When looking to fix a problem, he kept on asking WHY until the underlying issue was found.

So for example, if something went wrong with the threads on a loom, Toyoda-san would be looking not just to fix that glitch, but further back into the mechanism – why had it occurred? If it was because, say, a wooden piece had become warped, why was that? Why was that type of wood used there? Where was it from? Why not use metal? etc.

So, in applying the 5 whys technique to myself, I find that problem that Japanese solves for me is that it smooths out the tangles in my brain. I find it both fascinating and reassuring. But why is that? Well, I have found that learning Japanese helps me understand what’s important in life better.

In fact, it has been a huge factor for me in improving, and maintaining, my mental health. Why is that? Well, I have, over time, come to define this as a ‘Japanese mindset’ – certain key concepts reflected in Japanese ways of speaking, thinking and doing things.

Indeed, the Japanese language I am particularly motivated to learn is often used to express philosophical wisdom.

I can’t get enough of those marvellous ‘lost in translation’ words that are so helpful in pinning down the key concepts that make up a Japanese perception of the world.

Some examples of these wonderfully expressive words have, quite recently, become much more familiar in the West. This is thanks to some insightful books of the very same names which have recently been published in English:

  • Wabi-sabi: the understanding that everything is impermanent, imperfect and incomplete. It has often been translated as an aesthetic term, as items can visibly embody it. However, the book ‘Wabi Sabi: Japanese wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect life’ by Beth Kempton explains it as a whole new way of looking at the world, and how to apply it to your life.
  • Ikigai: there are about a dozen books available on this Japanese concept of finding your personal reason to get out of bed every morning. The Venn diagram put forward by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles in their book ‘Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’ has been hugely popular, and also controversial with those who say it is far removed from the true definition of Ikigai. I found a little book called ‘Ikigai & Other Japanese Words to Live By’ by Dr Mari Fujimoto to be a more elegant and thorough explanation.
  • Shinrin-yoku: there are also several books explaining forest bathing – that is, a type of nature therapy by mindfully being in forests. I like forest therapy researcher Yoshifumi Miyazaki’s book entitled ‘Shinrin-yoku: The Japanese Way of Forest Bathing for Health and Relaxation’. It’s full of beautiful images and science-backed wisdom.

There are many more books available: Kaizen, Kintsugi, Chowa, Omoiyari, Shinto, Zen… and each offer an interpretation of an aspect of a Japanese wisdom tradition.

After trying to absorb the essence of these terms, I am keen to apply my understanding to my own lifestyle. To apply it practically means I can enjoy life more – with simple, sustaining rituals and indeed, objects.

For example, choosing my tea, my teacup and my teapot carefully and using them mindfully, in order to create a tiny, grounding everyday ritual.

I personally look at this learning and application of Japanese mindset as my ‘mission’ or ‘quest’. It keeps me sane.

Your WHY is crucial – but it doesn’t need to be deep or long-term or philosophical. It absolutely DOES NOT need to be an uphill slog towards the ever-elusive FLUENCY. It is fine to dabble. It’s your choice! But it is all about our own, unique purpose and motivation. INTENTIONALITY is key.

2. What Does Fluency Mean to Me, Personally?

Given that my life pretty much revolves around all things Japanese, people are sometimes shocked when I tell them I’m not a fluent speaker.

I classify myself as a ‘situationally fluent’ user of Japanese. I’m not anywhere near a native-level of proficiency, and what’s more, that’s fine with me.

There are some situations when I can come across as quite fluent, some social situations, for example. Negotiating the train system, the 7-11 transactions or ordering in a restaurant when travelling in Japan are usually not a problem. I can conduct meetings in Japanese, if the client has no spoken English. I can tell some hilarious jokes. Also, giving rehearsed short speeches in Japanese is possible for me.

My mother, however, is convinced I am a fluent Japanese speaker.

She is a British native English speaker, and a monoglot. She often has asked why I don’t get a job as a translator, or work in a Japanese company. When I explain that I am not fluent, she thinks I am being modest, because she sees evidence in me that fulfils her idea of what fluency is.

Some dictionary definitions of the word ‘fluent’ (adjective) are: to be able to express oneself easily and articulately; be able to speak or write a particular language easily and accurately, (of a foreign language) spoken accurately and with facility.

So dictionary definition of fluency – it says: be able to speak OR write. You might like to think about which is more important to you? Will you learn them both to the same level? How far might you like to go with it? You might not know at first, but it’s so helpful to set goals & then move the goalposts if need be, later on.

You may already be aware that Japanese is rendered in three interrelated writing systems. Hiragana is essentially a phonetic alphabet system, which gives every syllable in Japanese a symbol. Katakana is the same sounds, but in a different writing system – it is used to write foreign words, so is very useful for reading menus in an Italian restaurant in Japan, for example. Finally, kanji are the more complex looking Chinese-descended characters which form words, and must be learned by stroke order.

I love learning the writing system, but I have two young children and currently NO NEED to reach a high literacy level in Japanese.

Finding that I was neglecting it entirely, at the beginning of the year I came across a Tim Feriss video (you know, 4 Hour Work Week guy) in which he demonstrates a ‘Buddha Board’ where you can write calligraphy in water, and it disappears as it dries. I immediately grabbed one, and a pack of kanji flash cards and now I practice just 1 or 2 every day, as a meditative part of my morning routine. I LOVE IT.

Sometimes learners of Japanese tell me that they’d like to be able to read a newspaper. I ask them – why? Newspapers are available in English. But seriously, to read a Japanese newspaper, you need to know approximately 2000 kanji. Of course, it is an admirable goal to learn 2000 kanji, but it’s a near native level of proficiency and you’d need a much stronger motivation than simply to read a newspaper.

So, in summary, I believe fluency is a journey, not a destination. I will always seek to improve. But for me, it works to take tiny steps. Ask yourself: what does fluency mean to me, personally? What situations would you like to be fluent in? Of course, to aim for a native, or near-native level speaker proficiency is an admirable goal. But is it really necessary for you, now, or in the future?

3. What’s Stopping Me?

Haha, you speak Japanese like a child!’ laughed a new friend. She had already nicknamed me ‘Ichigo-pan-chan’ after a mascot I had on my pencil case. I felt a bit foolish. I faked a laugh but a lump rose to my throat.

Looking back, a lot of us can pinpoint specific experiences with random people, or in classes that have made us feel ridiculous about learning a language. That experience could have put me off if I’d taken it to heart, and I would have missed out on so much by limiting myself based on one silly person’s opinion or perception.

It’s a good idea, when you are trying to move forward, to look back and pick out any of those negative experiences you may have had in the past. Chuck them out of your brain. Haters gonna hate! You might find that one stranger’s stupid attitude or a tired teacher’s throwaway comment has unconsciously influenced your attitude learning for years.

Our hidden limiting beliefs can be uprooted to help us move forward.

Is it too hard to learn Japanese? People often ask me if Japanese is too difficult for them to learn. And I say, that beginner level Japanese can be surprisingly quick and pain-free to learn. Students are often really excited by how much they can learn quickly. If it does seem too hard, that’s because the goal has not been broken down into manageable steps. How do you eat an elephant? Bite by bite.

Another common concern is time – as evidenced by the people I spoke to who wanted to get fluent immediately, people often want things to happen fast. But we have to make time for things to develop! I always start consultations by asking learners why they are feeling motivation to learn Japanese RIGHT NOW. That is, why now? Will you be able to fit study into your life? How much, and when? An hour on Wednesdays? 15 minutes every day? It’s important to get granular on your schedule. Recently we have taken on some new students for online 1-1- lessons with Japanese tutors, who are finding it easier to fit in to their schedules now they are working from home.

Cost can be another obstacle to learning Japanese. Private tuition is not for everybody. If it seems too expensive to you, that’s because it doesn’t hold enough ‘value’. Perhaps you need to look at how to get the most from your time with a tutor.

Or, perhaps you need to study independently, in different ways, using books, apps, flashcards and other programmes, until you feel ready.

Learning Japanese can seem overwhelming. It can seem a bit exclusive, even. Difficult to get into. But the truth is, it’s never been more accessible. Japanese culture is hugely popular all over the world and we can easily get hold of resources such as film, books, music and study resources online.

But if it does seem overwhelming, that’s because it can be hard to know where to start. Like I said in the previous show, there is a seed of desire to learn. We need to tend to it and plan carefully to create the right environment for growth.

Disclosure: this article contains Amazon affiliate links.

Thank you so much for reading. If the OMOSHIROI approach to learning Japanese resonates with you, I’d like to invite you again to head over to JapaneseLondon.com/playbook to get a planner to nail your Japanese learning plan.

The playbook is an e-book with an interactive element so you don’t need to print it out. Once you’ve got your plans down, do email them over to me and I will give you my feedback, including any recommendations for how to go forward with your Japanese learning.

Or, if you are after personal attention to guide you, I also  connect learners of Japanese to private, 1-1 native-speaking Japanese tutors.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
How to Learn Japanese: 6 Simple Steps to Turn Slow & Painful Study into a Fun & Interesting Lifestyle https://www.japaneselondon.com/how-to-learn-japanese-6-simple-steps-to-turn-slow-painful-study-into-a-fun-interesting-lifestyle/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 08:17:59 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19424

I got some REALLY RUBBISH ADVICE from my mentor – a very experienced teacher – when I first arrived in Japan. Or so I thought…

So, it was a sunny September morning and I was in the staff room preparing to teach my first EVER group lesson. Honestly, my mind was as blank as a squeaky clean blackboard.

Feeling steam billowing out of my ears, I begged the teacher to tell me what exactly I should plan to do.

‘Oh, just make it OMOSHIROI*’ she offered, breezily.

No shit, Sherlock! I thought. But how on earth was I going to make learning a booooring foreign language OMOSHIROI for 30 kids stuck at their desks, inside four walls?

Little did I know that what she said was actually PROFOUND advice – and I was about to spend the next 20 years of life searching for the answer.

*Omoshiroi 面白い/ おもしろい is a Japanese word that translates as both ‘fun’ and ‘interesting’. Furthermore, it can mean ‘funny’ or ‘amusing’ (amongst other things). The kanji is a combination of 面 (surface / face / mask) and 白い (white / bright / clear), so the etymology of the word is pretty interesting in itself.

How is it possible to turn slow & painful study into a fun, interesting, funny and amusing process?

They say that to learn a language is to learn a culture, and I believe that is absolutely true. What’s more, injecting culture gives language CONTEXT.

But CULTURE is such a clunky term.

What IS culture, exactly? Well, a quick google search tells me that there is Culture with a capital ‘C’ – that is, the arts. Literature, visual arts, music, performance – aesthetic creations.  In Japan’s case, tea ceremony, martial art, Yayoi Kusama (the dotty artist) might spring to mind. And there is culture with a lowercase ‘c’ – that is, what people do. That is, customs, ideas & social behaviour. Things like going to a shrine on New Years’ Day, bowing, saying and ‘Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu’.

Making learning Japanese fun and interesting is very much about embedding the language learning, and both types of culture, into your own life.

When you’re learning a new language, you’re up against a whole pile of obstacles:

  • Limited attention span
  • Boredom
  • Fear
  • Confusion
  • Information overload

It’s a wonder anyone manages to learn anything at all these days. Especially considering the average human attention span has dropped over 30% in the last twenty years.

Are you a complete beginner in Japanese?

Are you stuck somewhere on the pesky old intermediate plateau?

Nearing that elusive peak of ‘fluency’?

I believe that stepping back and checking that learning is still ‘omoshiroi’ is the secret to success.

I have defined 6 simple steps to OMOSHIROI learning, which I can’t wait to share with you below!

If you are serious about learning Japanese, don’t forget to GRAB THE ACCOMPANYING PLAYBOOK (click here) which contains a fill-in-the-blank worksheets to uncover your UNIQUE visions, goals and tactics to learn the Japanese that YOU WANT.

1. Why Do You Want to Learn Japanese? Define Your BIG WHY

This is the most important question of all. THE BIG WHY.

What is your motivation? What gets your heart racing? What attracts you to Japanese?

Sometimes motivation seems rather obvious – some of the students I have connected recently with tutors of Japanese are learning because they:

  • want to take N2 to get a work visa for Japan
  • love visiting Japan and want to speak to the locals on their next trip, or
  • are actually already married to a Japanese person!

But even if you think you have a very strong reason to be motivated, it’s important to define your why for yourself. Give yourself intrinsic motivation alongside any extrinsic motivation.

Gaining clarity on your BIG WHY forms your overarching vision.

If you’ll permit me a metaphor, I’d like to go with a tree, please. Knowing why you want to learn Japanese is the seed of the idea, of all your potential. Nothing grows without a seed.

Your WHY is crucial – but it doesn’t need to be deep or long-term. If you do want to be fluent, why? What does ‘fluency’ mean to you?

2. What’s Your Japan Story? Do an Inventory

Before we can go further, we need to dig a little deeper. Let’s excavate, and check out the root system. What’s your connection to Japan?

If you don’t have Japanese heritage (and perhaps even if you do) you might recall what was your first ever experience with Japan. That’s the first page of your Japan story.

It was a wintery afternoon in Ontario and I was 11 years old. A neighbour of mine offered me some fishy snacks that her pen pal in Japan had sent her – I think the snacks were those tiny, whole fish with almonds known as:アーモンド フィッシュ(amondo fisshu).

I was totally grossed out, and I refused to try them, but it was a first contact with the culture that I never forgot. I’ll talk much more about my own Japan story later on in this series…

But now, look back into your past, and list your experiences with anything and everything Japanese. Why did you like it? How did it make you feel?

And what about now? What gets you excited? Do a Japan-related interests inventory.

Cooking, film, origami, manga, fashion, MUJI, bonsai… anything. This is such a fruitful way of really getting Japanese culture into your everyday lifestyle, in order to, yes, learn Japanese language and culture, but even more crucially, to ENJOY YOUR DAILY LIFE!

Congratulations.  if you have answered THE BIG WHY, excavated your story and done your interest inventory, you will have defined your VISION. You’ve got the seeds, and a healthy root system!

3. Delete Your Japanese Learning Apps (and What to Do Instead!)

Let’s move on to look at your GOALS. This is the trunk of the tree – the firm foundation. It’s time to get very specific about what you want to do with the language.

OK, I’m not really serious about deleting your apps. We have the technology, so we should use it. However, if you have been frustrated by your progress in the past, this can be due to dabbling about on apps, without having SET YOUR OWN GOALS FIRST. Don’t rely on the tools to teach you, rather, use them as stepping stones towards goals you have defined yourself.

It’s time for another inventory. What Japanese language have you learned so far, and what would be the next step?

Think about the four areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Think also about vocabulary and grammar. Get specific.

Do you want to read and write the language? Do you already know hiragana? Katakana? Have you started studying kanji? Sometimes people fear learning basic Japanese (for a holiday, for example, because the writing system seems too complicated). Psssst – let me tell you a secret… you only need to learn the kanji that you want to.

Finally, keeping on with the tree metaphor: it’s time to branch out. Socially! I have an important announcement:

You’ll learn to speak better Japanese by… speaking Japanese.

Simple, right? So who do you speak to in Japanese? Who would you like to speak to in Japanese? Look at your life, your friendships and your community.

I connect learners of Japanese to private, 1-1 native-speaking Japanese tutors.

Apps will only take you so far.

Language is about communication, with other humans, right?

Even if it has to be mostly online, connection and communication is so important to our well-being.

4. Get the Resources & Tactics Ready to Teach Yourself Japanese

After having defined your VISION and your GOALS, it’s time to think about TACTICS.

You’ve got the seed, the root, the trunk, and are branching out socially. The tactics & resources I am going to liken to the blossoms, which will later bear fruit!

Now, I KNOW I’M NOT THE ONLY PERSON in the world who has bought a ‘Teach Yourself’ book, and in fact, NOT taught myself.

I know for a fact that I’m not the only person because there’s a specific word in Japanese for buying books which you don’t actually read, but allow to pile up: tsundoku 積ん読 (literally ‘stacked reading’).

It’s true – blossoms are beautiful but what do they actually DO?

My Japanese learning books, apps, flashcards, etc. are so lovely to have and to hold, but these blossoms will not bear fruit if all I do is gaze lovingly at them!

I know that the key to successful learning for myself is to take responsibility. Even if I sign up to a class, I am, nonetheless, ‘teaching myself Japanese’. The teacher or tutor will guide me along a path strewn with blossoms. I have to tend my own tree in order to get the fruit.

Now, it’s time to get very specific and make the tactics which fit into your lifestyle. Granular. For example, how many kanji will you learn, how, and by when?

Keep your interests and hobbies firmly in mind. If I’m tired on a Friday evening, I’ll schedule in a Japanese film night, rather than banging my head against the wall for not hitting the books?

5. Understand Why People Fail at Learning Japanese

The main reason people fail at learning Japanese is the basically same reason why anybody fails at anything in life – they are trying to eat the fruit without even having planted the seed.

Skip the learning and get straight to the results… it’s so tempting, but we know that it’s impossible.

If we could get Japanese ability implanted in our brain, would we even want it without having gone through the process of learning it? We wouldn’t be the same person without the PROCESS.

‘It’s too hard’ means that there is a vision, a seed of desire to learn Japanese, which has not been broken down into realistic goals and tactics. When someone says ‘it’s just too hard’ to learn Japanese just for a holiday, for example, that’s perception is totally understandable. BUT just learning 10 key phrases can open so many doors of connection. A tiny, short term goal is just fine!

‘It’s overwhelming’ is often the result of a headlong rush at ‘Japanese fluency’, without having clearly defined what that slippery term means to you, personally. People are often surprised when I tell them I’m not ‘fluent’ (although my mum thinks I am, shhhhh, don’t tell her). I’ll talk more about ‘fluency’ what it means, and what it means to me on my podcast series that goes along with this playbook.

‘I don’t have the time’ means that learning Japanese is not a current priority. This decision needs to be an intentional choice based on your long term goals. Time will march on, whether Japanese learning is part of your life or not.

Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to’.

– Lao Tzu

6. Get Accountability: The Real Reason Why You Procrastinate on Learning Japanese

It’s SO HARD to self-motivate. This year I had all sorts of plans, but it wasn’t until I joined several, specific online communities that I really started to make progress.

This year I have taken courses and joined groups in writing, marketing, podcasting, putting together online communities and writing a book proposal (run by the brilliant Beth Kempton, author of Wabi Sabi). I met other people like me, doing what I do, and the group leaders keep us all on track with our visions, goals & tactics.

I also have joined a coaching programme for busy mums (run by the inspiring Ri Justin) & taken on a private, native-speaking Japanese tutor for weekly 1-1 lessons online.

I’ve got accountability, inspiration and encouragement. Major wins ahoy!

Ask yourself: Who am I accountable to? Who am I learning with?

List any classes, learning partners, programmes, memberships, courses.

How will you measure, record & celebrate your learning journey? i.e. keeping a weekly wins notebook? A checklist? A treat?!

When you’re done writing your vision (your BIG WHY & interests inventory), setting goals, and making tactics, make sure you email me them, and I’ll send you my feedback on your plan, and any recommendations I have.

If you are serious about learning Japanese, don’t forget to GRAB THE ACCOMPANYING PLAYBOOK (click here) which contains a fill-in-the-blank worksheets to uncover your UNIQUE visions, goals and tactics to learn the Japanese that YOU WANT.

To read the other articles in ‘The OMOSHIROI Method’ series, click the links below:

]]>
Japanese Stationery UK: London Shops & Online Stockists https://www.japaneselondon.com/japanese-stationery-uk/ Wed, 16 Sep 2020 10:27:47 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=17917 a selection of Japanese decorative paper displayed on a rack

Japanese decorative paper, used as book covers and endpapers; they also work well for making stationery and wrapping gifts

I’m never quite sure if Japan offers a stationery shopping experience that is heavenly, or hellish? Everything is so nice! But also: ARGH EVERYTHING IS SOOO NICE!

I could seriously wander the aisles LOFT or Tokyu Hands for weeks. And the independent stationery shops? Well, I might as well just make myself a comfy nest of fabulous paper products so that I can stay there forever, making lists & keeping journals.

Japanese stationery is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and deeply useful in ways that I hadn’t even known possible.

The good news is: we can stock up on imported, genuine Japanese supplies right here in London (and online) with a carefully curated selection of imported Japanese printed papers, classic pens and pencils, and ridiculously handy planners.

Whether you crave super-kawaii cute, plain and functional, or traditional elegance, September wouldn’t be complete without some new stationery supplies. Go on, treat yourself. Everything else is rubbish – let’s appreciate the small, lovely details that make up life.

If you are anything like me, a good old paper planner is so much easier to manage than a Google calendar ever will be. Read this classic Quartz article ‘The mind-clearing magic of Japan’s pen-and-paper “planner culture”‘.

WARNING: Japanese stationery shopping can be FIENDISHLY ADDICTIVE.

Outside view of a stationery shop

Shepherds Stationery Shop

Shepherds 30 Gillingham St., London SW1V 1HU

Shepherds offers an alluring retail shop (once Faulkiners), as well as a book-binding workshop at two nearby locations in Victoria. They offer a veritable treasure-trove of high quality Japanese Decorative Papers for crafting purposes.

Decorative paper with pink pansies printed on it

Chiyo Pink Pansies decorative paper

‘Chiyogami’ is an exquisite hand screen printed paper from Japan, developed as woodblock prints to decorate accessories for the home. ‘Katazome-shi’ literally means stencil-dyed paper. ‘Unryu’ means ‘cloud dragon paper’ and contains visible strands of fibre. You’ll seriously consider the feasibility of wallpapering in Japanese paper.

Some glue and other stationery on a shelf in a shop

Nook Yamoto Glue

nook 153 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UH.

Nook is a design shop in Stoke Newington run by Gemma & Jack – an independent retailer which has weathered the storm of 2020 with an excellent online shop.

Stockists of the classic Yamato Nori Starch Glue, Midori brass pencils, pens & pencil case and the ever-so-useful Toyo toolbox.

A child standing outside a stationery shop

Artbox – Hello Kitty Heaven in London

Artbox Covent Garden 44 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HZ

Artbox is a ‘kawaii emporium’ / stationery chain, with a main branch at Covent Garden, boasting an extensive collection of San-X character Japanese stationery and plush toys, featuring the classic Hello Kitty motif.

Also find the latest popular characters, such as ‘Gudetama’ fried egg. I love his depressed, lethargic mood – it’s a whole 2020 mood. Ha!

Tofu Cute (often found at the Hyper Japan festival in London) now also has a concession inside ARTBOX Covent Garden. Tofu Cute sells delicious Japanese snacks, and fluffy AMUSE plush toys.

Notebooks and stationery on a shelf in a shop

MUJI Stationery

MUJI Unit 4/5, 6-17 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 1BF

‘Muji’ translates as ‘plain’ in Japanese, and its notebooks are distinctively so, with simple brown card covers. Indeed, everything sold in MUJI embodies the stripped down functionality and aesthetics of the brand.

MUJI also sells pens in a pleasing array of colours, as well as many folders, plus organisational and filing accessories. I absolutely love my desk fan from MUJI, it seems to be on permanently for 2 weeks every August!

Paperchase, 213 – 215 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PS
Paperchase closed permanently on 17th February 2023

I just can’t help but love Paperchase, a chain established over 40 years ago in the UK, which stocks a range of eclectic Japan-inspired stationery products, changing their popular prints from season to season.

The Japanese aesthetic captured by Paperchase is popular. The flagship shop at Tottenham Court Road is always a treat to browse, but Paperchase branches are dotted about all over the UK.

Top tip: If you go up to the top floor at Tottenham Court Road, you’ll find a range of very inexpensive stylish prints & posters to frame. I have a poster frame with prints that I like to rotate throughout the year (ie. Santa one at Christmas – v. satisfying).

The Journal Shop 372 Ealing Rd, Wembley HA0 1BH.

The Journal Shop is exclusively devoted to stationery, with a location in Wembley, as well as online. Link above goes straight to their Japanese round-up. Gorgeous.

Quill London (now permanently closed) 37 Amwell St, London EC1R 1UR.

Specialises in modern calligraphy, and has a branch in Marylebone. On their online shop, Quill London’s ‘The Japan Edit’ features glass pots of Kyoto Ink, as well as dreamy hues of MT Washi Tape.

Thanks for reading!

If you are also ‘one of those people’ who love everything Japanese, then join the gang & stay in the know with my bi-weekly newsletter. Sign up here.

Yoroshiku ne!

]]>
How to Learn Japanese by Watching Film https://www.japaneselondon.com/how-to-learn-japanese-by-watching-film/ Thu, 11 Jun 2020 06:15:52 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19199 Some Japanese film DVD covers

Some popular Japanese films available on DVD

‘Sumimasen’ I stage whispered urgently in the dark, causing the whole row of cinema-goers to stand up so I could slink off to the exit. It was buttock-clenchingly embarrassing. Gomen nasai, good people.

Until that point it just hadn’t sunk in for me that Japanese film would be entirely in, um, Japanese.

I was baffled. I bailed 20 minutes in.

That’s when the true value of subtitles dawned on me.

The Japanese film industry is massive, rivalling Hollywood and Bollywood. Domestic films get well over half of the box office share in Japan. Yet, counter-intuitively, Japan isn’t always the ideal place to get your Japanese film fix (unless you are already pretty fluent in Japanese).

London: the Second Best Place for Japanese Cinema

Drumroll please. London is the (second) best place in the world for Japanese cinema. Yatta!

Film festivals, enterprising DVD labels and cultural organisations in the UK have been importing their curated selection of Japanese films across a great range of genres for approaching 70 years.

Replete with subtitles, even in the cinemas, woohoo (except kids films, which are often sadly, but very understandably, dubbed). For English speakers, there are so many chances for us to discover Japanese classics, as well as the latest releases.

My attention span rivals a goldfish on Twitter these days. And seriously, that’s why I LOVE learning that doesn’t feel like learning. It’s got to be fun and interesting. Now, more than ever, that is essential. And crucially, meaningful and in context.

What could be a better Japanese-learning hack than immersing yourself in the culture and language in your living room?

In this article I’ll outline:

  • – why learning Japanese by watching films is the next best thing to immersion,
  • – what to look out for when you are watching,
  • – what genre of Japanese film I most recommend for language learning,
  • – how film can help you ‘read the air’,
  • – why stories stick,
  • – and finally, where to find Japanese film in the UK.
A iPad with an image of a samurai warrior on it

BFI Japanese Season 2020 Film Festival – now available on the BFI Player

Film Provides Japanese Language Immersion

Plunging in at the deep end – immersion is absolutely the best way to learn a language.

I’ll always remember trying out my French in a restaurant on a school trip when I was 12. I was flushed beetroot red from head to toe, but in that ‘sink or swim’ situation, I somehow communicated more than I’d ever uttered in the confines of the four walls of the classroom, and *gasp* received some food. Result!

It’s well known that students who are not learning by immersion often struggle with communication skills. They’ve learned out of the context of the ‘real world’.

It’s the same, of course, with Japanese. Learners of Japanese, not currently living in Japan, often find that they can read and write the language to a good level, but can struggle to hold an everyday conversation.

Japanese cinema provides an immersive experience, albeit temporary, allowing learners to hear everyday interactions, note the language used, and, crucially, absorb the gestures, accents and nuances of native speakers.

Experience Natural Spoken Japanese

Japanese film gives us the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in natural, conversational Japanese.

Getting familiar with the pitch, pace and flow of the language; the pronunciation and intonation, is such an important part of language learning.

There’s ‘nowt so queer as folk’ and to be honest, I think my husband still has no idea what anyone is talking about when we go to visit my mum in North Yorkshire. We’ve never stayed there long enough for him to get accustomed to the different sounds and particular turns of phrase.

So, come to think of it, I ought to immerse him in some quality screen time, such as the classic TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, in preparation for our next visit.

Simply getting used to the different sounds and rhythms of a language, and unique ways of speaking can seriously break down that initial barrier to communication we find when travelling.

Film is a seriously useful tool to counteract the weighty inconvenience of culture shock. Far from a joke – culture shock can seriously detract from your enjoyment of a much anticipated trip, and prevent you from thoroughly enjoying your interaction with the locals.

Learn New Japanese Words and Phrases

Ok, look, we all know that film is not actually real life. So if you pick up weird catch phrases from anime characters, or fighting words from the historical samurai drama chanbara, don’t blame me.

But moving past that, many films are of course set in everyday Japan, and by listening carefully, we can pick up useful phrases in everyday contexts, especially noticing the changes in formality which plays such a big part in spoken Japanese. It can be useful to keep a notepad and pen handy to note vocabulary and phrases.

I once lent a DVD of Hirokazu Koreeda’s ‘Still Walking’ (歩いても 歩いても, Aruitemo aruitemo) to a Japanese friend in London, after having been moved to tears by the poignant portrayal of family life. She returned it, unimpressed. ‘But, nothing happens’ was her verdict. I realised that was exactly why I liked it.

The Best Genre of Japanese Film for Learning

So, what is the best genre for learning Japanese language & culture?

I looked further into this and soon found that Koreeda’s style of filming, focusing on small, meaningful moments of everyday life (rather than dramatic tension and conflict) is known as ‘shomin-geki’ 庶民劇. This is a convenient pseudo-Japanese word invented by Western film scholars, using the characters for ‘common people’ and ‘play’.

Mikio Naruse (1905–1969) and Yasujirō Ozu (1903–1963) were forerunners in this genre, directors of realist film portraying the ordinary, everyday lives of ordinary, working-class or middle-class people.

To focus on Japanese language learning, I’d highly suggest focusing on the ‘shomin-geki’ genre of film, where you can glean an insight into the myriad of seemingly insignificant interactions that make up real daily life.

Also, try anime films set in the real world of family life, such as Mamoru Hosoda’s ‘Mirai’ (2019 Oscars nominee). And of course, the classic Studio Ghibli creation ‘Tonari no Totoro’.

Or, check out the world’s longest running cartoon, Sazae-san, which is about a typical Tokyo family. New episodes are currently paused due to the coronavirus outbreak (Guardian article here)– but it’s been running since 1969 – so there’s plenty of shows available on Youtube to catch up with on lockdown.

Two Anime DVD film covers

Japanese Anime – not just for kids!

Japanese Films Show Non-Verbal Communication

I’ll never forget the glaring, silent scolding I got from the thundery-faced station master at my small, local train station. He stood firm, gesturing an unmistakeable ‘DAME’ with his arms crossed like an X in front of his chest. I had sneakily tried to park my bike in the non-parking zone (it was prohibited, but full of bikes).

Listening aside, non-verbal communication makes up a huge part of our everyday interactions – and nowhere more so than in Japan.

Much of what could be said is often implied instead, through facial expressions, body language, and customs such as bowing, pointing and gesturing.

Non-verbal ways of getting a message across become even more important when you are not fluent in the language. Physical communication and gestures play such a crucial role in Japanese society, that they can serve a nice, handy short cut to fit in.

In Japan, You Need to Read the Air

In fact, the brilliant description: ‘kuuki yomenai’ 空気読めない (‘can’t read the air’) is a popular phrase used for people who don’t notice non-verbal communications, can’t take a hint, or just generally have bad manners.

When you stay in Japan for an extended time, you begin take on gestures and mannerisms almost unconsciously. Watching film films can give you a real edge on absorbing them before you get there.

It can feel very strange at first to take on new styles of non-verbal communication, but getting comfortable with some simple, often-used gestures can make it so much easier to connect with those around you.

Learn Japanese Language in a Story Context

Stories are universal. Since the beginning of time, humans have used stories to transmit and remember things, whilst engaging the emotions to keep listeners hooked.

Don’t get me wrong – there is definitely a time and place for a good old ‘Minna no Nihongo’ textbook (and memorising that dialogue with Jones-san looking for the bus stop).

But language and culture – what people say and what people do – can’t be separated. Language IS culture. And interesting stories weave them together, give them a context, and help them to stick in our mind.

Stories aren’t just for kids, we tell each other them all day long. Marketing, entertainment, jokes, anecdotes, or just a description of your wait in the socially-distanced queue outside Aldi; stories make up our lived experiences.

So if you’ve tried to get on with learning Japanese in the past, but bored yourself silly, put down the books for a while and immerse yourself in film. Travel to Japan – for around 90 minutes.

A Japanese lifestyle book and a teapot on a table

‘Be More Japan – the Art of Japanese Living ‘ – this very comprehensive DK book released in 2019 offers handy overviews of Japanese film & anime

Where to Get Japanese Film in London

So by now I trust you itching to get your hands on Japanese film here in the UK? There’s good news. Film festivals, DVD labels and cultural organisations offer a wealth of opportunities.

At time of writing, cinemas remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Cinemas in London that regularly show Japanese films are: Prince Charles Cinema, the Curzon Cinema, the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) and the Picturehouse cinemas. I’m certainly looking forward to the day they’ll open their doors to cinema goers once again.

Firstly, DVDs. Yes, people still buy DVDs. It can be a great idea to purchase a DVD if you know that you’ll watch it more than once (for study purposes, ahem) – and some DVD players give the option of slowing down to 90% so you can catch the words.

There are two main DVD distributors to shout out:

  • Third Window Films (I highly recommend ‘Memories of Matsuko’ – the quirky musical set-pieces contrasted with a dark theme are just brilliant) and
  • Terracotta Distribution (where else would you get your mitts on Japanese horror-comedy ‘Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell’, I beg you?). Their DVDs are sold via Amazon, etc., and some streaming options are available.
  • Eureka Video – their diverse catalogue also contains World Cinema, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Indie Dramas, Hollywood Classics, Comedy and Thriller films as well as a wide selection of TV titles.

Japanese Film Festivals in the UK

Now, on to Japanese film festivals.

JAEFF – the Japanese Avant-garde and Experimental Film Festival

If you are keen on niche genres, keep your eye on JAEFF, which draws connections between classic 20th century avant-garde cinema and contemporary experimental filmmaking. The 2020 theme is Bodies. ‘Inspired by the now 2021 Tokyo Olympics, our experiences in lockdown and our loss of words, we will present a line-up of features and shorts that examine the body triumphant, and the body in crisis, through dance, performance, sport, exercise, and more.’

Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme

This is the UK’s largest Japanese film festival, and happens annually. The 2020 festival took place from January to March, with films shown in cinemas all over the UK, as well as special guest lectures and talks.

BFI Japan Season

While the cinemas were closed due to the pandemic, it’s awesome to note that British Film Institute moved their amazing line up Japan Season 2020 online on to their BFI Player. It’s free for 14 days to trial their subscription service, then £4.99/mo. They are a charity, so well worth supporting them at this time.

For a crazy comprehensive overview of Japanese film, check out this BFI article: The best Japanese film of every year – from 1925 to now

Learn More About Japanese Film

Thanks for reading. If you liked this article, please do subscribe to the JapaneseLondon.com newsletter & start filling your life with more Japan!

]]>
Where Can I Get Japanese Sweets, Cakes & Bread in London? https://www.japaneselondon.com/japanese-sweets-cakes-bread-in-london/ Thu, 04 Jun 2020 12:02:07 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=17421 Some Japanese cakes on a plate

Katsute 100′ Japanese Cafe Creations – Strawberry Daifuku & Matcha Blondie

I’ll never forget the first time I went to a bakery in Japan – and saw buns filled with noodles, hotdogs and sprinkled with sweetcorn & mayo.

I’d just popped over on my lunch break, and ended up with a bun I thought might be plain, but was filled with ‘anko’ red bean paste. I wasn’t too sure about it at first…

Japanese sweets, cakes & bread might be an ‘acquired taste’ – but once you’ve acquired it – yum! Read on to find out where to get your hands on Japanese treats from pan to patisserie, right here in London.

For a country known not to be big on dessert, Japan certainly does have a sweet tooth. In fact, Japanese tradition gives sweets and patisserie centre stage; truly savouring so many specialities alongside a harmonising cup of tea – not as a mere afterthought after a main meal.

Did you know there are some incredible places to get Japanese sweets and cakes in London? We are SO lucky! Read on…

Japanese Cakes & Patisserie in London

A fortunate fusion we can appreciate here in London is: Japan-inspired French patisserie. The marriage of expertise and elegant flavours of the two countries seriously bring these creations to a new level.

Some Japanese patisserie and a cup of tea on a table

Lanka Japanese Patisserie

Lanka, near Finchley Road tube station offers a delectable daily display of 20 or 25 types of cakes (from their rotating 60 plus varieties), to enjoy along with their Ceylon tea selection in their small café, or to take away.

Some Japanese patisserie in a display cabinet in a cafe

Lanka Japanese Patisserie Display

Favourites include delights such as green tea eclairs, yuzu mousse, or white chocolate gateaux with adzuki beans. You can also pre-order birthday cakes. If Finchley Road is too far, Lanka cakes are thankfully also available at the Monocle café (read our Monocle review here).

Katsute 100 is a ‘Japanese Boutique and Tea Rooms’ in Islington with a wonderfully oldy-worldy aesthetic. A charming combination of Japanese treats located in a historic London location, this shop is all about cosy-Zen.

Why not try an alternative afternoon tea, inspired by the flavours of Japan, with a matcha scone and genmaicha tea? Desserts starring matcha and yuzu flavours are baked on-site.

Interesting sandwiches are also available, with fillings such as pumpkin korokke and gyudon.

Strawberry Shortcake & Matcha Brownie on display in a cafe

Katsute 100 – Matcha Strawberry Shortcake & Matcha Brownie

Café Kitsuné is to be found at the amazing Pantechnicon development on Motcombe Street, Knightsbridge (‘a playful celebration of Nordic and Japanese creativity and craftsmanship’).

The all-day-cafe serves Japan inspired brekkies (think matcha croissants & egg sando), as well as biscuits, puffs and bakes to go with your matcha latté or white matcha.

So amused to find a ‘fruit sando’ available too – the last time I had one of those I was standing outside a 7-11! Cocktails & wines are also on the menu here.

Moko Made Cafe is a cozy and welcoming cafe in Hoxton, at 211 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AN. Moko Made offers coffee, Japanese tea and homemade pastries (think choux with azuki red beans & matcha cream, etc!), as well as Japanese food daily specials.

This summer Moko Made Cafe is top of my list for a matcha iced latte float! I need this.

A matcha roll on a plate, which is sitting on a table

WA Cafe Mont Blanc, Matcha Roll and Yuzu Tea

WA Café Japanese Patisserie at 32 Haven Green, just near Ealing Broadway station, offers both a tempting selection of posh patisserie as well as popular baked goods.

There is also a branch in Covent Garden, at 5 New Row, also offering a unique range of quintessentially Japanese breads and pastries on-site daily.

The best-known bakery items from Japan include kare pan (curry bread), melon pan (looks, not tastes, like a melon!), and anpan (with sweet adzuki bean paste inside). Which brings us to…

A matcha latte drink and a cake on a table

WA Matcha Latte and Curry Pan

Japanese Bakeries in London

Japanese baked goods do often come as a surprise to the uninitiated. Far from plain, savoury buns come complete with sandwich ingredients carefully baked into the bread buns, making them a mini meal in themselves. Sweet baked goods are often finished with the ever-popular red bean paste, but don’t worry if you don’t like it, there are plenty of other tasty options available.

A selection of cakes on display in a bakery

Happy Sky Bakery Savoury Breads Selection

Tetote Factory is a small, specialist Japanese bakery in Ealing, selling a range of fresh breads, both savoury and sweet.

There is just a bench as seating, but don’t let that put you off visiting, it’s worth the bus ride! Particularly notable sweet treats are the melon pan, cream pan and anko-filled pan.  Read our review of Tetote here.

Happy Sky Bakery, also in West London (W12 – closest tube station is Shepherd’s Bush) also bakes a lot of the tantalising goods available in Japanese grocery shops across the capital.

They craft recognisably Japanese savoury breads – replete with unusual ingredients like sweetcorn, noodles and hot dogs. If you are in the area, the bakery happily is also open to the public – though it’s closed on Mondays & Sundays and you should check the hours first.

Gu Choki Pan is a Japanese sourdough micro bakery based in West London and is currently (summer 2020) offering delivery to different areas of London on a specific schedule – sign up to their mailing list to get insiders’ info!

Where to find ‘Wagashi’ in London

‘Wagashi’, or traditional style Japanese sweets can be an acquired taste, often focusing on key ingredients such as red bean paste and rice. Their texture can also be quite different to typical western sweets, being sometimes described as ‘chewy’ or ‘slimy’.

Whether you are an established fan of ‘wagashi’ or not, there’s nothing quite like the experience of visiting a classic Japanese sweet shop.

The exterior of Minomoto Kitchoan cafe

Minomoto Kitchoan – Traditional Japanese Confectionary

Minamoto Kitchoan, based at 193 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EU (relocated from the previous 44 Piccadilly address – pictured here), belongs to a smart international chain of ‘wagashi’ Japanese sweets shops, with stores in 11 cities in 7 countries internationally (including New York, London, Singapore, Taipei and Hong Kong).

I’ll never forget happening across this shop when I was in London for one of my first times, to attend an interview at the Japanese Embassy for a position on the JET (Japan Exchange Teaching) Programme. I wandered down from Piccadilly and I was SO excited to find K.Minamoto! I’m still so excited when I see it – such a classic shop.

Stunning seasonal displays in the window highlight the delectable delights of each time of year. Step into the shop to feel like you’ve been transported to their branch in Tokyo’s smart Ginza district.

Some Japanese sweets on display in a window

Minamoto Kitchoan – An Early Summer Seasonal Sweets Display

Helpful staff will come to your assistance, especially if you are overwhelmed by the range of sweets. Fairly high end, prices for a single small sweet start at about £3, nonetheless most customers will gladly grab a box of these hard-to-find treats. There is a small seating area if you are desperate to sample, sweets are served with a cup of steaming green tea.

A Japanese sweet cake in the shape of a goldfish

So Beautiful! Minamoto Kitchoan Goldfish Sweet

Kitaya Wagashi kindly provides London with most of the famous Japanese sweet known as ‘dorayaki’ (mini, fluffy scotch-type pancakes filled with, traditionally, ‘anko’ red bean paste).

If you are already a fan, you’ll know that divine whiff of sweet pancake released when you open the packet! If you’re not into red bean paste, try the fusion variations such as Chocolate Ganache, Matcha Mascarpone, or even the mouth-watering Lemon Dorayaki.

Some Japanese Dorayaki on a plate

Kitaya Dorayaki – LOVE the Anko and Mascarpone Combo

Kitaya products are available at Japanese food shops all over London, such as Atari-ya, or the Japan Centre. Also, the ubiqituous take-away sushi chain ‘Wasabi’ sells a selection of dorayaki.

If you liked this, you should definitely read more about other Japanese speciality foods available in London! ]]>
Japanese Restaurants in London Operating During Lockdown https://www.japaneselondon.com/japanese-restaurants-in-london-operating-during-lockdown/ Sun, 03 May 2020 15:31:27 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=19180 We already knew our local Japanese restaurants & cafes were gems – but in these ‘strange times’ they have emerged as assets to really treasure. Here’s a round up of Japanese eateries which are currently offering takeaway &/or delivery. Let’s support the hard-hit hospitality industry, if we can. Please note this round-up is done by me, Vanessa, and I can’t be held accountable for errors. I’m just trying to be a helpful human.🍣💕 Get in touch if you know a local Japanese restaurant in London that should be included! Email me: vanessa@japaneselondon.com Tottenham Sushi Heads – Authentic, fresh, local favourite on Philip Lane. Opening Thursday to Saturday 12-8, Sunday 12-5. Last orders 30 mins before closing time. Please order as early possible to avoid disappointment. https://www.facebook.com/SushiHeads/ JOKA – Great little takeaway (always just a takeaway – no seats) near Seven Sisters. Deliveries via Deliveroo & Just Eat. Open Monday – Saturday 12pm -8pm. https://www.facebook.com/jokasushi.yakitori/ Dalston Angelina – Michelin starred Japanese & Italian fusion is sending out up to 500 emergency meals by day. They are partnered with @madeinhackney and are crowdfunding to feed Hackney’s most vulnerable. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/angelina-dalston *Angelina has just also started up their Friday night (only) takeaway of their 7 plate signature menu for collection or delivery (pre-order only). http://www.angelina.london/ Haggerston Toconoco – Fab kid-friendly café on Regents Canal offering ‘lockdown opening hours’ of 11.30 – 3pm (7 days a week but may close sometimes). Limited portions & daily specials. For collection call 0207 249 8394 & for delivery (E8, N1 only) call 07483 165387. https://www.toconoco.com/ Tonkotsu – the ramen chain is just opening their ‘East’ branch for now, from May 1st. https://www.instagram.com/tonkotsulondon/ Shoreditch Shoryu – delivering ramen & sides Thurs – Sun on Deliveroo. Only Shoreditch – all others remain closed. https://www.instagram.com/shoryu_ramen/ Angel Tanakatsu – Tanakatsu started the ‘tonkatsu’ fried cutlet trend in London (see above for a bento we enjoyed on the premises on Valentine’s Day). They are selling bottles of their distinctive sauce. https://www.instagram.com/tanakatsulondon/ Hot Stone – Via food delivery services @momoclublondon & @makiboomlondon (‘cutest sushi you’ll find in London!’). https://www.instagram.com/makiboomlondon/ Camden Yokoya – from a reader: ‘Thought I’d let you know about Yokoya in Camden which has just started doing takeaway. I’m hoping it’ll get enough business to keep up the service. The aji furai bento I had was delicious’. Thanks Ken. Pre-orders only. https://kaisekiyokoya.co.uk/ Maida Vale Murasaki – Another reader tip: ‘The restaurant next door to where I live is open for delivery and is doing amazing trade. Super delicious food’. Thanks Rachelle. Murasaki, 12 Lauderdale Parade, Lauderdale Road W9 1LU tel.0203 417 8130 Knightsbridge Zuma – Fine dining Zuma offers delivery & pick up of their signature sake plus a modified, yet luxurious menu featuring Wagyu burgers, lobster tempura maki & black cod. https://www.instagram.com/zumalondonofficial/ Chelsea Tokyo Sukiyaki Tei – Offering delivery-friendly options such as #hotpotathome on deliveroo & ubereats https://www.instagram.com/tokyosukiyakitei/ Chinatown Tsujiri – Japanese café famous for matcha-themed desserts & drinks. Open on Deliveroo 12-5pm – radius of 2.2 miles from Chinatown. https://www.instagram.com/tsujiri/ Ealing Hare & Tortoise – this popular chain with locations in Bloomsbury, Chiswick, Ealing, Kensington and Putney (Blackfriars location is closed) is open for takeaway & deliveroo. 20% off to all blue card holders. https://www.instagram.com/hare_tortoise/ Chiswick Gu Choki Pan – Amazing Japanese sourdough bakery based in West London is offering delivery to different areas of London on a specific schedule – sign up to their mailing list to get insiders’ info! https://www.instagram.com/guchokipan_london/ Brixton Nanban – Japanese ‘soul food’ – rice bowls, karaage curry, ramen etc. open Tues – Sat 17:30 – 21:30 for takeaway & Deliveroo project ‘Little Nanban’. https://www.instagram.com/nanbanlondon/ Koi – Ramen bar (and hands down the best gyoza I’ve had in London!) delivery via Deliveroo, Ubereats & Just Eat https://www.instagram.com/koiramenbar/ Thanks for reading. If you’d like more tips on filling your life in London with all things Japan, please do sign up to our newsletter here. Welcome, fellow Japan-fans!]]> Three Surprisingly Easy Things About Learning Japanese https://www.japaneselondon.com/three-suprisingly-easy-things-about-learning-japanese/ Sat, 08 Feb 2020 13:12:36 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=17805 Japanese is commonly regarded as one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world by pretty much everyone – from native speakers of Japanese themselves – to those completely unfamiliar with the language.

However, here are three significant things which I think make some aspects of learning Japanese considerably easier than you’d expect!

It’s Simple to Learn the Japanese Phonetic Alphabets

Unlike English, the sounds of Japanese are very accurately represented by phonetic symbols. There are 2 alphabets, or phonetic syllabaries, based on the same 46 sounds.

The syllabary used to render foreign loan words is called katakana, and the other used for Japanese words hiragana. Once you learn the basic sounds, you can correctly pronounce anything written in this system.

Restaurant menus, for example, often feature many loan words, and are thus rendered in katakana. Although learning kana is just the beginning of a Japanese language learning adventure, it is very satisfying indeed!

Japanese Pronunciation is Super Easy

It’s kind of like Spanish, but perhaps even easier. There are no lisps or rolled rrrrs or really any sounds which an English speaker cannot easily produce.

Completely unlike Mandarin Chinese, for example, which is a tonal language, the pitch of Japanese language does not rise and fall to distinguish words.

Of course, people do use intonation to add emotion, emphasis, etc. but tone itself does not change the grammatical or lexical meaning of the syllabary.

Japanese is surprisingly, and simply, quite monotone.

In Japanese, the Same Basic Phrases are Always Used

For example, ‘ohayo gozaimasu’ means ‘good morning’ and everyone says it. What I mean by this is that there is no variation – nobody really comes out with utterances such as ‘top o’ the morning to ya’ or ‘slept well?’ or ‘you alright?’.

You don’t need to be clever or innovative or funny, you just need to correctly memorise key phrases.

If you can get about 10 key phrases memorised, learn how to pronounce them, and say them at the right time, you’ll feel a real sense of achievement.

There’s clearly no shortcut to learning a language, it’s absolutely all about your motivation and efforts.

However, there is no need be daunted by the apparent difficulty of Japanese language!

Set your own goals that work for you – you don’t have to learn the writing system, or aim for fluency, or pass a test, unless you want to.

You can learn set phrases to be polite, or study all about an area you are particularly interested in (food? art? Zen gardening?). It’s easier than you think!

YES, I want to schedule my private Japanese lessons now! Contact us here.

If you found this article useful, we recommend these other JapaneseLondon.com articles:

]]>
‘Amy’s Guide to Best Behaviour in Japan: Do it Right and Be Polite’ Book Review https://www.japaneselondon.com/amys-guide-to-best-behaviour-in-japan-do-it-right-and-be-polite-book-review/ Sat, 19 Oct 2019 09:59:24 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=18775

Amy’s Guide to Best Behaviour in Japan – Book Review

One of the first anecdotes I ever remember hearing about Japanese culture and hospitality was from my mother. She’d been at a conference in Japan with my father and they were at a dinner in the evening. She absolutely HATES the taste of lager, and would never choose to drink it, but she was served a small glass, as is customary.

She thought: oh, I hate to waste it, they’re being so polite – so she drank the glass down, and of course, then what happened was her Japanese hosts all fell over themselves to politely refill her glass… and the same thing kept happening… so she had to drink much more lager than she would have liked!

So this was back in the mid-90s; there’s a lot more information about Japanese culture available now, and so we have the opportunity to prepare better for these unique customs before we go.

A book that came out last year is Amy’s Guide to Best Behavior in Japan: Do It Right and Be Polite! (Amazon associate link)

This is written by Amy Chavez, who is a foreigner living in Japan for many years. She has written this book as a foreigner, for foreigners, all about the system of ‘omotenashi’ (or Japanese etiquette) which sounds like something you might not run into – but actually, this system of doing things absolutely permeates every experience in your daily life.

So I would say, this book being light and pocket sized, is a real essential for a trip to Japan – you’ll learn details that you may have had absolutely no idea you need to know about: using the toilet, about hot springs; this may not save you from walking fully clothed into an outdoor hot spring as I once did! However, you won’t go into the men’s by mistake (if you’re a woman) and that kind of thing.

So there’s a lot to know about, for example, disposing of your rubbish. Even if you are on a tour, you will be going into convenience stores buying ‘bento’ and if you don’t dispose of your rubbish properly you will antagonise the locals.

A current trend: I’ve been reading headlines about it actually, in Tokyo, is bubble tea. That’s been popular in London for quite a while in Chinatown with the tapioca pearls beads in milk tea or matcha latte.

Anyway, so these have become really popular in Tokyo and they come in a special cup with a wide straw and what’s so sensational about this at the moment is people are not disposing of those properly and it’s making people very angry because it’s a new type of rubbish – people don’t know where to put it and are leaving it all around so… if you don’t want to be told off then it’s good to know some basic things for your everyday life. It’s not just formal things. It’s essentials.

There’s also some ‘nice to know’ details in this book. Amy recommends that we get a ‘name card’ printed. This is a brilliant idea – so business cards play a big role and obviously if you’re on business, you will have your business card ready to go.

Even if you’re just going on a holiday, make it more of a once-in-a-lifetime trip by getting a name card printed perhaps with the katakana pronunciation of your name so that you can give this to friendly or curious strangers and people that you meet – to the receptionist, so they can check you in easily and maybe share something that you wouldn’t mind telling strangers such as your social media handles, or if you are blogging about your experience travelling around Japan. I think the small details like that will really enhance your trip!

So as you can tell, I absolutely recommend the book by Amy Chavez: Amy’s Guide to Best Behavior in Japan: Do It Right and Be Polite!

I’m Vanessa from JapaneseLondon.com we want to help you discover Japan – in London – so this is a series of book reviews I’ll be doing about Japan-related books.

Please, subscribe to the newsletter or the YouTube channel to hear more about essential reads. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

]]>
7 Common Concerns About Getting a Japanese Tutor https://www.japaneselondon.com/7-common-concerns-about-getting-a-japanese-tutor/ Sat, 28 Sep 2019 15:36:01 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=18743 A winding road in the mountains, which are covered in forests

Just because JapaneseLondon.com specialises in connecting Japanese language learners to native-speaking Japanese tutors, it doesn’t mean that we think learning 1-1 with a tutor is automatically the best choice for everyone.

Getting a private Japanese tutor is actually NOT for all learners, and truth be told I would prefer to help you figure out if it’s not right for you – rather than waste anyone’s time.

Let’s explore whether getting a tutor is a good fit for you, considering:

  • ✔ your lifestyle,
  • ✔ your Japanese learning requirements,
  • ✔ and of course, your budget.

Below, you’ll find a round-up of the most frequently asked questions we hear every day from students enquiring about Japanese tutors in London.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact me – Vanessa – to arrange a phone call to chat. It’s simply not in anybody’s interest to make unsuccessful connections (seriously, SO much hassle!) – so I really will let you know if I don’t think getting a Japanese tutor is right for you.

Here are the top 7 areas in which that cover the most common concerns of those people who are thinking about getting a Japanese tutor: price, how long it takes, the difficulty of learning, what lessons will cover, how it compares to other ways of learning Japanese, how the tutor – student connection works, and finally random FAQs – any of those small but niggling logistical questions that can hold you back from learning Japanese!

1. Are private 1-1 Japanese lessons expensive?

First off, please do see our prices page here. Do private lessons seem too expensive to you, too cheap, or just right? It’s the Goldilocks factor! The real value of getting a Japanese tutor will subject to your own deeply personal point-of-views, and your own unique situation in life.

Is studying Japanese something you are committed to, or just a passing fancy? Only you can decide the real worth of Japanese lessons to you.

Learning Japanese with a 1-1 native-speaking tutor can be a great way of getting highly motivated to learn what you need to know in a shorter time. In that way, you can get more bang-for-your-buck, as it were!

But it absolutely depends on the way that you approach the lessons.

  • ✔ Are you ready and prepared to learn?
  • ✔ Will you complete the homework?
  • ✔ Will you ask for clarification of points you don’t understand?
  • ✔ Do you plan to take your learning further outside the lesson time?
  • ✔ MOST IMPORTANTLY: do you have clear goals?
  • Some goals might be: to learn phrases for your holiday, to be able to make small talk with your Japanese colleagues, complete JLPT level N3.
  • If you have not yet determined any goals, you might not be ready to work with a tutor. Take time to get crystal clear about your ambitions. Like anything in life, you need to know what you want, to get what you want.

I do believe my mum was right – I believe that you get what you pay for. And I find that I value things more if I have committed to paying for them.

For example, last year I paid for a business coaching tutor – and I made damn sure that I did all my weekly homework! There’s no way I would have made time to do this, taking time away from family obligations and work, I hadn’t ‘paid to play’.

If you are past the stage of dabbling or experimenting, and are ready to get serious about your Japanese studies, you’ll want to think about not only the cost of lessons, but the real worth.

I’ve written a blog article about the pricing of Japanese lessons, you can read it here: How Much Do Private Japanese Lessons Cost?

2. How long does it take to learn Japanese?

How long is a piece of string? Sorry, that has got to be the most annoying phrase ever! Nevertheless, it’s true. You need to set your goals. Do you aim to be fluent in Japanese? What does ‘fluency’ really mean to you?

For example, I am situationally fluent. I can speak Japanese for ‘daily life’, introduce myself and perform transactions in shops and stations. I can talk about my like and dislikes, plans & what I’ve been up to, and share a joke with Japanese friends.

I can’t, though, speak on the phone in Japanese or use any ‘keigo’ (formal Japanese) whatsoever. And I’ve sadly let my kanji slip – though I’d like to pick it up again one day.

SO – do you want to be able to read the newspaper? Why on earth do you want to do that? Just kidding – it’s totally up to you – but in all seriousness: arbitrary goals can make learning seem like an overwhelming chore.

Goals which are PRACTICAL AND ENJOYABLE could be: to have a laugh with some locals in an izakaya (Japanese pub) on your holiday. To independently buy your train tickets? Understand menus and order in polite Japanese (without pointing at the plastic food *winks*)?

Do you have a DEADLINE? This could be a holiday you have booked, or a work transfer to Tokyo, or the JLPT test date. You need to work back from that date, realistically deciding what you could achieve.

If you don’t have a deadline of any particular date, that’s fine, but in order to learn effectively you will still need to set your own learning timeline. Lots of people learn Japanese language and culture as a hobby on an ongoing basis, but to avoid learning fatigue you’ll need to think about what most interests you & what you’d like to focus on.

The next time-related aspect to consider is the frequency of lessons. Some students chose to take a crash course of daily, intensive lessons if work suddenly sends you over to Japan with little notice. These can be effective, but if you have more time, consider a more measured approach, with say, 90 minute weekly lessons over a period of months.

3. Is learning Japanese difficult?

Japanese has an undeserved reputation for being one of the most difficult languages to learn. I say ‘undeserved’ as the language is not tonal in pronunciation, like Chinese, so most learners find it easy to pronounce the words they learn.

The phonetic alphabet is straightforward to learn too (just memorisation required really), although, depending on your goals, you might choose not to learn the writing system…

It might seem weird to learn a language without starting with the ABCs, but the two phonetic alphabets (katakana and hiragana) can be optional – as all Japanese words can be rendered in ‘romaji’ – literally, roman letters.

So, if you are certain that you’ll just be learning the basics of survival Japanese just for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, for example, don’t be put off thinking that you HAVE TO learn the writing system. Or kanji – the Chinese style characters. You don’t – it’s entirely UP TO YOU.

Still feeling nervous? You might find it heartening to read this: Three Suprisingly Easy Things About Learning Japanese

If you are a beginner, I can’t even tell you how extremely satisfying Japanese can be to learn. Once you get over the weird, arbitrary feeling of learning a language that is in no way related to English or other European languages, it’s like a slotting fun memory puzzle into place.

People sometimes forget what an intensely emotional experience learning a language can be.

Yet, most of us can probably recall an instance of feeling incredible stupid in a language classroom! Those feelings of going back to basics – feeling like a child again – are an integral part of our perception of ‘difficulty’.

Having private 1-1 lessons can really help navigate the tempestuous seas of learning. Your tutor will guide you through your learning at your own pace!

4. What will I learn in private Japanese lessons?

Students often ask us: what will be the content of my lessons? That question is deceptively tricky to answer because we don’t prescribe a particular textbook or learning materials that our tutors must use. Rather, JapaneseLondon.com tutors take a communicative and collaborative approach.

Most tutors will use a textbook as a springboard. Having worked a teacher and tutor for many years myself, I always used a textbook for structure & inspiration (and to avoid re-inventing the wheel over & over again!).

However, it’s up to you and the tutor to work out what will most effectively meet your goals. If you are, for example, wanting a tutor to help you prepare for a JLPT exam (Japanese Language Proficiency Test – in London, it’s held in July and December every year) you will need learn the required material according to your schedule.

It’s always best to do review and memorisation in your own time, in order to focus on conversation practise and error correction with your tutor. If you have time to do homework, you will progress more rapidly. You need to set your own pace – if you have time to do more homework, ask your tutor for guidance and pick writing, reading or kanji practice.

It’s important to consider what you like best, and most require. Vocabulary for cooking? Survival Japanese? Phrases for emails? A presentation at work? Discuss your needs and interests with your tutor so that they can consider this when planning your future lessons.

5. How does a Japanese tutor compare to other ways of learning Japanese?

There are so many different ways to learn a language: apps, online courses, language school group lessons, YouTube, textbooks, flashcards, conversation groups… and with new technologies available, it seems like the list is ever-growing. It can be hard to know where to even get started.

Many learners turn most naturally to group lessons at language schools, universities or further education colleges. Group lessons have many pros & cons – just as getting a tutor does. For a balanced comparison of those two options, please cast your eyes over: Japanese Language Group Lessons vs. Private Japanese Tutors

You’ll need to consider the above factors of how long you have to learn, the cost, and what exactly you want to learn, and create a combination of learning techniques and tools that’s right for you.

6. How does Japanese tutor to student connection process work?

Vanessa at JapaneseLondon.com will connect you with a native speaking Japanese tutor by understanding your Japanese learning needs, your goals and desires, as well as the logistics. As you might imagine, there are lots of factors to consider when connecting students and tutors.

After an initial phone consultation, I will seek to match you with your best tutor. This is not a case of searching a database; rather, drawing on my 20+ years in the field of education, I will personally select the tutor I think best.

I need to consider:

  • ✔ the tutor’s and student’s personalities and experiences,
  • ✔ the qualifications of the tutor and what goals the student has,
  • ✔ the age & gender of both parties,
  • ✔ as well as the timing,
  • ✔ duration of block booking,
  • ✔ location of lessons,
  • ✔ and other specific requests.

I will send over the tutor profile for approval by the student before the first meeting. Students need to book a minimum block of ten lessons. You can read why here: This is Why You Need to Book 10 Japanese Lessons (At Least)

7. Japanese Learning FAQs – Small but Niggling Questions!

Sometimes a small, niggling question can hold us back. It’s important to recognise and address these issues!

For example, we find some students are thinking: what if I don’t LIKE my tutor? Answer: in the rare cases where this has happened, we need to change the tutor.

Or, I have a holiday booked, what happens with my lessons? Answer: just let the tutor know, giving fair notice.

Learners can be worried about where the lessons will take place, or how much homework they’ll need to do.

One student wondered if it was ok to take her small dog to her Japanese tutor’s home (in a bag). Answer: yes, that was fine.

Art supplies in a shop

If there’s something holding you back, do note the question and get in touch with me, Vanessa. I’ll be pleased to help you.

In twelve years of running a tutoring business, I’ve had many interesting and sometimes surprising questions. Just ask!

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

]]>
Japan in… Dalston, London https://www.japaneselondon.com/japan-in-dalston/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 09:10:30 +0000 http://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=15635 People standing and sitting on terrace outside a cafe

Cafe OTO Photo by Dawid Laskowski

5 awesome Japan-inspired businesses in Dalston that you seriously need to check out.

Café OTO – Perched on upcycled wooden chairs and sipping flat whites, everyone in Café OTO is discussing Japan. So-and-so’s brother has just got back. French students exchange expert tips for dating Japanese women. Perhaps they’re trying too hard? But the charm of OTO (the kanji 音 for OTO – meaning ‘sound, noise, note’) is that it really isn’t. There’s laid back, unique, cosmopolitan London vibe.

During the day, it serves coffee and tasty, casual Perisan lunches by ‘Zardosht’ featuring soups, freshly baked wraps and baked eggs (see? Not trying too hard), making it an awesome spot for using their free, reliable wifi getting some work done until 5.30pm when they close for soundchecks.

Most evenings, however, Café OTO opens its heart to welcome highly innovative international musicians and general makers of interesting noise. Some Japanese acts, naturally, but really eclectic world-music acts you’d be pushed to find elsewhere.

The Guardian really rate it: ‘Why east London’s Café Oto is Britain’s coolest music venue’

Cafe OTO, 18–22 Ashwin street, Dalston, London E8 3DL

Monday–Friday, 8.30–5.30pm. Saturday, 9.30–5.30pm. Sunday, 10.30–5:30pm. Gigs begin 8pm usually, buy tickets online to guarantee entry.

Yakitori skewers prepared on a plate in a restaurant

Jidori – Now Permanently Closed – Awesome yakitori restaurant that focuses on the quality of ingredients. Yakitori skewers are prepared in front of you at the bar, on a custom made Kama-Asa Shoten grill, sourced directly from Tokyo.

The menu is short and sweet, featuring different style of chicken yakitori, as well as a couple vegetarian options (aubergine & miso butter, king oyster mushroom). The katsu curry scotch egg is popular, as are the cocktails.

Jidori, 89 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB

Open Monday – Thursday 6pm – 11pm. Friday – Saturday 6pm – 12am. Saturday & Sunday brunch 12pm – 4pm

The exterior of a Japanese bike shop in London

Mamachari – Dalston branch

Mamachari – A neighbour to Café OTO, this bike shop founded in 2012 began by importing reconditioned Japanese bikes known as ‘mamachari’ (nickname for the bikes known as ‘Mother’s Chariot’).

Mamachari since have expanded into one of London’s leading bike specialists, with a wide selection of non-Japanese bikes.

Mamachari, 18 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL (branch also open in Walthamstow).

Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30-6:00pm. Tues & Thur 8:30-7:00pm. Sat 10:00 – 6:00pm. Sun 12:00 – 6:00pm.

Yakitori skewers prepared on a plate in a restaurant

Furuki Yo-Kimono Vintage – London based vintage kimono dealer Sonoe Sugawara named her shop with a play on words (ふるきよきもの) which means ‘good old things’.

This fabulous shop is a stunning showcase of kimonos, mostly from 1920-30s pre-war ‘Taisho’ era, and Japanese Art Deco era.

Sonoe has been collecting vintage kimono for years, and has become a source for Western kimono lovers including fashion designers and film costume designers.

Furuki Yo-Kimono Vintage, Pod 15, The Factory Dalston, 21-31 Shacklewell Lane, Dalston, London E8 2DA

Open most Saturdays (during the week, by appointment / selected dates). OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET on Thursdays (occasionally, not every week).

The exterior of Brilliant Corners cafe from the street

Brilliant Corners London, inspired by Japan’s ‘kissaten’

Brilliant Corners – Inspired by ‘kissaten’, Japan’s jazz coffee shops, Brilliant Corners serves Japanese food, and streams many genres of music. Aiming for inclusivity and relaxation, it’s also a place for a dance. A Time Out restaurant reviewer found it ‘random’ and disliked ‘the fifty-somethings gyrating as we tried to concentrate on nibbling our sushi’. Users respond siting its excellent sound system, natural wines and tasty Japanese food. And lack of Time Out readers, presumably.

Brilliant Corners, 470 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AE

Open Tuesday – Thursday 5.30pm – 12pm. Friday & Saturday 5.30pm – 1.30am. Sunday 4pm – 12pm. Kitchen 6:30pm – 11.00pm

]]>
How Much Do Private Japanese Lessons Cost? https://www.japaneselondon.com/how-much-do-private-japanese-lessons-cost/ Sat, 03 Aug 2019 16:48:28 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=18673 Two Koi fish swimming in a pond

The cost of Japanese lessons is an important consideration for many learners.

In order to answer the question of how much a private 1-1, native speaking Japanese tutor costs, we need to look at real expenditure in terms of both YOUR TIME and YOUR MONEY.

*For those who are looking for the short answer: many students who begin taking lessons with a private Japanese tutor from JapaneseLondon.com start with a block booking of 10 x 90 minute lessons (a 15 hour block), which costs £750.00, plus travel expenses of £8.00 return, if applicable (see our Prices page here).

Let’s not be koi coy about it.

I don’t know about you, but I do get really fed up of all the onus being on the consumer to research everything these days. From mobile phone deals, to holidays, to gas and electric, to toothpastes, we are somehow supposed to figure what constitutes ‘the best’ and do all the comparisons ourselves.

It’s so exhausting always having to be the expert!

It drives me nuts how long it can take me to weigh up the options, read online reviews and decide. For example, the last product I bought was pegs. Washing pegs. I went straight to Amazon to order some and soon found myself comparing wood and metal (I didn’t want plastic – that’s why I didn’t shop locally at ASDA Home or Wilco), reading reviews, trying to get a good deal that isn’t just landfill-bound junk, will last, isn’t terrible for the environment, etc.

I wasted ages trying to decide on a simple, cheap product. It’s even worse when you are trying to make a big decision about an important expenditure – such your Japanese lessons.

Save Time in Your Search for a Japanese Tutor

Instead of using your time to find a native-speaking Japanese tutor yourself in a massive Google search-a-thon, you will rely on my expertise. I’m a specialist in making successful tutor and student connections. My success lies in making terrific tutor – student connections, based on my background in teaching and learning Japanese, as well recruitment.

I match learners of Japanese with tutors considering:

  • ✔ the lesson location which is best for the student and tutor
  • ✔ the lesson schedule (day, time, how many lessons required per week, and overall)
  • ✔ the learner’s goals (and how this matches the qualifications, experience and expertise of the tutor)
  • ✔ last but not least, personalities!

There are other advantages to working with a specialised agency, for example, I will do my best to provide another terrific tutor, should something not work out with your connection. Although, because I match very carefully, that’s pretty rare.

But I Can Find a Japanese Tutor Who Charges Less

It is absolutely possible for you to find an independent tutor who is charging less. You are absolutely free to do that. Go ahead – knock yourself out! There are many, many listings sites for tutors now, Tutorhunt, Tutorful, Tutorhouse, etc. all falling over themselves to offer you their listed independent tutors.

In fact, I’ve just been looking for a Spanish tutor for my son. The process of trawling through these tutor listings sites is making me want to set up another agency decided to Spanish language! It’s so hit-and-miss. Using these tutoring listing services, the onus is completely on you (as the student) to find a tutor in your local area who has the right qualifications and experience; you assess and vet the tutor yourself.

Once you think you’ve found the right person (which can be tricky as the user-submitted profiles can be a bit sparse) you can pay a fee for the website to disclose the tutor’s details, for a finder’s fee which can be as low as £24.00 (Tutorhunt.com, for example).

Then you connect with them, and if they get back to you, you can find out if they are available at your chosen time and place. If that doesn’t work out, then you can try another tutor. This can be massively time consuming – but it’s inexpensive to do.

Start Speaking Japanese Straight Away

In group lessons, it can be very difficult to actually speak any Japanese. There is only one native speaker in the room – the teacher! You have to wait your turn and it can be embarrassing to have an audience. If speaking Japanese is your goal, then having a Japanese tutor to speak to directly really can speed up the pace of your learning. Read our blog ‘Japanese Language Group Lessons vs. Private Japanese Tutors’.

Sometimes people ask: why not just get a Japanese conversation exchange partner or study buddy to speak to? Another good question. There are listing sites for people looking to exchange language skills, and this can be a fun way to make new friends.

The thing to consider is that your study buddy is probably not going to be a trained teacher. I’ve found that a study buddy may not take conversation practise in Japanese seriously, and if they don’t speak English fluently, this can cause difficulties. From past experience, I’ve found that I end up reverting to English, which is good for my partner when they want to practise English speaking, but doesn’t get me very far with my Japanese.

Time is Money. You Are Paying to Save Your Valuable Time.

Ok, I know I’m at risk of sounding like your mum here, but you get what you pay for – it’s true.

Having working worked as a private tutor, and with private tutors for about 20 years, I know that tutors that charge less, often lack confidence. Confidence is really important in a tutor; you want them to guide you.

JapaneseLondon.com tutors are experienced, professional native-speaking Japanese tutors. In your lessons, your tutor will be completely focused on you, and your learning. You can focus on what you are most interested in, and fill any specific gaps you discover, working at your own pace from week to week.

Only you can decide which is worth more – your time or your money.

Thanks for reading this article! If you are still trying to decide about a Japanese tutor, why not check out these other articles:

Or, if you’ve decided to take on a Japanese tutor, please do arrange a chat with Vanessa – get in touch here.

]]>
Top 6 Matcha Green Tea Ice Creams in London https://www.japaneselondon.com/green-tea-ice-cream-in-london/ Fri, 26 Jul 2019 09:02:12 +0000 http://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=395

Ahh… natsukashiiii… those summer days in Japan when I used to eat my weight in Matcha Haagen Dazs from the 7-11 convenience store around the corner!

A drippy, whippy ice cream on a summer’s day brings out the gleeful, sticky-chinned child in everyone.  But choosing matcha (very strong, powdered green tea) flavour does feel that little bit more grown-up and sophisticated. Ahem.

Massively popular in Japan, matcha flavoured ice cream has been hard to find in London in the past. Not any more…

1. Tsujiri – the Classic Matcha Ice Cream Experts

Tsujiri, 47 Rupert Street, London W1D 7PD https://tsujiri-global.com

Although the Japanese firm Tsujiri has been an expert in Matcha Green Tea for 155 years (sourced from Uji), they have only recently opened a branch in Soho. With the incredible variety of intensely green sweet treats Instagram is already all aglow with this new speciality ice-cream parlour.

Tsujiri in London serves perfectly bitter matcha soft serve, for that satisfyingly powerful hit! Also, creations with a variety of Japanese-inspired toppings, such as mochi balls or slices of matcha cake. The photos alone are enough to be encouraging queues at the door! Visit Tsujiri’s Instagram here.

Someone holding a Matcha ice-cream in a cafe

2. Tombo – London’s first authentic Japanese Café & Matcha Bar

Tombo, 29 Thurloe Place, London SW7 2HQ https://www.tombocafe.com

This South Kensington favourite offers lots of clean eating options, so you can feel really virtuous before indulging in one of their matcha desserts.

You can choose from simple matcha soft serve in a cone, to matcha sundaes, to a matcha tiramisu.

Tombo is really popular, rather narrow, and they don’t take reservations.

Top tip: Right across the road is the old favourite, Kulu Kulu sushi. Being a conveyor-belt sushi place, the turnover is fast… just check their opening hours.

3. Bake – Taiyaki Cones Baked Onsite & Filled with Matcha Soft Serve

The exterior of Bake bakery in Chinatown

Bake Pan-Asian Bakery 9 Wardour St, London W1D 6PF https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bake-麵包屋/208049219544860

This place is a pretty exciting find for those who love Asian baked goods! They manage to get it just right with treats inspired by those popular in Malaysia, China, Japan, and Korea!

The sweet smell of freshly baked taiyaki and the cool taiyaki-making machine in the window is a big draw.

Vanessa holding an ice-cream outside Bake bakery in Chinatown

Possibly the most ‘insta-bae’ item is their spin on the ever-popular Japanese snack ‘Taiyaki’ – the fish shaped baked cone is topped with matcha ice cream.

Gorgeous little taiyaki baked fish sweets are also available.

4. Machiya – Compact Japanese Restaurant with Great Desserts

Machiya, 5 Panton Street Soho London SW1Y 4DL https://www.machi-ya.co.uk

This cosy Japanese restaurant is handily just off Leicester Square, and is proving really popular. They offer a range of delicious dishes but what we are concerned about is the soft serve. Available not only in matcha green tea flavour, their soft serve also comes in black sesame! Impossible to decide? You can get a mix. Phew!

*I didn’t get a photo of the soft serve but below is the Matcha Fondant dessert and it was AAAMAAZING.

Read JapaneseLondon.com’s review of Machiya other foodie delights here.

Machiya Matcha Fondant

5. Soft Serve Society – Ridiculously Instagrammable desserts

Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY  https://www.boxpark.co.uk/shoreditch/food-and-drink/soft-serve-society/

Lavishly extravagant toppings are the regular here, oversize marshmellows, honeycomb, candy floss clouds and Pocky sticks are available to adorn your matcha creations!

Soft Serve Society also offer ‘freak-shakes’, bubble teas and sundaes. Founded by friends Emma & Nikki, Soft Serve Society also offer black ice-cream cones which provide an awesome contrast to the green ice-cream!

Soft Serve Society Matcha Sundae

6. Little Moons – Matcha Green Tea Mochi Ice Creams

Not going out? Perfect for dinner party desserts or stuffing in your face in the park alike, the elegant and versatile ‘Little Moons’ mochi ice creams are a classic. I love the delicious hit in a small size (love when trying to diet – the mochi gives a chewiness that lasts a little longer).

They are fiendishly addictive – Ocado, The Japan Centre and Wholefoods can keep you supplied. They are also available in Toasted Sesame flavour; also Mango, Coconut, Vanilla etc. Some locations have pick-a-mix selection (Stoke Newington definitely does, and I spotted one in the Japan Centre at Stratford Westfield last weekend). Although – when matcha’s an option, why would you go for anything else?

Little Moons Matcha Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream

Right, I’m off to search for more melting matcha moments in London!  If you have any top tips on where else to encounter matcha or green tea ice cream in London, please do let me know.

If you liked this article, we recommend reading:

Learning Japanese language? Did you know JapaneseLondon.com connects learners with wonderful 1-1 native-speaking Japanese tutors, right here in London? Learn more here.

]]>
Japanese Language Group Lessons vs. Private Japanese Tutors https://www.japaneselondon.com/japanese-language-group-lessons-vs-private-japanese-tutors/ Sat, 15 Jun 2019 16:42:31 +0000 https://www.japaneselondon.com/?p=18527 The outside of a Japanese grocery shop

Wondering which is a better fit for you – a private Japanese tutor or group Japanese lessons?

I know that you don’t have time to mess about so I’d like to briefly summarise the pros and cons.

Everyone’s situation is different, so you’ll need to carefully consider cost, how many students are in the class and how that affects your learning, when you want to start, how quickly you want to progress, and what you want to learn.

Read on for the 6 most important points to consider.

1. Cost of Group Japanese Lessons vs. Private Japanese Tutor

You can find Japanese group lessons at many different prices in London. Group lessons are held on a fixed day and time, and range usually between £10 – £20 per hour, per student. For example, International House London offers a short 3-week pre-holiday course at £10 per hour, and UCL offers Japanese lessons at approximately £18.50 per hour (for 20 hours).

Many of our private Japanese tutoring students have taken, or are currently taking Japanese group lessons at further education colleges, private language schools, or universities (like CityLit, International House and SOAS). Much as they enjoy their lessons, students report they can’t get much actual 1-1 Japanese speaking practice in (especially not with the only native Japanese speaker there – the teacher).

A JapaneseLondon.com private native-speaking Japanese 1-1 tutor costs around £43.00 per hour (less with an advance block booking) making it a pricier option. Read on for more important factors to consider, along with the cost.

2. When Considering Cost, Factor in Student vs. Teacher Ratio

‘I have been studying Japanese in a class for 18 months and find that I get very little time in class to speak and when I do I am very slow and hesitant. I am having a holiday in Japan in August, and would like some private lessons before I go to help me be more willing to have a go at speaking.

RA, Elephant & Castle

When considering cost, you need to factor in the class sizes, which impact teacher to student ratio. Most group lessons run with between 8 and 15 students. Naturally, the teacher’s attention is divided by 8, 12 or how many students there are in the lesson.

In group lessons there often isn’t much chance to speak Japanese directly with the busy teacher – the only native speaker of Japanese in the room.

With a private tutor, you have a 1-1 ratio. You are paying for that personal time, actually speaking directly with a tutor who is completely focused on you, and your needs. They can answer any questions you have straight away, as they come up, instead of a moment snatched at the end of a lesson.

3. Group Lessons Offer More Time with Classmates, Private Tuition Offers More 1-1 Time with the Tutor

It can be energising to study in a group lesson. Exercises are usually done in small group work, or with a partner, who will be a learner like yourself. It’s easy to make friends and meet new people who share your interest in Japanese language and culture.

If you take on a private 1-1 tutor, it’s the beginning of a learning-driven relationship. It’s hard to meet up with even your closest friend every week, so the value of time spent individually with a tutor cannot be underestimated. We find the tutor – student dynamic takes on a form of a kind of productive, coaching friendship.

4. Start Japanese Group Lessons Termly vs. Start When You Are Ready

‘I have been studying at the SOAS language centre two hours a week for three years. I find speaking much harder than reading and writing, and I forget so much over the summer break without class practice.’

JH, Acton

Universities do operate on a termly basis, which means lessons stop for summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.

Universities that teach Japanese evening classes in groups likewise do require enrolment in advance. I just checked on the UCL website, for example, and it currently states: ‘Enrolment for the summer term is now closed. Please complete our online application form if you wish to be considered for classes in the next academic year. You will be notified in August when enrolment opens.’

Most of our students want to get cracking ASAP, not in a few months. They want to strike when the iron is hot, as it were. After all, it’s hard to know in advance if you’ll get to Japan with work, or precisely when you’ll manage to squeeze in the holiday you’ve been planning.

JapaneseLondon.com can usually match new students with their best tutor within a week or so (considering personalities, qualifications, location, lesson dates and times).

5. Lesson Schedules and Pace of Learning

‘I joined a Japanese language school. However, I found out at the first class that what I covered in 3 weeks with them in private lessons, they have covered in 3 months in the classes. Also, the classes are at times that aren’t ideal for me.’

AB, Barbican

Group lessons are weekly, on a set day of the week. That means, for example, every Wednesday is devoted to your Japanese lessons. If you can’t make it that week, that’s tough luck – you miss out, and the fee paid is not refundable.

If you have to go away, or miss several weeks, it’s easy to fall behind and not return. This is much like, ahem, a gym membership!

With a private tutor, you can often re-schedule lessons. Just let them know in advance and they might be able to change from Wednesday evening to Thursday, for example.

If you go on holiday, you can let your tutor know in advance, without forfeiting the lesson fee for that week. If you need to cancel at the last minute (less than 24 hours) we only charge 50% of the lesson fee (to compensate the tutor for their time).

Another essential point here is the pace of lessons. Group lessons have a pre-determined pace, which may or may not be right for you. Speaking from experience, I’ve found that if I miss group lessons it can be overwhelming to try to catch up.

Conversely, when you are keen, it can be frustrating to wait for others in the class. If you jump up a level though, you often find you’ve missed learning some of the basics.

A 1-1 Japanese tutor will, of course, be able to guide you at your preferred pace, taking time to refresh the basics when needed, and skipping over things you find easy or have already learned.

6. Materials Used in Japanese Lessons

‘Right from the get-go my Japanese lessons with Yuki have been fantastic. I was really glad he didn’t take a traditional approach of a pre-printed lesson book but he made learning easier, faster and more fun with tailored classes – repeating and revising each segment before moving on to the next.’

SU, City

In a group lesson, a textbook will form the core of the syllabus. Language schools often use a textbook like ‘Minna No Nihongo’ or ‘Japanese for Busy People’. They have a pre-set timetable of how long they will spend on each unit. It’s up to you to keep up.

When you have a tutor, they will choose materials best for you. A textbook chosen will be covered at your own speed, proceeding to the next unit when you are ready.

If you prefer, take along something that interests you, such a map to plan your next holiday, or a particularly intriguing Japanese menu. The more you tell your Japanese tutor about your needs, interests and hobbies, the most specialised lessons they can provide for you.

I hope this has been helpful for deciding if 1-1 Japanese lessons would suit you, or if group lessons would work out better.

If you’d like to book lessons, or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vanessa here.

]]>