Hello everyone, I have been self-learning Japanese for the past 3 years with an almost entirely input-based method; I now listen to podcasts and read books with little issue but I have still not really developed the output side of things, speaking and writing. After I get my undergrad degree this year I plan to go to Japan in summer 2023 (hopefully it will be open by then, but that’s a different issue) and stay for around 2 months. I took a look at the genki language school but it seems it is more generally focused towards all the 4 skills and preparing students for the JLPT. I know at least 2500 kanji and my passive vocab is probably around 20000 words, so I do not think I would get much benefit from the genki schools. I am looking for a language school that focuses almost entirely on output skills (even just speaking is fine but I would like to practice a bit of writing too if possible). I will definitely do more research and googling but I figured I would ask here as there are many veteran learners here that may have had a similar experience to me and could give good advice – does anyone know of such output-based schools, or able to point me in the right direction? Hopefully this request is within the scope of this sub, and thank you in advance for any help that anyone can give.
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Also I am aware that there are many online options to develop my speaking skills such as italki, line, discord servers, even vr chat etc, the purpose of going to Japan next summer is twofold – to take a semivacation in the gap between college and grad school and to take that opportunity and polish my output skills while I’m there. I probably will look into some online practice options in this upcoming year but I am pretty set on going next summer if the country remains open.
2 comments
My buddy liked Nichibei. His said his advanced classes were relatively speaking-focused. But there is only so much speaking one can do in a classroom setting. The school had kanji tests and other tests, but the teachers basically said that at that level, the students were responsible for leveling-up the kanji on their own.
https://nichibei.ac.jp/jli/
Schools have different focuses although I sense that a large percentage of students are from China & Korea looking to enter Japanese trade schools or universities. Some schools might have a niche with housewives or professionals. Others might focus on the JLPT (maybe using so-matome as the main textbooks).
Many schools seem to have a few semesters for summer visitors, although I can’t remember if those aligned closer to US or European holidays.
Some schools don’t offer study visas like the Meguro Learning Centre. I visited it once when I lived nearby; it is a small school with friendly staff.
https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/
Whoever thought of this “input-based method” nonsense ought to be publicly housewhipped.
Check out Yamasa Institute.