I moved to Tokyo about 2 and a half weeks ago. I’d been studying Japanese for 4 years and got placed at the N1 level of classes in my language school. Before now, I’d only spoken with Japanese people on the phone or video call but never once in person because I’m from an area where there are very few Japanese people. All this to say I get very very nervous when I speak to anyone. I had social anxiety to an extent back home but never to the extent where I’d avoid going into restaurants if it looked busy. This is a very new feeling to me (and a very new country to be living in lol) and I’m wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences/how they overcame it.
I’m assuming it’s just a matter of time, and “just get out there and talk” will be the advice I get, but it’s so embarrassing when for instance I’m checking out at a store and the shop attendant is mumbling with a mask on and speaking quietly and I have to say I have no idea what they’re saying.
I also live in a share house because I wanted to force myself to meet people and so far all of my roommates are so incredibly nice. I’ve gotten really close with one of them and he asked me to come to the kitchen to meet someone I hadn’t met yet and she asked him “wait does he speak Japanese” and I said “yes” and he also said “yeah he speaks quite well” and then the first thing she said I didn’t understand a single word of so all three of them laughed at the timing of that happening right after my other roommate saying I speak Japanese well. I joined the laughter too but I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to run back into my room lol. How fast did the listening/understanding skills grow for you all?
by McSteezzyy