I’m currently learning Japanese, basically started at the beginning of the new year so I’m not even at the N5 level. Would it be a good idea to play games like Valorant or something on Japanese servers to try and practice? Has anybody else tried this? Would it just annoy everyone else? Or if it is a good idea, should I wait until I have a better grasp on it?
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In theory, practice is almost always good. In execution, it’s questionable how much communication you’ll be doing when you don’t know the most basic of basics yet.
I’m about N5 (hard to say since I learned most of what I know a very long time ago), and wouldn’t attempt it myself. Just the reading and reaction speed would be a hindrance to other players imo.
Don’t do this til you spend majority of your time reading/watching anime with Japanese subs.
I played Apex on the Japanese servers (still do) when I was still getting used to conversation. I did go on there when I was already watching anime in Japanese without English subtitles tho so I was further along the journey than you currently are. But that being said, I’d say give it a try! It’ll help your ears get used to what real speakers speak like. You’ll pick up words and phrases over time. You’ll get over the fear that most people have of speaking the language. Most Japanese people I’ve met are just happy that foreigners can speak even a tiny bit of japanese. Obviously you won’t be able to have any real meaningful conversations and to be honest the way natives speak and the slang they use in games is a whole different beast. It takes a long time to get used to, and if it’s a bigger party/team then it’ll be hard to follow along naturally.
In my opinion it’d be a fun way to do some extra “study” without it feeling like studying. Your brain will feel tired after hearing a lot of unknown sentences, so take frequent breaks!
Best of luck!
Probably do it when you’re about N3. I played Among Us online at about that level and it went pretty alright, but I wouldn’t recommend it before that level
Depends on game you intend to do that, but there are going to be game jargons that you’ll have to look up yourself in Japanese, e.g. typical shooter games use 芋 and 砂 for campers and snipers, respectively.
I’ve played Apex on the Tokyo server and find that most random squads aren’t communicating a ton, and when they do, it’s kind of a coin toss on what language they use as people from a number of other countries play there. In my experience, communication is mostly simple stuff like 回復中 or 敵いる. If you can grab the basic jargon for the game you’re playing you’ll be fine, at least for simple stuff like FPS games.
I think it’s a great way to practice but do recommend playing only spike rush or unrated at first so even if you don’t know a lot of callouts, it’s not a big deal! You can also join the valorant JP discord server and join vcs for games and ask ahead of time if you can play, most people are super nice and don’t mind. I also recommend watching small jp valorant streamers since win win, they are excited to see chatters and you get to interact with them + hear what the jargon is like, such as what the JP callouts etc are!! I play a lot (even if 180 ping is rough 🥹) and would love to play with you! I would say I’m probably N3 level though maybe..! But I got you 🙏😊
They’re probably in the middle of their job so I wouldn’t recommend it. If you get their permission and its not that busy in the restaurant it’ll be fine i think.
That is basically how I learned English, so yes.
I think this is a good idea if ping doesn’t ruin it.
I suggest to brush up a few words first, which words depends on the game.
For apex I think it’s good to learn abunai=danger, teki=enemy and maybe a few others? Maybe some location words because those few words will let you tell your partner information and it will allow you to engage in conversation even if its simple.