Hi everyone, it’s been my dad’s longterm dream to study Japanese in Japan for a few months. He finally retired, only to run into Covid restrictions. Now that Japan is opening up again to foreigners, I’m looking for recommendations for a good language program for 2-3 months, one that is perhaps more tailored towards senior citizens. (I just want him to make friends as well!) We’re Taiwanese and American. My Dad can read and speak Japanese at an intermediate level. Thank you!
2 comments
If he wants to learn Japanese (and not specifically “study” it) there are all sorts of cruises and Japanese tour programs he can join where he can practice Japanese with the other tour guests, who are often in the older category. He could do tour programs combined with an online tutor or something also if he’s really looking to “study”. There also seems to be a lot of senior living centers and senior activity type groups (for example, hiking).
If you live in Japan most city halls have language learning classes for practically free and a lot of the staff are senior citizens from what I hear. I don’t know if tourists have access to those or if he could get access by being your guest but that might also be something to look into.
Or just go to any tachinomi salaryman watering hole armed with a phrasebook haha. Those old guys will talk your ear off.
Hope this helps until someone who actually knows about senior program type things comments.
Depending on what you mean by ‘intermediate’, he honestly might not need an academic program. Just try to find a social environment where he can interact with Japanese people all day, and for reading get him either an all expenses paid trip to book-off, or a Kindle, whichever he prefers.