I’m currently on my 4th semester of Japanese in uni, so finishing up intermediate classes. I should be around high N4 low N3 rn? According to my professor.
I’m hoping to maybe study abroad in Japan for a semester or two starting spring of next year. Planning to skip fall semester to save money so no advanced Japanese class then, but I’d probably get a weekly private tutor or something starting after finals. I’m guessing I could get to N3 level by next spring.
Anyway, is 4 semesters + however many months of study w/ tutor (7 or 8?? months) a decent amount to not be totally lost studying abroad? I know Japanese unis sometimes don’t require language proficiency, but I don’t want to be stuck on campus you know?
I don’t expect to be fluent, but like, decent enough. Survival Japanese with some ok conversational level kind of thing. Enough to make friends who don’t know English well.
Edit:
I should clarify that I will not be taking courses taught in Japanese (outside of language courses that might be taught in Japanese like my current Japanese classes). Any other courses will be taught in English. My Japanese level is more so for making non-english speaking friends or traveling around outside of campus.
6 comments
At American universities, study abroad after two full years isn’t uncommon. After two full years of intentional study, you should be fine for what you’re describing. I was.
It sounds like you’re taking some of the English taught papers over here?
N3 is enough for daily living over here. You can get around, and usually make your way through most procedures without too much pain. The main recommendation I’d have is to check what your uni does for housing, e.g. will you be in a dorm or planning to find your own place
Yes
I was N3 when I first got here. Had no problem
I moved to Japan alone after having N4 or so level. There is no way you can take classes in Japanese.
You can get by in daily life tho.
You don’t have to know Japanese to study abroad in Japan. However, going to a Japanese university is another problem. You must speak read and write at N-2 level minimum. To be honest the jlpt level doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you can understand the complicated uni level materials, conduct research, participate in group activities, communicate with the locals without language barrier. I’ve seen people with N-2 and N-1 have problem passing their university classes. But to answer your question, no you don’t need to come to Japan knowing Japanese from the get-go
In the other hand, I’ve seen people that had participated in a study abroad program in Japan for 2 years and say they are at N-2 level. First of all, N-2 is still beginner level to me. Next, “N-2” or N whatever doesn’t mean anything to these Japanese people. You will still experience difficulty conversing with the locals and getting stuff done in professional settings. You may have difficulties making friends in Japan if you speak broken Japanese. Your idea of “friend” will be very different from their idea too.
What is your purpose for studying Japanese anyways?