Do you want to learn Japanese in Singapore? Choose the right course for your purpose

Nothing is as frustrating as being in a Japanese class for passing the JLPT exam, while your fellow students are just taking the course out of general interest. The pace will be too slow for you and the lessons will not be really targeted. People learn Japanese for different reasons. For the best result, make sure you join a course that suits your purpose.

Purpose #1: Pass a test. You may be required to obtain JLPT or other certification for visa or university admission purposes. Most Japanese schools offer specific preparation courses for this, which will help you familiarize yourself with the format of the exam. In addition, you will be in a class with people who are motivated by the same purpose.

Purpose #2: Cultural interest. You may have visited Japan or seen a lot about it on TV and want to know more about the culture. You like the manga. Maybe you even met a fellow Japanese and want to be able to communicate with him/her in the native language. Learning Japanese is definitely a good idea to increase your cultural understanding.

If a cultural interest is your learning purpose, choose a class that offers cultural exposure in addition to regular language instruction. Your interest may wane if you are simply learning vocabulary and grammar.

Purpose #3: Business. If you are going to do business in Japan or work with Japanese, it will be a great help if you can speak their language. A common challenge for business Japanese students is combining the lessons with an already stressful job.

Most of the Japanese schools in Singapore offer business Japanese courses. These courses may require prior knowledge; It’s pretty hard to talk about contracts if you don’t know how to say “hello.”

If time is an issue, consider private lessons; either in person or by subscribing to an online plan that includes virtual coaching sessions. You’ll definitely want to squeeze as much business-relevant learning into a short amount of time, so be careful to choose a course that will maximize your outcome.

Conclusion

Which course is best for you doesn’t just depend on how good the school or the teacher is. To ensure that you learn what you want to learn, choose a course that fits your purpose.