Comments on: How to NOT find a Japanese language partner

By: 希夢

希夢 — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:01:00 +0000

I think it’s fine to find a language partner and talk to them. I’m shy so I usually only IM them but I’ve had over 20 people from http://www.japan-guide.com that I’ve talked to and if they’re being flirty or whatever I just ignore them. I just casually talk to them. For some reason guys are easier to talk to than girls even though I never talk to guys in the real world o.o
Also, I usually suck at starting conversations in English but it’s easier in Japanese. I don’t feel as shy writing in a foreign language. Possibly because the writing script is so different and my brain doesn’t really process what the other person thinks of me xp
FYI, I’m a girl.
Native language: English.

By: RyanfaeScotland

RyanfaeScotland — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 09:25:00 +0000

“will make it easier to understand girls” – HA, as if this was possible in any language!

By: bill

bill — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:14:00 +0000

haha. Most of the Japanese girls looking for language partners are in fact looking for boyfriends. It is only “creepy” if they don’t like the guy. I refused to have girls as language partners since they were flaky, neurotic, unwilling to speak Japanese and always looking for romance. You could tell this article was written by a nerdy guy since he tries to white knight and act like these girls are innocents just looking to practice English.

By: Tongue out!

Tongue out! — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Try this language exchange network http://tongueout.net/

By: Jonobugs

Jonobugs — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Sandy, this topic is ongoing, so even though it’s old, it’s still relevant.

I’m not sure if my advice is any use for you but I do have loads of experience as I live in Japan.

I think the first and foremost thing you need to do is to find an exchange partner that you have something in common with. That is probably just as important as finding one at the right level. Unfortunately, it’s not easy! がんばっれ！

There is nothing wrong with getting practice at your supermarket (if they speak Japanese). Why not try something a bit more challenging? Ask where they keep a product, or ask them ABOUT a particular product. This will require some research and study on your part as you will need to make sure you can at least ask the question properly. Don’t be shy about it. Most people are very generous when it comes to this sort of thing and you have a somewhat ‘captive’ audience as the workers are there to help you. You won’t find a better audience than that.

Good luck!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:59:00 +0000

I see this is quite an old post, so maybe too late to comment, but I found it very interesting. I’ve been learning Japanese for only a few months, but I’m itching to practice conversation and wondering when is the right time to start looking for a language exchange?

Too soon and the conversation will dry up after the most basic exchanges, I imagine. How long did everyone else wait before starting an exchange?

My Japanese class is frustratingly basic. The other students will only use Romaji, and the level of conversation I can engage in with the other (English) students is really limited. So I’ve been going to the local Japanese supermarket every week just for the chance to say the occasional ありがとうございます or すみません (in between practicing reading the labels)! I should really not be using my local supermarket as a learning centre, should I :)