I'm going to Japanese language school in my 30's... and it's hard

[@jonesr227]

Hi Josh, I'm thinking of attending Japanese language school in Fukuoka. I'm 70 years old.

[@josh_around]

Hey @jonesr227, that's incredible to hear! The book I referred to at the end of the video is "Becoming Fluent: How Cognitive Science Can Help Adults Learn a Foreign" by Richard Roberts, and I found it really encouraging and motivating as an adult language learner myself. It's always a good time to study a language you love. Best of luck in your studies! 👋🏻

[@crossofamber]

Not bad, jonesr227. I'm also 70 years old and I'm going to Japanese language school... in Bangkok

[@rno5087]

I am 63 and I want to

[@scruffy2629]

Im 54, married to a japanese woman, with two bi lingual fluent kids, iv just started learning seriously again , hopefully i will be able to go back to school either in japan or NZ soon, this comment section is gold, and given me great hope! Cheers everyone on this journey too! :)

[@thewretchedyouth]

@@scruffy2629hey, I’m in a similar situation. Did Jet and got to 3-きゅう on the old system 24 years ago. I’m now sitting N5 this week! I’m trying to raise bilingual kids (4m and 2y with a Japanese wife) and panicking they’ll outstrip my language ability soon. Any advice you can give? Anything you feel you should have done better/different?

[@Mobik_]

I started Japanese at 33, I'm 35 right now and I'm about to give JLPT N3 and then N2 by December. I study around 4 hours every single day and I love the journey.

[@Suedeash]

Hey Mobik, I also sat N3 in July - did you manage to pass? Also sitting N2 in December so good luck if you're sitting it then too!

[@Momo-qo7is]

I attended the Japanese language school in Shibuya when I was 36. It’s been 7 years now since then. I am still living in Tokyo and I can still survive!

[@josh_around]

Wow, thanks for sharing that @Momo-qo7is! Your story is an inspiration to the rest of us who are still earlier in our journeys ✨

[@mrkprv]

That’s great! Have you been able to find a job straight off the language school? I was 28 when I wanted to go but then covid hits and now I have the JLPT N1 but N3ish speaking level 😅

[@Momo-qo7is]

Living in Japan has given me a sense of quality of life at lower costs more than other aspects. There are so many people who were big fans of Japan before coming and left here within 2 years. The first two years are mostly known as the sink or swim honeymoon period. It’s very much like testing our old perceptions of Japan. After completing the 6-month language program, I entered the university to pursue my PhD. After the completion, I have been working with the university while carrying on my business. It has been a rocky but fruitful journey after my 35. I hope I can still continue living here. From my experience, if you have time, trying to add business conversations and cultural perspectives on top of your N3 speaking level would help you integrate yourself faster in this homogeneous society. I am not sure how long you have planned to be here. If it’s longer than 2 years, please be a bit more prepared for the emotional challenges of identity crisis between 3-5 years as you need to sacrifice your old identity and self to fit in. If you could pass the first 5 years, you would feel like there is no better place than here.

[@shibakaneki555]

I did the same, at 30 I took a one way ticket for Japan and went to school to learn Japanese language. Moved from working life back to student's life. It was the best decision of my life, go for it, man!

[@josh_around]

Who, thats so cool! Do you have any tips from your time in language school that you think those of us just starting out should know? Thanks for the encouraging words 🙏🏻

[@gunkman_man]

that's cool! am in my 30s too and I signed up for a japanese language school! going in october!

[@amarug]

Go for it, it's never too late! I started learning Japanese at 37. I didn't go to any school but I did my best to study by myself and practice speaking with a good friend who lives here in Switzerland. My plan was not to tell my wife and prank her once we went to Japan again. Three years later now, at 40, I would say I am more or less fully fluent (even when it comes to complex topics like science, geopolitics etc I can manage). We just came back from Japan and it was quite an adventure. My wife almost could not believe it when I suddenly dashed out rapid Japanese somewhere in a Ryokan in Gifu where the staff didn't understand any English. Also, it saved our butts because my wife had to go to a small hospital on the countryside and they could not speak a word of English there, not even the doctor. I spent half a day translating between nurses, doctors and my wife - after which she was fully convinced that my Japanese skill was not just a gimmick with a few sentences. I was a crazy experience, as I had been to Japan many times before but didn't know a word of Japanese and suddenly I could speak with everyone everywhere. Saved us trouble many time, not just the hospital. I already spoke 4 languages (Native German/Swiss Dialect, French, Finnish and English) which surely helped in some ways, particularly pronunciation, but it was difficult initially. Yet surely one of the most rewarding things I have chosen to do in the past three years. I especially felt flattered as I often got asked where in Japan Iived. Just keep it up, even if its a pain in the beginning, it's SO worth the trouble...

[@MrEDET]

52 here :) Fully fluent in three years time is pretty astonishing. I started about three years ago and only learning the 2100 basic Kanji took me a full year and a ton of time. Learned around 10K vocab, N5+N4 grammar but I'm far from fluent, especially understanding spoken Japanese is still superhard for me. I'm curious how you handled this, care to share the methods you used? Your good friend is Japanese I assume?

[@ArchOfficial]

Aijaa, no jos sä opit suomea niin etköhän opi joka kieltä.

[@amarug]

@@ArchOfficial On se kyllä äidinkieli, mutta silti se auttaa jotenkin 😂とくに発音的に似ているところもあると思います。

[@ArchOfficial]

@@amarug Aijaa no se selittää sitte paljonki. Iteki oon oppinu japania jo pidemmän ajan ja se oli aika luonteva ainaki puhekielenä, verrattuna siihen mitä englanninpuhujat joutuu oppia kokonaan alusta.

[@amarug]

@@MrEDET 10k vocabulary is just insane. Surpassing most people with N1. In just a year? So around 30 new words daily? Thats more than I know, probably more than I know in my native tongue. 🤣 Also 2100 Kanji in a year is wild. Well done! If you already know that much vocabulary, getting fluent is just a matter of training a bit more. Listen to podcasts on topics that interest you. Try to actively hear the language without trying to translate in your head. You need to tune your head to recognise patterns in Japanese. If you have not studied past N4 grammar, you have a big gap between vocabulary and grammar. In my opinion once you get past the grammar basics like N4, vocabulary is always more important. So you did well, but you still beed to do at least N3 grammar. After that N1 and N2 grammar is hardly grammar in the sense that we understand it as a structural element but rather just study of idioms only. And they can get rare and obscure. But N3 is still full of everyday grammar. Yes my friend here is Japanese. 頑張ってね！

[@fernandezsebastien4737]

Hi Josh, congratulations on following your dream. Greetings from Kyoto, from a 52 year old Japanese language learner. がんばります

[@carlosperez8761]

Espero llegar en menos de 2 años para ir a estudiar japones tambien :) 51 años aqui. Mucho animo y que te vaya muy bien en tus estudios.

[@MacRoods]

I'm planning to go to a language school in Japan when I'm 30 (I'm 27 now), it's nice to see a detailed routine in that perspective

[@OtakuBoxes]

Best of luck to you! As someone who is in their lower 40's, I find your story very compelling and relatable. We just visited Japan for the first time this past month and we absolutely loved it.

[@isakso89]

Thanks so much, I am 30 and want to go a language school, been doing my research and saving money... thank God I stumbled upon your video. Blessings man

[@nely26]

That's awesome, Josh! I'm in my mid forties and started learning Japanese over two years ago and I really love it. I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to following you on your journey.

[@apronshinobu]

I'm currently 31 and this coming October I'm going to Japan to attend both language school and vocational school after that; a total of 3.5 years. I already been there a couple years ago for 10 months learning Japanese but regardless, and even being so close to the date I'm still having second thoughts about everything. Thanks a lot for the video, this and all the comments of people sharing their experience gave me some peace of mind ☺

[@AuxStreaming]

it's lovely to see this as im 25 and been worrying that if i study and save before going to language school i'd be to old as I'll be 28 when ready to make the move. this reinstalled some confidents in my plan, thank you!

[@josh_around]

Hey @AuxStreaming 👋🏻 I'm glad this could be an encouragement for you! I think it's worth making the trip out here at any age, and certainly taking time to save first made at least the money part of it less stressful for me. Best of luck on your study adventure!

[@AuxStreaming]

@@josh_around thank you !

[@AmandaBear26]

I currently learning Japanese at 33 years old. I started learning at 27, but it was off and on because I couldn't find the right study methods for me, so I became burnt out a few times. Now I think I finally found the right methods that work for me! I just finished an Anki deck for Remembering the Kanji and I'm currently working my way through the JALUP Intermediate Anki deck with i+1 sentences (JALUP was a site that doesn't exist anymore, but the creator made these awesome Anki decks and I purchased all of them). I learned most of my grammar through those sentence cards and now I'm learning vocab with more of those sentence cards and mining material through immersion. Now it's fun for me! :)

[@wobblybelly]

about to go for my first japanese class tomorrow, and your video popped out this morning! What a great coincidence, good luck to both of us! :)

[@josh_around]

Hey that's awesome! Are you going to an in-person school or studying online? Best of luck in your studies!

[@heymiho]

日本語頑張ってますね。私は、40代ですが、今年の秋に語学留学で海外に渡り英語を勉強しに行きます。出発前の今は日本でコツコツ英語の単語を覚えています。まさにあなたのように、外国語と向き合ってます。本当は2020年に出発するつもりでしたが、コロナで入国禁止となり、タイミングを待っていたので、40代半ばになりましたが、こちらのチャンネルから勇気をもらいました。人はいつでも諦めなければ、変わることができる、ネイティブと流暢に会話ができるようになると信じて頑張りましょう。

[@yucari4870]

Hi, Thank you for having an interest in the Japanese language. I admire your effort and dedication to learning it. As for Japanese Katakana words, even I, as a native Japanese speaker, sometimes get confused by them. They are supposed to be converted from English words, but they are sometimes modified in strange ways. Take your time and enjoy learning! I hope you understand my English. I've started re-learning English again. 応援してます！

[@RosemaryWilliams49fruits]

Some katakana words come from German or other languages too, not just English! An example of this is the word アルバイト which I believe comes from German. It's interesting because it's a way Japanese and English are similar, in that both languages take words from various different other languages and incorporate them into their own :)

[@trollingisasport]

You can do it! One piece of advice I would give is focusing on common verbs and adjectives. When people study a second language they usually don't learn through literacy so they miss a lot of the expressive nature of the language. Learning from children's books can help a lot. There are websites online where you can do this for free now.

[@stfdcrst]

ONE WHAT??

[@JustinVentus]

Its nice seeing someone else in my age bracket posting a video since I too am planning on going to Japanese Language School in around 3 years thanks for this video

[@wkzs]

Hey Josh, I'm 35 and I thought about attending the Japanese language school but I doubted a lot about that. Your video helped me and motivated me not to stop and just do! Thank you and good luck to your channel! I'll be waiting for more videos!

[@CB-sx8xh]

At 53 I am just about to begin a grad certificate in TESOL it will be the first time I have been a full time student for 33 years and I am really looking forward to it! I am fascinated by the challanges involved in learning another language after spending the past 5 years dabbling in learning Japanese and French.

[@HoangNguyen-qd2hx]

We're on the same boat. Keep it up!

[@carpediem4619]

I'm moving to Japan in 4 months and am starting to learn Japanese. I'm 50. The mental block is huge. I need to find a way to use Japanese as part of my daily life. Simple repeatable phrases (and responses) that are useful.

[@Alexandre_Keo]

I'm glad this came into my feeds. Love your style. Also, very inspirational. We never stop learning in life. 頑張って!

[@bellam1969]

So inspiring Josh! Subbed.

[@lstarkiller1]

I'm really enjoying this series. Keep up the great work. You're doing something I often wish I was - living and studying abroad in Japan as someone in their 30s.

[@uss_04]

Just saw your channel.I’m also in my 30’s and noticing it’s significantly harder than in my 20’s. Not only the mental aging, but the generation gap. There’s a lot of soft skills that you had when coming straight from a school that you just lose from practice. The hardest part for me is that I couldn’t just clock out after my schedule, and that the material needed to stay in my head. Glad to hear such a positive outlook and good luck with your goals!

[@andrewlamb3585]

Im 34 and am currently researching my options for getting my post-graduate degree in Japan. While I want to take a program in English, I want to learn a lot more Japanese while there to build on what I learned in my undergraduate. I started college late and have always been a worrier when it comes to language acquisition at this age. It gives me hope to know I am not the only one who wants this challenge! I will be listening the book you referenced, Becoming Fluent, as soon as I can! Thank you for your video and I am looking forward to what comes next!

[@mkrowenp]

Hello, Josh! Thank you for sharing your story! I’m 38, and in about two years, I plan to go to language school in Korea. I love the way you’ve shared your thoughts and tips in this video that have helped you. Very personal reasons and goals have really helped me learn why I want to learn a language. For instance, marrying into a Korean family and really wanting to bridge our communication better. 😊 it was hard for me to switch gears because I was learning Japanese in high school and college. I thought Japanese would be the language I would stick with!

[@PrestonPhillip]

I just got back from visiting Japan for a couple months. I am about to head back there for school as well, I'm also in my 30's. This is definitely inspiring and helps me feel comfortable knowing I'm not the only one my age doing this. You've gained a new follower! Can't wait to make it back soon. Good Luck on all your studying and adventures!

[@not_cardoso]

Congratulations on your journey so far. In October I will be moving to Japan to study in a language school. This video was a great find.

[@josh_around]

Thanks @not_cardoso! That's so exciting to hear that you're making the journey here to study as well. I can truly say it's been a life changing experience, even after only six months!

[@andreastornes25]

Hey Josh! Best of luck! I believe I can relate to your struggle as I'm in my late 30s myself, and a month ago I also entered a Japanese language school in Kurume, Fukuoka. Ive had the benefit of living in Japan for about 4 years total during the past 12 years, but this is the first time that I've actually studied Japanese, and the challenge has been pretty much exactly as youve described it. I also hope I'll be able to get over the inevitable mental blocks that occur (almost on a daily basis), and I wish you the best of luck in your same endavour. I look forward to more updates! All the best, Andreas.

[@user-b3i2q]

Great job! I began learning Japanese just a week or two before turning 43 in August, 2022. That's so cool that you've found a language school! I sometimes think about looking for a class to join, but it would probably have to be online, because I don't think there's anything like that around where I live. I'm mostly just learning to read for now, through WaniKani.

[@naumjohn523]

i'm a brazilian videomaker and i would like to congratulate for the spetacular beautiful images and the good storytelling skills that you have. I'm following your channel and wish you sucecess in everything. I'm also studying japanese, because i will be in japan until the end of this year.

[@gabriellecoco6183]

I'm originally from Tokyo. I began my journey to obtain permanent residency in Australia in my mid-30s. I taught myself English, passed the IELTS, and went through a rigorous career screening process. At the age of 39, I achieved permanent residency while raising my child, running a restaurant, and studying English. I don't remember sleeping much during that time. It's been almost 20 years since I moved to Australia, a country I had never been to before, with no friends or acquaintances. I don't think learning Japanese is that difficult. Have fun!

[@Hotspur62]

I spent a month in Fukuoka and a month in Tokyo last year in a Japanese immersion program staying with a host family in each city. The last time I was in school was 1984...my senior year at NYU. Learning a new language is exercise for an aging brain staving off dementia.

[@lilylovesitaly3932]

I am a 49 years old Asian American and I’m thinking about learning Japanese simply because I’ve always love Japan and Japanese culture. It fuels my deter after I went to Japan for the first time this past April.

[@akiyajapan]

I'm 49 and studying full-time with a student visa -- also fighting cancer at the same time. I wouldn't say things are going "well," primarily due to missed days for hospital visits/stays, but I have definitely improved in my Nihongo. The only questions that are really looming for the future are will I get over this cancer, and if so, what will my life look like after? My first JLPT is this Sunday -- and I'm pretty sure I'm going to fail, but then again, I can't be surprised considering how many classes I've missed. Life just isn't pleasant sometimes. I hope your language school is actually one focused on teaching the language rather than pumping poor country workers into Japan.

[@HaohmaruHL]

Attended the language school for 2 years back when I was 33. Learning Japanese was the easy part. The hardest part was trying to juggle between school, doing baito part time job to be able to afford paying for current school tuition, rent and food, while at the dame time going through hell which is job hunting in Japan (especially as a non-native English speaker, meaning you aren't wanted anywhere), so I would be able to stay in Japan after school graduation, because going to college was too expensive to even think about. While also trying to find time and willpower to somehow do homework. Finding a day to go explore the country or basically have free time for yourself, other than sleep time, was like a luxury. There were students who worked like 2-3 part time jobs and even broke the "no more than 28 hour per week" rule just to be able to pay for school and college. Our class had older students I their 60-70s though, who were there just to study and then go home. So you can do it at any age if you have the will to study (and enough savings to sustain yourself during that period) you will have a good time.

[@JonasFairfield]

I did this too, in my late 30s. It's been a dream come true. I hope the same for you.

[@Yihwa_G]

Hey Josh, I think it was extremely brave to go back to school and start this new journey. You have such a narrative voice and your videos are so well done. I hope many people will discover your channel and follow you around. If you keep studying Japanese consistently, it will surely become second nature to you. I speak from experience, not with Japanese, but with other languages. All the best from Taiwan💫

[@josh_around]

Thank you for the kind words. This comment was such a gift and and an encouragement. 🫶🏻 頑張っています！

[@diablo3schizle]

@@josh_around I totally agree! This was a very well put together video!

[@thalyta.mp4]

Hello Josh! What an interesting video! I'm a 23 year old English teacher from Brazil, I've worked here for 6 years now, and I know how hard it is to learn a language. I teach many different ages and levels, from beginner to fluent, and I've come across many challenges in teaching, but just like I always tell my students: perseverance is key! I'm also learning Japanese, but online instead, and I really like your approach here. Keep going! I'll check out the book you mentioned. You got one more subscriber! I'm excited to see your journey :)

[@AbidManjiroXD]

Whooooottt 23-6 = 17 🤯🤯 17 year old teacher whoooooo !! how ?

[@CarmenOfSpades]

I did a Japanese course while I was working in Shanghai from 2016-2019 just when I hit 30. It was very expensive and I had already been out of school and in the workforce for six+ years at that point. It was a pretty daunting decision, to say the least. Despite all of that, it was the best investment I made, and I only wish I had done it sooner -- there's no way my Japanese would be where it is at today had I not taken that step. Of course, studying in Japan will beat any school outside of Japan. Your story is very inspiring and it reminds me that I need to take the plunge to at least try and find work in Japan, or I'll regret it forever. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@gunkman_man]

cool! excited to follow your journey, am 32 this year and with an N3 cert I just signed up for japanese language school for this october!

[@seltox6320]

I've been considering dropping work and moving to Japan to attend a language school for a year or two. It's a really hard thing to actually commit to when I have a great programming career, a house and good friends - I just feel like I'm getting stagnant and want to change something up though. Really interested in hearing more about your transition from regular work, into moving to Japan to study again as I'm also in my 30s.

[@dothetwist298]

Hi Josh and everyone who reads this. I started Japanese language school in Tokyo when I was 27 and graduate when I was 29. I’ve been living in Japan for 12 now. One thing I can tell you - you wanna try? Then do it, don’t postpone, you will likely regret it later. No matter how old you are, as long as you can adapt, you will be fine, trust me. Finding a job afterwards is difficult no matter if you’re young or old. Learn the language, learn about work culture and you’ll be fine. Just do it.

[@malkavianloner8808]

thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@hkfrog2896]

Hi Josh, good luck with your learning journey. Please keep us posted 🙂

[@ace-kun0]

hi Josh!, i also 30+ and thinking of attending a japenese language school aswell !

[@punisheranimations6807]

I’m planning to go to Japan and study hardcore to master the language and maybe make friends in there. Thanks for making this video

[@cmaddox1020]

I'm in my 60s and 2 years ago I started studying Coto Japanese language school for thee hours a day, 5 days a week. (Most of the other students were in their 20s)It was easy at first as I already had a grounding in the basics but as the course progressed it became more and more difficult. Two years on it hasn't gotten any easier but I can carry a conversation and get the gist of what I read and hear, Press on!

[@RabbleRousy]

Nice video man! I can only imagine how hard it must be when you're not used to studying anymore. I'm currently taking Japanese at Osaka University, which is probably way more chill than a Language School, but it's still the hardest thing I've ever been pushing through :D

[@HeikiDaNaa]

Hi Josh, I've studied languages since my late teens and now I'm around 30 years old and I still intend to keep learning new languages :) 活到老，学到老

[@armandaarif]

Inspiring! I am 4 months into learning japanese, i do get the mental blocks often. Seeing this video gives me the motivation to continue..

[@josh_around]

Thanks @armandaarif, that means a lot 🫶🏻 For a lot of my journey I felt like all the stories I could find online were about wildly successful language learners. It took a while for me to realize that it's very possible many of the folks who I follow are in the top 5% of language learners. Their stories are inspiring in their own ways, but I also believe learning a language is still valuable even if one can only go at an average pace 😊 That's certainly the fastest I seem to be able to do it, and I don't regret starting on this path, even if I'm taking the scenic route. Best of luck in your studies! 👋🏻

[@YWolf777]

I learned Japanese in SNG in Takadanobaba for 2 years almost. Believe me when I tell you my Japanese sucked big time by then, and I did feel overwhelmed by the idea of having to speak a language I barely know how to speak at all, but it is a learning curve, only if you have a good motivation towards learning will you succeed in this path. I've seen my class american peers qutting start and halfway, but those in the intermediate-advanced level already know that they got the motivation and discipline. I'm from South America with no Japanese family or aid at all, and 10 years after, I am now working for a Japanese company, speaking Japanese fluently everyday. What I'd recommend is to dedicate full-time to studying and working only part time if possible. I only started working when I was close to Intermediate level (baito), and I was always juggling with time as I had homework and exams to study for every day. Just enjoy the experience and pay close attention in class, do not fear of asking questions and try to connect as much with your teachers as they will always be there for you too! Enjoy your time in Japan, I just came back and it feels nostalgic haha

[@balumfull]

Fun! You're doing some freaky amazing things. i'm in my midthirties and thinking about going to Sapporo for language school in a couple years for fun. Thanks for sharing!

[@collectivebrainrot]

i went to a language school in kyoto when I was 41. had a great time!

[@iusearchbtw69]

It's never too late to learn a new language, keep it up!

[@FishSlappee]

Great video! ^^

[@MoeGleezzy]

You remind me of myself I'm 39 and just started learning Japanese, taught myself how to code, strength train also lol. Great video!

[@ConraDargo]

Went to KICL in Kyoto when I was 33 (in 2013), knowing enough Japanese already to skip the N5 classes! And it was really really hard lol, but mostly because I kind of went ahead of myself and attended to a school where the pacing was at around 150%, and I totally regretted this choice afterwards X) And I'm also very much into fitness, so I would go to the gym 3 days a week and go running for another 2-3 days. And because I had to spend almost 2 hours every day on commuting back and forth (lived in a share house _quite_ far from the school), that meant I didn't have time for my classmates outside of school, as I'd be too busy working out, studying as well as finishing all the homework. I actually ended failing that class (6 months of teaching) by a very small marginal, like 4-5 points on the final test, but I still learned a _ton_ of Japanese and it still helped me grow my vocabulary and grammar points! But I haven't made much progress since, despite re-reading the textbooks that I used - trying to study at my own pace instead ^^' Still, some of us are simply polygnots - rather than polyglots, and we just have to come to terms with that! ;D And I'm happy enough to be around N4 on my way to N3, as it's still enough to be able to read my favorite manga: Yotsubato! :3

[@Eli-tb2vd]

thank God you posted this video. I thought I was too old for this.

[@josh_around]

Hi @Eli-tb2vd 👋🏻 I'm so glad this could be an encouragement! I highly recommend the book "Becoming Fluent" by Richard Roberts and Roger Kreuz. I listened to the audiobook and their message and findings from cognitive science have continued to be an inspiration to me to this day 🫶🏻

[@Eli-tb2vd]

@@josh_around thank you very much. Good luck on your journey.

[@robonkenhout7965]

That was me 15 years ago, except I was a little older. Hang in there, you'll be fine. Remember to enjoy it. Great when you can start using your Japanese to get things done.

[@paulwalther5237]

I started learning Japanese at 34. I felt like I had to put more time in to keep up with the other students in my class as compared to back when I was in my 20’s. But it worked out I think. I didn’t mind putting in more time.

[@SoloYolo84]

I did took Japanese language school in takadanobaba in 2004 not sure if they still exist sendagaya we would learn the language and take weekly field trips it was fun. Met new friends from all over. Teachers were nice. We stayed in a dorm in tokyo west area tanashi. I was about in my 20s now im in school in my 40s getting my bachelors with I.T degree. Planing to go back one day.

[@Jahbezx]

Great video, Josh! I've been debating taking a break from the working world and pursuing some creative passions of mine in Japan, too. Good luck to you on your journey!

[@terribletomato]

Rooting for you, Josh! これからも頑張って!

[@josh_around]

ありがとうございます🙇🏼

[@debbieeebrock310]

I'm also 30 . N i keep forcing my self to study another language bcs i love study new language, one of them is Japanese. It's kinda challenging for my self but i found this is so fun 😊

[@moyga]

I'm jealous, going to language school and living with a host family is basically the perfect environment for learning Japanese. Trying to learn by yourself in minimal free time already exaughsted after full-time work with a lot of unpaid overtime definitely isn't. Hope you enjoy it and make the most of it.

[@JustVoylin]

Libraries are your friends, use them :p I have been living in Japan for 4 years and been studying Japanese for 8 years. Reading books which are above your level helps to put some amount of links in your head to certain words. So read books even though you don't understand words, try to understand them but don't look them up. Sounds strange but has helped me a lot by not always looking everything up.

[@josh_around]

Hey @JustVoylin, you're on a roll dropping valuable knowledge on so many videos today 😊 I really appreciate you taking the time to do that! I do love a good library myself. Some of the b-roll in this video was actually shot in the Shibuya Central Library 📚 I'm curious, what sources do you use for finding books you'll enjoy? Your lived experience in learning Japanese through reading and self-study is really encouraging and a good reminder that some of us make the learning process more complicated than it needs to be from time to time, myself included 😉

[@69hz]

I'm studying English too. Your English is very easy to listen to！ がんばろ〜

[@josh_around]

Hi @69hz! 一緒に頑張りましょう！I studied Japanese by watching KZbin videos as well, I'm glad this video could be a resource for another dedicated language learner ❤️

[@kaiguyniki]

Josh seems like a very cool guy! I'm rooting for him.

[@josh_around]

Thanks for the kind words! 🫶🏻

[@MegaAmoled]

I'm 30s and I've planned to move to Japan. This video inspired me. Keep going!

[@josh_around]

Hey thats awesome @MegaAmoled! I'm glad to hear the video could be an inspiration. Best of luck in your preparations for the big move! ✨

[@SupremacyGamesYT]

Now that I realize I started learning at 30 too. (last year) good luck

[@decal-elias1797]

Loved the video, you seem like a genuinly kind and nice man ! Thanks for making me discover the bear app ! Wish you the best from France man !

[@josh_around]

Thanks for the kind words, @decal-elias1797, that means a lot 🫶🏻 I love Bear Notes 🐻 and I would be so lost without it 😂

[@mnixo9119]

love your positive additude :D Keep going you got this

[@BulletMagnetLive]

University education in some cases really does a number on people, they forget how to learn naturally.

[@Yuuki.Shimizu]

Great video! Keep going!!

[@pabloyagani]

Great video , subbed

[@japanese-coach-ryo]

応援しています！ 頑張って下さい。Your bag is cool.

[@cozygentlenight]

i'm interested in this when i saw about it!

[@adelr4m330]

just discovered your channel. im currently taking an IT course and trying to learn Japanese all by myself. 頑張って！

[@josh_around]

Welcome! 👋🏻 That sounds like two great things to be learning, best of luck in your studies @adelr4m330! 🫶🏻

[@GREYSAAGA]

I just discovered your channel and I loved it so far keep up the good work

[@shugyosha7924]

I loved language school. Part of me would love to do it again. But another part of me thinks I can't go back to such a carefree existence.

[@tw2210]

Nice video! Subscribed. Best wishes from the UK.

[@Brandon-qp7gq]

awesome attitude. I'm learning japanese an adult too and it does seem harder now than when younger

[@shibakaneki555]

it is especially hard the first months, then it goes better. When you were a child and going to school, your brain was optimised for learning. Then you finished school and start working, and your brain re-configured itself for optimising your daily life (amazing muscle, right?). So now, your brain needs to reconfigure itself for learning. It just takes time and CONSISTENCY. At some point, it will be easier, but don't stop, keep pushing, and remember that your brain needs time, it's just that.

[@josh_around]

@shibakaneki555 I really like how you put that, it does totally feel like my brain was re-configured for work life and I'm having to re-configure it again to get back into school mode. Thanks for the encouragement! 😊

[@Sakurasan2023]

Great video 📹 👍

[@mr.jellyfish5544]

Not difficult at all. It’s just of matter of adapting. The only true difficulty was actually getting a Visa. . . And the quick realization that none of my professors spoke English so you absolutely have no choice but to use Japanese. Also, as mean as this sounds, my word of advice: DONT HANG OUT WITH OTHER FOREIGNERS IN JAPAN. For me personally, this was the main reason I was able to improve and finally got out of plateau of N4 level. Studying solo on weekdays, and hanging out with Japanese friends that only spoke Japanese on weekends, was the key to my own personal success. I look back to just 3 years ago and can humbly brag about my improvement. Now I’m can confidently say I am ready to take the JLPT N3 this year and then return to Japan in a few years to study for the N2 and N1. I’m sorry, but even here in the states, I see the same common mistake over and over. There’s nothing wrong with having 1 or 2 fellow gaijin friends to catch up with when you need a break. But the second this becomes a daily habit, you really start to see the challenges. Language is connected to culture, so if you aren’t learning from one, you aren’t gonna learn from the other. Just hanging out with “your own kind” is a common mistake I see from ESL students as well, and can lead to nowhere for some.

[@steamman8888]

Waiting for my student visa to Osaka for this Oct. Also in my 30s!

[@josh_around]

Congratulations @steamman8888! You can do it! I'm so glad I came here to study, it's helped me learn and grow in ways beyond what I ever could have anticipated. ❤️ Best of luck in your Japanese journey!

[@TheLoveArticle]

Hello Josh, first I want to say that your videos have a certain charm to them that entice me to keep watching which is pretty refreshing here on youtube. I am also in my 30's and just started learning Japanese last year after visiting Japan. It inspired me to take learning the language seriously through tutors in italki and other resources. I am personally still a bit apprehensive on taking the leap to a more intense immersive input approach. your videos have inspired me to take the plunge today! one thing I will say after seeing a few of your videos is that something feels off about them, The production, quality, and pacing feel so smooth! But, it feels like there is no substance to them if that makes sense? it feels like you lay a wonderful foundation and create an elegant set up to a deep dive and suddenly the video just ends. It feels like a synopsis to a video I would have really enjoyed watching! :( I understand this may be more of a personal project for yourself than for us, but I thought I would voice my thoughts on your videos and let you know that they definitely have so much potential in my opinion. Hope you are doing well in Japan!

[@josh_around]

Hi @TheLoveArticle 👋🏻 I want to start by saying thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. It's exciting to hear that your own language learning journey is continuing to progress and that there are some exciting steps ahead that you're looking forward to! 🇯🇵 Your feedback regarding the level of depth that you wish to see in the videos on this channel is incredibly insightful. I did, as you so astutely surmised, start this channel as a personal project to challenge myself to expand my filmmaking and storytelling skills. As I've learned more, I've been incredibly touched by how many other people these videos are helping, and I would love to find ways to continue to grow the depth of the stories I tell here. If you'd be up for it, I would be interested to hear more of your thoughts on the kind of stories and information that would be most helpful to you. Would you be willing to reach out to me at the email address in my channel details to discuss this further? No pressure of course, and either way I really appreciate you taking the time to provide this valuable feedback. 🙏🏻 Best of luck in the next stage of your own language learning adventures!

[@TheLoveArticle]

@@josh_around hiya! Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I would love to help any way I can, even if I am no expert myself. I couldn't fina an email/business email on your profile details sadly. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place?

[@josh_around]

I received your email this morning (JST.) I apologize for sending you on that little treasure hunt to find the address 😅 Thanks for reaching out!

[@inquisitvem6723]

How much does it cost at the Japanese language learning school tuition wise?

[@Its_just_me_again]

im 112 in cicada years next month and really struggling with my japanese

[@josh_around]

@Its_just_me_again there are tons of cicadas here in Tokyo, so while I can only give my opinion as a human, I think you would fit right in. They might even make you their leader given your long life experience proportional to the expected lifespan of the species 💡🧙🏻‍♂️

[@Its_just_me_again]

@@josh_around age is only a number....just a sec there's a guy dressed in a black robe carrying a scythe at my front door...brb

[@muriel_TP]

I’am attending japanese school too at 32

[@saulespinozacampos205]

Hi I am 24 I I really want to go to Japanese language school in Japan, but I’m not sure how to do it. I am not sure how to afford it or how to keep myself out of debt if I do decide to do it. Is there any tips anyone has to save money when doing it?

[@liliannaflores1682]

That’s so awesome! I am in college rn and I took the intensive track for Japanese (my final is tomorrow) and it nearly killed me 😂, I commend you for trying a totally different language from English! Sounds like you learned a lot! And yeah my friends and I both agree intensive language learning is a bigger load than a full time job 😂

[@josh_around]

@liliannaflores1682 Thanks for the encouraging words! This journey has definitely been the best sort of challenge for me, and definitely the hardest I've worked on something in a long time. I think my brain was ready for something new to push myself further, and Japanese has certainly done that 🙌🏻 That's so cool that your school offered an intensive Japanese track. Best of luck on your finals! Do you have plans for what you'll do with the language after school?

[@berberdrip]

Good Luck on jour journey🎉

[@Malheul10]

焦らずゆっくり気長に日本や日本語を楽しんでください！ It'll be a long journey to learn a new language :-)

[@orthodocrap]

Goodluck Brother!

[@waylanyau2297]

Is gym membership in Japan very expensive?

[@petervansan1054]

I am 35 and I need to wrap some business at home and I think next year I will do the same.

[@josh_around]

Hi @petervansan1054! That's awesome ✨ I know for me having a big goal like that was really motivating and I enjoyed the process of researching and preparing. It's always a good time to learn a language you enjoy 🫶🏻

[@nihonski]

wish you strengh, I also just finnished one. What are you planning next?

[@josh_around]

Thanks for the encouraging words! ❤️ I'm heading back to language school for a second semester starting a week from now, but if you mean my plans after after I graduate-I'm still deciding what comes next 😊 Having a place to share these stories with other folks on their own journeys has been a great way to process and learn from everyone around me, and I've still got lots more to learn!