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Every October, new students arrive in Japan with a suitcase, a lot of nerves, and a goal. At our welcome event, we asked five of them the same question: what do you want to do after language school?
Some had a clear plan, while others had rough ideas. All of them had a reason for coming that goes beyond the classroom.
Step one: speak Japanese with confidence
Almost everyone started with the same goal: language comes first.
Bérénice from Belgium arrived just four days before we met her. She lived in Japan for six months when she was 15, and she’s back to become fluent. “I like to talk a lot, and I feel like the best way to enjoy a country and its culture is to be fluent,” she told us. “Also, Japanese is hard, and it’s nice to speak a language that’s hard.”
Alexia from Spain just graduated with a degree in Japanese studies. She has studied for four years, but she says her level isn’t where she wants it, because in Spain you can’t practice Japanese every day. Being surrounded by the language is why she came.
Sabrina from Canada has loved Japanese culture for a long time and finally decided to make the move. Her target is specific: JLPT N2. “I think studying in Japan will help me improve faster,” she said.
Path one: more school in Japan
For some students, language school is the first step toward something more specific.
Bérénice has a bachelor’s degree in art. Once she’s fluent, she’d like to go to a senmon gakkō (vocational school) for something like character design, since Japan is famous for animation and design.
Akemi from the US is half Japanese and has visited Japan as a tourist before. She’s building her language skills so she can go to fashion school here. She wants to stay in Japan, and she told us it’s what her grandmother would have wanted.
Path two: a career that connects Japan and home
Other students want to use Japanese in their career.
Arthur from France wants to reach a level where he can communicate well and build partnerships with Japanese companies.
Alexia has an idea that flips the usual setup. She loves languages in general, and she’d like to become a Spanish teacher, teaching Spanish to Japanese people.
Bérénice has a second, longer-term idea too. She could work with a publishing house in Europe, like the manga publishers in France, and help translate or work with publishers. “That would be nice, but that’s very, very long-term!” she said.
Path three: staying in Japan (or not yet)
Not everyone is sure how long they’ll stay, and that’s completely normal.
Akemi plans to stay and study fashion here. Sabrina would love to stay if she can find work. She’s a photographer, so a job related to photography would be ideal. Arthur plans to return to France eventually, but he wants to keep his ties to Japan. “I want to go back to France, but I want to keep my contact with Japan,” he said, and he hopes to come back as a tourist or for business.
What we noticed
Nobody’s plan looked the same, but a few things came up again and again:
- Fluency is the first goal, and living in Japan speeds it up
- Many students want a career that uses both Japanese and their home country
- Plans change, and most students were happy to say they weren’t sure yet
If you’re still figuring out your own goal, that’s okay. Language school gives you time to improve your Japanese and see what Japan has to offer before you decide.
FAQ
Do I need a clear plan before I start language school?
No. Several students we met had only a rough idea, and some weren’t sure yet. Your goals can change as your Japanese improves.
Can I go to a vocational school or university after language school?
Yes. Many students use language school to prepare for further study in Japan, like a senmon gakkō or university. Your goal and Japanese level will help decide which path fits.
Is it possible to find a job in Japan after language school?
It depends on your skills, your Japanese level, and the kind of work you want. Students with a specific field, like photography, often have a clearer idea of what to look for.
What JLPT level should I aim for?
It depends on your goal. Sabrina is aiming for N2, which is the second-highest level of the JLPT. Your school and career plans can help you pick a target.
Not sure what your goal is yet?
Talk to us. We’ll help you find a school that fits where you are now and where you want to go.
To learn more about studying Japanese in Japan, make sure to contact us and check out our blog.
