Serena’s Transformative Language Learning Journey in Japan
Driven by a lifelong dream, Serena sought Go! Go! Nihon’s help to study at ALA Academy Arts and experience Japanese culture.
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Serena's Transformative Language Learning Journey in Japan
Serena, an international student, quickly developed practical Japanese speaking skills and had a transformative cultural experience. This was all thanks to ALA Academy of Language Arts’ focus on conversational skills and immersive teaching methods, along with the support of Go! Go! Nihon.
Serena’s Journey with Go! Go! Nihon
Driven by a lifelong dream of experiencing Japanese culture, Serena sought help from Go! Go! Nihon to study at ALA Academy of Language Arts. Go! Go! Nihon’s expertise in helping people study abroad in Japan was important in supporting Serena’s Japanese language learning and cultural immersion.
Serena’s Challenges and Motivation
Serena, like many international students, found it challenging at first to learn Japanese and adjust to life in Japan.
These challenges included:
- Getting past not being able to speak Japanese
- Adapting to a new culture and getting around in Japan
- Finding a school that would help her learn the language and the culture
- Applying and getting into a Japanese language school
- Getting a student visa and finding a place to stay
Serena has always been fascinated by Japanese culture, and that is why she wanted to learn the language. In her words,
I wanted to come to Japan to learn Japanese, of course, but also to experience the culture and see a different country. I've always dreamed of coming to Japan since I was little, so it was kind of like, finally, I made it.
Serena’s Success with Go! Go! Nihon and ALA
Go! Go! Nihon and ALA Academy of Language Arts’ partnership gave Serena a complete solution.
1. Go! Go! Nihon's study abroad support
Go! Go! Nihon was essential in helping Serena throughout her Japan study abroad experience by:
- Helped her choose the right language school (ALA Academy of
- Language Arts) based on what she wanted and needed.
- Helped her apply and enroll in ALA.
- Helped her with her visa applications and paperwork.
- Found her a good place to stay so it was easy for her to adjust to living in Japan.
2. Immersive language acquisition at Academy of Language Arts
ALA’s immersive approach placed Serena in a Japanese-speaking environment from the beginning.
The first time I had class they put me in a level that was a bit more advanced than my actual beginner, so basically it was from the start like full immersion like the teachers speaking just Japanese.
At first, being fully immersed in the language was a lot, but Serena adjusted and started making fast progress, developing practical speaking skills through the school’s focus on conversational Japanese.
I know that ALA focuses on conversation so that's why I decided to choose the school to be able to speak Japanese fluently as fast as possible."
3. Cultural Immersion and Support at ALA
Serena was able to immerse herself in Japanese culture by studying at ALA. The school is located in Kagurazaka, which is a lively area with lots of restaurants and a really pretty atmosphere.
I really like the area, that's close to the school Kagurazaka, which is really nice with a lot of nice little restaurants. It's really picturesque, I would say I actually especially like a cafe that's by the river which is really, really nice.
ALA even helps with part-time job applications. Their staff can help students write their resumes in Japanese.
4. Supportive learning environment at ALA
Serena really thrived in ALA’s positive and supportive learning environment. The teachers were friendly and easy to talk to, and they built strong relationships with their students.
They have some young teachers where we can have a good relationship. For example, in today's class Shimu-sensei, she's really nice and can have a good conversation. If we have a question of course they will answer immediately. The relationship between the teacher and the student is really good. It's one of the best points of this school, of ALA.
Serena’s Success Story
Serena’s experience, helped by Go! Go! Nihon and supported by ALA Academy of Language Arts, yielded significant results:
1. Successful study abroad experience
Go! Go! Nihon’s comprehensive support enabled Serena to successfully navigate the complexities of studying abroad in Japan, from school application to accommodation arrangements.
2. Achieved conversational fluency
Serena was able to communicate easily in Japanese because of ALA’s immersive learning and focus on conversation.
After a certain time I can assure that you will be able to speak to Japanese people to understand them and it will become really interesting and funny.
3. Positive learning experience
Even though it was difficult at first, Serena found that learning at ALA got more fun and rewarding as she went along.
It was somewhat overwhelming at first but the more I went to class and listened and I started to kind of get a grasp of words and stuff. After, I would say, a couple of weeks it was okay.
4. Cultural enrichment and personal growth
Serena’s time in Japan and at ALA was super enriching and gave her tons of chances to grow.
I would say that Japan is really, at least from the perspective of a European person it's really, really interesting culture-wise. I think you're gonna learn a lot just by coming here, just the language I think like a different way of life and you know what kind of learning is more about yourself and what you are able to achieve.
Conclusion
Serena’s experience shows how awesome it is to learn a language by being fully immersed in it and the culture, especially with good support for studying abroad in Japan!
Go! Go! Nihon has 15 years of experience helping people study abroad in Japan. We teamed up with ALA and used their effective teaching and supportive environment to help Serena become fluent in conversational Japanese and experience how rich Japanese culture is.
Serena’s story inspires other international students who want to unlock their Japanese language potential and have a life-changing experience in Japan!
Begin your journey to study in Japan today! Contact Go! Go! Nihon for free support and to learn more.
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