American businessman, Roy Edward Disney once said, "Decision-making is easy when your values are clear."
That's why we often find ourselves making a massive list of pros and cons if we are contemplating before buying something, going somewhere far or even switching careers.
Eventually, we are able to make up our minds when we have valid reasons to support our whys. Most of the time, it is how we envision that decision to benefit us in the long run.
Likewise, this principle is similar when it comes to deciding which language to learn if you are passionate towards languages.
In this article, let's dive deep into the 5 main reasons why you should learn Japanese.
Reason 1: Immerse Completely In The Japanese Culture Without Any Barrier
Most of us probably had our first encounter with the Japanese language (or rather media and culture) during our childhood.
From famous Japanese anime series such as Doraemon, Crayon Shin Chan, and Sailor Moon to more specified manga series like Slam Dunk, One Piece and Naruto, you have probably watched at least one of them, growing up.
It is through those visualisations and dialogues that we first developed our outlook towards the country and the culture behind the language.
You'll be surprised that there are many occasions where the original text and dialogues that appear on the screen are only loosely translated based on the nearest/ simplest English words.
Instead of focusing on the subtitles and catching easy phrases such as Konichiwa and Arigato, isn't it better if we could completely grasp the entire show and plot in its original meaning and nuances?
We are pretty sure that diehard anime fans would be super annoyed if their favourite animes are dubbed instead of subbed because they very much prefer to listen to the original Japanese dialogues.
If you can speak and write Japanese, you don't have to rely on and wait for the entire media to be subbed. (International viewers can definitely relate to this pain!)
Also, you can also read and understand the original Japanese text effortlessly instead of second-guessing the subtitles. That is bound to be a satisfying experience, isn't it?
Not only that, if you have the opportunity to travel to Japan one day, you'll get to communicate easily with the locals and immerse yourself in various activities there too!
From exploring various Japanese cuisines like udon, sukiyaki, and ramen to booking your accommodation, to visiting places like Mount Fuji or even the beautiful Tokyo Disneyland, you will certainly not get lost in translation.
While you are at it, don't forget to check out the most popular cultural exports from Japan.
Photo by Koukichi Takahashi on Unsplash
Reason 2: Secure Attractive Tertiary Education Opportunities Or Scholarships in Japan
Now, let's move on to the second reason.
If you are planning to pursue your tertiary education in Japan one day, you should certainly start learning Japanese.
Some of you may have sat for the Japanese language Ujian Pencapaian Bahasa Antarabangsa (UPBA) paper, but that's not enough.
Whether you are planning to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Japan, it's best to achieve a certain Japanese language proficiency level to have a seamless learning experience.
That's because most of your lessons will be conducted in Japanese and universities in Japan require applicants to have a strong command of the Japanese language.
Therefore, we highly recommend you to sit for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) as a clear measure of your language proficiency in terms of listening skills, reading skills, Japanese grammar as well as Japanese vocabulary.
For those who are aiming for scholarships offered by the Japanese government, here's what you should know.
- Tip 1: Make sure you look up the latest application on the Monbukagakusho: MEXT Scholarships via the official website of the Embassy of Japan
- Tip 2: Read through the list of scholarships available for different programmes such as the Young Leader's Programme (YLP), Teacher Training, Specialised Training College, Undergraduate Studies, Postgraduate Studies (Research), and Pure Japanese Studies.
- Tip 3: Check the duration of the course that you intend to apply and the required Japanese language proficiency level
Not sure where to start? You can start by exploring these Japanese learning resources to enhance your language learning journey.
Reason 3: Plan To Work And Live In Japan In The Future
The third reason that we are about to mention is similar to the previous one.
To secure stable employment in Japan, especially in the medical and health field, you need to demonstrate strong Japanese skills and most employers would require you to achieve a N1 level (highest level) for your Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Some examples include:
- Nurse
- Dentist
- Veterinarian
- Clinical engineer
- Physical therapists and others
Not only that, according to the Immigration Bureau of Japan, having a strong Japanese language proficiency will give you an edge over the rest and earn you extra points for preferential treatment if you plan to immigrate to Japan.
For instance, individuals who score the N2 level will receive 10 points while individuals who score the N1 level in their JLPT will receive 15 points and have a better chance to apply for successful immigration.
When you have decided on this career path, it's best to have a structured learning plan to solidify your Japanese language skill.
It's best to look for an experienced Japanese tutor who is well-versed in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) syllabus and exam format to guide you accordingly.
Discover the places and platforms to learn Japanese and get a language certificate upon completion.
Photo by Takehiro Tomiyama on Unsplash
Reason 4: Interested To Venture Into Japanese Speaking Careers (Based In Malaysia)
Do you know that Japanese is one of the most learned languages in Malaysia due to strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries?
You'll be amazed that Japanese speakers are highly demanded and highly paid across different industries including:
- Security Analyst
- Logistics and Returns
- Engineers
- Event Coordinators
- Compliance Associate
- Human Resources
- Customer Service
- Data Analyst
- Finance and Accounting
- Education
- Translation and many more
In other words, being fluent and competent in Japanese creates many career options and endless opportunities!
In fact, if you are currently looking for an experienced Japanese tutor or already have a Japanese tutor, chances are your tutors already envisioned that they would utilize their Japanese language skills in their future careers one day, be it as a full-time job or side hustle.
At Superprof, you can find a diverse pool of Japanese tutors from different teaching experiences, backgrounds, tutoring methodologies and locations in just a few clicks.
The first step you need to do is to indicate Japanese (as your desired subject) and your current physical location (for home tutoring) in the search box of the Superprof Malaysia homepage.
If you prefer to take online Japanese lessons, you can also select the online option in the same search box.
As you browse through the tutors' profiles, you can narrow down your search by focusing on the most important features such as the tutor's qualification, the tutor's area of specialisation, the tutor's teaching methodology, as well as the tutor's hourly rates.
Important tip: You can see the maximum budget of the hourly rate from the very start (for example, RM50 an hour) and you will only be directed to tutors who offer hourly rates within this price range.
Not only that, you can also read through the past reviews by the tutor's former students to learn more about their teaching style and the effectiveness of their Japanese lessons.
After reviewing the tutor's profile, you can proceed to contact the tutor via the Student Subscription Pass. The Student Subscription Pass is extremely affordable (at only RM25) and it is super versatile!
It enables you to enjoy unlimited access to all the listed tutors at Superprof!
Once you have finalised the arrangements with your Japanese Superprof tutor, you can start preparing for your first Japanese lesson with ease!
Image by Freepik
Reason 5: Make New Friends / Form Strong Bonds With New Family Members
In an increasingly global world, you'll be surprised by the number of international students and colleagues that we get to meet on a regular basis in Malaysia.
You might even have lecturers and fellow coursemates from Japan while you are studying in a public or private university in Malaysia.
On the other hand, if you are working in a Japanese corporation that's based in Malaysia like Toyota Malaysia, Toshiba Electronics and Canon Opto Malaysia, you are bound to have Japanese colleagues and even employers.
When you can speak Japanese, it not only facilitates effective communication but also creates an instant friendly bond with them.
Another thing that we can't underestimate is the number of Japanese expats who are making Malaysia their second home due to a marriage union with a Malaysian.
You might never know if you will be the next to gain a new Japanese family member, whether directly or indirectly!
Instead of depending on Google Translate, isn't it better to take things into your hands to master Japanese from scratch? That way, you can not only score brownie points during the first meeting but also consistently express yourself well throughout the upcoming interactions.
You can also learn more about the history and cultural significance of the Japanese language.
So there you have it. Five legit reasons why Japanese should be your go-to language to master this season. We hope this article will boost your confidence and determination to learn Japanese without any regrets!
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