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

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

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...

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!

I'm 40 and just registered to attend ISI next year. I don't know, moving to Japan is just a dream that I'm tired of pushing off. Time to make this happen while I still feel young at heart. Glad to see other non traditional students making similar moves

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!

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!

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

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

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.

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

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 :)

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

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.

Adult can learn new language much faster than children as long they are healthy

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!

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.

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!

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.

So inspiring Josh! Subbed.

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!

thanks for sharing your journey with us!

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! :)

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.

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

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

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💫

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Goodluck Brother!

Rooting for you, Josh! これからも頑張って!

Great video! ^^

Nice video! Subscribed. Best wishes from the UK.

Good Luck on jour journey🎉

love your positive additude :D Keep going you got this

応援します。頑張ってください😊

I went to Japanese language school when I was 26… it was still hard because Japanese is hard..

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

応援しています！ 頑張って下さい。Your bag is cool.

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

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

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.

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 😂

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

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

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!

Interesting move. What made you decide now? I've been studying off-and-on for a long time (study abroad, etc.) and I just turned 40, but my speaking is still awful. I've been contemplating going back for classes, but ultimately my goal is to find a job there.

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.

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

great video! what camera are you using?

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

May I ask which camera you use? Thank you.

hi, can you share with me the APP that you use to plan your day ? pls

I am in mid 30's and am applying for a language school in Tokyo for this October semester. What would you recommend for preparing for a new life in Tokyo?

Hey, I'm a 19 year old and I've been trying to figure out how to learn Japanese from the beginning. I have heard Japanese for years through various platforms and am used to the language itself but I have no clue on topics such as grammar, vocabulary etc. . Would you have any advice on this?

Hey Josh it's a great video, i loved to watch , You got a new subscriber ❣️ btw your voice is so calming and relaxing i also wanted to go to Japan but I'm 18 for now 😁 hope to go in future Btw I'll also have to learn English speaking skills :P

This video is great！30s is still fine many people in my language class are over 30s 40si think its awesome

I'm 32 and am planning to study Japanese if I decide to work in Japan. Is it too late for me now? My goal is to reach N2 at least. How many years will this take me on average?

Hi, Josh! I found your channel today. We are doing the same school! ❤ Do you study in the morning? I'm from afternoon. Nice video editing! 🎉 頑張ろうね！

Hi do you need to work part time or how is your situation with your income while you study? I ask because I' also interested in becoming a student in japan as well.

Hey, never stop growing! 天の下に我に並ぶ者なし

oh ISI... the have now one school also in harajuku! thats cool better than takadanobaba for sure

almost 40 and i enrolled to Kumon Japanese. 😅

Is that notes app Bear?

bro thats my dream! to go to japan and learn the language! but i cant because of my job. what do you do for living?'

reemmemeber me when u get 1 million subs!!

I will be devil's advocate here. I would caution those who think that going to Japan as a "dream". You'd be working hard to gain a bare minimum of operational communication skills, enough to work and live. That is finally the start line, not the finish line. The remainder of communication is social, nonverbal, and embedded in culture. Getting past the language element is only part of it, and if you have to work to live, then you'll be in competition not only with your skills, but your skills will have to close that communication and cultural fluency gap. And then you will have to be seen as valuable to the society. It's not realistic for most people. Further, in that context, imagine what it takes to build meaningful professional and personal relationships, where you might have difficulty understanding or being understood way beyond just language, but in the core of everything you ever thought or did a certain way that was different than the "Japanese" way. It's probably the same for any immigrant. But especially cultures as different as Japan and others.

Do you speak another language apart from Japanese?

most japanese are not appreciative of grown up dudes in shorts

I am thirty also. Why you chosen Japan over other countries?

You’re wasting your time and money. What you need is LingQ and to just immerse yourself in everything Japanese 24/7. No more English