Living life in Japan
Our students’ interests are always our first priority Our new blog series “Living life in Japan” is targeted towards people who just recently moved to Japan, or those already living in Japan with the same interests. Today, we are going to tell you how learning Japanese can be easier when you approach in a way proven effective scientifically. Here at Toranomon Language School we believe that learning a language should be an engaging and personal experience. We have an approach that is centered around customizing lessons to align with our students’ interests. When you enroll with us, we take the time to understand your unique interests and goals. Then we […]
Preparing your child for a new school year in Japan
Starting a new school year in a different country can be both scary and exciting, especially for children who are adjusting to a new culture and language. As a parent, there are several helpful ways to ensure your child transitions smoothly into their new school environment in Japan. Understanding the Japanese School System Familiarizing yourself with the Japanese school system is definitely beneficial. In Japan, the school year typically starts in April and ends in March and is divided into three terms. Summer break is in August, winter break is around the New Year and there is a spring break in March. The schools are divided into elementary, junior high […]
Develop a growth mindset to master a new language
A growth mindset is the belief people have that abilities as well as intelligence can be formed through dedication and hard work. It is staying resilient even in difficult times and continuing to push forward. Want to learn how to cultivate a growth mind for your professional and personal? Here is how! Learn to embrace challenges Challenges are growth opportunities in disguise. Rather than avoiding conflicts, allow yourself to tackle themselves head on. You will learn that each challenge you face will help you develop new skills. Nothing can improve if you stay in your comfort zone. When you approach challenging tasks, take it one step at a time. Trying […]
Join us on today’s “Walk and Learn” at the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery!
Toranomon Language School’s “Walk and Learn” continued today (July 12th) at the TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery! We took five of our students on an interactive field trip today at this 8-story office and TV studio here in Tokyo. Tepia showcases technologies aimed at solving problems in each theme, as well as technologies that aim for the coexistence of humans and nature. They provide hands on activities and experiences to help students get involved in science and technology. It provides a perfect environment to explore new elements of learning Japanese! To get to our destination, we took the train! This allows kids to navigate the city and teaches them about real-world experiences. They walked […]
Best cafes to work remotely
For many people, working remote means working from home, but this does not have to be the case. Let us give you a brief description of best cafes in Tokyo to work in for a nice, new change of scenery. Coffee Valley, Ikebukuro This two-story coffee shop is a great place to set your laptop down and dive into your work. With its minimalist atmosphere, this cozy shop it located about five minutes from Ikebukuro station. Weekdays seem to be fairly slow while the weekends get much more packed. Caffice, Shinjuku Caffice is a great spot in Tokyo, centrally located in Shinjuku which makes it an easy spot to stop […]
How to remain connected to home as an expat
As an expat, you may feel perfectly content in your new home, but it is normal to miss certain aspects of where you are originally from. There are ways to bridge that gap and stay connected to the customs or people you may be missing! Eat foods from home There will be times where you may miss the flavors you grew up with whether it is something spicy or sweet. No matter where you are, most types of cuisine can be found in all parts of the world, so try and track down a restaurant that you feel will bring you comfort. If you are on a budget or cannot […]
Communication in Japanese Business Culture
Effective use of communication is the key to success, but cross-cultural communication can either help or hurt your business productivity. When engaging with international companies, specifically Japan where lots of emphasis is placed on work culture, it can be intimidating. Let us share with you some insights for verbal and nonverbal communication inJapanese business culture and how to effectively communicate with Japanese companies. When it comes to business, Japanese people want to do it with someone they know they can trust. Relationships are often built through informal gatherings involving a large amount of eating and drinking Punctuality First and foremost, do not be late. There are no excuses for tardiness […]
How to prepare for an earthquake in Japan
Living in or visiting Japan means you are in an area that is prone to earthquakes and most likely you know the best ways to stay prepared. As a tourist, you may be less aware of how to stay safe in these situations. Let us walk you through some ways to ensure your safety. Before an earthquake Make sure you are always aware of evacuation routes of the places you or your loved ones spend the most time. This could be your home, office building, or even your child’s school. Check with your local community, school or office manager. Making sure you are aware of the best way to escape […]
Tips and Tricks for your first time in Japan
Here in Japan, proper manners and consideration are very important characteristics. To ensure an enjoyable trip, make sure to understand these unwritten rules and follow the correct behaviors. Street and Public Transportation In Japanese culture, it is often considered rude to eat or drink while walking down the street. To respect the customs, try to refrain from eating publicly. Eating while walking can be seen as bad mannered so, if possible, find a place to sit down or step away from pedestrian traffic to enjoy your meal or snack! Be mindful of your surroundings! If you are traveling with lots of luggage, ensure that your bags are not blocking the […]
JLPT合格(ごうかく)への道(みち)：N5攻略(こうりゃく)ガイド
N5合格(ごうかく)は、夢(ゆめ)への扉(とびら)を開(ひら)く鍵(かぎ)！ みなさんは、どうして日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)していますか？ 日本語で仕事(しごと)がしたいですか？ 日本の文化(ぶんか)や歴史(れきし)に興味(きょうみ)があって、日本人と日本語で交流(こうりゅう)したいですか？ 翻訳機能（ほんやくきのう）を使(つか)わないで日本語だけで、自分(じぶん)の言葉(ことば)で会話(かいわ)がしたいですか？ N5に合格(ごうかく)して、みなさんの夢(ゆめ)を叶(かな)えましょう。 さあ、日本語の世界(せかい)へ飛(と)び込(こ)みましょう！ “https://nanisuru-p.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sky.jpeg” N5合格(ごうかく)してから、できること 友達(ともだち)と日本語でメールをやりとりしたり、SNSで日本語の投稿(とうこう)を読(よ)んだりできます。 日本の友達(ともだち)やご近所(きんじょ)さんと日本語で話(はな)して、同(おな)じトピックを共有(きょうゆう)できたり、仕事(しごと)や学校(がっこう)のことなどを話(はな)したりできます。 日本で旅行(りょこう)に行(い)った時(とき)に、お店(みせ)の人(ひと)や観光客(かんこうきゃく)と日本語で簡単(かんたん)な会話(かいわ)ができます。 上(うえ)のレベルN4合格(ごうかく)を目指(めざ)すことができます。 N5合格(ごうかく)の準備(じゅんび)をしましょう。 Step1 : 目標(もくひょう)とモチベーション 何(なに)か、特定(とくてい)の仕事(しごと)がしたいですか？ 日本へ旅行(りょこう)に行(い)きたいですか？ 趣味(しゅみ)を日本語で楽(たの)しみたいですか？ 目標(もくひょう)を決(き)めて、楽(たの)しんで勉強(べんきょう)しましょう。 Step2 : N5試験(しけん)の内容(ないよう)を確認(かくにん)します N5は、語彙(ごい)、文法(ぶんぽう)、リーディング、リスニングの４つのスキルで評価(ひょうか)します。 語彙(ごい)〈20分〉 リーディング〈40分〉 リスニング〈30分〉 JLPTのウェブサイト Step3 : 日本語の文法(ぶんぽう)の基礎(きそ)をマスター 文法(ぶんぽう)をしっかりと理解(りかい)して、文法(ぶんぽう)の基礎(きそ)をマスターします。 基本的(きほんてき)な文法(ぶんぽう)と文型(ぶんけい) 動詞(どうし)の活用(かつよう) 助詞(じょし)の使(つか)い方(かた) こちらは、JLPTの文法(ぶんぽう)のサイトです。とてもシンプルで、わかりやすいです。 JLPT 文法一覧 │ Langoal 日常的(にちじょうてき)な会話(かいわ)で使(つか)う語彙(ごい)を増(ふ)やすことも大切(たいせつ)です。 挨拶(あいさつ) 数字(すうじ)、曜日(ようび) 方向(ほうこう)、位置(いち) 食(た)べ物(もの)、飲(の)み物(もの) リーディングとリスニング力は、日本語の文章(ぶんしょう)や音声(おんせい)を、毎日(まいにち)読(よ)んだり聞(き)いたりしましょう。 Step4 : スキルを磨(みが)く リスニング : 音楽(おんがく)、ポッドキャスト、テレビ番組(ばんぐみ)などを活用(かつよう)して、日本語の音声(おんせい)をたくさん聞(き)く。 リーディング：JLPTN5のリーディングの練習(れんしゅう)のサイトを探(さが)して、たくさん読(よ)む。 こちらは、とても便利(べんり)な日本語のリスニング・リーディングのサイトです。 JLPT N5 Reading Exercise 日本語の読みもの・読解練習 | 日本語の例文 (j-nihongo.com) https://youtu.be/gab87yuB0mA “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gab87yuB0mA” Step5 : 語学学校(ごがくがっこう)を活用(かつよう)する 文法(ぶんぽう)の使(つか)い方(かた)がわからない時(とき)、難(むずか)しい時(とき)、プロの日本語の先生(せんせい)に聞(き)くことができます。語学学校(ごがくがっこう)に通(かよ)いながら、自分(じぶん)で家(いえ)でも勉強(べんきょう)しましょう。 Fastest Online JLPT N1 – N5 Course Step6 : 日本の生活(せいかつ)を楽(たの)しむ 言語学習(ごがくがくしゅう)には、アウトプットがとても大切(たいせつ)です。日本文化(にほんぶんか)に触(ふ)れて、楽(たの)しみながら学習(がくしゅう)しましょう。 毎日(まいにち)短(みじか)い日記(にっき)を書(か)く 友達(ともだち)と１０分くらい日本語で話(はな)す カラオケで日本語の歌(うた)を歌(うた)う 簡単(かんたん)なマンガを読(よ)む アニメを日本語で見(み)る Half Day Crash Course […]