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 […]
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 […]
Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering the JLPT
～1 month to 1 year long plan with textbook recommendations～ Calling all aspiring Japanese language enthusiasts! The other day, there was another JLPT exam. To everyone who studied hard for this day, how did it go? Did you manage well? Did it feel more challenging than expected? There must be various thoughts and impressions. While the results are still pending, those who are confident of passing are likely excited about leveling up to the next stage. For those who are unsure, don’t worry! The next test is in December, so there are still five months to go! This blog post is intended to provide useful information for those planning to […]
Most effective ways to learn Japanese as an English speaker.
Working on improving your Japanese skills? Learning any new language is difficult and it can feel like stepping into a whole new world. The path to fluency is a challenging journey that requires dedication and passion. Many strategic learning methods make this process much easier and enjoyable, so implement these tips into your routine and see results! Take the time to focus on learning the pillars of Japanese and the basics of the language, making sure to establish a regular routine. Learn the alphabet Imagine someone learning to speak English without knowing the alphabet？OK, let’s become realistic. Learn the Japanese alphabet first for the fast lane. But why does the […]
Nail the JLPT N5: Top Tips to Conquer Your Exam with Practice
みなさん、こんにちは。虎ノ門(とらのもん)ランゲージスクールです。 JLPT日本語能力試験（にほんごのうりょくしけん）が もうすぐですね！ きょうのブログは、 N5レベルのもんだいです。 7月7日に N5をうける みなさんにも、N4～N1を うける みなさんの ふくしゅうにも べんりな れんしゅうです。 さあ、トライしましょう！ もんだい１： （ ）に 何(なに) が入りますか？いちばん いいものを 一つ えらんで ください。 １、なつ休(やす)みに りょこうに（ ）たいです。 １ 行(い)き、２ 行く、３ 行か、４ 行け ２、そのえいがは（ ）見(み)ました。 １ など、２ だけ、３ から、４ もう ３、田中(たなか)さんは どこ（ ）すんでいますか。 １ で、２ を、３ に、４ は ４、駅(えき)の 入(い)り口(ぐち)が どこ（ ）わかりません。 １ で、２ に、３ が、４ か ５、弟(おとうと)は 今(いま)（ ）。 １ ねます、２ ねません、３ ねています、４ ねるでしょう ６、日本(にほん)は ７月から（ ）なります。 １ あつ、２ あつに、３ あつい、４ あつく ７、すみません、このくつ（ ）ください。 １ に、２ を、３ の、４ へ ８、 A「ここで しゃしんを（ ）ください。」 B「あっ、すみませんでした。」 １ とる、２ とらない、３ とらないで、４ とって、 ９、9時(じ)に なりましたが、（ ）しごとが おわりません。 １ まで、２ まだ、３ だけ、４ もう １０、ぎゅうにくは 高(たか)かった（ ）、買(か)いませんでした。 １ くらい、２ しか、３ まで、４ から、 １１、はさみ（ ）つくえの 上(うえ)に あります。 １ の、２ […]
Prime Spots for Authentic Rice Ball Delicacies in Tokyo – Onigiri Delight!
Hi there, rice ball enthusiasts! If you’ve ever savored the delight of a convenience store Onigiri, you know the joy of its convenient, low-calorie, and budget-friendly goodness—packed with Japanese sweet rice, savory nori, and a delicious filling, all for around 100 yen. But hold onto your chopsticks, because Tokyo has a secret stash of Onigiri spots that’ll take your taste buds on a journey. Picture this: unique flavors like “Ikura”, “Tuna Mayo”, “Shake,” and “Umeboshi,” are served up in shops dedicated to perfecting the art of rice ball bliss. In this article, we’re spilling the beans on 5 of Tokyo’s best-kept onigiri secrets. Ready to explore? Join us on a […]