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Reply #1 - 2012 September 05, 6:55 pm
ta12121 Member
From: Canada Registered: 2009-06-02 Posts: 3190

Got any good tips on how I should use this to improve speaking? I'm planning on doing 2-3 exchanges on a weekly basis. I also plan on working at a JPN place soon (so I can literally dive into the deep end and see where it takes me). Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance guys! I owe this forum a lot.

Last edited by ta12121 (2012 September 05, 6:56 pm)

Reply #2 - 2012 September 05, 7:17 pm
rich_f Member
From: north carolina Registered: 2007-07-12 Posts: 1708

It's like meeting random people anywhere. Some you'll click with, some you won't. That's just how life is. If it's not clicking, don't force it.

People like to talk about themselves, so it never hurts to ask them open-ended questions... but nothing too hard right off the bat.

When I Skype with Japanese folks who are in Japan, I try to come armed with interesting bits of info about the US, or where I live in the US-- especially news here that I know isn't being covered in Japan. I find it interesting when the stuff I'm talking about with them shows up on the NHK news about 2 weeks later.

Reply #3 - 2012 September 05, 7:34 pm
ta12121 Member
From: Canada Registered: 2009-06-02 Posts: 3190

rich_f wrote:

It's like meeting random people anywhere. Some you'll click with, some you won't. That's just how life is. If it's not clicking, don't force it.

People like to talk about themselves, so it never hurts to ask them open-ended questions... but nothing too hard right off the bat.

When I Skype with Japanese folks who are in Japan, I try to come armed with interesting bits of info about the US, or where I live in the US-- especially news here that I know isn't being covered in Japan. I find it interesting when the stuff I'm talking about with them shows up on the NHK news about 2 weeks later.

Thanks for the reply back. I guess I should prepare a short speech about myself in Japanese or at least something about myself. I'll probably bring some JPN materials, since that can help the conversation a lot.

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Reply #4 - 2012 September 05, 7:43 pm
RawrPk Member
From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: 2011-12-17 Posts: 148

Though not in Japanese, this website gives you a ton of conversation topics that can be incorporated in any language. The "Getting to Know Each Other" section seems like a good place to start smile


http://iteslj.org/questions/

Reply #5 - 2012 September 05, 7:44 pm
Crispy Member
From: UK Registered: 2012-05-08 Posts: 126

The guy/girl on the other end is a real person just like you so treat them that way. Don't be a selfish dick who only wants better Japanese, try actually making friends with your language exchange partners and your Japanese really will improve. Being friends first will give you better Japanese in the long run.

Last edited by Crispy (2012 September 05, 7:45 pm)

Reply #6 - 2012 September 05, 8:00 pm
ta12121 Member
From: Canada Registered: 2009-06-02 Posts: 3190

RawrPk wrote:

Though not in Japanese, this website gives you a ton of conversation topics that can be incorporated in any language. The "Getting to Know Each Other" section seems like a good place to start smile


http://iteslj.org/questions/

Bookmarked!! Thanks for the link, it's really useful. I bet there is one for Japanese out there.

Reply #7 - 2012 September 06, 2:44 am
dtcamero Member
From: new york Registered: 2010-05-15 Posts: 653

Crispy wrote:

The guy/girl on the other end is a real person just like you so treat them that way. Don't be a selfish dick who only wants better Japanese, try actually making friends with your language exchange partners and your Japanese really will improve. Being friends first will give you better Japanese in the long run.

better yet, find a japanese girl in your area and get her for your girlfriend...she doesn't have to be pretty, or young. if you're really serious there is no better way than that... evil chuckle

Reply #8 - 2012 September 06, 9:45 am
ta12121 Member
From: Canada Registered: 2009-06-02 Posts: 3190

dtcamero wrote:

Crispy wrote:

The guy/girl on the other end is a real person just like you so treat them that way. Don't be a selfish dick who only wants better Japanese, try actually making friends with your language exchange partners and your Japanese really will improve. Being friends first will give you better Japanese in the long run.

better yet, find a japanese girl in your area and get her for your girlfriend...she doesn't have to be pretty, or young. if you're really serious there is no better way than that... evil chuckle

That would just be cold but I see your joking around so....I might just do that haha.

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