Student Interview 1 – Meiling
Table of Contents
1. Self-introduction
2. The reason I started learning Japanese
3. The reason I chose Enuncia’s online lessons
4. Lesson content
5. Outcomes
6. Support and environment
7. The challenges of studying Japanese
8. Goal and Comment
9. Similar Articles
10. Comment
Self-introduction
I am a 31-year-old from Taiwan, currently learning Japanese.
I majored in Japanese at university and also studied abroad for a year in Japan. After graduating from university, I worked at a foreign company in Taiwan, but I realized I wanted a job where I could use Japanese, so last year, I changed jobs to a Japanese company in Taiwan.
The reason I started learning Japanese
The reason I started studying Japanese is because I love learning languages.
Since I had been studying English since elementary school, I wanted to learn a new language at university, so I chose Japanese. At first, I thought it would be easy enough because of the kanji, but it turned out to be completely different.
When I studied abroad in Japan, I was still around the N5 level, so at first, I didn’t understand Japanese at all and struggled. However, thanks to the help of my friends at school and the seniors in my dormitory, I think I improved a lot over the year.
The reason I chose Enuncia’s online lessons
The reason I chose online lessons is because they are easy to fit into my schedule. I like that I can take lessons during my lunch break at work. It’s difficult to commute while working, but with online lessons, I can study at a time that suits me.
The reason I chose Enuncia is because they offer excellent job support. Since I wanted to switch to a job where I could use Japanese, I thought it would be great to have a tutor who could help me prepare for interviews. It was my first time taking online lessons, so I was a bit worried at first, but after the trial lesson, I felt reassured because the tutor was very kind.
Lesson content
During the trial lesson, I told the tutor that I wanted a job where I could use Japanese, and they gave me a simple keigo (polite language) test. Since my keigo wasn’t very good and I was worried about interviews, I spent the first month focusing on keigo lessons. After that, we worked together to prepare for the job change.
Preparing for interviews was even harder than studying keigo. I was really nervous about doing interviews in Japanese, but I practiced a lot with my tutor. The tutor not only helped me with interview preparation but also taught me how to write documents and even how to communicate with the recruitment agents. They guided me through everything.
Outcomes
The biggest achievement is that I successfully changed jobs. If I had stayed as I was before starting lessons, I probably would have failed.
Since joining the company, writing emails in Japanese and speaking with my boss in Japanese has been very difficult and nerve-wracking, so I’ve continued taking lessons. Thanks to my hard work and continuous studying, I recently got a raise! I’m really glad I kept at it.
Support and environment
My Sensei is very kind. If I have something I want to ask during work, I can ask her. I’m happy that they help me even on days when I don’t have a lesson. Also, she gives me notes from the lessons. I also get homework, so I think it’s a great support environment.
The challenges of studying Japanese
It’s definitely keigo (polite language). I still get very nervous when speaking Japanese with customers or my boss. Also, there are times when I don’t fully understand the expressions and grammar used in business settings. Whenever I come across something I don’t understand in Japanese at work, I make a note of it and ask about it in my lessons.
Goal and Comment
My current goal is to pass the N1 exam. I believe it will be useful for my future career, so I’m determined to work hard and pass!
