How to Speak Japanese when you don't live in Japan

Although there are over 100,000,000 native Japanese speakers – 98% of them live inside Japan.
This means that if you want to learn to speak Japanese – moving to Japan and spending time there is the best way that you can learn to speak the language.
However, you may be thinking to yourself – there is no way for me to move to Japan, I don’t have the means to do it.
You are in luck –
In this article we will share ways that you can practice speaking Japanese with native speakers without leaving your area.

Use language exchange apps to match with native speakers

In a previous article we have covered how to use language exchange applications to practice speaking Japanese with native speakers. (Such as the one below)

10 Best Apps for Japanese Language Exchange


These Japanese language exchange apps are designed to connect native speakers of English and other languages – with native speakers of Japanese. These apps are fun because they allow you to meet many different types of people.
The downside to these apps is generally its hard to find a consistent practice partner. After all, part of the fun is constantly meeting with and finding new people to speak with!

Join a language exchange to practice Japanese

 
If you live near a city with an overseas Japanese population – you may be able to find a language exchange event in your area that will allow you to converse with a native Japanese speaker.
New York

Language Exchange NYC

New York, NY
19,683 Language Enthusiasts

The largest, original and most friendly Language Exchange community in NYC. We get together for a common positive interest as is sharing and learning from each other’s culture…

Next Meetup

Language Exchange Picnic in Prospect Park!

Sunday, Aug 11, 2019, 4:00 PM
30 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

New York English Japanese 会話

New York, NY
2,192 Members

We meet at a cafe or other public place, and help each other learn English and Japanese! Come and join us! We’ll make sure you get enjoyable but serious language practice. We …

Check out this Meetup Group →

【J-KURU】Enjoy Japanese Conversation!!

New York, NY
3,497 SAMURAI

J-Kuru is a group of Japanese language & culture enthusiasts in NYCそして”異文化交流したい日本人” のためのグループです。-Morning Meetup-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5we0xkpiKGA-Friday Night Me…

Next Meetup

Evening Japanese Conversation!!

Friday, Aug 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
13 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

 
Chicago

Japanese Language Culture Chicago

Chicago, IL
203 Members

Anyone who loves Japanese Language, people, culture.

Check out this Meetup Group →

Chicago Speaks Japanese!

Chicago, IL
145 Japanese Speakers

英語を練習したい日本人の方も喜んで手伝います!If you’re looking to learn or practice speaking Japanese, you’ve come to the right place! (If you’re a native Japanese speaker and would like to practic…

Check out this Meetup Group →

Los Angeles

the LA Japanese Language and Culture Meetup

Los Angeles, CA
3,806 Nihon Enthusiasts

TO JOIN GROUP: Click on the ” Join us!” button in the upper right. Fill out ALL profile questions. Short answers are fine. Please have patience when receiving membership c…

Check out this Meetup Group →

Little Tokyo Kaiwa Club

Los Angeles, CA
1,166 Bilinguals

For English speakers who want to practice their Japanese!!For Japanese speakers who want to practice their English!!

Next Meetup

Little Tokyo Kaiwa Club Please Read: capacity is limited for…

Tuesday, Aug 20, 2019, 6:30 PM
8 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

Between online practice through language applications – and in person practice through real-life language exchange events – there are practical ways to develop friendships with Native Japanese speakers so that you can practice speaking Japanese in everyday life.
If you are interested in our own bento-chat language exchange event – you can learn more about it here:

Monthly Events


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