Xiang Hong, Content and Branding Specialist at BrioHR
In front of Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
"I’m not even sure why I started studying Japanese in the first place. I didn’t have a particular obsession with anime or Japanese culture. Plus, I started quite late in life to be learning a language (in my 30s).
All I know is that I wanted to prove a friend wrong. He thinks you can learn a language via self-study – using apps like Duolingo, reading textbooks, and watching Japanese movies. Of course, I think that is a terrible idea. The only way to learn Japanese is to find a teacher and learn it from a real person.
And so I did. That was four years ago.
It helped that my teacher is very supportive of my progress in learning the language. Arimura-sensei has been guiding me from a complete beginner (zero knowledge of Japanese) to becoming semi-fluent (can hold a halting conversation). I like to think I’m becoming quite good at it, but I’ve never truly tested it.
You see, when a Japanese person hears a non-Japanese person speaking even the most basic phrases, they automatically think you’re a great, talented person for even attempting to speak Japanese. Which is nice and all, but it’s not a true reflection of one’s Japanese ability.
That’s pretty much what happened when I visited Tokyo in 2019. Indeed, pre-Covid Tokyo is Blade Runner mixed with Lost in Translation, with a dash of My Neighbour Totoro in the city’s expansive gardens. Even there, speaking a modicum of Japanese elicits joyous reactions among hardened Tokyo residents. I had a lovely time in Tokyo, but I left doubting if my Japanese was truly good or merely passable. I suspect the latter.
Thus, in July, I took the JLPT N4 examination, which is…somewhat indicative of my level. It’s considered elementary level, with the ability to understand basic Japanese. I won’t know the results for some time yet, but I do hope I pass. This will confirm if I really am making progress in learning Japanese. Aside from confirming my ability, I also want to prove my point to my friend about Duolingo.
(Note that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the standard test to evaluate non-native Japanese speakers.)
But, enough about that. Here’s a short self-introduction in Japanese, and some pretty pictures of Tokyo for all you Japanophiles out there."
皆様こんにちは、私はオンです。私の仕事はBrioHRでコンテンツの書き込んで働きます。今私は日本語4年くらい勉強しています。よろしくおねがいします。
Xiang Hong Ong is currently working at BrioHR as a Content & Branding Specialist. He also enjoys photography and going for long walks.
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- Tradition and modernity, at Zojo-ji temple right below Tokyo Tower
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- I had to have fugu, spoiler: I survived
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- A bamboo forest near Kamakura
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- That’s me!
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- In front of Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
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- The Rainbow Bridge as seen from Odaiba
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- The bright lights of Shinjuku
“I’m not even sure why I started studying Japanese in the first place. I didn’t have a particular obsession with anime or Japanese culture. Plus, I started quite late in life to be learning a language (in my 30s).
All I know is that I wanted to prove a friend wrong. He thinks you can learn a language via self-study – using apps like Duolingo, reading textbooks, and watching Japanese movies. Of course, I think that is a terrible idea. The only way to learn Japanese is to find a teacher and learn it from a real person.
And so I did. That was four years ago.
It helped that my teacher is very supportive of my progress in learning the language. Arimura-sensei has been guiding me from a complete beginner (zero knowledge of Japanese) to becoming semi-fluent (can hold a halting conversation). I like to think I’m becoming quite good at it, but I’ve never truly tested it.
You see, when a Japanese person hears a non-Japanese person speaking even the most basic phrases, they automatically think you’re a great, talented person for even attempting to speak Japanese. Which is nice and all, but it’s not a true reflection of one’s Japanese ability.
That’s pretty much what happened when I visited Tokyo in 2019. Indeed, pre-Covid Tokyo is Blade Runner mixed with Lost in Translation, with a dash of My Neighbour Totoro in the city’s expansive gardens. Even there, speaking a modicum of Japanese elicits joyous reactions among hardened Tokyo residents. I had a lovely time in Tokyo, but I left doubting if my Japanese was truly good or merely passable. I suspect the latter.
Thus, in July, I took the JLPT N4 examination, which is…somewhat indicative of my level. It’s considered elementary level, with the ability to understand basic Japanese. I won’t know the results for some time yet, but I do hope I pass. This will confirm if I really am making progress in learning Japanese. Aside from confirming my ability, I also want to prove my point to my friend about Duolingo.
(Note that the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the standard test to evaluate non-native Japanese speakers.)
But, enough about that. Here’s a short self-introduction in Japanese, and some pretty pictures of Tokyo for all you Japanophiles out there.”
皆様こんにちは、私はオンです。私の仕事はBrioHRでコンテンツの書き込んで働きます。今私は日本語4年くらい勉強しています。よろしくおねがいします。
Xiang Hong Ong is currently working at BrioHR as a Content & Branding Specialist. He also enjoys photography and going for long walks.
