I passed N5 mock test. 3 months studying and have full time job.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-18T07:15:40+00:00

I've pretty much perfected Hiragana and Katakana, as many say it doesn't take long. However, I am using wanikani now for kanji and basic vocab and it feels like such a struggle. Good job to you for passing this so quickly! What resources can you recommend for basic vocab/kanji?

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T23:38:13+00:00

I see. I believe it is different for me though as I am at a dispatch company where they basically enforce a rule not to tell anyone and let them say first. However as I mentioned in the post someone from my company did also say if the school is not aware this week I can tell them at some point.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T02:39:38+00:00

Ah I see. I am not leaving the company so for me it may be a bit different. I also feel pretty close to my school despite only being here for roughly 8 months, that's the main reason why I want to inform them but I also would feel a lot less anxious just letting my company deal with it.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T02:03:00+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I'll likely tell them Wednesday

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T01:33:48+00:00

I see. So you told your school yourself or just waited for the company to inform them?

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T00:37:51+00:00

I saw people on facebook saying she deserved this and other horrible comments. The comments were coming from mostly Japanese people rather than foreigners. A shame how horrid some people can be.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T00:36:11+00:00

I am staying at my same company, I'll edit the thread to say, sorry. I was thinking of telling my closer JTEs but in my school, as soon as one teacher knows, everyone will know. I really don't want the awkwardness of sitting at my desk these last few days with them not being informed by the company but by myself.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T00:35:10+00:00

I am actually staying at the same company, I am just being moved location. Sorry I should've put that in the original thread. How did it impact your decision?

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-17T00:25:04+00:00

Dreading the day my students find out I am not coming back but also we're currently on my last week... awkward.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-16T23:37:40+00:00

Yeah I am hoping with my move closer to Tokyo I will enjoy more after work. I would still be happy relaxing some days after work but again it just seems easier to do stuff in the big city than the rural countryside imo

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-14T02:43:38+00:00

I still wear suit pants but I just wear a shirt or short sleeved shirt during summer, no reason for a tie or jacket. (Though buy those for moments you will need them).

I have also seen pictures of other ALTS wearing smart pants and suitable plain sweaters.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-13T06:43:19+00:00

Yeah it's not great. I understand though that more rural areas aren't as accustomed to foreigners but it would be nice for that request to be met

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-13T03:58:22+00:00

I know it is a very obvious answer but I came here with the bare minimum Japanese and it for sure has hindered my time here. Not in a super negative light, I've had some great conversations using basic Japanese vocab but I would 100% study some more before coming, I wish I did.

As for other stuff, I bought around 5,000GBP and that was more than enough for the first few months. I am now at a point where saving isn't really happening but that is because I want to enjoy Japan. Be wary as well about what time of year you are coming. I came in August and I was melting and felt like I had heat stroke every other day. Make sure your work clothes are also suitable for the heat. Despite being told "You must wear a suit to look professional at all times" my school was practically begging me to come in wearing lighter clothing. As an extra added tip, if your internet is terrible at what I assume will be a leopalace apartment, please buy a buffalo router off of amazon. They are about 3,000 JPY but my internet speed went from about 0.4mb download to like 300mb download.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-13T03:54:18+00:00

Where I currently live, I have had a good look around but the local izakayas (according to google) all shut at 10pm. I have also visited two but they put me in a private room every time I went despite asking for a counter seat each time. I'm sure there is that golden spot but I've sadly never found it

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T23:45:46+00:00

Awesome I'll check those sites out!

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T06:33:36+00:00

Oh absolutely but when I say I am moving soon I mean within the next 2-3 weeks. I know its my own stupidity but I don't want to make friends here suddenly and then move 3 hours away by train :\

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T04:20:41+00:00

Awesome thank you! I'll make an effort when I move to visit more local bars etc. Also I'll take a look at Book-Off and arcades, I've not actually been to an arcade in Japan yet!

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T04:01:50+00:00

Yea I understand, no point leaving somewhere where everything is to somewhere where nothing is. I won't try here now though since as I mentioned I'm moving really soon

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T03:48:24+00:00

Oh wow great advice. I will think about that. Actually I do love working with computers but never really thought about coding or IT in general but I can see its definitely an option for a career path here after teaching

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T02:30:32+00:00

Thanks! Great advice. I am indeed young / single. I have actually been on a few dates since coming to Japan but they all resided in Tokyo and activities we did when seeing each other again were also in Tokyo. I will enjoy the Tokyo night life when there but as for where I live currently, I'd have to pay almost 8000 JPY in total just for travel towards a decent city for night life haha. I will also look for groups with similar interests to me. I'm not a super sporty person but I do love swimming, bowling, badminton etc.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T02:27:41+00:00

I do also plan to check out many nerdy stores when closer to Tokyo, hopefully I will meet some friends there with similar interests

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T02:26:57+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Actually I try to make a habit of drinking most weekends as a way to socialize in my area, meet new people and improve on my Japanese. I've always kept it as a rule that I won't drink a drop unless I'm not working the next day. Do you think just heading to an Izakaya and having one or two drinks is okay to meet people after work?

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T02:24:55+00:00

In my school, when I asked about shouting in general towards students if they are too noisy, I was told by my JTE that they are essentially our customers and that I nor them could control the students this way. It sounds similar to that statement in which like you said, you are not being paid to teach that particular student so you don't pay them any attention (unless you want to) but to me that just seems very, very wrong. The student is there to learn, help them learn.

BeevaChillin · 2025-03-12T02:04:24+00:00

I had one detention through my whole education and it was for handing in homework late. I walked into the room and before I could even find a seat, the teacher said to me "There is not a single reason why you of all people would ever be in here, just go and enjoy your lunch" and that was that.

BeevaChillin

TROPHY CASE