7 ways to make opportunities to speak English in Japan
There are many ways to make opportunities to talk to native speakers while in Japan. I'll introduce 6 ways for each level.
We can't go abroad because of the pandemic, so use these ways to practice your English!
1. Online English Lessons (Beginner)
Online English is a service that allows you to take very cheap and high quality lesson.
English conversation lessons with tutors from all over the world using the internet. Typical ones in Japan are "DMM English" and "Native Camp".
●Lesson fee is very cheap compared to general English schools.
For DMM English, you can take a 25 minute lesson for about 200 yen.
●You can take it at any time and place.
As long as you can use the Internet, you can take lessons at your favorite place such as a cafe or outdoors other than your home.
Since the tutors live all over the world, many online English offer lessons 24/7, so you can take classes at any time you like.
●You can choose your favorite teacher
Even if the tutor doesn’t fit, you can take lessons from different tutors every day until you find a tutor you like.
YouTube channel about online English lesson videos
★中田敦彦の英会話 - NAKATA WORLD
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4o9JBgfkUWyq15Q9Dc762g
★Ryan Suzuki
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-JS7QLK-u70e6vRUZPLjhQ
Reference; Articles comparing online English
【2021年】本当におすすめできる人気のオンライン英会話19社を徹底比較！
https://englishhub.jp/online/best-matome
【2021年】24社体験した私が本当におすすめするオンライン英会話５選https://e-note.jp/online-english-conversation-soot
2. Matching App "Flamingo" (Beginner)
Flamingo is an app that connects teachers and students where you can take language lessons with teachers at cafes in the city.
You can use the smartphone app to select a teacher in English or Chinese, reserve a place such as a cafe, the date and time, and take lessons directly.
Recommended for those who want to find a teacher that suits them rather than attending a specific English school, or who want to meet and talk in person instead of online.
3. Language exchange App "Hello talk" (Intermediate)
HelloTalk is the world's first online community created for language and cultural exchange. You can easily connect with native speakers and study foreign languages through messages and conversations.
After registration, HelloTalk will recommend the right users for your learning needs based on your native language and learning language.
You can communicate smoothly with the best language partners based on your native language, learning language, language level, age, region and more.
What you can do is you can find somebody who is learning Japanese. And you can have a conversation for one hour. 30 min in Japanese so that other person can practice, and another 30 min in English so that other person can teach you.
4. Voice SNS App "Clubhouse" (Intermediate)
There is an open room by English teachers, where participants speak English according to each theme and the facilitator corrects the participants' English pronunciation.
There are rooms for foreigners who want to learn Japanese and rooms for foreigners, so you can go into the room exclusively for listening and listen to native conversations.
It may be embarrassing at first because other participants are listening, but once you get used to it, it's free so you can have a great deal of practical English conversation.
5. App to make a gathering "Meetup"(Intermediate)
It is a service used to organize online groups that host in-person and virtual events for people with similar interests.
You can join an event or group that you are interested in.
6. Video call App "Skype" (Advanced)
You can randomly type names that is common in the country you want to learn and chat in the language of that country. When you get a reply, bingo! You can continue to communicate with them.
7. Hunt travelers (Professional)
Stand in front of at the main city and ask someone "Hi, are you traveling? Would you like to be guide with us? I'll show you around this area. It's free. You can join me!"