There are a lot of Japanese language schools in Tokyo to choose from, but in this series, the Coto School Finder team talks with one of our students, Martin, who decided to study at Toyo Language School after connecting with our team.
Coming from China, Martin had visited Japan a few times as a tourist, but never before as a student.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a language student living in Tokyo and using Coto School Finder’s service? Martin took the time to answer a few of our questions about his experience.
Can you give us a quick self-introduction? Why did you decide to come to Japan?
My name is Martin. I’m from China, and I’ve been at Toyo Language School for about three months now.
Have you been to Japan before?
Yes, quite a few times as a tourist. I’ve done some really amazing stuff, like going around Kyushu and Osaka.
What made you want to study Japanese in Japan?
I’ve been learning Japanese for three years. I’m very interested in Japanese culture, but what strikes me most is the language itself. It’s a combination of different writing systems. I thought, what a waste, when I have the advantage of being able to learn such an incredible language that most people in other countries wouldn’t have the chance to.
How did you start learning? Self-study, or through a language school?
It started off as self-study. I began with Duolingo, actually. This was during the pandemic. Honestly, I don’t know exactly what I was doing at the time, but it got me here. The further you go, though, the more ceilings you tend to hit, so I switched to other tools: a lot of Anki, and a lot of listening to news programs. That helps a lot more than people think. I started off not understanding a single thing the anchor was saying, but it intrigued me. wanting to know what was happening, what was being reported. That curiosity drove me to keep listening more. Almost daily, bit by bit, my listening skills built up.
How did you find out about Coto School Finder, and what was your experience like?
First off, very efficient. I came to Japan as a tourist, like usual, and the decision to move here happened almost instantly. It was a bit risky for me too, because at the time most language schools were full. There was no space left anywhere. Fortunately, I was able to contact Coto School Finder, and I just asked the correspondent, “Do you think you could get me into a Japanese school? My situation is this and that.” Within just a couple of days, we were signing the agreement.
Did you already have Toyo Language School in mind, or did Coto School Finder introduce you to it?
There were a few options offered to me. I chose Toyo because of its historic value. The school has been around for many decades, and I trust that guarantees the quality.
You’ve been at Toyo for a few months now. Have you seen improvement in your Japanese?
Absolutely. The curriculum offers a ton of support. There’s the chat bar on Teams, and an incredible library of past exam questions you can access anytime. In class, they teach all these useful grammar points, and the textbooks they’ve made are very intuitive and easy to understand.
What advice do you have for people who want to study Japanese in Japan?
Keep studying Japanese even before you get here. Start absorbing as much about the place as you can, as preparation. Listening to the news is hugely beneficial. And if news isn’t your thing, try podcasts or learning Japanese with anime. If you’re not into anime, I’d suggest Fullmetal Alchemist as a good gateway. Find things you can pick up that connect with the local culture, something you can relate to and talk about with people here.
Would you recommend Coto School Finder to others who want to study Japanese here?
Yes, definitely. It’s very convenient, and they’re super helpful. Go check it out. seriously.
This interview has been edited for brevity.
Want to be like Martin and move to Japan to study Japanese? Contact Coto School Finder
Coto School Finder’s mission is simple: to let more students come to Japan to study the language easily, and reach their ultimate goal, whatever that is! We partner with more than 15 language schools and offer student visa guidance, helping with paperwork, advice, and support — all for free.
Ready to make the move? We have intakes open in April, January, July, and October! Contact the friendly, multilingual team at Coto School Finder and find the perfect match!
Read more testimonials from students who came to Japan with the help of Coto School Finder!
From Part-Time to Full-Time Student | Interview with Mark (USA)
Life as a Language Student in Tokyo | Interview with Elizabeth (USA)
Story of A Transfer Student | Interview with Magali (Switzerland)
