How to gain confidence with speaking?!

[Miyu_Aizawa]

皆さん！こんにちは！
私が本当に恥ずかしがりやだから、全然日本語を話して練習しない。ずっとはなしたいけど。。。
Yeah. because I'm really shy I never practice speaking out loud...with people...
How does everyone else get the confidence, 自信, to practice your speaking?

I really love japanese and really wish I wasn't so worried to try speaking.  

[Sakura Latte]

I have the same problem as you. I'm so shy that I can never gather up the confidence to practice my Japanese with native or fluent Japanese speakers. Even I hardly speak to my classmates in my Japanese class. Only time I do communicate with them is when we're doing exercises from our textbook and our 先生 wants us to pair up.  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

Sakura Parfait

I have the same problem as you. I'm so shy that I can never gather up the confidence to practice my Japanese with native or fluent Japanese speakers. Even I hardly speak to my classmates in my Japanese class. Only time I do communicate with them is when we're doing exercises from our textbook and our 先生 wants us to pair up.

I am exactly the same way. I shouldn't be so shy. I am good friends with a few Japanese people and I know several upper level students. One of the upper level students is one of my best friends.... he is not shy about speaking Japanese at all. Maybe I should tell him to make me practice with him lol.  

[Koiyuki]

Miyu_Aizawa

Sakura Parfait

I have the same problem as you. I'm so shy that I can never gather up the confidence to practice my Japanese with native or fluent Japanese speakers. Even I hardly speak to my classmates in my Japanese class. Only time I do communicate with them is when we're doing exercises from our textbook and our 先生 wants us to pair up.

I am exactly the same way. I shouldn't be so shy. I am good friends with a few Japanese people and I know several upper level students. One of the upper level students is one of my best friends.... he is not shy about speaking Japanese at all. Maybe I should tell him to make me practice with him lol.

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.  

[Koiyuki]

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.  

[Koiyuki]

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

Have you considered getting some conversation partners on Skype? It's almost as good as a live conversation, and is the next best thing to finding someone around you that speaks the language for you to work off the rust  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

Have you considered getting some conversation partners on Skype? It's almost as good as a live conversation, and is the next best thing to finding someone around you that speaks the language for you to work off the rust

I'm more shy about talking over skype than in person. Even just in english I'm not comfortable with it.
I actually have japanese conversation partners but I mostly help them with their english.  

[IdiotbyDefault]

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

You will understand (by listening) more words than you can speak, even in your own native language (I worried about my small, simple vocabulary problem as well, but functioned pretty well over there)....and you can convey the same meaning in Japanese with fewer words than in English....namely because if the context is understood, you can leave so much out of explanation.

The best (and certainly not the easiest way) of gaining confidence with Japanese is by just going out with a few Japanese friends and striking up a conversation with what you know (no matter how simple or complex it is). You will likely make mistakes, but they can correct you on it. I do the same for non-native speakers in English when I lose the meaning of what they're trying to say. I ask them to repeat or say it slower. That's something you can also do in situations when you are not quite sure what was said in Japanese.

Most people avoid speaking Japanese to natives because they will be embarrassed that their Japanese will not be good enough. The funny thing is, a Japanese person would feel the same when placed in a situation where they would need to speak English. Many Japanese people I have come across will always compliment my Japanese, even if I know I didn't do a good job. It's a humbling thing and they know you have put so much effort into learning Japanese (and some older Japanese can be surprised when there's so much interest in Japanese from foreigners).

It takes a lot of effort to learn....and much more to be able to speak a foreign language. It is NOT a contest with anyone else (unless you're actually in a Japanese speech contest, then that is different) on your speaking ability. Everyone has to start somewhere at some level and the only way you can get better at speaking...is by speaking to others without care of making mistakes. Those that you do make, the native speakers will correct hopefully. More than likely, you will realize a mistake you've made, but don't let that get you down....if a sentence comes to mind to say that you made a mistake on but later realized again, just focus on correcting it. With that, you'll make less mistakes and hopefully become better at speaking with more gusto.  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

IdiotbyDefault

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

You will understand (by listening) more words than you can speak, even in your own native language (I worried about my small, simple vocabulary problem as well, but functioned pretty well over there)....and you can convey the same meaning in Japanese with fewer words than in English....namely because if the context is understood, you can leave so much out of explanation.

The best (and certainly not the easiest way) of gaining confidence with Japanese is by just going out with a few Japanese friends and striking up a conversation with what you know (no matter how simple or complex it is). You will likely make mistakes, but they can correct you on it. I do the same for non-native speakers in English when I lose the meaning of what they're trying to say. I ask them to repeat or say it slower. That's something you can also do in situations when you are not quite sure what was said in Japanese.

Most people avoid speaking Japanese to natives because they will be embarrassed that their Japanese will not be good enough. The funny thing is, a Japanese person would feel the same when placed in a situation where they would need to speak English. Many Japanese people I have come across will always compliment my Japanese, even if I know I didn't do a good job. It's a humbling thing and they know you have put so much effort into learning Japanese (and some older Japanese can be surprised when there's so much interest in Japanese from foreigners).

It takes a lot of effort to learn....and much more to be able to speak a foreign language. It is NOT a contest with anyone else (unless you're actually in a Japanese speech contest, then that is different) on your speaking ability. Everyone has to start somewhere at some level and the only way you can get better at speaking...is by speaking to others without care of making mistakes. Those that you do make, the native speakers will correct hopefully. More than likely, you will realize a mistake you've made, but don't let that get you down....if a sentence comes to mind to say that you made a mistake on but later realized again, just focus on correcting it. With that, you'll make less mistakes and hopefully become better at speaking with more gusto.

Yeah. all the japanese people i know are worried about their english. My friends often say that their english "is so suck" ... so cute.xD
but yeah. i understand what you mean but my friends have said they have to speak english becauce they are in america. ... I made a deal with my friend Yuta that when I go to japan someday and visit with him anytime i try to speak english i have to pay him 100 yen. When i go to japan i plan to have the same idea, in japan I must speak japanese. Even with people who speak english.  

[Koiyuki]

Miyu_Aizawa

IdiotbyDefault

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Much of that lies in the fear that our skills will fail in when we want to carry on a conversation. Only when we can let go of that fear that our skills truly be allowed to flourish. We will mistakes, and in the grand scheme of things, they will be like throwing a rock into the ocean: though it may be large when we first see it, even it sinks right to bottom, becoming part of the ebb and flow of how the world moves and evolves.

Just remember, no matter how hard things get, it's all just a test, and even if we fail, we can still try again and learn how to have fun with the language, which is the ultimate point of why many pick up a foreign language, isn't it?

Yeah. I understand all that. Of course it's a little hard to get over the initial insecurities.

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

You will understand (by listening) more words than you can speak, even in your own native language (I worried about my small, simple vocabulary problem as well, but functioned pretty well over there)....and you can convey the same meaning in Japanese with fewer words than in English....namely because if the context is understood, you can leave so much out of explanation.

The best (and certainly not the easiest way) of gaining confidence with Japanese is by just going out with a few Japanese friends and striking up a conversation with what you know (no matter how simple or complex it is). You will likely make mistakes, but they can correct you on it. I do the same for non-native speakers in English when I lose the meaning of what they're trying to say. I ask them to repeat or say it slower. That's something you can also do in situations when you are not quite sure what was said in Japanese.

Most people avoid speaking Japanese to natives because they will be embarrassed that their Japanese will not be good enough. The funny thing is, a Japanese person would feel the same when placed in a situation where they would need to speak English. Many Japanese people I have come across will always compliment my Japanese, even if I know I didn't do a good job. It's a humbling thing and they know you have put so much effort into learning Japanese (and some older Japanese can be surprised when there's so much interest in Japanese from foreigners).

It takes a lot of effort to learn....and much more to be able to speak a foreign language. It is NOT a contest with anyone else (unless you're actually in a Japanese speech contest, then that is different) on your speaking ability. Everyone has to start somewhere at some level and the only way you can get better at speaking...is by speaking to others without care of making mistakes. Those that you do make, the native speakers will correct hopefully. More than likely, you will realize a mistake you've made, but don't let that get you down....if a sentence comes to mind to say that you made a mistake on but later realized again, just focus on correcting it. With that, you'll make less mistakes and hopefully become better at speaking with more gusto.

Yeah. all the japanese people i know are worried about their english. My friends often say that their english "is so suck" ... so cute.xD
but yeah. i understand what you mean but my friends have said they have to speak english becauce they are in america. ... I made a deal with my friend Yuta that when I go to japan someday and visit with him anytime i try to speak english i have to pay him 100 yen. When i go to japan i plan to have the same idea, in japan I must speak japanese. Even with people who speak english.

Have you thought about where you want your Japanese to take you?  

[Miyu_Aizawa]

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

IdiotbyDefault

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

You will understand (by listening) more words than you can speak, even in your own native language (I worried about my small, simple vocabulary problem as well, but functioned pretty well over there)....and you can convey the same meaning in Japanese with fewer words than in English....namely because if the context is understood, you can leave so much out of explanation.

The best (and certainly not the easiest way) of gaining confidence with Japanese is by just going out with a few Japanese friends and striking up a conversation with what you know (no matter how simple or complex it is). You will likely make mistakes, but they can correct you on it. I do the same for non-native speakers in English when I lose the meaning of what they're trying to say. I ask them to repeat or say it slower. That's something you can also do in situations when you are not quite sure what was said in Japanese.

Most people avoid speaking Japanese to natives because they will be embarrassed that their Japanese will not be good enough. The funny thing is, a Japanese person would feel the same when placed in a situation where they would need to speak English. Many Japanese people I have come across will always compliment my Japanese, even if I know I didn't do a good job. It's a humbling thing and they know you have put so much effort into learning Japanese (and some older Japanese can be surprised when there's so much interest in Japanese from foreigners).

It takes a lot of effort to learn....and much more to be able to speak a foreign language. It is NOT a contest with anyone else (unless you're actually in a Japanese speech contest, then that is different) on your speaking ability. Everyone has to start somewhere at some level and the only way you can get better at speaking...is by speaking to others without care of making mistakes. Those that you do make, the native speakers will correct hopefully. More than likely, you will realize a mistake you've made, but don't let that get you down....if a sentence comes to mind to say that you made a mistake on but later realized again, just focus on correcting it. With that, you'll make less mistakes and hopefully become better at speaking with more gusto.

Yeah. all the japanese people i know are worried about their english. My friends often say that their english "is so suck" ... so cute.xD
but yeah. i understand what you mean but my friends have said they have to speak english becauce they are in america. ... I made a deal with my friend Yuta that when I go to japan someday and visit with him anytime i try to speak english i have to pay him 100 yen. When i go to japan i plan to have the same idea, in japan I must speak japanese. Even with people who speak english.

Have you thought about where you want your Japanese to take you?

yeah. I would like to live and work in Japan, in the fashion industry. i don't know if Japan will be a permanent place where I want to live though. Like maybe for just a few years. But my career path is fashion design so I want to intern in japan if at all possible and I would like to continue my fashion education in japan, hopefully at Bunka where my Idol graduated from.
That's the basis of my plans. Regardless of how i do in the fashion industry I want to be able to work and live in Japan. Maybe if not as a designer try to join staff at a fashion magazine or something. or work under a designer and hopefully climb the ranks ^_^  

[Koiyuki]

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Miyu_Aizawa

IdiotbyDefault

Miyu_Aizawa

Koiyuki

Mm, I was the same way when I first started using the language in a public forum. When I met a Japanese-speaking woman while on the job a while ago, my skills at recognizing the language were nowhere near as sharp as today, so, in typical tourist fashion I said "I. HELP. YOU." while assisting her with her bags. Quite mortifying, in retrospect, but it's little stumbles like that which build up your confidence and let you take bigger leaps in how you use the language, perhaps using those little stumbles as anecdotes while speaking to your friends

I can recognize japanese pretty easily. my vocabulary is still considerably small in my opinion but I understand a lot. and Even if something I don't understand is being said I can at least tell it's japanese. It would be silly if i couldn't though. haha. And I can usually think in japanese rather quickly. Just nervous about speaking aloud. also my speaking is slower than my thinking, for obvious reasons since I have limited practice.

You will understand (by listening) more words than you can speak, even in your own native language (I worried about my small, simple vocabulary problem as well, but functioned pretty well over there)....and you can convey the same meaning in Japanese with fewer words than in English....namely because if the context is understood, you can leave so much out of explanation.

The best (and certainly not the easiest way) of gaining confidence with Japanese is by just going out with a few Japanese friends and striking up a conversation with what you know (no matter how simple or complex it is). You will likely make mistakes, but they can correct you on it. I do the same for non-native speakers in English when I lose the meaning of what they're trying to say. I ask them to repeat or say it slower. That's something you can also do in situations when you are not quite sure what was said in Japanese.

Most people avoid speaking Japanese to natives because they will be embarrassed that their Japanese will not be good enough. The funny thing is, a Japanese person would feel the same when placed in a situation where they would need to speak English. Many Japanese people I have come across will always compliment my Japanese, even if I know I didn't do a good job. It's a humbling thing and they know you have put so much effort into learning Japanese (and some older Japanese can be surprised when there's so much interest in Japanese from foreigners).

It takes a lot of effort to learn....and much more to be able to speak a foreign language. It is NOT a contest with anyone else (unless you're actually in a Japanese speech contest, then that is different) on your speaking ability. Everyone has to start somewhere at some level and the only way you can get better at speaking...is by speaking to others without care of making mistakes. Those that you do make, the native speakers will correct hopefully. More than likely, you will realize a mistake you've made, but don't let that get you down....if a sentence comes to mind to say that you made a mistake on but later realized again, just focus on correcting it. With that, you'll make less mistakes and hopefully become better at speaking with more gusto.

Yeah. all the japanese people i know are worried about their english. My friends often say that their english "is so suck" ... so cute.xD
but yeah. i understand what you mean but my friends have said they have to speak english becauce they are in america. ... I made a deal with my friend Yuta that when I go to japan someday and visit with him anytime i try to speak english i have to pay him 100 yen. When i go to japan i plan to have the same idea, in japan I must speak japanese. Even with people who speak english.

Have you thought about where you want your Japanese to take you?

yeah. I would like to live and work in Japan, in the fashion industry. i don't know if Japan will be a permanent place where I want to live though. Like maybe for just a few years. But my career path is fashion design so I want to intern in japan if at all possible and I would like to continue my fashion education in japan, hopefully at Bunka where my Idol graduated from.
That's the basis of my plans. Regardless of how i do in the fashion industry I want to be able to work and live in Japan. Maybe if not as a designer try to join staff at a fashion magazine or something. or work under a designer and hopefully climb the ranks ^_^

You may have already heard of her, but one person who has followed and attained success on a similar path is Misha Janette(http://www.mishajanette.com/about.html). I imagine you and her will have many things in common, in terms of life goals