Konnichiwa

Hello, My name is Gordon and I am new to Rocket Japanese, my resin for learning Japanese is due to my work. I work for Honda of America and find myself involved with my Japanese counter parts on a daily bassis given the nature of the project that I am working on. My position will require me to work quite closely with the Japanese for at least a year, given this I felt it only courteous to learn what I can of their language in order to make them feel more welcome and at ease. I have always wanted to learn a foreign language but never seemed to do so, this is my attempt to change that lack in my life. I hope that I will be able to learn enough to make some friends, I am assigned to working with one particular gentleman at the moment (his name is Mizuma), the language barrier makes rather difficult and trying to track down a translator takes up time that I could more productively use. Thats it, I apologize for the long winded intro. Gordon.

Hello Gordon, I also am new to Rocket Japanese - I am on my 6th lesson. I happen to be in Tokyo right now and am trying to use what I learn but they speak so fast. I would love to converse with someone who is also at my level - that will make it easier for me to hear and respond. I have found that when I speak what I know (Konnichiwa, O genki desuka?) to a Japanese person, they don't respond as expected (Genki desu - anatawa?) but with something I don't understand, and very quickly. I feel like an idiot but hope that the fact that I am trying counts for something. I am here for a few months and enrolled also in a language class that meets once a week through the Meguro International Friends Association. It is a very difficult class as the text book is in Japanese and the teacher essentially only speaks Japanese. It has it's rewards, however. It is inexpensive (teachers are volunteers) and might be something to look into. Would you be interested in practicing through Skype? Google it, in case you are not familiar with it. We can speak for free through our computers much like a phone. I don't know where you are but I think this is do--able (now I can speak badly in two languages!!!) I will look for your post. Lori

Konnichiwa Gordon-san, Lori-san, Welcome to Rocket Japanese. We are pleased that you've chosed us as part of your journey to learn Japanese. It sounds like both of you have close contact with Japanese people, which is essential for learning any language - especially Japanese. I hope your studies go well, and you will feel more confident each time you get an opportunity to speak Japanese. -Kind regards, Sayaka ;)

Sayaka San i have heard in conversation that, hanashimasu is rarely used, they rather use eigo ga dekimasu, dekiru=can do, it is wrong grammar but it is ok too use. how come they use that instead?

Konnichi wa/Anyoung seyo Everyone! Onamae wa Sean desu! I am using the 6 day trial version of Rocket Japansese/Korean and look to hopefully purchase the full version once this is done. I will be traveling to both Korea and Japan at the end of the year for business. Please wish me luck! :)

Hajime mashite! Boku no namae wa Codoban desukedo, Coddo de ii :). Nihon mo Kankoku mo, sugoi yo ! Ja, Gambatte ne !

So desu ka? Kankoku ni ikimasu ka? Soreto, Kitachousen ni kikimasu ka? Watashi wa, Kitachousen wa yori omoshiroi desu kedo, Kankoku wa yori anzen to omoimasu.

Hello! I'm also living and working in Japan as a middle school teacher. I'd be happy to chat with fellow learners to practice our Japanese. To be honest, I don't get the chance to speak very much English outside of my lessons. :)