Mina-san, konnichiwa! Here's the thing. I've just done my A levels (the ones you do when you're 18 years old) and have the difficult task of choosing what to do at university (degree level). So my question is this: Is learning Japanese at degree level in an english speaking country the best way to learn? I've never taken a language as a subject in school before, but if my welsh and french lessons were typical, then it doesn't work. Has anyone here done Japanese in school? I want to speak Japanese and eventually go there to live, I don't care about a piece of paper that says I can speak it, so would a tutor be better? Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Konnichiwa Raedwolf! I'm glad to hear you want to master Japanese! Learning a language is best when you're in that country, surrounded by it every minute of the day. However, the next best option is to get a tutor. Having said that, I know many people who have Japanese degrees from University and speak FLUENTLY without having gone to Japan! I believe that if you're passionate, Japanese will go into your head no matter what way you learn it!! :D