What about French language?

[Lotorie]

Hi everyone!
I was reading topics here and wondering:
is only English important?
Let me explain: I'm French, actually studying Japanese language, history and litterature at university.
I wanted to go to Japan as a teacher when I finished my master, so in 2 years.
But, all I can see is searching for English teachers?
Are others languages not wanted?
Speaking English is very important, of course.
But, what about French, Spanish, Italian, Deutch?

[Glenski]

English is the most prevalent foreign language taught in Japan, mostly because it is a requirement on the college entrance exams. High schools and universities have a few French classes here and there, and places like Berlitz offer courses, too. I wouldn't count on it as a full-time job, but you might get lucky.

People study languages other than English mostly for the sake of travel. Europe is a popular destination, but Japanese often use tour packages, so they don't even need to use the foreign language in many cases.

[gaijinalways]

Try looking for L'Athenee de'France in Tokyo. There used to be another major French school, but it closed recently. You could also try Lycée Franco-Japonais de Tokyo and Ecole Francise de Saint Maur ・in Yokohama.
.

[Lotorie]

Thank you very much, I will look at them.

Of course, I understand the necessarity of English.
But, knowing other languages is important too (for me though ^^)

[Glenski]

Yes, knowing other language is important, but you said it yourself. "For you". Japan doesn't really take its English language education as seriously as it needs to, yet it is the most common foreign language here. Roll with the punches.

[uchimizu]

Hi,

it sometimes hurts me, as a Frenchman, to admit it, but English is clearly far more useful than other foreign languages, be it for travel or work. This is especially true in Japan, a country that is relatively more influenced by the US than by Europe. So people choose English as an obvious first choice for a foreign language.

That being said, I often meet foreigners who speak decent French (many south-americans, german, italian, israeli, east-europeans), but I met very few Japanese people able to speak decent French.

I believe though there should be some kind of market for a French teacher though, as France is seen by Japanese people as a quite refined country, and many japanese people (especially ladies) are pretty found of France.

Yes, knowing other language is important, but you said it yourself. "For you". Japan doesn't really take its English language education as seriously as it needs to, yet it is the most common foreign language here. Roll with the punches.

[Lotorie]

Well, first, I have to finish my studies of Japanese language and take the JLPT.
Aftet that, I have 2 years of specialization in teaching French.
Then, I plan on going for a few months, to see, how life is in Japan.

What do you think of it?

Kind of reasonnable?

[Glenski]

Sounds like a good enough plan.

To "see how life is in Japan", well, it's not easy to do as a tourist, but do your best. I also suggest asking around, like at www.eslcafe.com/discussion .