Speaking and writing are the most difficult skills to develop while living in Japan. To improve writing, you need someone to provide feedback on your writing, and to improve speaking, you will need to interact with a fluent speaker of English. Nevertheless, you can develop these skills while in Japan.

NetAcademy

NetAcademy has recordings of short readings on simple health (and science) topics. The tools allow for easy shadowing practice (learn how to shadow in Shadowing section below). Read the passages aloud to work on pronunciation and intonation!

Click the in the Google calendar (left column) to access our recommended study schedule for NetAcademy Medical English course on your phone or PC!

Shadowing

Shadowing is when you listen to a recording of an English speaker and copy their method of delivery. When you have access to a script as well as a recording of a speech (such as in some of our Listening classes) you can practice delivering the speech yourself, by reading the script out loud while listening to the recording on an MP3 or other audio player.

If you record your own speaking, you can also listen to your own mistakes and compare with the original speaker.

English Speaking Society (ESS)

For speaking opportunities, join the ESS, one of TMDU's student clubs.

Native English Speaker Exchanges

If you can make friends with a native speaker of English, then you can interact with them in English. A pen-pal can also provide a good opportunity for practicing writing.

Social networking services (SNS) like Facebook are a great way to keep in contact with foreign friends, especially if these friends do not live in Japan. Why not practice informal writing with SNS!