Language Exchange

I have decided to brush up my Japanese before I go to do my research in Japan in April. About a week ago, I placed an advertisement in a forum looking for Japanese living in Sydney to do language exchange with me. Four people replied. Today I met up with one of them – Eriko, a 29 years old female student who is currently studying English in college for four months.

 

Now this Eriko lady is dead serious when it comes to doing language exchange . Intially, the picture I had in mind was two persons chatting over a cup of coffee  in Gloria Jeans or Starbucks. You know, like friends casually having social conversations while improving the language skills at the same time. When I met Eriko this afternoon, I asked her where would she like to go. She seemed to have a complete different picture in her mind  and took me to the food court in The Galleries Victoria. We bought our cup of juices and found a table at the corner to sit down. I asked her how she would like to do this and she took out her stopwatch . She suggested we talk in Japanese for an hour and then I help her with English pronounciation for another hour. The idea sounds fair but I thought it was funny how she was constantly looking at the watch to see the time. That is, it’s strictly business! And the food court was just so loud and noisy. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say I was under pressure talking to her .

 

And the other thing is, I wouldn’t say Eriko is boring person to talk to, but she kept on asking the same question over and over again without realising it.

 

"So how long have you been learning Japanese?"

"I learnt Japanese in high school for five years. But I haven’t spoken Japanese for a long time."

"So can you speak other languages other than Japanese?"
"Yes, I can speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin."

"Well, where did you learn Japanese?"

"Oh… I said high school…"

 

Oh well, Eriko wants to do more conversation tomorrow. Lets just hope she choose a better place and better topics to talk about.