Finding a conversation partner
Submitted by NPPuntmdsprt on Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:14
Has anyone had any luck finding a conversation partner? Everything I've tried online I either get people who could care less that you're learning Japanese or they translate everything for you.
I'm actually beginning to hate talking to native Japanese because of these two reasons, and would prefer talking to someone who's learning Japanese themselves. Is it just me or does everyone attract these selfish people?
Personally I'd prefer someone who can slow down and allow me to read and understand, and NOT translate. I'd prefer no English at all, and force me to look words up I don't know.
What should I put in my profile that would stress this fact that their help is not needed and a normal conversation would be nice?
Thanks all!
.
I'd try approaching them youself
Unfortunately, most of the outgoing people who will read your profile and approach you are the rather forward type you describe. I would consider searching the sites yourself and sending messages to people whose profile is written entirely in Japanese, or clearly machine translated. I would also use a Japanese site rather than a generic one like WorldFriends. Even if your Japanese isn't very good, if you make the effort to find people, I've found that generally they will at least return your e-mail.
Best of luck,
Kaeru
Thanks for your reply. Since
Thanks for your reply. Since I've made this post initially, I have found a site called "sharedtalk." It's a good idea, but unfortunately you get a lot of people bothering you to teach them English, and they can give nothing in return.
The typing interface is so bad that most people just type in romaji. I've never learned it to begin with so I tend to ignore those who use it.
I'll keep trying though.
Thanks.
If you can read Japanese
If you can read Japanese decently, another idea is to visit Japanese blogs and forums and start making comments there.
Regards,
Kaeru