Began learning Japanese at 21, but I have never been able to go to Japan. I'm 31 now, and working on getting my career first and then going to Japanese language school at 35. I only want to experience Japan for 2 years while I'm at language school but feel sad due to my age. Would 35 be too old to experience Japan and study at a language school?
by WarmCheesecake83
30 comments
Nah it’s fine. They just want your money, they’re not going to reject you based on age. Plenty of people your age at language schools.
While in language school, I met people who were in the process of an entire life change at 40… it’s not uncommon. Just be aware that the majority of students are gonna be a bit younger than you. Many of them are studying to get into Japanese university, and each language school groups their students differently so there is a chance you may or may not be mixed with them.
But it’s always good to have a back up plan if things don’t work out. Don’t stake everything (especially money) on Japan and you’ll be fine.
We are continuously learning through life so there is nothing too late to learn. Go for it
Given I’ll be 40 by the time I go to my language school, no you’re not too old.
I’ve been learning languages in school since I could walk; I’m retired now and am still taking language classes…
Language schools generally don’t have age limits. Unless you were an elderly person unable to walk independently and in need of constant care, there’s no reason you would be rejected just because of your age. You’re still 35, after all.
Of course, your classmates will almost certainly be younger than you, but the kind of relationship you build with them is entirely up to you. Whether you become a dependable, insightful older presence, or end up being seen as an annoying middle-aged person everyone tries to avoid; that all depends on your own personality and attitude.
In terms of school, no. In terms of socializing, also no. Japan is one of the few countries I’ve been to where it’s totally normal and even super common to see young/old mix. Especially for night life such as listening bars, clubs, etc., very often saw people who appeared even 40-50.
had classmate 58 years old, nobody is too late
I went at 38, no issue.
My recommendation is to use a service like gogonihon.
I went to language school around that age…best decision of my life. Especially after working a few years it is great to go to school again and learn something. Feels so much more meaningful than selling your time for a salary.
I am moving to Japan next year at the age of 35 with N1. I will be studying an MBA at night and attending a Japanese language school in the morning.
If you believe you can improve your life with new experiences and advance your career, why wouldn’t you do it? just because of what other people might say?
Life is too short to have regrets, man.
You can do it.
When I was teaching at an English conversation school in Japan, pretty much every single one of my students was over 35. If I didn’t think that they could learn and improve at that age, it would have felt like a waste of time.
Now, at significantly older than 35, I’m still able to learn and improve my Japanese on a daily basis. I mean, yeah, if I went to language school now, I wouldn’t be going out clubbing with the other students in my class, but that’s not really a big part of the process.
Just go. Learn there. What are you waiting for?
Went to language school in Japan at age 41. Best decision of my life.
Absolutely not. I’m 39 years old, and I’m in Japan studying Japanese at the moment. I’d tell you to go for it. No one cares about your age, there is plenty of students in their 30s, some well above 40 as well.
I learned a good amount of Japanese recently took a class im or was 33 now 34
i’m going at 33 in april! why not?
Moved to Japan at 49. Bought an English school from an Australian gentleman that started the school when he was 60. He sold it to me when he was 70.
Studied at a few schools – COTO, Switch, Kumon. Liked Kumon the most. The little worksheets were so much fun.
Age isn’t an issue for going to language school. If you wanted to get a full-time job, it could be an issue. That just means it is harder, not impossible.
No, never to late to live your life
Don’t let the age thing be an issue! It will be such a great hiatus from normal work life for you, and so fun for your classmates and teacher to have someone with more/different experience in the group.
Go for it!
There are actually a lot of students at my language school that are in their early to mid 30s, so it’s likely you won’t be alone in taking that big jump. Go for it never too late!
Nope. No one cares your age only if you can pay. If you want to stay longer and make a career us amother matter. If just 2 years it is fine.
I went when I was 43 and there were people there that were much older.
I went at 33 don’t be afraid you can do it
I went to a Japanese school at 30 and there was a British lad with 35 years studying because his company sent him to install a new office in Tokyo.
Don’t worrym you are not too old for japanese school.
No. I was just at language school for several months. There were actually quite a few retirees there, learning the language and just enjoying their well earned retirement.
I was 26 when I went. Sure, i was one of the older students but i wasn’t the oldest. Don’t worry about it, everyone is there to study and enjoy life so don’t sweat it
I’m going next year and I’ll be 35, I get your feeling completely, but the more research I’ve done the more at ease I feel, people of all ages go and at that age you have exactly what you wrote; a career, more money saved up, life experience. I think going at this age is for me the perfect time, if I would’ve gone at a younger age I wouldn’t have been able to make it all that I will be able to now.
Some advice since you have 4 years to prepare:
1. Save money. As much as possible. At 35 you want to feel safe and live comfortably not stressing on a student budget. I’ll have saved approximately 4 million yen upon my arrival, that I’ll use as a cushion on top of my student loan. Crunching the numbers now I do wish I would’ve saved some more.. I’ll be okay comfortable, I’ll be able to travel while I’m there, but I might burn through it all and not have so much left for when I go back home.
2. Study Japanese! Many advice you to be at least at N5 to get by in school, N3 if you want to actually enjoy and not be put in the beginner class with people who’s only there to work and doesn’t put an effort in for school (this is what I’ve read in many reviews, hopefully it’s not the case everywhere though).
3. I see many people struggling to get a part time job, not sure how accurate it is with reality, but for me it’s been a stressor since I’ve been thinking I’d be able to work to make some extra money and not completely blow through my savings.
4. The application process takes about 8 months, you could do it with a shorter time frame (6 months ish) but you want to have time when you fill everything out (trust me) and the spots for the school are first come first served. They are asking for a lot of documents, motivational letter etc in the application process. Once you know which school you want to go to, start the application/start taking contact with the school or if you go through an agency such as gogonihon.
5. If you want to do the 2 years course some schools need you to start in April. Also just a heads up.
I think it’s no matter when you go, the most important thing is that you do go if it’s a dream of yours. And better to be fully prepared than rush it and have regrets 🙂
Nothing is too late, i went to language school when i was 34 with 19-25 yr olds as classmates. Youre good.
Most of the people in my class are late 20’s, early 30’s. I am 49. Youngest is 16. Oldest is 67. You will be fine.
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