“My child goes to an international school, and the school offers Japanese classes — so Japanese is covered, right?” Many families assume this, then are surprised when their child one day says “Speaking Japanese? That’s actually kind of hard for me.” They can pass the reading-and-writing tests, but can’t chat freely with Japanese kids. This guide explains, honestly, why an international school’s Japanese class often isn’t enough on its own — and how to fill the gap without piling on more work.
Why “can read and write, but can’t speak” happens
An international school’s Japanese class is usually “Japanese as a subject.” Grammar, kanji, reading comprehension — the skills you can measure on a test grow well. But children truly learn to use a language in the time they spend chatting with friends. That’s where a gap opens up that lessons alone rarely close.
Gap 1: The only person they speak to is the teacher
In class, the person they talk to is the teacher, and the goal is to “answer correctly.” Conversation with friends their own age is different — joking around, getting excited about a favorite game. The feeling of “They understood me! I want to say more!” is what grows a language. That fun, high-volume conversation is exactly what classes alone tend to lack.
Gap 2: Outside school, it’s an English world
At an international school, both lessons and friendships happen mostly in English. For many kids, the only Japanese they meet is a few class periods a week. Languages grow with total exposure. When it’s English at home and English at school, Japanese keeps getting pushed to the back.
Gap 3: They’re not in touch with “Japan today”
There’s a real distance between textbook Japanese and the words Japanese kids actually use. Current slang, the way kids talk at school, anime and game chat — this “living Japanese” only comes in once your child connects with Japanese friends their own age.
Looking for a way to keep Japanese going from abroad?
TOMODACHI JAPAN is an online Japanese school for children growing up outside Japan. They talk with peers their own age in Japan every day, taught by teachers working at Japanese schools, in small classes of 8.
🎁 Register and we’ll email you our School Guide (PDF, in English) straight away. You’ll also be first to hear about tuition, scholarships and opening dates.
Free · takes about 30 seconds
“Do they really need both?” — an honest answer
The honest answer: a school Japanese class and “Japanese with friends” do different jobs, so having both is ideal. But this isn’t about adding yet another cram school. The most efficient move is to add only what’s missing — speaking and connecting with friends — without increasing your child’s workload.
| How you fill the gap | What it builds | Makes friends | Easy to keep up |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Japanese class only | Reading & writing, grammar | × | ○ |
| 1-on-1 tutor / online | Mostly reading & writing | × | △ (1-on-1 with an adult gets dull) |
| Language apps | Words & letters | × | △ (kids often quit in weeks) |
| Small group (talking with friends) | Conversation, living Japaese | ◎ | ◎ (peers keep them going) |
3 ways to add “spoken Japanese” at home
- 1. Put “the joy of being understood” before “correctness.” Over-correcting grammar makes kids afraid to speak. First, grow the number of “I said it!” moments.
- 2. Create chances to connect with Japanese kids their age. Not with an adult — with other children. “I want to talk to my friends more” is the strongest motivator.
- 3. Use what they love (anime, games, crafts) in Japanese. Frame it as an extension of a hobby, not “study,” and they’ll start using Japanese on their own.
TOMODACHI JAPAN fills the missing piece
If the school’s Japanese class is the “reading-and-writing foundation,” then TOMODACHI JAPAN is the “speaking and making friends” part. In small groups, your child talks, plays and learns every day with Japanese kids from our sister school, NIJIN Academy (1,000+ students). Progress is measured by “How many friends did you make?” — so you can add the missing living Japanese in a fun way, without increasing the schoolwork load.
Frequently asked questions
Should we drop the school’s Japanese class and switch to this?
No. The school class is an important reading-and-writing foundation. TOMODACHI JAPAN adds the missing “speaking and friends” part. They work well together.
What if my child can barely speak Japanese?
That’s fine. Kids are grouped by conversation level, so even if hiragana feels shaky, they start with peers at the same stage.
Can we join from an international school outside Japan?
Yes. Mainly across Asia and Oceania, and other regions too if the time zones work. Everything is online.
Related reading: Considering online schooling in Japan more broadly? See our parent’s guide to virtual schools in Japan — it separates full online schools from Japanese classes that fit around your child’s current school.
▼ Reading fine but not speaking? The friends-first fix → online Japanese that helps kids make real friends.
